BIRDS OF PREY - Softcover

JOHN RALSTON SAUL

3.28

46 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0002220237 ISBN 13: 9780002220231

Publisher: ARROW BKS., 1979

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Following an official dinner and reception at the Prefecture, General Aillerets left for Gillot Airport with his wife and daughter. He was joined by four members of his staff and the crew.

It was a dark night - raining. The DC6 was weighted down by a heavy load of fuel: special reserve tanks were filled to allow a direct flight to Djibouti. The runway is parallel to the sea. On its right, hills, straight ahead, slightly further away, more hills. On the left, water. Take-off is along the beach, and the moment the machine is in the air it must turn sharply to the left.

But the Chief of Staff's plane appeared to turn to the right. The control tower warned the pilot that he was heading into a dangerous zone. It was too late. The plane struck an electric cable, plunging the island into darkness. Then a row of trees. Then the rising ground. The 18,000 litres of fuel exploded on impact.

Journalist Charles Stone reports on the disasterous plane crash which killed the French Army's Chief of Staff and family, and he notices a world of old debts, hatreds, and sworn vengeance.

NEW YORK TIMES: "Credible and taut suspense."
NEW FICTION: "The elements of sharp violence, of hot pursuit and ambush, intellectual ploy and counter-ploy and final chase are full of excitement - it constantly pleases and surprises."

When this book was originally published in France it caused a sensation.

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