Ultimatum

by Matthew Glass | Mystery & Thrillers |
ISBN: 9781554683529 Global Overview for this book
Registered by HoserLauren of Burlington, Ontario Canada on 4/4/2009
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by HoserLauren from Burlington, Ontario Canada on Saturday, April 4, 2009
Got this as a review book from Harper Collins.

From Amazon:
When Democrat Joe Benton becomes the 48th president of the United States, four years of Republican apathy are succeeded by an agenda of dynamic social reform. But within weeks, Benton is forced to set aside his radical housekeeping campaign to address the threat of environmental devastation posed by accelerated global warming. China--with its appalling record of pollution and refusal to do anything about it--becomes America's enemy, and as the two superpowers lock horns, the ensuing battle of wits becomes a race against time. As the world edges toward a tragedy that can end only in nuclear war, Benton struggles to make sense and good judgment prevail.

Taking over where Primary Colors and The West Wing left off, Matthew Glass's visionary and deeply unsettling thriller steers us into the dark heart of political intrigue as President Benton's first year in office becomes the most crucial twelve months of his entire life.

Journal Entry 2 by HoserLauren from Burlington, Ontario Canada on Sunday, April 12, 2009
Democrat Joe Benton has just been elected in 2032, a world that has seen global warning truly start to erode the coast line. One of his policy promises is a Relocation package that involves moving citizens from cities on the coast that have been wiped out due to the climate change. Benton believes he has the potential to be one of few presidents that changes his country, and possibly the world, for the better.

When the previous president calls Benton in to a meeting and tells him that the effects of global warming are much worse than what is expected, that if no changes are made, Miami will be under water and California will be forever in a drought, Benton's priorities must change. He learns that the government was in negotiations with China, the world's largest pollution emitter, to cut back emissions but that no progress had been made. Benton brings in his own team to learn about Chinese politics and how to best go about negotiations with them to reach a common resolution.

What results is a political thriller like none I've ever read before. Glass takes you behind the scenes and into the room of a president and his advisers discussing all the options and all the alternatives of a single action. It's obvious that a lot of research and thought was put into this book. I really appreciated how logical the arguments were and how I could agree with what both sides were saying. I'm definitely glad I wasn't in Benton's position. I don't know if I'd be able to make those decisions.

Since I'm not American, I had trouble keeping in mind which character was in which position and what exactly that position entailed (cheifs, secretaries, ministers, etc.). However, the balance of characters was great. Each brought a different view to the table. Despite being a large book, I was turning the pages wondering what was going to happen and the end had my heart racing as I tried to read as quickly as possible to find out how Benton was going to pull through.

This has been my best read of the year!

Journal Entry 3 by wingAceofHeartswing from Mississauga, Ontario Canada on Sunday, April 26, 2009
This book is with me now :)

Journal Entry 4 by wingAceofHeartswing from Mississauga, Ontario Canada on Sunday, May 31, 2009
Democrat Joe Benton has just taken office after a Republican administration in the year 2032. Benton has promised domestic housekeeping by reforming education and health programs. What Benton does not know is that global warming is accelerating at a rate unpredicted. Relocation along the coastal areas will have to be massive.

Benton must now change his priorities and try to work with China at really reducing both their emissions. Each country views the other as an enemy and wants no change while the other country must change. Gradually talks disintegrate to the point of the threat of nuclear war.

Glass has written a wonderful political thriller. It is most interesting how the president works with his advisers and cabinet to try to resolve issues. The research that must have gone into this book is impressive and the analysis of the situation very in depth. The reader is made to be more 'eco' aware than ever before. What is scary is that it is such a probable scenario.

Journal Entry 5 by HoserLauren from Burlington, Ontario Canada on Thursday, December 24, 2009
This book is back with me.

Journal Entry 6 by HoserLauren from Burlington, Ontario Canada on Saturday, March 6, 2010
Mailed today from the Best Of 2010 swap. Enjoy Boomda!

Journal Entry 7 by boomda181 on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Arrived in the mail earlier this week! Looking forward to this read. Thanks Hoserlauren!

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