With a plot that reads as if it came from the mind of Alistair MacLean, Robert Ludlum or Tom Clancy, this long unreported episode in our nation's history could not be more relevant in 21st century America.

From a World War II Nazi plan for espionage and terrorism, the authors have managed to craft a compelling and intriguing historical account, which raises many important questions. Questions which desperately need to be asked in post 9-11 America. But, they are questions which are all too often being ignored by most of the ratings-starved and war-hungry media.

Messrs. Gordon and Abello have done their home work, and it shows. Bravo, to the first time collaboration of this judge and this novelist.

Abella and Gordon hit the nail on the head with this book. If you are even slightly interested in WWII history, this is a great read. Given what's going on in the world today, the subject matter is truly relevant. Abella and Gordon make this historical story accessible and interesting.

This terrific book is about foreign terrorists who land on American shores and plan to destroy American buildings, military bases, and kill civilians. In particular, they plan to bomb Jewish owned businesses and stores such as Macy's. No, this doesn't take place now, but in 1942. And these terrorists are Nazis.
The first part of the book describes the true story of how 8 Nazis landed on the eastern coast in 1942. These were men who had spent part of their lives in the United States, so they knew how to blend in and they knew American customs.
If not for the work of the FBI, and for the defection of one of the men to the Americans, the damage that would have been done to America would have been horrendous. And these 8 may have been just the first of many terrorists to follow.
The second part of the book describes how the men were given military tribunals, because Roosevelt believed that public trials would only endanger our national security and our country. Sound familiar?
This is a well-written, timely book that holds the reader's interest from start to finish. I thought I knew quite a bit about World War ll, but I didn't know anything about the events described in the book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned about the politics and policies of today, and for anyone who is simply interested in a good and interesting story.

Like any developing nation whose history is partly shaped by the secret agencies of more powerful countries, the history of Cuba, from the controversial sinking of the USS Maine onward, is more myth than historical fact. It is therefore fitting that Alex Abella should use fiction as a means of chronicling this shadowy episode of Cuban history leading up to and immediately following the Cuban Revolution. With it, he probably reveals more about the deeply buried facts than any history text. He also brings it to life with vivid images -from the grotesque terror of Batista's police to a bizarre scene in which the dictator is being scorned by Chango, a Santeria god, during a ceremony in the basement of the Presidential Palace. At times Abella can be a little too whimsical as when a visiting American senator called John F. Kennedy inadvertently gets his head in the way of the assassin's crosshairs during an attempt on Batista, thus foiling a better moment to get rid of the tyrant and might not have saddled Cuba with yet another one. Of course, most Cuban-Americans are prepared to blame the Kennedys for every misfortune short of hurricane season. Elsewhere, though, the format allows for some interesting historical theses to be advanced. This includes the possiblity of a Soviet mole within the C.I.A. thus compromising its ambitious agenda to back all the players on the premise that they would then control the entire chess board. Indeed it is historical fact that the American mission underwent a thorough changing of the guard about a year before the Revolution, documented evidence reflecting suspicions of some sort. It does explain why the Soviets who had an apparent absence from the scene in the early stages of the game wound up with such important political prize. As a rule these things don't just happen. True or not, this is both an entertaining and provocative read from a very talented writer.

As a Cuban born after the revolution I was taught many lies in Cuban schools as to the events that transpire during those years of the revolution. My parents told me otherwise, they said the truth to me about those events that transpire so long ago. Mr. Abella's recounting,though fictionalized, are as true as what my parents and friends narrated to me.

This book is an educational tool for those that wish to know what turmoils Cubans(Communist or not) went through during that period. The hero, William Morgan, a real life ex-marine, through the eyes of a naive foreigner, later becomes a true Cuban leader whose desire is to rid Cuba of an oppressor. In the end, he realizes that a worse oppressor has arrived, and he tries to correct a wrong.

Being a Cuban-American himself Alex can truly relate to the people in the story, the Cuban personality comes alive in this story. A must read for those who wish to know about my people and their struggle for a Cuba Libre.

Although the plot is Ok, the author should try and use better grammar. This book was a waste of time, and money. Cuban Americans should get a better deal than this. very unclear, almost random.

Mr. Abella definitely lost me on this book. Perhaps it was the fact that I never read his previous book in reference to the main character. I was genuinely impressed with "The Great American", and was expecting more of the same type of storytelling. Perhaps I expected too much.

Abella's intimate knowledge of the Los Angeles Criminal Court system and personnel add to any local reader's enjoyment of this chilling and sometimes gruesome sequel to "Killing of the Saints." The suggestions of supernatural intervention add just the right flavor.

Another fast moving thriller from Alex Abella where he again displays his unique ability to mingle reality with the supernatural. The reader is never quite sure until the very end. Mr. Abella also exhibits rare expertise in the social culture of his native Cuba and the innerworkings of the Los Angeles criminal justice system.