The Confirmation

by Thomas Powers

Book Overview

A novel of high-stakes political intrigue on the shadowy side of Washington,The Confirmationsheds light on the men who run the Central Intelligence Agency, on investigative journalists, and on... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375400206
• ISBN13: 9780375400209
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 413 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Idealistic hero against realistic background of dirty tricks

Thomas Powers' intricate story of political intrigue, spycraft and dirty secrets is his first novel but the Pulitzer-winning journalist has written extensively on history and covert intelligence ("Heisenberg's War: The Secret History of the German Bomb," "The Man Who Kept the Secrets: Richard Helms and the CIA," "Thinking About the Next War") and he roams the halls and backstairs of the CIA with confidence.Acting CIA Director Frank Cabot seems set to sail through Senate confirmation of his nomination to the top spot when his young assistant, Brad Cameron, assigned to check out reports concerning American POWs and MIAs in Vietnam, finds a reference to a suppressed report concerning an American POW rumored to be held by the Russians. After a long run of deadends in his brief career, Brad seizes on this tidbit like a dog on a bone and begins tracing his lead, with the help of septuagenarian Myrna Rashevsky, a delightful CIA veteran who knows all the agency nooks and crannies and computer passwords.The pair set off alarm bells and Brad is fed an unsatisfactory story and forcefully reassigned. But he's a man on a mission who won't be stopped, despite his affection and loyalty toward his boss, whose involvement in this long-ago affair is raising uncomfortable questions about just how far the CIA will go to avoid a political scandal.Brad leaves behind his job and his girlfriend (Cabot's niece) to chase his scraps and hints through the halls of the CIA, the ranks of the Israeli Mossad and into the prison cell of Aldrich Ames, aided and cautioned by the indomitable Myrna.Meanwhile, Brad's girlfriend, Cabot's niece, furious with Brad's bullheaded pursuit of an ancient rumor, allies herself with a cutthroat New York Times investigative reporter who sees a chance to pursue romance and an explosive story, while Cabot's alcoholic wife's behavior and bitterness further derails his chances and a couple of crazed Vietnam militiamen plot a terrorist attack.The result is a full-blown Washington circus bristling with manipulation, maneuvering, lies, cover-ups and cynical ambition. It all rings surprisingly true. The pace is more concerned with the intricate maneuverings of the participants and the layers of obfuscation than with suspense. But the machinations of the clever, ruthless, backstabbing people running the country generates its own suspense.Brad is a likable, believable protagonist whose dedication to his idealistic mission is a breath of fresh air. The climax seems highly farfetched but Powers writes with enough conviction to make it all, just barely, credible. A fine read from a man who sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

couldn't put it down

a great summer read, this is a smart thriller with a hero to root for--a young, attractive CIA trainee who won't give up searching for his MIA. Nice love twists and dollop of terrorism combine with a fast-moving plot. anyone with any interest in how washington (and the media) tick, will find this fascinating. can't wait for the movie...

An insider's view of Washington

Thomas Powers has written a very solid novel that explores the convoluted process by which the United States Senate confirms presidential appointees. As a long-time insider and journalist in Washington, D.C., Powers has the credentials to make the story plausible and realistic.The plot, which takes several twists and turns, is divided into four main stories: the confirmation of Frank Cabot as the new Director of Central Intelligence; the pursuit of Cabot's past by an investigative journalist, George Tater (perhaps Powers inserting himself into the story?); a Vietnam POW/MIA story centering around Cabot's young aide, Brad Cameron; and a disgruntled Gulf War vet, Dean Cutter, with a deep-seated hatred of the CIA over the POW/MIA issue. Powers does a nice job in tying the three storylines together, although at times he switches between them too suddenly. His character development is fairly good as well, despite the fact that he only seems to touch the surface on some of them. The book captures the intrigue, deception, ulterior motives, and pitfalls of life at the highest levels of politics in Washington very well.My biggest complaint about the book is the ending, which is anticlimactic to the extreme. Once the confirmation is decided, the final pages are not much more than a scrambling attempt to tie up loose ends, which it does rather unsatisfactorily. Other than that, the other minor flaws in the book are well-balanced by the rest of the story.As an enjoyable diversion for the summer, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good political thriller.

Intrigue and Power in Washingon

Thomas Powers writes about Washington political life in a strong,believable way that immediately captures a serious mystery reader's attention. He is gifted with an ear for dialogue and the art of complete character development. Powers is not content with brief and superficial plot and character interaction and does not condescend to his readers. "The Confirmation" is by no means targeted for scholars or for only followers of DC politics. It is a mature, important and highly readable mystery.

Compelling Informative Authoritative

Some of the best characterizations in recent fiction, from hero to villain, and a very satisfying plot. You won't put this down til you finish it, but not because of ridiculous plot twists or scenes of pointless violence. It is a really good story with wonderfully developed senses of time and place. Mr. Powers is in total command of his subject and has given us one of the more enjoyable reads in recent memory! Can't wait for his next one.