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The Hunted
by
Brian Haig
"New York Times "bestselling author Brian Haig delivers his a thriller inspired by a true story about one man running between two countries, trying desperately to escape his past.
In 1987, Alex Konevitch was thrown out of MoscowUniversity for "indulging his entrepreneurial spirit." But by 1991, he was worth $300 million. On track to become Russia's wea...more
In 1987, Alex Konevitch was thrown out of MoscowUniversity for "indulging his entrepreneurial spirit." But by 1991, he was worth $300 million. On track to become Russia's wea...more
Hardcover, 453 pages
Published
August 12th 2009
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published January 1st 2009)
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This is a complex international thriller. It takes place in the early 1990s, amid the chaotic capitalism and corruption of the "new" Russia after the failure of the Soviet system.
Alex is a very successful young Russian capitalist who provides extensive financial backing for Boris Yeltsin's rise to power. Former KGB goons are very unhappy about this. They want a return to the old ways, when the KGB had unlimited power. They torture Alex and then frame him for the theft of ...more
Alex is a very successful young Russian capitalist who provides extensive financial backing for Boris Yeltsin's rise to power. Former KGB goons are very unhappy about this. They want a return to the old ways, when the KGB had unlimited power. They torture Alex and then frame him for the theft of ...more
Brian Haig moved away from opne of my favorite characters, Sean Drummond, to fictionalize a true story of a Russian businessman (and his wife)--after the fall of communism--who was kidnapped, tortured, and forced to turn his personal fortune of $250 million and his business empire over to an unscrupulous former KGB agent, a key figure in the Russian Mafyia, and a current high level government worker. The book moves from the couple escaping certain death to the U.S. seeking political asylum. It i...more
This is fiction, but its based on a real couple's experience. Alex and Elana Konevitch are a young couple in Russia during Boris Yeltsin's time in office. Alex is a up and coming business man, already earning in the millions with various companies no that Glasnost is in and the communists are out. In come a cabal composed of an old ex KGB General, the head Russian Mafia gang and the part time girl friend of the Russian General and a lawyer and confidant of Yeltsin's Chief of Staff. These thre...more
When I started this book, I was a bit turned off by the writer's style. But, my reservations quickly melted away within the first few chapters. The story is compelling and very well paced by the author. Once you get about halfway through this book, it is hard to put down and, once you reach the final confrontation, impossible to put down! The scope of the corruption is absolutely mind-boggling. I found myself thinking about the story often during the day. So, while the author's not going to ...more
Doug Branscombe
added it
A fascinating tale set in the early 90's beginning in Russia with a Wunderkind entrepreneur who makes Hundreds of Millions of dollars as Russia dips into Capitalism. Soon Alex and his wife find themselves the target first of Russian and eventually of US officials, not all of them on the up and up. A great story of perseverance, love, creativity and adventure. If you've read and liked his other books, you'll enjoy this one too.
This is a fictionalized account of an event that really occurred - so none of the flippant sarcasm of Haig's past works of fiction. However, the characters, both the named public officials and the names-changed-to-protect-the-not-so-innocent, are well drawn and interesting. 22-year-old Alex and Elena, experience the terror of becoming political pawns to the thugs and crooks of the ex-KGB in the former Soviet Union. Their problems are exacerbated by the political desires of the head of the FBI...more
In 1987, Alex Konevitch was thrown out of MoscowUniversity for "indulging his entrepreneurial spirit." But by 1991, he was worth $300 million. On track to become Russia's wealthiest man, he makes one critical mistake: he hires the former deputy director of the KGB to handle his corporate security. And then his world begins to fall apart. Kidnapped, beaten, and forced to relinquish his business and his fortune, Alex and his wife escape to the United States, only to be accused by his own...more
I'm a huge fan of Brian Haig-I live for his books being released. I love the main character he follows in his books. This one was completely different, it wasn't part of his Sean Drummond series, which SERIOUSLY disappointed me. It took me a bit to get into it and I seriously debated not finishing it, but I am SO glad I did. I hadn't realized that it was based on a true story and I was blown away by it. Honestly, I can't stop thinking about the book a week later! I learned so much about Ru...more
Alex and his wife are Russian millionaires. Former KGB agents and the Russian mafia rob them of their wealth and attempt to kill them. When the couple fless to America, the FBI cooperates with the corupt Russians and attempt to deport them. A good legal thriller.
This book does not get interesting until 2/3 to 3/4 of the way through and doesn't have adequate payoff for the hard slog. If you read haig for humor, it is not here. In fact, it't not even fictionalized well. It is journalistic rather than novelistic.
I did not think Haig was capable of writing such a quality piece of contemporary historical fiction. I was wrong.
3.5 good read with some unexpected turns most interesting is this is based on a real story
Hmmmm.. I was just a bit disappointed in this book. I have loved all the books Brian Haig has written prior to this one, so I had big expectations.
I just never really warmed up to the characters, and the book was very predictable. However, it was a fast paced story and that helped me to keep reading.
