America.

Stephen Coonts. 2001. Read by John Kenneth. 9 tapes, 13 hrs. Brilliance. 1-58788-554-9. $96.25. Vinyl binder; plot notes. SA

In the not-too-distant past, this action /adventure thriller would have been regarded simply as an exciting, but highly implausible, story. In today's world, this suspenseful novel hits the ground running and includes many of today's, and perhaps tomorrow's, sophisticated weapons, modern technology, and international intrigue. A satellite blasts off from a launch pad in Florida and disappears. A fully armed, state-of-the-art American nuclear submarine, America, is hijacked by a team of ex-CIA-trained foreigners. These pirates elude capture and disappear into the Atlantic Ocean. Later they launch armed missiles at Washington and New York. The cities are paralyzed because power sources have been wiped out and electronic communications are at a standstill. Suspense builds. The rogue sub still has six armed missiles. Will it fire them? Rear Admiral Jake Grafton, a character familiar to Coonts's fans, must find and destroy the renegade. He takes on a group of international conspirators that includes a former Soviet submarine commander and French, German, and American opportunists. Who is really behind the conspiracy? International relations are strained. Greed is a major player.

Kenneth provides a fully voiced, fully accented performance. He handles Russian, French, German, and American voices with ease and changes tone to convey various emotions. Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown, PA