New Releases by Michael Dobbs

甘迺迪、赫魯雪夫兩大領袖試圖冷靜決策， 但在這場危及世界存亡的事件之中， 最大的問題早已不是他們「想不想」控制事態， 而是他們「能不能」…… ★《華盛頓郵報》、《聖路易斯郵報》年度最佳圖書 ★《洛杉磯時報》歷史獎決賽入圍 ★《華盛頓郵報》年度五本非小說類書籍 那一天，美蘇在毀滅的深淵之前各退一步！ --------------------------------- 1962年10月爆發的古巴飛彈危機，是人類史上最接近核子戰爭的十三天。 美國與蘇聯兩大強權的角力，使世界籠罩在第三次世界大戰甚或核戰的陰影之中。先是美國6月在義大利與土耳其完成核子彈道飛彈部屬，展現威懾武力，而蘇聯則自7月開始反制行動，暗中於古巴部署飛彈，將紐約與華盛頓納入攻擊範圍。 10月，美國總統甘迺迪得知古巴飛彈的消息，局勢迅速升溫。從危機爆發到解除期間，美國總統發表電視演說、兩國展開祕密外交斡旋、雙方艦隊於加勒比海對峙……兩國領袖所做的每一個決策都影響了事態走向，也吸引無數專家深入研究。 作為冷戰兩大陣營的領導者，甘迺迪與赫魯雪夫的決斷自然至關重要，但由於事件所及範圍與動員人力之廣，也讓其中出現當權者無法控制、不為人知的驚險時刻。若只專注於某一面向，勢必無法理解事件全貌。資深記者麥可．達博思便由此動念，他挖角不曾被引用的口述資料、交叉比對資料，並採訪事件中的當事人，寫下栩栩如生的人物群像。 達博思採用編年史手法，以分秒之差記述事件發展。他從危機爆發的時刻開始，深入美國、蘇聯、古巴政府高層的反應，並將視角擴及身處戰場第一線的艦隊指揮將軍、負責祕密攻擊任務的美國士兵，又或是曾誤闖蘇聯領空的U2偵察機駕駛。透過他的書寫，使得古巴危機的紀錄不再侷限於史學或策略研究，而更貼近「人的故事」，其中角色行為所引發的情勢演變，讓人不由得驚嘆，政局的風雲變色，其實並不盡在高層的掌控之中…… 【本書特色】 當戰爭陰影再次籠罩世界，重返冷戰高峰，見證危機時刻大國領導的決策典範。 ★重返古巴危機現場 描寫冷戰轉為熱戰的一步之遙，緊張氛圍宛如驚悚故事。 ★當權者的危機處理案例 古巴危機六十年後，台灣海峽的衝突是否會將世界再次推向核戰邊緣？身在局勢中的台灣該如何應對，又是否能夠扭轉形勢？本書或許能帶我們找到可能的答案！ ★圍繞重大事件的人物群像 從總統、官員、軍人到第一線的小兵或平民，不論政府決策層或普通人民，細細描繪屬於人的精采故事。 【名人推薦】 ◆驚嘆推薦 王立／「王立第二戰研所」版主 李志德／資深新聞工作者 張國城／臺北醫學大學通識教育中心教授兼副主任 揭仲／國家政策研究基金會副研究員 葉耀元／美國聖湯瑪斯大學國際研究講座教授兼系主任 蘇紫雲／國防院戰略資源所長 ◆專家短評 《核戰倒數》描述一九六二年古巴危機，人類最接近核子戰爭的年代，相關人物的歷史故事。不是從大格局而是小人物的內心轉折，使用大量新聞資料、專訪、紀錄、回憶錄，以小說寫法依照時間敘述，有種不同於傳統古巴危機研究的觀點。最讓人感受深刻的，莫過於人物刻劃鮮明，各有其利益、立場、堅持、偏見，交織成一副末日前夕景象。本書著作於二○一四年，現在出版繁體版，並不會有過時之感，反倒能讓我們深思。──王立，「王立第二戰研所」版主 在世界史的維度上，「冷戰」已經在一九九○年代終結。但在臺灣海峽兩岸，冷戰威脅不僅沒有走入歷史，而且是臺灣人的日常。差別只在於隨著中國在不同時代、不同發展階段、不同領導人的戰術調整，臺灣面臨的戰爭威脅，有時清晰可見，有時被巧妙地隱藏。 習近平執政十年，中共內建「收復臺灣」的基因從隱性轉為顯性。美中兩大陣營隔著第一島鏈各自集結、對峙。怎麼防止不必要的緊張情勢升高，怎麼阻止不預期的戰爭爆發？這些問題，曾經令冷戰時期的政軍菁英殫精竭慮。