Book Summary and Reviews of Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett

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Edge of Eternity is Disappointment
Having read and enjoyed nearly all of Ken Follett’s novels, I was shocked and saddened to read Edge of Eternity, which focused on events in the United States, Germany, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. I realize that this novel is classified as “historical fiction,” but it should be labeled as a “re-imagining.”

Mr. Follett concentrated on the bleakest aspects of the 1960’s and later, which were depressing reminders of those turbulent times that we endured…assassinations, segregation, civil unrest, communism, drugs, and “free love.” However, the Welsh author used his characters to promote his obvious political preference for socialism and liberalism. Examples included calling US presidential candidate Barry Goldwater a “racist,” denying President Reagan’s role in the collapse of the Soviet Union through economic and political pressure, plus no mention at all of Reagan’s and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s strengthening of their countries’ economies. The positives of space exploration were ignored, even though it involved both the USA and the USSR. The spin made me question the accuracy of the historical elements in previous two books of the Century Trilogy.

His biases were further exemplified in his characterizations. The liberal characters were written in a positive way, while the conservatives were invariable depicted as inept or unsavory. Although he rightly promoted racial equality, he implied that Condoleezza Rice was a war-monger. At least Mr. Follett was equal in his treatment of both types as far as sexuality, writing soap opera scenes of infidelity for all, including President John Kennedy and the communists.

I hope that Mr. Follett will return to writing suspenseful espionage.

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