Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
St. Martin's Paperbacks (2015), Edition: Reissue, 544 pages
Description
In the aftermath of an IRA bombing, Harry uses his new literary station to raise awareness for his POW friend while Giles works to secure a political career and Sebastian's past threatens his engagement.
User reviews
LibraryThing member booksgaloreca
In true Jeffrey Archer fashion this book is an epic tale of an interesting family. I received the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I didn't realize until I finished it that this is actually book #5 of a series. I enjoyed it so much and want to know more about the characters
The book is full of interesting characters and the story drew me into their lives. I am looking forward to the next installment. Recommended read.
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that I now have to go buy the first four. LOL The book is full of interesting characters and the story drew me into their lives. I am looking forward to the next installment. Recommended read.
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LibraryThing member melaniehope
I always like the Clifton Chronicle stories. I do find the writing a bit dramatic and some of the characters are just plain evil, but that is what makes these books fun to read. This is book five and the saga continues.
In fact, the story ends so abruptly that I was convinced that I had gotten a bad
These books are definitely not stand alone, so you need to read all the stories in the series. If you have been, you will enjoy this one as well, although they are a little predictable and the characters are not very deep.
However, I plan to read all the books in the Clifton Chronicles because it's reminds me of a soap opera and I am ready to follow the characters through to the end.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley
In fact, the story ends so abruptly that I was convinced that I had gotten a bad
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e-book copy and it had cut the end of the story off.These books are definitely not stand alone, so you need to read all the stories in the series. If you have been, you will enjoy this one as well, although they are a little predictable and the characters are not very deep.
However, I plan to read all the books in the Clifton Chronicles because it's reminds me of a soap opera and I am ready to follow the characters through to the end.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley
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LibraryThing member Jiraiya
It took me some time to realize about books what I had realized about movies some years before. I have to talk about that in my review. Firstly, I cannot enjoy the literary and the genre bending books that are heralded as true books and true art. Secondly, I'm finding it tougher to get books that
It takes real skill to write a book such as this. Many literary artists cannot hatch a thriller or a mystery to save their life. What I have believed, between Be Careful What You Wish For and Mightier than The Sword, was that there could be higher returns on investing in reading books, if you're a discerning, if not picky and fastidious, reader. Armed with this belief, I abandoned my comfort zone, my 'lieu de predilection', namely the cozy mystery genre, and went in search of books in other genres. What I had not noticed, was the reason for my cozy mysteries to being more and more disappointing to me, was the fact that simultaneously, all of them were nearing the 15th or 20th installments. And so an entire batch of authors was giving me work that was creatively bankrupt and sportingly on the ropes.
Mightier than the Sword is the 5th book in a 7 book series. It did something that many readers will not like. It started with a bang and then nothing happened for a few chapters. This was something I could appreciate. The writing, to make use of a word that I used to employ a lot - but not so much these days - is crisp. But it's a bit all stale and as futile as a struggle to get rid of a straitjacket you're in. Fighting faint ennui is like fighting sleepiness while reading the knights' tournament results in Le Morte D'Arthur.
I guess you can debate that nothing is wrong with Mightier Than The Sword, given that I've rated it 3 stars. That I did. I always rate a book on the enjoyment - diminishing returns nonetheless - it procures me, and I like to be honest. But there are two things that frustrate me. a) It's as difficult for someone like me to write this book as easy as it was for Jeffrey Archer to. b) It could have been so much better, fresher, to do something slightly different, to tweak the usual twists in the book, without breaking in a sweat. That's what's deplorable. The writers always do the least possible bit of creative work. And...it's the only type of book that I can enjoy. Which is why as a reader I've decided that the crust I'm clutching is not buttered on any side, and I'm going to use my time more diversely, sometimes more creatively, than I do right now. I believe it will make of me a better person.
