The Camel Club
by David Baldacci
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1596)
Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
morons and idiots
I feel cheated that I even had to assign a single star to this pathetic excuse for a book.
Let me describe this book like this... this is the kind of book that comes in only two forms - paperback and audio. It's excrement smeared on paper and then bound and placed in airport bookstore shelves.
It's your basic Tom Clancy bite off of the terrorist plot to bring down the free world. The author has watched a couple of National Geographic Videos, maybe had lunch with about three or four gu...more
Let me describe this book like this... this is the kind of book that comes in only two forms - paperback and audio. It's excrement smeared on paper and then bound and placed in airport bookstore shelves.
It's your basic Tom Clancy bite off of the terrorist plot to bring down the free world. The author has watched a couple of National Geographic Videos, maybe had lunch with about three or four gu...more
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Read in March, 2008
Alex Ford, Secret Service agent, is assigned to keep tabs on the homicide investigation of a young man associated with national intelligence who apparently committed suicide at the Theodore Roosevelt monument. He finds the homicide suspicious, but the FBI and other offices seem to think the case a clear-cut suicide, and Alex’s solo investigations lead to his demotion. Meanwhile, a group of conspiracy theorists who know the truth about the homicide but fear retribution from the murderers try ...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
conspiracy nuts
This book seems like a conspiracists wet dream. It had good action and a clear plot line, but if I really wanted to read stuff like this, I'd be reading the huffington post, New York times, or some other leftist nutjob website. Basically, a homeless former CIA assassin turn Whitehouse lawn bum teams together with a foreign abortion nut, lirarian from the library of congress who dresses up in 19th century clothes, and an anti-social computer geek to solve a mystery murder that they find out was a...more
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Read in February, 2007
Existing at the fringes of Washington DC, the Club consists of four eccentric members. Led by a mysterious man known as “Oliver Stone”, the study conspiracy theories, current events, and the machinations of government to discover the “truth” behind the country’s actions. Their efforts bear little fruit – until the group witnesses a shocking murder…and becomes embroiled in an astounding, far-reaching conspiracy. Now the club must join forces with a Secret Service agent to confron...more
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Read in September, 2005
I've liked Baldacci for a long time, and this story did not dissappoint. The Camel Club is a very interesting, if unlikely, set of friends that took a while for me to comprehend. But I thought that the storyline was very good, and the character development was characteristic and fun.
The story seemed to move a little slowly and disjointed at first, but it does pull together well, and I was left satisfied in the end. Unlike at the time I read it though, you can now know that this book is an...more
The story seemed to move a little slowly and disjointed at first, but it does pull together well, and I was left satisfied in the end. Unlike at the time I read it though, you can now know that this book is an...more
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This was a typical conspiracy lovers book. There were a couple of really good twists that make you think. I don't believe this was Baldacci's best work, but it kept me interested enough to stay awake on a cross country flight. I couldn't really identify with the characters as much I as I did in Last Man Standing, but they were reasonably well developed. The one thing I didn't really like about the book was the secret service agent's ro...more
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Read in March, 2008
I read this after two others in the series and was disappointed at first -- it just wasn't as fast-paced as the others and I found the main character's ability to pull ideas out of thin air almost annoying (except that the ideas were really intriguing). The last quarter of the book, though, was exactly what I love about this series and Baldacci in general. Interesting characters, fast-pace, plausible (though unlikely) plots involving spies and the US government. I enjoyed Baldacci's characteriza...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Secret Service/CIA/NSA Junkies
So I picked this up because the synopsis had a combination of conspiracy and CIA/Secret Service stuff in it. It was an entertaining read and I liked how the author included much explanation of the muslim religion as well as snippets of the U.S. foreign policy. There are unrealistic scenarios in it (especially dealing with particular scenes after the president is "attacked"...I won't give it away). These unrealistic scenarios are what made me give it three stars. Still I liked it. It wa...more
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Read in January, 2008
Okay, I was really hoping it would be a quicker paced book--like a Brad Thor, but the ending was SO full of suspense. He goes into a lot of detail about the government, Islam, history, etc. He is known for being very accurate, but I found myself wishing he had used footnotes for all those specifics. I ended up breezing over them toward the end, because I was in for the story and thrill. He has great character development! I found myself really liking the characters. I only give it three st...more
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Read in August, 2007
A group of conspiracy theorists witness a murder set up to look like a suicide, and become enmeshed in the most convoluted and unlikely series of events imaginable. Rueben Rhodes, Caleb Shaw, Milton Farb, and their illustrious leader "Oliver Stone" do battle with the evil "Captain Jack", not to mention Muslim terrorists, and factions of the U.S. government. If you think this tale sounds like it is better suited to a comic book....your right!
