our time.
Two reviews, but in this one Ludlum predicted much of what we are seeing today. Ludlum asked that this book be reprinted because he though it was so important for future readers.
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Conspiracy Theorists Unite!
Jan 06 '01
Author's Product Rating
Pros
Great Intrigue, Conspirators everywhere
Cons
Complicated at times
Full Review
I still have a headache. In Robert Ludlum's "Trevayne", his best selling novel contains more plot twists, sub-plots, and conspiracy lines, plots, and action than any book I've ever read. If you are looking for high powered action, skip this book. If you want a story on intrigue in the Nation's Capitol, you'll enjoy it.
Andrew Trevayne is a self-made millionaire who through ego and doing, becomes involved in public service. From the State Department, to a National foundation, to a special committee on Defense spending, his life changes at every turn, throughout the book. The novel's premise is Trevayne becoming the Chairman of a committee, exploring the spending patterns of the Defense Department. High powered politicos request his presence on this task, all the way to the White House. His actions and investigations through this committee, reveal an amazing fact: The United States is controlled by a major corporation, Genessee Industries!
If you want to die of old age, hangin' with Trevayne is not the way to insure your collection of retirement benefits. The only negative I have on Ludlum's style is when there is a dead-end or a hanging piece of the plot, the character gets blasted. This includes a White House "mole", a Mafia Chief, a Senator, and even the sitting President of the United States. All dead. Is Genessee Industries involved? You'll have to read the novel!
Realistic in the sense of Trevayne's ego, his strive for power is shown, however Ludlum does try to soft-sell it. The range of ambition is from the subcommittee investigation, an independent government maverick, a US Senator, and the major surprise, the President of the United States. At any time, Trevayne could've walked away, counting his millions, but he always pursues the bigger goal, to feed his ego.
At every turn, throughout his investigation, throughout his campaign, Genessee Industries is involved at every turn, Pentagon spending? It's for the good of the American armed forces. Senators in their pockets? Genessee helps the economy of local areas through jobs. The White House? Goal is to be elected and not cause major controversy. Media? Of course, they like a good fight. The irony of the relationship between Trevayne and Genessee Industries is finally realized in the final chapters.
The other major character development, outside of Trevayne, is Major Bonner. Bonner is a true military renegade and maverick, a free military spirit, on his own agenda. Your feelings of hate, quickly change to admiration in the novel. His reward for upholding American ideals? A murder charge and removal from the service. However, a giant twist occurs, a huge surprise, with Bonner becoming attached to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Why? you'll have to read the novel. Other characters are basically, bit players, with no need for enhancement.
Geographic description is of Washing, DC., and New England. The real insight is in American business, the inner-workings of a giant conglomeration, and the lobbying and power of politics. Who really runs the American government? Quite possibly, Genessee Industries. "Trevayne" is a novel on American politics, power, corruption, and conspiracy. Full of suspense with the plot twists and intrigue. This book is as timely now as when it was first written in 1973, during the Nixon Watergate times.
http://www.epinions.com/book-review-522E-315C26EA-3A57866C-prod2 From the Publisher
ABOUT THIS ITEM
From the Publisher
Brilliant, fearless, incorruptible, Andrew Trevayne was a self-made millionaire at thirty-five, former undersecretary of state, current head of one of the nation's most prestigious foundations. Now, at the express wish of the president, Trevayne undertakes an investigation into the "secret government" -- and is swept up in a tidal wave of intrigue and danger beyond the corridors of official power...into a nightmare maze where Mafia leaders and billionaires mingle... where Congress and even the presidency itself can be bought and sold. Here, in this sizzling world of mystery, seduction, and betrayal... where his family's survival and his own hinge on a hair trigger... where sinister forces are poised to exact a chilling conspiracy... here, a man like Trevayne can become a dreaded enemy, a duped pawn -- or a king.
"A taut novel that spares no one!" -- The New York Times.
"Don't ever begin a Ludlum novel if you have to work the next day." -- Chicago Sun-Times.
"A fascinating, meaty spine-tingler." -- Library Journal.
"Brilliant... A story of power, intrigue, ambition, greed, corruption, and horror." -- King Features Syndicate.
http://search-barnesandnoble.com/sub_robert-ludlum/Trevayne/