After reading a couple of Anderson's non-fiction books, I enjoyed this novel very much. Set in a fictional Middle Eastern country, it portrays America's duplicitous behavior as it pertains to regime change and "building democracy" in foreign entanglements. Told from the perspective of a mid-level embassy expat, it is cynical and is, I suspect, very close to the truth of what happens. "Fact of the matter is, building democracy, it's a messy business, and I'm not sure any of us can be so high-and-mighty to tell others there's one right way to do it." Bleak and uncompromising, this book will shatter any romantic notions you might have about how the State Department operates. ( )

Although fiction, this book provides quite a look at diplomacy in small countries, that have something the larger countries (like the US) want. It gives the reader a glimpse into how the US might implement foreign policy, and the relationships between different parts of government (in this case State vs Dept of Defense), how they interact with each other, and at times, our allies. The plot develops, but has some significant twists that more than anything else, causing one to step back and reflect on what faction in the fictitious country was being supported. And if there was a design to the US plan, or were the different elements of government just reacting to circumstances as they developed.

While this is a fictitious story, one can't help but wonder if the author used this venue to share a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes, that would be very difficult to document from a journalists normal access to sources and information. Elements of the story seemed ripped from the headlines of today, even though the book was written a number of years ago. Thought provoking!! ( )

farfetched plot line/developments but lead characters are well developed-sympathetic embassy employee stranded in rebellion in fictional mideast country ( )