《核戰倒數》記敘的故事──一九六二年的古巴飛彈危機，就是預防毀滅性戰爭的經典案例。 過去三十年裡，臺灣沒有哪個時刻比今時今日更需要重溫冷戰歷史。《核戰倒數》就是這座講堂的第一課。──李志德，資深新聞工作者 這可能是我讀過最好的一本著作──既有歷史論文的嚴謹，又有文學作品的懸疑趣味。本書譯者不僅是做了正確的翻譯，更做了漂亮的翻譯──將本書的文學性完美呈現。在這個領域的著作裡，這是非常不容易的。其次是編年體的記述方式。讓讀者能夠提綱挈領地知道事情進展的經緯。同時將美國、蘇聯、古巴三地一起討論，這是本書最大的價值，因為過往探討古巴飛彈危機的著作，極少有來自古巴方面的檔案和觀點。事情在他們的國土和國土周遭發生，卡斯楚更是事件的主角之一，但是在過往的著作中他幾乎不存在。──張國城，臺北醫學大學通識教育中心教授兼副主任 「古巴飛彈危機」距今已超過六十年，作為冷戰時期危機處理的經典案例，相關著述與文章雖不知凡幾，卻很少能像這本《核戰倒數》一樣，根據大量美國、蘇聯，甚至古巴的檔案文件，與事件中曾身處第一線人員的經歷，按時間軸與不同現場，完整交代這個人類有史以來，最接近世界末日之重大事件的來龍去脈，還解答許多困擾研究者數十年的疑問，例如赫魯雪夫在古巴部署彈道飛彈的動機，與事情曝光後蘇聯內部的決策過程等。 更可貴的是，作者不僅交代事件的來龍去脈，更引導讀者注意到對危機造成重大影響，卻常被忽略的環節。例如作者清楚呈現出一個現象，就是真正的危險並非出自最高領袖的意圖，反而來自許多「不明事理角色」有意無意的行為；這個現象使甘迺迪與赫魯雪夫雖一開始就打定主意要避免走向核戰，但局勢仍一度升高至核戰邊緣。這個歷史教訓，尤其值得台海兩岸，特別是頻頻派機艦對我進行「灰色地帶行為」的北京當局警惕。──揭仲，國家政策研究基金會副研究員 正所謂「鑑往知來」。烏俄戰爭所面臨的核戰危機，如何得以解決？「核戰倒數」或許給了我們一個詳盡的解答，讓我們能正面的來看待危機。──葉耀元，美國聖湯瑪斯大學國際研究講座教授兼系主任 一九六二年的古巴飛彈危機就是核戰末日邊緣，直接連動著人類的昨日乃至明日。作者將枯燥史料幻化細膩筆觸，將雙方的政治、軍事場景刻劃出來，跨越時空，我們彷彿置身在甘迺迪總統身邊、又似穿越在紅場的赫魯雪夫面前，感受著美蘇雙方對峙又擔憂擦槍走火導致核大戰。 作者的文字讓讀者得以細細咀嚼國際政治的交鋒，最高權力者的兩難時刻、幕僚燒肝也似的腦洞大開尋求解方，第一線戰機飛官的勇氣都躍然紙上，訴說著時代的眼淚。──蘇紫雲，國防院戰略資源所長 【國際好評】 「達博思統禦萬千資料猶如行兵列陣，用高明的佈局講述了一個激越的人性故事。……在曲折離奇的局勢與異國風情的場景之中，滿是令人難忘的角色廁身其間……在《核戰倒數》中我們看見弗斯特、勒卡，還有葛林這些諜報小說家的影子。」──《華盛頓郵報．書的世界》 「我本來不覺得關於古巴飛彈危機還有什麼新的東西可寫，但這本書寫得真是太好了。」──前美國國務卿歐布萊特 「引人入勝。……《核戰倒數》是了不起的貢獻，讓我們認識那個『多事之秋』。」──彭博新聞社 「令人不寒而慄。……達博思最大的成就，在於讓其時猶未出世的讀者，或者其時年紀只能依稀感受到父母恐懼的讀者，藉由本書一窺飛彈危機那些日子──他也讓親身經歷飛彈危機的讀者，再次感受當時那種焦慮的心情。」──《波士頓環球報》 「《核戰倒數》堪稱是一部嘔心瀝血的偉構：劇情如峰迴路轉，每每扣人心弦，教人手不釋卷，然而同時又是重要的學術專著。達博思的研究令人驚嘆，沒有任何古巴飛彈危機專史能與這樣的成就匹敵。」──薛文，《美國的普羅米修斯》合著者 「《核戰倒數》以不厭其詳的細節，以及帶有一抹克蘭西驚悚小說色彩的緊湊時間順序，探究那些讓人心驚膽戰的陰錯陽差。」──《聖路易郵報》