It is a VERY loosely written story that was taken from some actual events in a Russian defectors life.
Written during the first years of the 1990's just after the fall of communism...more
I just never really warmed up to the characters, and the book was very predictable. However, it was a fast paced story and that helped me to keep reading.
It is a VERY loosely written story that was taken from some actual events in a Russian defectors life.
Written during the first years of the 1990's just after the fall of communism...more
Good. Interesting storyline.
Better written than the average of this genre. The truth-is-stranger-than-fiction tie-in is an added bonus.
While deviating from his past character, Brian Haig has created a great thriller based on real life. A Russian millionare flees Russia after being robbed of his fortune and businesses only to be caught in the middle of a political struggle between the US and Russia. While being persecuted in the "Land of the Free," he and his small time immigration lawyer take on the federal governement. A great read though somewhat predictable.
Holy crap -- this book is amazing. If you like thrillers, you need to read this one, mostly because it's based on a true story and it's absolutely unbelievable. That this really happened to someone (more or less -- I'm sure there was some poetic license here) is amazing. Russia during the Cold War is a truly frightening thought. Loved it. Glad to be an American, but there's a little shame with that, too. People suck.
I just couldn't get into this book. Finally at about page 300 I got interested. The writing is fine but I guess I just couldn't identify with any of the characters. The last 150 pages went really quickly and I'm glad I finished it. That became especially true once I read the Author's Note at the end. Don't read it first. Save it. It added a perspective that made the entire read worth it.
A very good read. Fast paced from the start. There is a lot of action through the the first two thirds of the book as the main characters life is torn apart. And finally the courtroom drama unfolds and leaves you wondering just how they will ever survive.
I also found the back story interesting. It is based on a true story, which you don't find out until the authors notes.
I also found the back story interesting. It is based on a true story, which you don't find out until the authors notes.
Very well done fictionalized account of the true story of a Russian entrepreneur forced to turn over his fortune and businesses to a former KGB agent working with the mafia and corrupt Russian officials. After escaping Russia with his life, this poor man is furthered persecuted by an American FBI director intent on furthering his own political ambitions. Good story.
This is the first Brian Haig book that I have read that did not have Sean Drummond as the main character. I really liked that character and the humor. The first 200 pages of this book were rather dry and I almost put the book down. However, you may have noticed that my rating is five stars. The second half of the book was fast moving and entertaining.
Moves along well - nothing spectacularly life changing. Fun and engaging. I wouldn't have chosen to finish the work in the way Mr. Haig did. I just don't think it was nearly as satisfying as it could have easily been. I wonder how much that had to do with his desire not stray too far from the authenticity of the non-fiction basis for the novel.
This book was based on a true story and the author is the son of Alexander Haig, who mistakenly put himself too far up the chain of succession when Reagan was shot. I loved the exciting story but more than that went to the free download for the autobiographical treatise from Alex about whom the book was premised. http://defiancethebook.com/
This is the first Brian Haig novel I have read, despite my parents telling me repeatedly how much they like him. They passed this one on to me. This was alot of fun to read! Author was inspired by a true story. Interesting the timing of my reading this book since I had just re-read The Count of Monte Cristo for book club. Very similar!
I was so disappointed when I found this book didn't have my hero Sean Drummond. However, it was an excellent book about a rich Russian that is kidnapped, robbed of all his money and businesses, set up for crimes, hunted down, and imprisoned. It has all the suspense you would expect from one of the very best writers in modern times
Outstanding; as the Soviet Union breaks apart, a man makes use of the new found environment to make money while providing banking and services; jealous former KGB and mobsters torture him and steal the fortune and companies and he has to try and fight two governments (Russian and US) to get back what is rightfully his
Entertaining, you just have to really suspend disbelief. Haig has said he was inspired by Tom Clancy, but this book is much more Baldacci, quick moving and entertaining but not heavy on accuracy...some of the scenes near the end get so outlandish that they reminded me of Christopher Buckley.
Nothing like some good ol' hammar and sickle bashing to make an American feel good. This one would make McCarthy happy. Based on actual events of Alex Konevitch, Brian Haig weaves the story of a corrupt KGB and overzelous FBI with a brilliant milliionaire Russian. Damn I miss the '90s.
I missed the fact that this is NOT a Sean Drummond...Its a stand-alone novel of the trisls and tribulations of a Russian Oligarch's life upside down by a KGB/Mafyia cabal in Russia and collusion of the FBI and INS here in the USA...Supposedly based on true events...A surprisingly great read!!!
marc
added it
It was a good book, although the courtroom trial was dreadful at first but the end was fantastic. God Bless Elena :)
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Brian Haig is the son of former US Secretary of State Alexander Haig and has been born and bred in the American military.Since retiring from duty and has been a special advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and now runs a large Helicopter company.
Series:
* Sean Drummond
More about Brian Haig...
Series:
* Sean Drummond
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