A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the master of the novel of international intrigue comes a riveting new book as timely and unsettling as tomorrow’s headlines.It is summer 1999 in Russia, a country on the threshold of anarchy. An interim president sits powerless in Moscow as his nation is wracked by famine and inflation, crime and corruption, and seething hordes of the unemployed roam the … of the unemployed roam the streets.
For the West, Russia is a basket case. But for Igor Komarov, one-time army sergeant who has risen to leadership of the right-wing UPF party, the chaos is made to order. As he waits in the wings for the presidential election of January 2000, his striking voice rings out over the airwaves offering the roiling masses hope at last—not only for law, order, and prosperity, but for restoring the lost greatness of their land.
Who is this man with the golden tongue who is so quickly becoming the promise of a Russia reborn? A document stolen from party headquarters and smuggled to Washington and London sends nightmare chills through those who remember the past, for this Black Manifesto is pure Mein Kampf in a country with frightening parallels to the Germany of the Weimar Republic.
Officially the West can do nothing, but in secret a group of elder statesmen sends the only person who can expose the truth about Komarov into the heart of the inferno. Jason Monk, ex-CIA and “the best damn agent-runner we ever had,” had sworn he would never return to Moscow, but one name changes his mind. Colonel Anatoli Grishin, the KGB officer who tortured and murdered four of Monk’s agents after they had been betrayed by Aldrich Ames, is now Komarov’s head of security.
Monk has a dual mission: to stop Komarov, whatever it takes, and to prepare the way for an icon worthy of the Russian people. But he has a personal mission as well: to settle the final score with Grishin. To do this he must stay alive–and the forces allied against him are ruthless, the time frighteningly short. . . .
Praise for Icon
“Vintage Forsyth, intricate, exact and gripping.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Another strong performance by a writer who knows exactly what he’s about, and who here catalyzes narrative with another memorable protagonist, the stealthy and daring Monk.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“One of his best works for a long time, which provides an all-too-real look at a chilling new millennium.”—The Sunday Times, London
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Superb!
Forsyth is one of my favorite spy/intrigue authors
Icon showcases Frederick Forsyth’s mastery of the thriller genre, and also highlights what an exceptional storyteller he is.
The detail is perfect, characters are relatable. Places are described vividly. In contrast with so many modern day authors. Chapter lengths are pretty long, but the reader is engaged throughout. Well-researched, well-balanced and possibly Forsyth’s best work. I know it is the best thriller I have read for many years. If I could, I would give it 6 stars.
The start of the book was a little confusing while establishing the characters and moving back and forth in time. But when the book picked up speed it was a total page-turner and I couldn’t put it down. Using known individuals during the 80’s and weaving his own characters into the book, made this an incredible read. Frederick Forsyth is a master!
How can you not enjoy a Forsyth book?!?
Forsythe never disappoints. In addition to creating interesting characters, the narrative provides excellent historical background, about both Russia and the tragic consequences of Aldrich Ames’ callous treason within the CIA, to weave this spy tale. I’m likely biased because the descriptions remind me of places I visited in Moscow some years ago but that’s merely a bonus. The descriptions of people and places stand on their own and kept me reading well into the night.
Forsyth at his best. Always wonderful reading.
Classical Frederick Forsyth, can not wait till it is finished.
Reading Icon was like reading the international news in the newspapers or hearing it on TV. Forsyth deftly wove a novel around real people, real events and real facts so cleverly it was hard to tell what was fiction and what was not. In fact, it seemed the majority of characters in the book were real people in real places, participating in real events. The book, fact and fiction, is riveting, one of his best. Strongly recommended.
You really can’t beat Forsythe for suspense! He is such a talented writer and his characters are always so well rounded and realistic, there’s nothing 2 dimensional about them. I can remember my mother reading Forsythe’s books to me when I was young, and he’s someone that I never tire of reading even until today!
Another Forsythe home run!
Fredrich Forsythe brings us intrigue and manipulation at the height of world turmoil. The events could happen anywhere with powerful people in government manipulating the man in the street with misinformation and control of information channels. Promises, misleading agendas and charisma(!) confuse the regular person who must choose leaders, but on what set of facts. The Icon gives us much to consider in our real world! A good read!
Extremely difficult to follow Russian government, people with Russian names, story line complex. You really have to devote time to stay with this book…can’t pick it up and put it down and be able to keep track of what is going on.
With real (recent) history included, this book proves that truth is stranger and scarier than fiction.
Everything he writes is action packed and twisty