Here are some of the best of Churchill''s letters, many of a more personal nature, written to a wide range of people, including his schoolmaster, his American grandmother and former President Eisenhower. Letters for the Ages concentrates on the more intimate words of Winston Churchill, seeking to show the private man behind the public figure and shine fresh light on Churchill''s character and personality by capturing the drama, immediacy, storms, depressions, passions and challenges of his extraordinary career. These letters take us into his world and allow us to follow the changes in his motivations and beliefs as he navigates his 90 years. There are intimate letters to his parents, his teacher at Harrow, his wife Clementine, Prime Minister Asquith, Anthony Eden, President Roosevelt, Eamon De Valera and Charles De Gaulle. The letters are presented in chronological order, with a preface to each explaining the context, and they are accompanied throughout by facsimiles of said letters and photographs, offering the reader a sense of Churchill in his most private moments.

ONE OF USA TODAY''S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • A riveting account of the crucial days, hours, and moments when the Watergate conspiracy consumed, and ultimately toppled, a president—from the best-selling author of One Minute to Midnight. In January 1973, Richard Nixon had just been inaugurated after winning re-election in a historic landslide. He enjoyed an almost 70 percent approval rating. But by April 1973, his presidency had fallen apart as the Watergate scandal metastasized into what White House counsel John Dean called “a full-blown cancer.” King Richard is the intimate, utterly absorbing narrative of the tension-packed hundred days when the Watergate conspiracy unraveled as the burglars and their handlers turned on one another, exposing the crimes of a vengeful president. Drawing on thousands of hours of newly-released taped recordings, Michael Dobbs takes us into the heart of the conspiracy, recreating these traumatic events in cinematic detail. He captures the growing paranoia of the principal players and their desperate attempts to deflect blame as the noose tightens around them. We eavesdrop on Nixon plotting with his aides, raging at his enemies, while also finding time for affectionate moments with his family. The result is an unprecedentedly vivid, close-up portrait of a president facing his greatest crisis. Central to the spellbinding drama is the tortured personality of Nixon himself, a man whose strengths, particularly his determination to win at all costs, become his fatal flaws. Rising from poverty to become the most powerful man in the world, he commits terrible errors of judgment that lead to his public disgrace. He makes himself—and then destroys himself. Structured like a classical tragedy with a uniquely American twist, King Richard is an epic, deeply human story of ambition, power, and betrayal.