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are serial, formulaic, addicting, cloying, unambitious, and illusory. I would have happily spent the rest of my life and spend 7 hours a day reading such books. Take the way Mightier than the Sword ended. it not only ended on a cliffhanger, but also revealed a double agent in the last line of the book. That takes talent to pull off, but to succeed with its readership, it has to give the illusion that the plot of the book is not a perfunctory retelling of its very predecessors.It takes real skill to write a book such as this. Many literary artists cannot hatch a thriller or a mystery to save their life. What I have believed, between Be Careful What You Wish For and Mightier than The Sword, was that there could be higher returns on investing in reading books, if you're a discerning, if not picky and fastidious, reader. Armed with this belief, I abandoned my comfort zone, my 'lieu de predilection', namely the cozy mystery genre, and went in search of books in other genres. What I had not noticed, was the reason for my cozy mysteries to being more and more disappointing to me, was the fact that simultaneously, all of them were nearing the 15th or 20th installments. And so an entire batch of authors was giving me work that was creatively bankrupt and sportingly on the ropes.
Mightier than the Sword is the 5th book in a 7 book series. It did something that many readers will not like. It started with a bang and then nothing happened for a few chapters. This was something I could appreciate. The writing, to make use of a word that I used to employ a lot - but not so much these days - is crisp. But it's a bit all stale and as futile as a struggle to get rid of a straitjacket you're in. Fighting faint ennui is like fighting sleepiness while reading the knights' tournament results in Le Morte D'Arthur.
I guess you can debate that nothing is wrong with Mightier Than The Sword, given that I've rated it 3 stars. That I did. I always rate a book on the enjoyment - diminishing returns nonetheless - it procures me, and I like to be honest. But there are two things that frustrate me. a) It's as difficult for someone like me to write this book as easy as it was for Jeffrey Archer to. b) It could have been so much better, fresher, to do something slightly different, to tweak the usual twists in the book, without breaking in a sweat. That's what's deplorable. The writers always do the least possible bit of creative work. And...it's the only type of book that I can enjoy. Which is why as a reader I've decided that the crust I'm clutching is not buttered on any side, and I'm going to use my time more diversely, sometimes more creatively, than I do right now. I believe it will make of me a better person.
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LibraryThing member nyiper
I have read every book in this series so I KNOW there will be a cliff-hanger at the end because we are not up to present-day timing---yet! I hope he already has the next one finished. The charm of Archer's writing is the speed in which things happen in the story---one problem is presented,
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overlapping another one---the first is solved, a third is presented---the second is solved, etc. He is fun to read and of course having read all of the series you quickly remember all of the characters and want to find out what-happens-next! Show Less
LibraryThing member AnnieMod
The previous book finished with the new liner taking its first transatlantic trip in 1964 and IRA planting a bomb on the ship (and most of our main characters being on the ship). And this is exactly where this one opens - with the planting of the bomb itself and the actions of everyone while the
This 5th entry in the series takes us from 1964 to 1970 - with another generation of Cliftons entering the scene (albeit in a weird way), with Harry leading a campaign to liberate a Russian author, Emma fighting another set of really idiotic men (with Lady Virginia Fenwick behind the scenes as usual), Alex Fisher doing all the dirty work for the Lady as always (and getting involved in yet another election against Giles), Giles falling in love again and Sebastian doing more mistakes than both of his parents managed to make in the first 4 books (and they did quite a lot after all).
The details of the banking scene are always fascinating; so is the insight in the political situation - both in UK and abroad (with Giles's position we get to see the Eastern Germany while Harry manages to get to USA and USSR - which is persistently called Russia - I am not sure how much that was true for the UK press and people but I won't be surprised if that is the case). We even get a glimpse of the courts of law in USSR and in UK (although the Russian experience is so exaggerated that it is comical - everyone there is presented as incompetent imbecile - so don't look for a real experience of USSR in the 60s - he does get all the politicians right so at least this is there). And while Harry is dealing with the Russians, Emma is getting hounded by Virginia - for an incident that took place in a previous book but now resurfaces because it is the right time.
The book finishes on a cliffhanger again - with a missing letter and a trial that is still running. And somewhere along the line, we lose a good man and a bad man - as is it life - villains do die now and then but so do good people.
Overall a good entry in the series - I wish it was longer - and I am waiting for the next book next year.
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minute when it needs to explode comes. It won't be much of a spoiler to say that it does not happen because Harry is clever enough to spot a problem (and all this happens in the first 10 pages or so). So the cliffhanger from the last book is dealt with and now we can go ahead with the story and see what happens next. (I am not a huge fan of cliffhangers that get resolved in a few pages in the next book - technically with the non-exploding, there was not so much that can be done but still... )This 5th entry in the series takes us from 1964 to 1970 - with another generation of Cliftons entering the scene (albeit in a weird way), with Harry leading a campaign to liberate a Russian author, Emma fighting another set of really idiotic men (with Lady Virginia Fenwick behind the scenes as usual), Alex Fisher doing all the dirty work for the Lady as always (and getting involved in yet another election against Giles), Giles falling in love again and Sebastian doing more mistakes than both of his parents managed to make in the first 4 books (and they did quite a lot after all).
