- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; New Ed edition (6 April 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006496466
- ISBN-13: 978-0006496465
- Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 11.9 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 209,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Eleventh Commandment
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Former MP and prospective Mayor of London Jeffrey Archer's latest offering is an ambitious international thriller of expansive scope, a tale of espionage, intrigue and suspense at the very highest echelons of power. Archer wastes no time diving into his rollercoaster of a plot; we are introduced to our hero, Connor Fitzgerald, "the CIA's most deadly weapon", as he completes his mission--to assassinate a presidential candidate in Colombia. The far-reaching consequences of his act are not immediately apparent as he makes his way back to a loving wife and daughter and his life of "normality"--as far as they are concerned he is an insurance specialist--but in his inimitable style, Archer drives the plot along at speed, never lingering for longer than necessary as we are introduced to a succession of characters of great stature, ranging from the President of the United States to his headstrong CIA director and a new, extremist president in Russia. As the plot develops, Connor becomes ensnared in a political intrigue which will see him have to draw on all his wits and resourcefulness as he struggles for self-preservation and the safety of the free world as we know it.
One might assume that, given Archer's proximity to genuine political power for much of his life, he would be in a position to bring a greater realism to his story of high-stakes political manoeuvring than other authors without his experience. He certainly encourages this belief on his page of acknowledgements, which includes a former director of the CIA and FBI and a U.S. National Security Advisor. However, readers anticipating evidence of any great insight into this world should prepare to be disappointed--this is not where the strength of the book lies, although there are some nice touches, and a certain suspension of disbelief is necessary to get the best out of it. Mind you, one doesn't doubt that Archer's eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt not be caught", is a maxim many politicians and power-brokers, himself included, have lived their lives by. Where he does succeed, though, is in story-telling, with a relentless plot and the creation of a sympathetic, if barely plausible, central character capable of drawing readers in and carrying them, thrill-a-minute, to a dramatic, surprising and ultimately satisfying conclusion. --Alisdair Bowles --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
‘A storyteller in the class of Alexandre Dumas’
Washington Post
‘Archer has a gift for plot that can only be described as genius’
Daily Telegraph
‘The man’s a genius’
Fay Weldon, Evening Standard
‘Few are more famous than Archer for keeping the pages turning’
Peter Stothard, The Times
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When you read this book, do it on a weekend or on holiday. That is, if you need your sleep before a working day. Because this fantastic tale will keep you spellbound from the moment you start the first chapter until you finish the last page.
The story about CIA secret agent Connor Fitzgerald, a totally brave and honourable man, and his last assignment, is truly captivating. From Colombia to Washington and Moscow, via Finland, Switzerland, South Africa to Australia. The CIA, The Oval Office, The Kremlin, the Russian mafia. Even bits from Viet Nam thrown in.
Reviewers have found it unlikely that the CIA would spend such time and resources in order to try and assassinate a top world leader. Probably quite true. But this is fiction, and a tale so expertly woven and told that it does not matter. It all sounds actually plausible, the twists and turns and surprises around every bend of that winding road.
I have always found stories taking place in Russia tending to be a bit drab. Very wrong of me, I know. And anyway, here I'm getting thoroughly and rightly converted. What takes place in Russia is among the most breathtaking and captivating in the whole story.
A masterpiece of a book, which has got it all. A great story about politics, suspense, desception, greed, heroism, love. Told by the greatest storyteller of our times.
The story about CIA secret agent Connor Fitzgerald, a totally brave and honourable man, and his last assignment, is truly captivating. From Colombia to Washington and Moscow, via Finland, Switzerland, South Africa to Australia. The CIA, The Oval Office, The Kremlin, the Russian mafia. Even bits from Viet Nam thrown in.
Reviewers have found it unlikely that the CIA would spend such time and resources in order to try and assassinate a top world leader. Probably quite true. But this is fiction, and a tale so expertly woven and told that it does not matter. It all sounds actually plausible, the twists and turns and surprises around every bend of that winding road.
I have always found stories taking place in Russia tending to be a bit drab. Very wrong of me, I know. And anyway, here I'm getting thoroughly and rightly converted. What takes place in Russia is among the most breathtaking and captivating in the whole story.
A masterpiece of a book, which has got it all. A great story about politics, suspense, desception, greed, heroism, love. Told by the greatest storyteller of our times.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book in three days and could hardly put it down. I have become interested lately in CIA and spy novels, and this book did not disappoint me in any way, in spite of what a couple reviewers below have said about it. What I loved MOST about this book is that you don't expect a CIA assassin to be a truly honorable man, as was this main character. It was really interesting how the author immediately pulls you into the assasin's mind and gets you right on his side.
The reviewers below comment on the plot being implausible--that the CIA would not go around like this assasinating world leaders. I don't think this comment is important. In any novel, we must "suspend our disbelief," and this novel is no different. The more pertinent question in this novel is "What if?" I personally thought it was one of the best plots I have ever read, and I really enjoyed how the characters were one-upping each other. I was really surprised by the twists and turns of the plot as it progressed. And I liked being surprised. An EXCELLENT read.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of the best Jeffrey Archer books I have read.Always the twist in the tale and this had more than one
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Jeffrey Archer kindle book
Thank you for this kindle book. I haven't read it yet but will be looking forward to so doing when on holiday.
Published 18 days ago by Anthea
the eleventh commandment
I was not able to read this book at the time it first came out, so it is naturally a bit dated since it recounts situations that one knows have not gone quite as Archer writes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. Montrasio
Disappointing
I've read/listened to a number of Jeffrey Archer's books and have up to now been impressed with what a good story-teller he is. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bluebell
A hero murderer
The hero of this book is an assassin, which is another name for a paid murderer. These cowards ensure they are as safe as can be with a well-planned escape route and from their... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Castle
great holiday book
great easy read. edge of seat stuff. the whole family read it and enjoyed it.
Published on 12 May 2010 by wonder woman
The Eleventh Commandment - Jeffrey Archer
I have read the above Jeffrey Archer book and also his following titles (0btained through Amazon):
The fourth Estate
Honour among Thieves
First among... Read more
The fourth Estate
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Published on 9 Oct 2009 by Mr. P. R. Gower
the 11th commandment
use to be a huge fan of james patterson, until i discovered jeffrey archer. lent this book to my entire family & friends it is truly un-putdownable? Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2009 by M. robinson
Genius
This is the 6th Jeffery Archer novel I have read and by far the best one so far. It is captivating from start to finish. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2007 by Mr. J. W. Moreman
Breathtaking... the best book i have ever read.
As soon as i started reading this i couldnt put it down. Full of twists and turns even the great Agatha Christie couldnt work out. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2001
WOW!
Yes, thats all I have to say this one word sums up what I think describes the book most! I'm a great fan of Archer and I'll keep reading this book over and over and over.....
Published on 30 Sep 2000
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