Quando Harry Jones scopre che la vita del suo vecchio amico Zac Kravitz è in pericolo, un debito d’onore lo obbliga ad affrontare una rischiosa missione di salvataggio in Ta’argistan, un’ex repubblica sovietica confinante con la Russia, la Cina e l’Afghanistan. Riesce a intrufolarsi in una delegazione di deputati britannici che si reca in visita in quello stesso paese, e poco a poco si rende conto di quanto sotto una democrazia apparente si nascondano dei biechi giochi di potere, silenziosamente avallati dalla politica dell’Occidente. Nel mettere a punto il piano per far evadere Zac dalla cupa prigione di Aškek – la capitale del Ta’argistan –, trova un improbabile alleato nella testarda e indipendente Martha Riley ed entra in contatto con un gruppo di ribelli ta’argi, guidato dal giovane Bektour, che vuole sovvertire lo spietato Sistema del presidente Karabaev e del suo braccio destro Amir Beg. Ma quando il tentativo prende una piega inaspettata, Harry si rende conto che la posta in gioco è molto più alta e che deve rischiare in prima persona per garantire la sopravvivenza di altri. In quest’avventura dal ritmo serrato attraverso la fatiscente città ta’argia e le montagne inospitali che la circondano, prenderà sempre più forma la trama di una cospirazione internazionale, in cui si intrecciano interessi personali e macchinazioni politiche. Dall’autore di House of Cards, dopo Il giorno dei Lord e Attacco dalla Cina prosegue la serie di Harry Jones: integerrimo e insolente ex militare pluridecorato dalla scorza dura, un protagonista che non si vedeva dai tempi di James Bond. «Thriller britannico della miglior qualità». «The Guardian» «Un maestro del thriller internazionale, che si destreggia con una serie di elementi esplosivi su un palco globale». «Daily Express» «Racconto la sola cosa che conosco bene, la politica per com’è e per come deve essere: spietata e crudele. Lì sta la sua grandezza». Michael Dobbs

Il mondo è sull’orlo del baratro: la Cina minaccia un attacco cibernetico di proporzioni inaudite al cuore dell’Occidente. I cinesi si preparano all’assalto finale contro i loro vecchi nemici, per metterli in ginocchio con una guerra che non vedrà sparare un solo colpo. I computer sono subentrati ai missili e basta un clic per scatenare il disastro globale: la guerra cibernetica annienta le nazioni staccando le linee energetiche, paralizzando i mercati finanziari, privando i leader di autorità. Per scongiurare il pericolo il primo ministro britannico convoca un ristrettissimo gabinetto che comprende la presidente USA, il presidente russo e l’immancabile Harry Jones, i quali si riuniscono in un castello in Scozia. Hanno un fine settimana per salvare il pianeta, e devono farlo da soli. Nel frattempo, a Pechino avvengono fatti preoccupanti: manovre militari, truppe sulle strade. Ma i leader riuniti nel castello scozzese, completamente isolati dal resto del mondo e distratti da una serie di dinamiche interpersonali, devono affrontare un pericolo assai più vicino... Dopo Il giorno dei Lord proseguono le avventure di Harry Jones, integerrimo e insolente ex militare pluridecorato. Michael Dobbs, l’autore della serie di culto House of Cards, è tornato in grande stile con una nuova serie di thriller politici. «Racconto la sola cosa che conosco bene, la politica per com’è e per come deve essere: spietata e crudele. Lì sta la sua grandezza». «Thriller britannico della miglior qualità». «The Guardian» «Dobbs è stato chiaramente messo su questa terra per scrivere thriller mozzafiato». «Daily Express» «Esplosivo in tutti i sensi». «Daily Mail»

Published in association with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, a riveting story of Jewish families seeking to escape Nazi Germany. In 1938, on the eve of World War II, the American journalist Dorothy Thompson wrote that "a piece of paper with a stamp on it" was "the difference between life and death." The Unwanted is the intimate account of a small village on the edge of the Black Forest whose Jewish families desperately pursued American visas to flee the Nazis. Battling formidable bureaucratic obstacles, some make it to the United States while others are unable to obtain the necessary documents. Some are murdered in Auschwitz, their applications for American visas still "pending." Drawing on previously unpublished letters, diaries, interviews, and visa records, Michael Dobbs provides an illuminating account of America''s response to the refugee crisis of the 1930s and 1940s. He describes the deportation of German Jews to France in October 1940, along with their continuing quest for American visas. And he re-creates the heated debates among U.S. officials over whether or not to admit refugees amid growing concerns about "fifth columnists," at a time when the American public was deeply isolationist, xenophobic, and antisemitic. A Holocaust story that is both German and American, The Unwanted vividly captures the experiences of a small community struggling to survive amid tumultuous world events.

