Perhaps most of us would just as soon ignore the far away and incomprehensible difficulties in the Balkins, but this thriller, woven as it with truth, kept me glued. It starts off a little slowly, but patience soon pays off as Friedman unleashes many truly interesting and startling scenes. His habit of ending a chapter on just the right note makes it difficult to find a good stopping place - you just have to read on into the next chapter! I call it a very good read.