Helpful Score: 2
Funny but not at all shocking look at, well, "the business" world. Compared to conspiracy thrillers of today, this one is extremely tame. We're all too familiar these days with people buying their way into positions of power. Still this book is enjoyable, with lively characters and dialogue.
I have become a true Banks fan, and was concerned that the subject matter of this book wouldn't be peculiar enough for me to find engrossing. Fortunately I was wrong, and the realness of a business as old as anyone can guess that has managed to stay as powerful as ever through clever and progressive investments into modern times is entirely compelling. The characters are believable and the story well-paced and compelling, but I still think Banks' best works are those in which he has to be more creative with the unusual realities of his characters.
