For John Schrooten, my friend.
I'll try to be quick. Sincere thanks once again to:
Natalie Freer — who gets to see (and put up with) my creative eccentricities up close. Her patience and generosity know no bounds.
My brother, Stephen Reilly — tortured writer, constructive and creative critic, and good friend; and to his wife, Rebecca Ryan, because they come as a package.
My wonderful parents — Ray and Denise Reilly — for encouraging me to build miniature movie sets for my Star Wars action figures when I was a kid; my creativity comes directly from them.
My good friends John Schrooten, Nik and Simon Kozlina, the whole Kay clan (notably Don, who made me shrink the size of the cats in Temple), and to Paul Whyte for accompanying me on an extraordinary trip to Utah while researching this book.
A special mention to two American friends — Captain Paul M. Woods, U.S. Army, and Gunnery Sergeant Kris Hankinson, USMC (retired), who generously gave of their time and assisted me with the military details of this book. Any mistakes are mine, and were made over their objections.
And finally, once again, thanks to everyone at Pan Macmillan and Thomas Dunne Books. This is our fourth outing together and it still rocks. Thanks to Gate Paterson, Jane Novak, Sarina Rowell, Paul Kenny, and Pete Wolverton. And, of course, as always, to the sales reps for the countless hours they spend on the road between bookstores.
To anyone who knows a writer, never underestimate the power of your encouragement.
All right! Now on with the show…
From: Katz, Caleb
The C.B. Powell Memorial Address: 'The Presidency'
(Speech delivered at the School of Politics, Harvard University, 26 February 1999)
There is no other institution in the world quite like the President of the United States.
All at once, the person who holds this title becomes the leader of the fourth most populous nation on earth, the commander-in-chief of its armed forces, and the chief executive officer of what Harry Truman called 'the largest going concern in the world.'
The use of the term 'chief executive' has made comparisons with company structures inevitable, and to a certain extent, they are appropriate — although, what other corporate leaders in the world have 2-trillion- dollar budgets at their fingertips, a license to use the 82nd Airborne Division to enforce their will, and briefcases at their sides that can unleash an arsenal of thermonuclear devastation against their competitors?
Among modern political systems, however, the American President is unique — for the simple reason that he is both head of government and head of state.
Most nations separate these two functions. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the head of state is the Queen; the head of government is the Prime Minister. It is a separation born out of a history of tyrants — kings who wore the crown, but who also governed at their often erratic pleasure.
But in the U.S., the man who runs the country is also the symbol of the country. In his words and his deeds, the President's every act is a barometer for the glory of the nation. For his strength is the people's strength.
John F. Kennedy staring down the Soviets over Cuba in 1962.
Harry Truman's nerves-of-steel decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945.
Or Ronald Reagan's confident smile.
His strength is the people's strength.
But there are dangers in this arrangement of things. For if the President is the embodiment of America, what happens when things go wrong?
The assassination of John F. Kennedy.
The resignation of Richard Nixon.
The humiliation of William Jefferson Clinton.
The death of Kennedy was the death of America's innocence. Nixon's resignation drove a knife into the heart of America's optimism. And the humiliation of Clinton was the global humiliation of America — at peace summits and press conferences around the world, the first question asked of Clinton was invariably directed at his sexcapades in a study adjoining the Oval Office.
Be it in death or disgrace, decisiveness or courage, the President of the United States is more than just a man. He is an institution — a symbol — the walking, talking embodiment of a nation. On his back ride the hopes and dreams of 276 million people… [pp. 1–2]
From: Farmer, J. T.
'Coincidence or Co-ordinated Murder?
The Death of Senator Jeremiah Woolf
Article from: The Conspiracy Theorist Monthly [circulation: 152 copies]
(Delva Press, April issue, 2001)
…The body was found in the woods surrounding the senator's isolated hunting cabin in the Kuskokwim Mountains in Alaska.
Truth be told, at the time of his death Jerry Woolf was no longer a senator, having retired abruptly from Congress only ten months earlier, surprising all the pundits, citing family reasons for the unexpected move.
He was still alive when they found him — no mean feat considering the high-velocity hunting bullet lodged in his chest. Woolf was immediately taken by helicopter to Elaine County Hospital, one hundred and fifty miles away, where emergency residents tried in vain to stem the blood flow.
But the damage was too severe. After forty-five minutes of emergency treatment, former United States Senator Jeremiah K. Woolf died.
Sounds simple, doesn't it? A terrible hunting accident. Like so many others that happen every