A unique memoir in which a young adventurer from colonial Rhodesia charms his way around the world, sleeping in stately homes and public toilets, smuggling drugs across several borders, and losing a $50 million fortune to the CIA, before settling into a stellar banking career. Looking back on a life well lived as he faces terminal illness, he swears that the key to his success was his grueling training as a Buddhist monk in a snowbound Japanese monastery.

"Epicka powieść autora "House of Cards" o prawdziwej rozgrywce, której stawką były losy całego świata. Kiedy Hitler wkracza do Czechosłowacji, brytyjski premier Neville Chamberlain stwierdza, że to jedynie "kłótnia w dalekim kraju między ludźmi, o których nic nie wiemy". Tylko Winston Churchill rozumie, że właśnie zaczyna się gra o najwyższą stawkę. I wie, że ugodowiec Chamberlain nie zapewni w niej zwycięstwa Wielkiej Brytanii. Uruchamia więc skomplikowaną intrygę, by wyrwać władzę z rąk urzędującego premiera. Aby utrzymać stanowisko, Chamberlain nie zawaha się wykorzystać Polski. W Londynie swoje rozgrywki prowadzą zresztą wszyscy - jąkający się król Jerzy VI, rozrywkowy amerykański ambasador Joseph Kennedy i sowiecki szpieg Guy Burgess. Losy władców, ministrów, dziennikarzy, fryzjerów i prostytutek splatają się w pełną emocji opowieść o jednym z największych ludzi XX wieku: sir Winstonie Churchillu."--

DO CZEGO ZDOLNA JEST GRUPA TRZYMAJĄCA WŁADZĘ, KTÓRA OBAWIA SIĘ UTRATY KONTROLI? FRANCIS dzięki swojej przebiegłości i bezwzględnym wybiegom wygrał wszystko, co na scenie politycznej było do wygrania. Dla niego to jednak wciąż za mało. Tylko miesiące dzielą go od tytułu najdłużej urzędującego premiera Wielkiej Brytanii. Wyniki sondaży są jednak coraz gorsze. Groźba utraty władzy staje się realna. Francis musi posunąć się dalej niż kiedykolwiek, by nie utracić swojej pozycji. Nawet niebezpieczny pomysł wywołania międzynarodowego konfliktu stanie się opcją wartą zaryzykowania... Mroczny thriller polityczny Michaela Dobbsa to trzymająca w napięciu opowieść, która prześwietla uniwersalne mechanizmy władzy. Postać Francisa Urquada jest pierwowzorem bohatera, którego w serialu tak rewelacyjnie wciela się Kevin Spacey. POWIEŚĆ, W KTÓREJ ZNAJDZIESZ TO, CZEGO NIE ZOBACZYSZ W SERIALU!

Com doses de mistério e intriga, Michael Dobbs narra um dos períodos mais dramáticos e definidores do século XX: os meses que marcam o fim da Segunda Guerra e o começo da Guerra Fria. Poucos pontos de inflexão na história apresentam tantos aspectos dramáticos como os meses entre fevereiro e agosto de 1945, o período entre a Conferência de Yalta e o bombardeio de Hiroshima. Os Estados Unidos e a União Soviética se tornaram as duas nações mais poderosas do mundo; a Alemanha nazista e o Japão imperial foram derrotados; o Império britânico estava à beira de um colapso econômico. Um presidente morreu; um ditador doentio que quase conquistou o mundo suicidou-se; um primeiro-ministro que havia inspirado seu povo durante os dias mais sombrios de sua história foi derrotado em eleições livres. Golpes de Estado e revoluções tornaram-se corriqueiros; milhões de pessoas foram enterradas em valas comuns; antigas cidades reduziram-se a pilhas de escombros. Um tsar vermelho redesenhou o mapa da Europa, erguendo uma "cortina de ferro" metafórica entre Oriente e Ocidente. Reunidos na capital do derrotado Terceiro Reich, os vencedores disputavam os despojos da vitória. De maneira inexorável, o fim da Segunda Guerra Mundial conduziu ao início da Guerra Fria. Os meses que separam Yalta de Hiroshima são um ponto de articulação entre duas guerras muito diferentes - e também dois mundos muito diversos. Eles unem a era da artilharia à da bomba atômica, os estertores do império às dores do parto das superpotências. Essa é a história das pessoas - presidentes e comissários, generais e soldados rasos, vencedores e derrotados - que deram origem à corrida de gigantes que redefiniria os rumos do mundo.

KOMOR TÖRTÉNET A MOHÓSÁGRÓL, A KORRUPCIÓRÓL ÉS A KIELÉGÍTHETETLEN HATALOMVÁGYRÓL A politika folyosóin az erő, az intrika és a szenvedély uralkodik a világ bármely országában. Francis Urquhart minden titkon rajta tartja a kezét – és kész bárkinek elárulni ezeket, ha ez hozzásegíti ahhoz, hogy miniszterelnök lehessen. Mattie Storin, a fiatal újságírónő egy bulldog szívósságával próbálja feltárni a hazug kulisszák mögött rejtőző valódi sztorikat. Amikor belebotlik a hatalom legmagasabb szintjein burjánzó korrupció hálójába, megesküszik, hogy kideríti az igazságot. Ám ehhez meg kell küzdenie saját démonaival, és kockára kell tennie mindent, a saját életét is. A KÁRTYAVÁR klasszikus politikai krimi, amelyet a szerző – Margaret Thatcher egykori kabinetfőnöke – most átdolgozott az új generáció – és a regény alapján készült amerikai tévéfilmsorozat nézői – számára. „Ebből az életszerű, mélységesen cinikus, véres-viharos történetből sugárzik a hitelesség – nagy diadal!” (The Independent)

Un monde secret de vénalité, de corruption et d''insatiable ambition dans les coulisses du pouvoir Francis Urquhart est au fait de tous les secrets des partis politiques - et il est bien décidé à s''en servir pour devenir Premier Ministre. Mattie Storin, elle, est une jeune journaliste d''investigation aux dents longues, qui relève le défi le plus excitant de sa vie en découvrant un scandale financier impliquant les plus hautes sphères. Pour révéler la vérité, elle aussi est prête à tout... « Réaliste, authentique et délicieusement cynique : un triomphe. » Independent « Au cordeau. Au rasoir. Implacable. » Daily Mail

Ritorna il machiavellico Francis Urquhart che dopo aver ordito la scalata al potere decide di sfidare il Re, mettendo ancora una volta da parte l’etica in nome del potere. Il seguito di House of Cards mostra come, al di là dei confini geografici e delle strutture politiche, l’intrigo e la frode regnino sovrani nei corridoi del potere. Sotto l’influenza letteraria di Shakespeare e grazie alla sua esperienza nelle stanze del potere, l’autore affonda la trama nei tradimenti e in tessuti politici così incredibili che si rende necessaria la finzione per renderli verosimili. Dopo aver ordito la scalata al potere, il nuovo primo ministro Francis Urquhart, ormai noto come FU, sfida il re in persona e minaccia l’intoccabile ruolo della monarchia inglese. Da poco in carica come lo stesso primo ministro, il giovane sovrano contesta il programma di governo e la divergenza di pensiero presto scivola in ostilità dichiarata. Il terreno di scontro è ampio, e la battaglia si combatte a suon di sondaggi d’opinione truccati, prime pagine di quotidiani manipolate, scandali sessuali e calcolate strategie di rischio: Francis Urquhart ha deciso di distruggere non solo l’immagine della Corona, ma del re in persona. Se per il cinico architetto del potere non è ammissibile l’interferenza della casa reale nell’attività politica, dall’altra parte si disapprovano le scelte nel campo delle politiche sociali, che sembrano aver acuito i problemi di alcune aree metropolitane. Il conflitto presto si alza d’intensità e Urquhart decide di andare a nuove elezioni. Durante l’arena elettorale entra in scena un personaggio chiave: un consigliere politico, impersonato da una bella donna, impeccabile e brillante, Sally Quine, con la quale nascerà una relazione. Con lo scorrere degli eventi le minacce alla casa reale diventano sempre più pericolose e il primo ministro si spinge lungo un crinale vertiginoso, da cui scendere costituisce un’impresa ad altissimo rischio. E dunque esiste là fuori qualcosa o qualcuno che possa sfuggire al controllo di Francis Urquhart? Il secondo volume della trilogia House of Cards è una nuova corsa a perdifiato lungo una trama ordita con la consueta maestria da Lord Michael Dobbs, maestro dell’intrigo politico, conoscitore dei recessi più segreti del potere e creatore di un indimenticabile personaggio letterario, FU, il più abile seduttore politico che nessuno vorrebbe mai avere come amico. «House of Cards è un enorme successo internazionale». Corriere della Sera «House of Cards, 450 pagine che scorrono ancora meglio della serie tv». Il Fatto Quotidiano «Domani c’è House of Cards: nessuna anticipazione, grazie». Barack Obama «Feroce, incalzante e dal ritmo altissimo, con impennate di ironiche riflessioni e una buona dose di humour nero». Il Secolo XIX «L’universo di House of Cards è pienamente hobbesiano, il politico è un lupo tra i lupi». La Stampa

Perhaps the first question any journalist has when they land an interview is "How much time do I have?" Chances are you will have 10 to 20 minutes to speak with someone well known. That''s not much time and it requires writers not only to prepare to use those few minutes wisely but also to be able to improvise, Journalist G. Michael Dobbs has been fortunate to have spoken with dozens of newsmakers and celebrities during his almost 40 year career. This volume of interviews includes conversations with people such as Vincent Price, Ray Bradbury, Dave Attell, Maureen O''Hara, Don McLean, Leonard Nimoy, Anne Rice, Lillian Gish, Buster Crabbe, Bill Cosby, William Gaines, Paula Poundstone, Rachel Maddow, Bob Backlund and many more.

Get all three books in the series that inspired the hit Netflix series House of Cards "This blood-and-thunder tale, lifelike and thoroughly cynical, certainly carries the ring of authenticity... a great triumph." Independent "The exciting thriller that has Westminster buzzing. Here is a political thriller writer with a marvelous inside track knowledge of government. House of Cards is fast-moving, revelatory and brilliant." Daily Express Michael Dobbs has wowed readers with his bestselling House of Cards trilogy, which inspired the hit series on Netflix. Here are the three books in the trilogy for one low price: House of Cards, To Play the King, and The Final Cut. About the Books in This Bundle 1. House of Cards A dark tale of greed, corruption, and unquenchable ambition, House of Cards reveals that no matter the country, politics, intrigue and passion reign in the corridors of power. Francis Urquhart has his hand on every secret in politics and is willing to betray them all to become prime minister. Mattie Storin is a tenacious young reporter who has a knack for finding the real stories hidden behind the spin. When she stumbles upon a scandalous web of intrigue and financial corruption at the very highest levels, she vows to reveal the truth. But to do so she must battle her own demons and risk everything, even her life. 2. To Play the King After scheming his way to power in House of Cards, newly elected Prime Minister Francis Urquhart takes on the new King. The role of the monarchy in modern Britain comes under scrutiny as Prime Minister Francis Urquhart threatens to expose Royal secrets when his plans are blocked by the idealistic new King. Their differences of opinion quickly degenerate into open hostility. The battlefield ranges from architecture to the underprivileged; the battle is fought with rigged opinion polls, manipulated newspaper headlines, sexual scandal and economic brinkmanship as Urquhart sets out to destroy not only the King''s family and friends but even the King himself. 3. The Final Cut Now Francis Urquhart is about to take his place in the record books as the longest-serving Prime Minister this century. Yet it seems the public is tiring of him at last, and the movement to force him from power is growing. But Urquhart is not yet ready to be driven from office. If the public demands new blood, that is precisely what he will give them... This is a different Francis Urquhart more vulnerable, more loving, and more ruthless than ever. He will risk everything, but one thing is certain: whatever the outcome of this, his greatest gamble, the name of Francis Urquhart will never be forgotten.

House of cards | Kaartenhuis is het waanzinnig knap geschreven relaas over intriges en gesjoemel in de Engelse Houses of Parliament. Francis Urquhart heeft maar één doel: Minister President worden in Downing Street 10. Met geheimen en schandalen lokt hij zijn tegenstanders één voor één in de val. Tot er nog maar één persoon zijn weg naar de top belemmert... een vrouw! De listige held Urquhart is de afgelopen decennia uitgegroeid tot een van `s werelds bekendste personages. Hij is als icoon van geslepenheid nog altijd `the politician we all love to hate. House of Cards is nu te zien op Netflix.