The details of the banking scene are always fascinating; so is the insight in the political situation - both in UK and abroad (with Giles's position we get to see the Eastern Germany while Harry manages to get to USA and USSR - which is persistently called Russia - I am not sure how much that was true for the UK press and people but I won't be surprised if that is the case). We even get a glimpse of the courts of law in USSR and in UK (although the Russian experience is so exaggerated that it is comical - everyone there is presented as incompetent imbecile - so don't look for a real experience of USSR in the 60s - he does get all the politicians right so at least this is there). And while Harry is dealing with the Russians, Emma is getting hounded by Virginia - for an incident that took place in a previous book but now resurfaces because it is the right time.
The book finishes on a cliffhanger again - with a missing letter and a trial that is still running. And somewhere along the line, we lose a good man and a bad man - as is it life - villains do die now and then but so do good people.
Overall a good entry in the series - I wish it was longer - and I am waiting for the next book next year.
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LibraryThing member fueledbycoffee
I have read every single one of these available to date. So good! This story is truly engaging, good against evil, engrossing and well written family saga. I cannot wait to read this.
LibraryThing member DWWilkin
The tales of the Cliftons and the Barringtons now goes onto the fifth book. It maintains its ability to wave a pleasant tale, from one cliffhanger to the next.
We do encounter along the way pure shock at not only what the villainous characters will do, but how long they will hold a grudge and how
It is about time that the plots of the villains become more immediate and more plausible, while our heroes become more astute and rely on the use of law, friends, influence and favors to combat those who oppose them. It would be that much more believable and give us heroes, who still might be flawed, yet not so shockingly surprised that anyone else would see the troubles that beset them coming from a mile away.
We do encounter along the way pure shock at not only what the villainous characters will do, but how long they will hold a grudge and how
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poorly our heroes judge others characters and continue to be civil letting their evil opponents continue to unscrupulously persecute themIt is about time that the plots of the villains become more immediate and more plausible, while our heroes become more astute and rely on the use of law, friends, influence and favors to combat those who oppose them. It would be that much more believable and give us heroes, who still might be flawed, yet not so shockingly surprised that anyone else would see the troubles that beset them coming from a mile away.
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LibraryThing member DWWilkin
The tales of the Cliftons and the Barringtons now goes onto the fifth book. It maintains its ability to wave a pleasant tale, from one cliffhanger to the next.
We do encounter along the way pure shock at not only what the villainous characters will do, but how long they will hold a grudge and how
It is about time that the plots of the villains become more immediate and more plausible, while our heroes become more astute and rely on the use of law, friends, influence and favors to combat those who oppose them. It would be that much more believable and give us heroes, who still might be flawed, yet not so shockingly surprised that anyone else would see the troubles that beset them coming from a mile away.
We do encounter along the way pure shock at not only what the villainous characters will do, but how long they will hold a grudge and how
Show More
poorly our heroes judge others characters and continue to be civil letting their evil opponents continue to unscrupulously persecute themIt is about time that the plots of the villains become more immediate and more plausible, while our heroes become more astute and rely on the use of law, friends, influence and favors to combat those who oppose them. It would be that much more believable and give us heroes, who still might be flawed, yet not so shockingly surprised that anyone else would see the troubles that beset them coming from a mile away.
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LibraryThing member jfe16
Bestselling author Harry Clifton, newly-elected president of English PEN, is using this platform in his mission to free Russian author Anatoly Babakov from imprisonment in a Siberian gulag. After penning a book about Josef Stalin, Babakov was imprisoned and all copies of his book were confiscated
Meanwhile, his wife, Emma, is dealing with the fallout from the attempted IRA bombing of Barrington Shipping’s newest ocean liner, MV Birmingham, on its maiden voyage. Can Emma keep the attempted bombing a secret, or will it be the cause of her downfall at Barrington Shipping?
