The Charm School
By Nelson DeMille
- Release Date: 2001-04-01
- Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Description
"True master" and #1 New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille presents a chilling, relentlessly suspenseful story of Cold War espionage perfect for fans of the hit FX show The Americans (Dan Brown).
On a dark road deep inside the Russian woods at Borodino, a young American tourist picks up an unusual passenger with an explosive secret: an U.S. POW on the run from "The Charm School," a sinister operation where American POWs teach young KBG agents how to be model U.S. citizens. Their goal? To infiltrate the United States undetected. With this horrifying conspiracy revealed, the CIA sets an investigation in motion, and three Americans--an Air Force officer, an embassy liaison, a CIA chief--pit themselves against the country's enemies in a high-powered game of international intrigue.
Reviews
The Charm School has a unique curriculum.
5By Jimothy the GreatNelson DeMille does one thing, and does it extraordinarily well. He writes delightful stories. The Charm School is filled with mystery, intrigue, adventure, mistrust, betrayal, romance, descriptions of societies that are difficult to comprehend (for most people), and political turmoil. He builds characters that are rich, ethical, and moral yet are human, too, tempted by outside forces. He weaves a story that begs you to turn “just one more page” constantly. It’s impossible to say no. I have yet to read a story from Nelson DeMille that I haven’t enjoyed thoroughly.Even better the 2nd read
5By JCappreciatesEven better the 2nd read. 30 years after the first…Great Read!!
5By Bbbbbbbb1234098765This by far was one of the best books I have read in a while...refreshingly good. I could NOT put the book down.A Good Read
4By Sanhueza FamilyInteresting and educational for the time and place it was written for. I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse into the Russian culture and CIA world.The Charm School
5By BOD3Excellent book. Enjoyed it immensely.The Charm School
5By gwsjr5I've read many of DeMille's books and this one is by far the best. It is almost too believable. The characters are well developed. I found myself respecting the good guys and really hating the bad guys. That's how good this author is.The Charm School
5By Pat, Hudson OhioNow that I've read The Charm School a second time, I must state these are the best two fiction books I've ever read! Absolutely, intriguing from start to finish.Almost Great
4By wfrankel2Having read several of the John Corey novels, it may just be that The Charm School involves someone else and that I have a problem coping with that. In either case, this story is terrific and the last 100 pages pulled me in the way every page of a John Corey story does. The rest though was at times a little slow to develop which is why I only say almost great. I do appreciate DeMille's level of detail describing the Soviet Union; it felt like I was there. I definitely recommend but readers should just know that it's a little different than they might be used to.Another DeMille Great
5By Pooting RanThis is the 10th book I've read by DeMille and once again it didn't disappoint. Great characters and fantastic story that really makes you think about some of the POWs and MIAs of the Vietnam War. A must read.Cold war classic that holds up
5By savoytruffleI first read this book as a 12 year old and loved it, but I was apprehensive about how it would feel at 30. If anything, it's a lot better being more able to follow the political and sexual intrigue. It's also fascinating to imagine how the Vietnam War was as far off in history to the book's protagonists as the late Cold War (and this book) are from us now.Loved it
4By JduchessVery entertainingOutstanding
5By kablutonMy cousin recommended this book and I could not put it down. It was my first by this author and won't be my last. Definitely worth the time and price.WOW
5By Randy1484What a page turner. A great story from beginning to end.Never before
5By StrandedinSaltLakeNever before have I taken a day off from work because I simply couldn't put a book down. I did with the Charm School. On it's genre, the best I've ever read. BRAVO!The Charm School ... True to the countries
5By Ex NASAI have spent considerable time in the former Soviet Union ... some 30 trips between 1997 & 2006. Mr DeMille has captured the gritty reality, the beauty, the pathos, & the absurdity of life inside & outside of the embassy, Moscow, & the villages. And he wrapped it all in a rollicking, thrilling, & sometimes sickening adventure. The consummate evil in the bureaucrats (on both sides) as they engage in their high stakes game-playing seems very real to me, tho I have not experienced it in such a high stakes manner. The contradictory appearance of gratuitous rudeness & extraordinary kindness of the Russian people is dead on! All this insight into a country and a page-turner of a story ... what's not to like. I (almost) never give the top rating to anything as I know that perfection should not be defined by my limited experience. But this one has to have the top rating.Gripping
5By FredforceoneFantastic! The author has you from the opening words right up until the very end. If you lived through the Reagan years, this is a must read!Great Read!
5By CabnfeverThis book got me hooked on DeMille. So far he hasn't let me down!The Charm School
5By Joschoen AzThis is the best DeMille book I have read. The characters are so believable and the plot is riveting. By joschoen AzFirst and the Standard
5By GregGriffithsThis is the first Nelson DeMille novel I read many years ago. Two problems resulted: 1) I became hooked on his books and had to read any and all of his books since. 2) The Charm School, i guess like your first love, set a standard so high that I end up rating all of his novels relative to this one. Hopefully some movie producer will pay tribute to this book and do a movie that stays true to the book! I also highly recommend "Up Country" and "The Lion's Game" (the prequel to the current release... "The Lion").