''Tell me about your father.'' Five short, razor-edged words that rip the world of Harry Jones to pieces. He barely knew his father Johnnie and hated what little he did know, yet no man is able to escape the shadows of the past. Harry has already lost almost everything - his seat in parliament, his reputation, his fortune. There is little left apart from his love for the headstrong Jemma, and now he must risk losing her and even his own life to uncover the truth about his dead father. What starts as a gentle enquiry uncovers a trail of murder and guilt-ridden love that dates back to Johnnie''s student days. Harry''s search leads from a burning house in Bermuda to a graveyard in Greece, from the croquet lawns of his father''s Oxford college to the altar of one of Wren''s finest London churches. At every turn Harry discovers that the childhood world he thought he knew, was false, along with almost everyone in it. Only when he confronts his own death does he realize that all along he''s been used as a pawn in a far larger game.

Wayward backbencher Tom Goodfellowe makes his third appearance in the new novel of treachery at the highest levels from the bestselling author of House of Cards.

When Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met in Yalta in February 1945, Hitler’s armies were on the run, and victory was imminent. The Big Three wanted to draft a blueprint for a lasting peace—but instead they set the stage for a forty-four year division of Europe into Soviet and Western spheres of influence. After fighting side by side for nearly four years, their political alliance was beginning to fracture. Although the most dramatic Cold War confrontations such as the Berlin airlift were still to come, a new struggle for global hegemony had got underway by August 1945 when Truman used the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Six Months in 1945 brilliantly captures this momentous historical turning point while illuminating the aims and personalities of larger-than-life political giants.

A missile tears a passenger plane from the skies over London. Everyone on board is killed, including thirty-seven special children. As terror turns to international chaos, can the government survive...? Who would have killed them? And why? When Harry Jones starts searching for answers, he stumbles into the middle of a plot that stretches from Russia to the Islamic revolution in Egypt, from the shores of the Caspian Sea to an ancient church in rural Wiltshire. Yet every lead he pursues finds its way back to the secret corners of Brussels and a British woman named Patricia Vaine. She and Harry are doomed to fight their battle to the death. Their own lives, and the future of an entire continent, are at stake in what develops into the greatest political power game since the end of the Second World War. For this is a plot not just to take over one country but the whole of Europe. And in this deadly game, the victors will claim total victory - unless Harry Jones can stop them...

Selected by the Queen Consort for the Queen’s Reading Room The State Opening of Parliament. The most magnificent royal occasion of the year. The Queen, her Cabinet and all the most powerful people in the land are gathering in one room, the House of Lords. And none of them know they are about to endure the most terrifying day of their lives. Not all of them will survive. Sitting amongst the hostages are two young men, the sons of the British Prime Minister and the US President. It creates the cruellest challenge any leader could face. As the world watches on live television and holds its breath, President and Prime Minister are torn in two between their duty as statesmen, and their love as parents. Yet others have their agendas, too, not least of them Harry Jones, a man who is already undergoing the worst day of his life when he becomes swept up in the maelstrom. What can he do about this act of terrorism when the most powerful people are rendered helpless? He can ask one simple question - why?

In the Swiss Alps a teenage girl is thrown from a helicopter and her boyfriend is brutally abducted to Trieste, a city filled with undercurrents of past hatreds. Ruari, son of Irish media owner J J Breslin, is in desperate danger, at the mercy of ruthless kidnappers making impossible demands. His terrified mother contacts the only person she knows can help her son: Harry Jones, her former lover, who she walked out on many years ago. Now memories of their passionate affair, the guilt, hurt, anger and humiliation, come flooding back. Time is running out for Ruari and Harry, torn between his loyalties, is quickly drawn into a political game played for high stakes. Far higher than he realizes...

From a bestselling novelist with an unrivalled insight into the workings of power comes a compelling new novel exploring Winston Churchill''s remarkable journey from the wilderness to No 10 Downing Street at the beginning of World War II.