Meanwhile, son Sebastian has stumbled onto the land purchase scheme of his immediate superior at Farthings Bank, but an unforeseen tragedy forces him out of his position at the bank, Will he be able to thwart the nefarious plans Adrian Sloane has put into play?
Emma’s brother, Sir Giles Barrington, a minister of the Crown, finds his prospects for a higher office jeopardized by a diplomatic failure. Was Major Alex Fisher the mastermind? Who will win the election?
This, the fifth installment of the Clifton Chronicles, takes place between the mid-1960s and 1970, a time of Cold War, IRA dissidents, Communist bloc politics, and the Berlin Wall. Against this backdrop, the friendships, betrayals, secrets, and machinations of people caught in the conflict of the differing ideologies of that time play out. Well-developed characters, plot twists, building suspense, and crisp writing make this an engaging read.
Recommended.
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and destroyed. Can Harry convince the Russian leadership to free the author?Meanwhile, his wife, Emma, is dealing with the fallout from the attempted IRA bombing of Barrington Shipping’s newest ocean liner, MV Birmingham, on its maiden voyage. Can Emma keep the attempted bombing a secret, or will it be the cause of her downfall at Barrington Shipping?
Meanwhile, son Sebastian has stumbled onto the land purchase scheme of his immediate superior at Farthings Bank, but an unforeseen tragedy forces him out of his position at the bank, Will he be able to thwart the nefarious plans Adrian Sloane has put into play?
Emma’s brother, Sir Giles Barrington, a minister of the Crown, finds his prospects for a higher office jeopardized by a diplomatic failure. Was Major Alex Fisher the mastermind? Who will win the election?
This, the fifth installment of the Clifton Chronicles, takes place between the mid-1960s and 1970, a time of Cold War, IRA dissidents, Communist bloc politics, and the Berlin Wall. Against this backdrop, the friendships, betrayals, secrets, and machinations of people caught in the conflict of the differing ideologies of that time play out. Well-developed characters, plot twists, building suspense, and crisp writing make this an engaging read.
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member ccookie
First words:
~Brendan didn’t knock on the cabin door, just turned the handle and slipped inside, looking back as he did so to be sure no one had seen him. He didn’t want to have to explain what a young man from cabin class was doing in an elderly peer’s room at that time of night. Not that
Master story teller lost me a bit here but that is just me. I didn’t find the story line about Harry’s presidency of P.E. N and his obsession with freeing Anatoly Babakov, the Russian author, that interesting.
I did find the depiction of the Russian people and the court scene interesting though. How accurate it is I don’t know, but interesting.
The rest of the book, bang on!
This one takes place from 1964 to 1970 so during the time period when I was in my early teens to early adulthood.
I enjoy the characters, enjoy the protagonists getting revenge on the villains. I like the characters even more as time goes by and can't help wondering what happens next.
And another cliffhanger ending. What will happen in Emma’s libel court case? I have requested Cometh the Hour from the library and am 7th on the waiting list. Sad. I will have to wait a bit to find out.
3.5 Stars
~Brendan didn’t knock on the cabin door, just turned the handle and slipped inside, looking back as he did so to be sure no one had seen him. He didn’t want to have to explain what a young man from cabin class was doing in an elderly peer’s room at that time of night. Not that
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anyone would have commented~Master story teller lost me a bit here but that is just me. I didn’t find the story line about Harry’s presidency of P.E. N and his obsession with freeing Anatoly Babakov, the Russian author, that interesting.
I did find the depiction of the Russian people and the court scene interesting though. How accurate it is I don’t know, but interesting.
The rest of the book, bang on!
This one takes place from 1964 to 1970 so during the time period when I was in my early teens to early adulthood.
I enjoy the characters, enjoy the protagonists getting revenge on the villains. I like the characters even more as time goes by and can't help wondering what happens next.
And another cliffhanger ending. What will happen in Emma’s libel court case? I have requested Cometh the Hour from the library and am 7th on the waiting list. Sad. I will have to wait a bit to find out.
3.5 Stars
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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
The fifth book in the Clifton Chronicles opens where the cliffhanger of the last book ended. A bomb planted by the IRA explodes on the maiden voyage of the MV Buckingham, Barrington Shipping's newest luxury liner. No spoiler here. You'll have to pick up this continuing Clifton/Barrington family
Famed author, Harry Clifton, has just been elected the president of English PEN. He is determined to have a fellow author, Anatoly Babakov, released from a prison in Siberia. Babakov was formerly Stalin's English interpreter and after Stalin's death, authored a book entitled “Uncle Joe”. He's spent years in a Siberian gulag and Harry is determined to find a way to free him. He travels to Russia which ends up putting his own life in danger.
