This is a complex political thriller. The garbageman is an interesting character that is challenged beyond his regular self estimation, but he surprises us by stepping up to the challenges. I was interested throughout, but felt it was too long.

This is a political thriller that is scary that it is so realistic. It is written with a humorous slightly skewed perspective. It is based on the cold war type spy novel with the modern day NSA big brother combined. A good read with plenty of quirky characters. I liked it and will probably reread it to catch a few more of the nuances.

dunn's conundrum

Maybe it takes an ad man to write such an action-packed, hilarious political satire: not unlike Ianucci writing today's television series'In the Loop' etc - Stan Lee was the ad man with political links extraordinaire - and these days his inside look at US intelligence figures, CIA, top generals, and senators trying to wield military power, and the squillionaires who pressed buttons is as meaningful and hilarious as it was then. Interspersing sexual shenanigans, with everyone having something to hide, and maybe everybody else knowing what that is, we follow Dunn's choice for head of the Library - the intelligence community's database full of mavericks and straight arrows - Coolidge's predecessor killed himself and they needed him, the 'Garbageman' named for his uncanny way of filleting people's refuse for nuggets of info to be a savvy new director: but he is all too knowing it turns out - and has to play whistleblower, trying to save himself, he cuts a deal even with the President's very own right hand man with his lover's help who knows how to scan the streets at the controls of a powerful satellite. You won't put it down - from parking lots underground, to fancy townhouses and restaurants, and with Russians in the world's sights now too as then, and the Watergate coverup still on everyone's mind then, it seems very relevant.

At times the entire book seemed to be a conundrum. A somewhat jumbled riddle to start and at the point of giving it up (I rarely do) it became interesting. From interesting it went to hilarious, although also moments of just plain ridiculous at the inhuman like feats of valor. At some point there is finally a more complete understanding and at last the rise to the conclusion. Although overly complicated at times when finished a look back shows some prescience on the author’s part. Even in today’s (4/23/2015) news headline a major failure of a rocket test by a major power is a huge embarrassment, this statement is for real and not part of the book. Back to the book and thinking it over the whole scenario could have very well been within the realm of possibility given the time period, and as events in the world of today shape up it could conceivably apply to the current time period, just change some of the names. I cannot rate more than four stars because of the confusing aspects but this could be me. A reader often has to take a risk and maybe finish a book finding total satisfaction with the experience.