Date: September-October 2006
Publication: Current Magazine
Section and Page: Current Diversion, page 52
Publisher: Finserve Corporation, Meralco
Even a total change of identity is better than 14 more years locked in federal prison.
This is Joel Backman’s thoughts on his unexpected and controversial presidential pardon after spending six years detained in a cold and isolated cell of only 12-foot square, with no windows, no bars, and poor food service.
He wouldn’t mind changing his name, learn a difficult foreign language, and having a completely
different lifestyle in his new country—just as long as he is free!
But the story has just started.
Backman’s life before prison is a power broker—an infamous and notorious lobbyist who only cared about making more money. Back then, it seems like the broker got hand of the most advance and sophisticated satellite surveillance system the world would ever know. Secrets are discovered. Top intelligence groups around the globe are threatened. And Backman is the man to blame.
So the last-minute pardon of the outgoing US President is pressured by the CIA. The plan is to release the new Backman in Italy; until such time that the CIA will leak the information to the Israelis, the Saudis, the Russians and the Chinese to find out who will get him first.
Thus, it is not a matter of survival. The question is simple: Who will kill the
broker?
John Grisham has once again proved he is a great storyteller. Looking at his other bestsellers The Rainmaker, A Time to Kill, and The Firm, Grisham’s books may seem intimidating with its number of pages. But once you get started with a chapter, it is best to prepare for one sleepless night ahead.
The Broker, packed with the suspense of Backman’s “David-and-Goliath” adventures against the mighty enemies, is a sure page-turner. The fiction was also able to capture the non-fictional detail of how the government and the press abuse their power and influence.
But even with the seriousness of Grisham’s themes on law and politics, this book is not a monotonous read. The rich and colorful culture of Italy is so alive in this novel; it is as if you’ve been there all along!
A fast-paced story, The Broker will make you stop and realize that without the unconditional love of your family and true friends—money, power, and success are nothing.
This is Joel Backman’s thoughts on his unexpected and controversial presidential pardon after spending six years detained in a cold and isolated cell of only 12-foot square, with no windows, no bars, and poor food service.
He wouldn’t mind changing his name, learn a difficult foreign language, and having a completely
different lifestyle in his new country—just as long as he is free!But the story has just started.
Backman’s life before prison is a power broker—an infamous and notorious lobbyist who only cared about making more money. Back then, it seems like the broker got hand of the most advance and sophisticated satellite surveillance system the world would ever know. Secrets are discovered. Top intelligence groups around the globe are threatened. And Backman is the man to blame.
So the last-minute pardon of the outgoing US President is pressured by the CIA. The plan is to release the new Backman in Italy; until such time that the CIA will leak the information to the Israelis, the Saudis, the Russians and the Chinese to find out who will get him first.
Thus, it is not a matter of survival. The question is simple: Who will kill the
broker?John Grisham has once again proved he is a great storyteller. Looking at his other bestsellers The Rainmaker, A Time to Kill, and The Firm, Grisham’s books may seem intimidating with its number of pages. But once you get started with a chapter, it is best to prepare for one sleepless night ahead.
The Broker, packed with the suspense of Backman’s “David-and-Goliath” adventures against the mighty enemies, is a sure page-turner. The fiction was also able to capture the non-fictional detail of how the government and the press abuse their power and influence.
But even with the seriousness of Grisham’s themes on law and politics, this book is not a monotonous read. The rich and colorful culture of Italy is so alive in this novel; it is as if you’ve been there all along!
A fast-paced story, The Broker will make you stop and realize that without the unconditional love of your family and true friends—money, power, and success are nothing.
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