Meanwhile, Harry's wife, Emma, chairman of Barrington Shipping, is facing the repercussions of the IRA attack on the Buckingham. Some board members feel she should resign, and her nemesis Lady Virginia Fenick will stop at nothing to make sure Emma loses her job and reputation. Her brother, Sir Giles Barrington, is hoping to become a member of the new Cabinet but once again, his old adversary, Major Alex Fisher makes an appearance. Harry and Emma's son, Sebastian, is now an adult and he begins to have his own issues and make his own enemies.
This book follows the same format as the previous books in the series and naturally, ends with a big cliffhanger. I am totally hooked by this series and have listened to all of them in audio, narrated by the brilliant Alex Jennings. I don't recommend reading these books out of order since they are essentially one long story, ending with the seventh and final book, This Was A Man. If you like a long family saga filled with the good, the bad and the political, you might find this series as addictive as I have.
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saga to find out. Famed author, Harry Clifton, has just been elected the president of English PEN. He is determined to have a fellow author, Anatoly Babakov, released from a prison in Siberia. Babakov was formerly Stalin's English interpreter and after Stalin's death, authored a book entitled “Uncle Joe”. He's spent years in a Siberian gulag and Harry is determined to find a way to free him. He travels to Russia which ends up putting his own life in danger.
Meanwhile, Harry's wife, Emma, chairman of Barrington Shipping, is facing the repercussions of the IRA attack on the Buckingham. Some board members feel she should resign, and her nemesis Lady Virginia Fenick will stop at nothing to make sure Emma loses her job and reputation. Her brother, Sir Giles Barrington, is hoping to become a member of the new Cabinet but once again, his old adversary, Major Alex Fisher makes an appearance. Harry and Emma's son, Sebastian, is now an adult and he begins to have his own issues and make his own enemies.
This book follows the same format as the previous books in the series and naturally, ends with a big cliffhanger. I am totally hooked by this series and have listened to all of them in audio, narrated by the brilliant Alex Jennings. I don't recommend reading these books out of order since they are essentially one long story, ending with the seventh and final book, This Was A Man. If you like a long family saga filled with the good, the bad and the political, you might find this series as addictive as I have.
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LibraryThing member shannon.dolgos
You know when you find an author that you can't get enough of....and then you begin reading a series by this author only to find out that there are only TWO left in the series that haven't yet been released... I'm DYING here...
I cannot give enough praise for the Clifton Chronicles....I just can't.
Seriously, Jeffrey Archer...I need book 6.
I cannot give enough praise for the Clifton Chronicles....I just can't.
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I hate that Jessica died, and I don't believe she committed suicide. I just don't. I hate that Sebastian was tempted by greed and lost the love of his life...or has he? I won't know until the next book is RELEASED! Ugh! Harry has managed to get "Uncle Joe" out of Russia, but can he get Anatoly Babakov out of prison? And, what dangers will come to Harry, if he is successful at getting "Uncle Joe" published? Will the content from Alex Fisher's letter be revealed? Will Lady Virginia finally get what's coming to her?Seriously, Jeffrey Archer...I need book 6.
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LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
Yet another excellent read in this addictive series. Jeffrey Archer keeps up the twists, turns and pace in this book. I highly recommend this series and have read the first 5 in just over three months, and now there are only 2 left in this series (the last of which won't be published until late in
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2016). At times you can almost see what is coming but that does not spoil the enjoyment. Show Less
LibraryThing member bereanna
Addictive series. Sebastian’s love leaves him. Emma is taken to court for libel. Harry goes to Tussia.
LibraryThing member rmarcin
Another great read! Very interested in continuing with the Clifton family, and finding out what is next.
LibraryThing member scarycreek
Same Story Line and outcomes as previous Clifton Novels, Mostly same bad guys, kill off a couple and add new ones fitting mold, change the location and basically the same plot as befor. very boreing I wont bother toread the rest of the series.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015-02-26
Physical description
4.25 inches
ISBN
1250034493 / 9781250034496