For a Baldacci novel with a be...more
For a Baldacci novel with a be...more
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Read in August, 2007
Same fun, eccentric characters from Baldacci's The Collectors, however, this book came first. Intricate plot, however, a few characters are used as mouthpieces to give long dissertations on the peaceful nature of Islam and the greed of Americans. Though his points may or may not be valid, it was delivered heavy-handedly and got tiresome. After all, I'm reading a novel, not a slanted history book on Middle East politics.
Aside from that, though, I enjoyed the story and the main characters. I'l...more
Aside from that, though, I enjoyed the story and the main characters. I'l...more
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Read in January, 2008
I was wondering if I should give 4 or 5 stars. Baldacci's book is indeed very involving and fast paced, in the best traditions of political thrillers. It is interesting to take a peek at the behind-the-scenes games in the District. Of course, it is a public secret that much goes on there that us, normal people, don't see and don't have to know about. However, The Camel Club lost the fifth star from me because I think the political intrigue heightens to an unbelievable status towards the end and ...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone sitting on a beach
Baldacci is always a lot of fun... like the Backstreet Boys or any other derivative top 40 music. In the grand scheme of things the writing is not good (I could use Baldacci's books as a field manual for cliche in my classroom), but it is easy and you don't have to think and you just know that these books are written with movie scripts in mind. I give it only two stars (or two beers, which you should really have, on the beach, as you read this book), yet recommend it to anyone. The world is too...more
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I went through a long and productive conspiracy phase, and then once i read myself out of it, began hitting books like this one.
Just a slightly different take on people who are trying to uncover dirt and exploit conspiracies on similar themes, using similar methods....
A bit boring at times, but held my attention long enough to get me through. Wasnt impressed enough to pick up the other novels from this author.
Make of it what you will.
Worth a read if you are into this type of genre...more
Just a slightly different take on people who are trying to uncover dirt and exploit conspiracies on similar themes, using similar methods....
A bit boring at times, but held my attention long enough to get me through. Wasnt impressed enough to pick up the other novels from this author.
Make of it what you will.
Worth a read if you are into this type of genre...more
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I only gave this a 3 star because I couldn't give it a 2 and a half. I was disappointed with this Baladacci book. Normally, I find he has great characters with very compelling reading. For one reason or another I didn't find that in this book. I did like the character of Oliver Stone but I found the rest of the characters to be very transparent and lame. Everyone is entitled to a miss . . . I'm just hoping this isn't going to turn into a slump for me with Baladacci books.
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Read in September, 2007
This is the first in a series by this author. As such, it takes a while to get to know the characters. Set in DC, the scary thing about this is how true-to-life it could be!
Having been in DC many times, knowing the environment added to the sense of "being there". Twists and turns keep the book interesting. Gruesome descriptions of the murder scenes.
Will be anxious to read the "next" in the series!
Having been in DC many times, knowing the environment added to the sense of "being there". Twists and turns keep the book interesting. Gruesome descriptions of the murder scenes.
Will be anxious to read the "next" in the series!
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Read in April, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone
This book was slow getting started. Laying out the characters and the plot and subplots made it a bit tedious the first 200 or so pages but after that it read quite quickly.
The story of a seemingly rag tag bunch of guys who witness a murder that leads to the kidnapping of a president and a possible nuclear attack of Syria. The author really knows how to weave a tale of intrigue that keeps you guessing.
The story of a seemingly rag tag bunch of guys who witness a murder that leads to the kidnapping of a president and a possible nuclear attack of Syria. The author really knows how to weave a tale of intrigue that keeps you guessing.
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Read in February, 2007
A poor man's Tom Clancy novel, this book is a great read. Quick and easy, if that's what you're looking for, while at the same time sucking you into a well thought out and intricate plot line that kept me reading when I wanted to turn out the light and go to sleep. That's how I know it's good. If I could give it 3.5 stars, I would, but it's just not quite worth 4 — though it's really close.
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Read in January, 2007
Apparently, this guy is huge amongst politicos here in Washington. No wonder this country is in the shitter.
This is absolute garbage. Possibly the worst book I have ever read. Poorly plotted, poorly written, filled with absurd scenarios and charaters I didn't care about. Total waste of my time and the prime example of why I should give up my rule to finsih every book I start.
This is absolute garbage. Possibly the worst book I have ever read. Poorly plotted, poorly written, filled with absurd scenarios and charaters I didn't care about. Total waste of my time and the prime example of why I should give up my rule to finsih every book I start.
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Read in August, 2006
this book was great! full of suspense and political intrigue and twists and it really makes you look at the radical muslims and their importance of faith, they dont think that what they are doing is wrong, i just wish more people could see that and try to understand it, im not condemning it but really its not different that the radical catholics, but a good book all around!!!
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