Jeffrey Archer The Clifton Chronicles Series 7 Books Collection Set

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In this, fifth book of the Clifton Chronicles, Jeffrey Archer ups the pace of the plot to great effect.

The characters’ stories intertwined with historical events of the period such as the Cold war and Margaret Thatcher’s political ascent. While some chapters focus on British political and international espionage others will on corporate espionage and financial crime and some will give us more social commentary of the time. The portrayal of these different views is really what keeps the story fresh and engaging. This book follows the same format as the previous books in the series and naturally, ends with a big cliffhanger. And while I absolutely loved the book, I will note, as I've done in describing other of these books - it is reminiscent of the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods (even the Barrington name is common to both). Mostly, it's the matter-of-fact presentation; no matter what happens, no one gets excited, bent out of shape or otherwise emotionally unhinged. Lost your job and your fortune? Bloody sorry, old chap. Unmarried and pregnant? Dreadful. Do you prefer Earle Grey or camomile? Cometh the Hour, 6th in The Clifton Chronicles series was interesting mix of historical fiction, politics and family drama that revolved around Cliftons and Barringtons’ life. Like all previous book this too was about good vs bad, morals and principles, good things happen to good people and enemies gets their comeuppance, family, love and drama. Sebastian Clifton is now the Chief Executive of Farthings Bank and a workaholic, whose personal life is thrown into disarray when he falls for Priya, a beautiful Indian girl. But her parents have already chosen the man she is going to marry. Meanwhile, Sebastian's rivals Adrian Sloane and Desmond Mellor are still plotting to bring him and his chairman Hakim Bishara down, so they can take over Farthings.Sir Giles Barrington is now a minister of the Crown, and looks set for even higher office, until an official trip to Berlin does not end as a diplomatic success. Once again, Giles’s political career is thrown off balance by none other than his old adversary, Major Alex Fisher, who once again stands against him at the election. But who wins this time?

One of the endearing points of this book to me, in fact, is the inside look at British politics, some of which, as a personal aside, could well be applied to the current state of affairs here in the United States. Sir Giles, for instance, quips to his wife Karin: "...you have to understand that being a scoundrel is simply part of a politician's job description." I love Jeffrey Archer’s supreme talent in story telling and creating characters that are easy to like and a relish to hate. Kane and Abel is still my favourite novel of all time, and this series is turning out to be a solid, well written saga. Twists and cliffhangers galore. Wow!!! Finished this fine series. Wonderful storytelling with Book 7 doing a great job of ending the Harry and Emma Clifton Chronicles, while leaving other generations in play in the event the author wants to bring the family story to the present as we end in 1992. Halfway into the novel, about the time we are all thinking or should be thinking about Lady 'you-know-who', she arrives as conniving as Archer can realistically make her and oh my gosh, does he do a good job. All good things must come to an end and that is true with the Clifton Chronicles. This Was a Man is the seventh and final book in the series. I am left with mixed feelings. I am sad because I will miss Harry, Emma, Giles, and Sebastian. The ending was terrific and emotional but made sense and was fitting.

The Clifton Chronicles Series in Order (7 Books)

I do not blame Archer since there are very few exciting plots one can design when your heroes are turning great grand parents and the villains have stopped concerning themselves with the Cliftons due to their own problems. To tell the stories of the lives of multiple characters running in parallel, the stories are a bit disjointed. When telling the stories of one character, lives of others are put on hold. I guess there is not a lot one can do when one novel tries to tell multiple stories.