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Rogue Nation
The year is 2014. The Republicans have re-conquered the White House, the Conservatives have just won a second term at Westminster and hardliners dominate Russia. In a small corner of north-western Europe, the Scots have just narrowly voted for independence, a decision they immediately regret.
Following the referendum, George Wallace, friend and Senior Special Adviser to Scotland's First Minister, is desperately struggling to stem financial meltdown and political turmoil when help appears from an unlikely source. He can save Scotland, but at what price for his family and his nation?
As the body count mounts, the action switches from the White House to the Kremlin, and from Westminster to Holyrood. George is forced to choose between love and belief, between loyalty and morality.
As the 100-day countdown to independence accelerates to a shattering climax, George must decide who he can truly trust - and which nation is really the rogue.
Following the referendum, George Wallace, friend and Senior Special Adviser to Scotland's First Minister, is desperately struggling to stem financial meltdown and political turmoil when help appears from an unlikely source. He can save Scotland, but at what price for his family and his nation?
As the body count mounts, the action switches from the White House to the Kremlin, and from Westminster to Holyrood. George is forced to choose between love and belief, between loyalty and morality.
As the 100-day countdown to independence accelerates to a shattering climax, George must decide who he can truly trust - and which nation is really the rogue.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2009
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18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 14, 2016
roguenationAs topical political thrillers go, this turned out to be scarily close to the truth.
Written in 2009, Rogue Nation predicts a 2014 with a Tory majority, Republican president and victory for the Yes side in the Scottish independence referendum. Despite all three of those predictions turning out to be smack bang wrong, it’s a very recognisable world.
The book is set in the 100 days between the Yes vote and Scotland’s independence beginning. The First Minister and his advisor have to successfully manage diplomatic affairs between England, the USA and Russia. Naturally, edge-of-your-seat drama is not far behind.
Without giving away the plot, a medley of twists leave Holyrood with enormous ethical dilemmas. Before long, we’re talking war, assassination and terrorism. The most interesting question, though, is who is the bad guy? Is it Scotland, Russia or the States who are really the rogue nation? An argument can be put forward for each: you’ll change your mind, if you ever make it up.
The story is told mostly by George, the First Minister’s advisor and basically Alastair Campbell equivalent. He’s got his own family dramas, of course, and wants to do the right thing without making First Minister and long-time friend(?) Ross look like what us Scots call a bawbag. His moral struggle is very real and the game is extremely dangerous.
The First Minister, American President and Russian President all make devastating decisions that are ultimately the best for their own country, and have to spin them as being not horrific. Think Bush’s Iraq with bells on.
The first two-thirds up the ante constantly with new twists and layers, but once all the set pieces are revealed, there’s a bit of a lull until the denouement. But the lag is still enjoyable and it soon ramps up again.
If you started at the end, you’d think it melodramatic and insane, but reading from the start there can be no other way for it to unfold. It’s so terrifyingly plausible, and given that Clements is married to BBC Scotland newsreader Kirsty Work, it’s not surprising that there’s a realism to the story. There’s something chilling about reading a book set in the White House, Kremlin, Downing Street, BBC Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Glasgow’s Argyle Street and Paisley’s Paisley Road West.
Rogue Nation is a tense and exciting exploration of what could have been and what could still be. The fragility of 21st century Western politics is laid bare, and one question is never really answered: how close are we to being a rogue nation?
Written in 2009, Rogue Nation predicts a 2014 with a Tory majority, Republican president and victory for the Yes side in the Scottish independence referendum. Despite all three of those predictions turning out to be smack bang wrong, it’s a very recognisable world.
The book is set in the 100 days between the Yes vote and Scotland’s independence beginning. The First Minister and his advisor have to successfully manage diplomatic affairs between England, the USA and Russia. Naturally, edge-of-your-seat drama is not far behind.
Without giving away the plot, a medley of twists leave Holyrood with enormous ethical dilemmas. Before long, we’re talking war, assassination and terrorism. The most interesting question, though, is who is the bad guy? Is it Scotland, Russia or the States who are really the rogue nation? An argument can be put forward for each: you’ll change your mind, if you ever make it up.
The story is told mostly by George, the First Minister’s advisor and basically Alastair Campbell equivalent. He’s got his own family dramas, of course, and wants to do the right thing without making First Minister and long-time friend(?) Ross look like what us Scots call a bawbag. His moral struggle is very real and the game is extremely dangerous.
The First Minister, American President and Russian President all make devastating decisions that are ultimately the best for their own country, and have to spin them as being not horrific. Think Bush’s Iraq with bells on.
The first two-thirds up the ante constantly with new twists and layers, but once all the set pieces are revealed, there’s a bit of a lull until the denouement. But the lag is still enjoyable and it soon ramps up again.
If you started at the end, you’d think it melodramatic and insane, but reading from the start there can be no other way for it to unfold. It’s so terrifyingly plausible, and given that Clements is married to BBC Scotland newsreader Kirsty Work, it’s not surprising that there’s a realism to the story. There’s something chilling about reading a book set in the White House, Kremlin, Downing Street, BBC Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Glasgow’s Argyle Street and Paisley’s Paisley Road West.
Rogue Nation is a tense and exciting exploration of what could have been and what could still be. The fragility of 21st century Western politics is laid bare, and one question is never really answered: how close are we to being a rogue nation?
June 6, 2012
I was expecting a very parochial, twee read and was thoroughly surprised and entertained by this fast thriller.
The writing is good - not spectacular, and there is some dialogue that may be incomprehensible to non-Scots. As Scotland faces a referendum in 2014, this story of 'what could be' is highly enjoyable and the pace quick.
This is a fun, quick read.
The writing is good - not spectacular, and there is some dialogue that may be incomprehensible to non-Scots. As Scotland faces a referendum in 2014, this story of 'what could be' is highly enjoyable and the pace quick.
This is a fun, quick read.
January 6, 2011
Really thrilling and interesting book of political fiction.
January 30, 2013
This is a great book to read in the current pre-referendum climate. love books with familiar locations so this was up my street.
March 5, 2015
Very good
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews