Some people follow sports teams, other people follow actors or rock bands. But me, I follow authors. And while some people fantasize about celebrities they’d like to dine with, I have a list of rock star authors I dream of interviewing.Recently, one of my dreams came true when David Baldacci agreed to an email interview with me. Upon hearing the news, my impulse was to jump and kick in a manner my legs haven’t experienced since the late 1980s, when I was a high school cheerleader. I quickly discovered my body is no longer qualified in jumping and kicking. It is, however, perfectly fine sitting at a computer conducting research on a favorite author. So that’s what I did. And here’s what I learned: Before becoming an internationally-acclaimed bestselling author, Baldacci practiced law for nine years. He hit success with his first novel, “Absolute Power” and hasn’t looked back. He’s written more than a dozen best sellers. Baldacci’s works are translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries. And over 60 million copies of Baldacci's books are in print worldwide.Even I, an ardent Baldacci fan, was surprised by those statistics. And if I wasn’t a fan, upon learning those stats, I’d feel inclined to read a Baldacci title.A good place to start is with Baldacci’s “The Camel Club.” This book is the first in a series which follows a club of D.C.-based truth seekers. The club consists of an unusual mix of four members: a man without a past currently called "Oliver Stone"; obsessive computer genius Milton Farb; blue-collar laborer Reuben Rhodes; and Library of Congress reference specialist Caleb Shaw. In “The Camel Club,” the members witness a shocking murder in a D.C.-area park. While secretly trying to unravel the crime, the foursome is slammed into a plot that threatens national security and world stability. If that’s not enough to get you reading Baldacci, perhaps a taste of my interview will do it. (The full interview is available on my blog, address below.)Question: An enormous amount of research must go into your writing. Is there a particular research experience or discovery you’ll always remember? Answer: Listening to incessant gunfire at Quantico while I was down there researching “Last Man Standing.” I felt like I was in the Middle East. Being nearly arrested by the FBI while toting around a German film crew in D.C. Ranks right up there. And then my experience on the Acela train after two passengers overheard me talking to a medical expert about poisoning someone for research for a book and summoned the police. That was fun too. Now whenever I travel, I duct tape my mouth shut just to be safe.
This is a good & intelligent thriller albeit with a rather strange twist that sits perhaps less well with the more conservative (political that is) reader.The story is about a group of talentfull misfits that have their own conspiracy club in Washington DC, their leader going by the name of Oliver STone is an friendly man with NO history whatsoever, as he is officially been dead for several decennia.This group, the Camel club, witnesses by accident the murder of a Intelligence analyst. This sets them on the trail of a very large terrorist attack on US soil.The terrorists are not just one dimensional characters, you get explained why they are there, what made them tick. And still you are shocked when you read about their acts of violence when the attack starts.The book takes its time to set up the story which might be challenging for a casual reader, but it also shows insight in the DC politics. Which is perhaps a bonus with so much newsstations these days that lack depth in their coverage of the middle east and Washington.David Baldacci does know how to write an entertaining tale and does so in the most comfortable way. His books shows that he wants to have his readers a better understanding in motivation of the baddies while he is not very forthcoming in the information on the "heroes" of his book. While it is easily to filter out how special the Oliver STone character is. I am sure that next Camel Club novels will delve more into the legend that is Oliver STone.This 1st novel does entices me to continue with this series, but it also has to do with the writing style of mr Baldacci which suits me fine.
What do You think about The Camel Club (2006)?
Der Camel-ClubDie Mitglieder des geheimnisumwitterten Camel-Club beobachten den Lauf der Welt. Über ihre Vergangenheit ist nicht viel bekannt und soll auch nicht viel bekannt sein. Sie sind sehr zurückgezogen und wollen eigentlich nicht in irgendwelche Ereignisse eingreifen. Doch ausgerechnet in der Nähe ihres Treffpunktes sind sie gezwungen einen Mord zu beobachten. Was kann dahinterstecken? Was können sie tun? Da es sich bei dem Aufenthaltsort um ein eher verbotenes Gelände handelt, ist eines sicher, sie können ihre Beobachtungen nicht direkt der Polizei melden. Im Verborgenen beginnen sie damit, Nachforschungen anzustellen. Währenddessen läuft auch die offizielle Maschinerie an.Nach und nach wird hier ein Komplott offenbart, das seines gleichen sucht. Bis in höchste Kreise führen die Spuren. Ein unheimlich perfider Plan wird langsam zu Tage gefördert. Undurchsichtig zunächst, mit ruhigen Worten berichtet der Erzähler (K.Dieter Klebsch) vom Fortgang der Entwicklungen, um später in einen immer eindringlichen Tonfall fortzufahren, schließlich um die Stimme zu deutlichen Worten zu erheben. Und so wie der Vorleser seinen Tonfall ändert, so steigern sich Spannung und Anspannung. Kaum vorstellen kann man sich, was für Verbrecher hier am Werke sind, die vor Opfern nicht zurück schrecken und bereit sind harte Gegenmaßnahmen in Kauf zu nehmen. Wenn auch eine gewisse Konsequenz und Gradlinigkeit zu vermissen ist, so ist dieser erste Roman um den Camel-Club sehr hörenswert. Er lässt einen ob der präzisen Planung der Täter staunen, mit den Angehörigen der Opfer leiden und schließlich einige Folgen mit Erleichterung wahrnehmen. Getragen von der sehr gut passenden Stimme des Vorlesers ist packende Unterhaltung programmiert.
—Wal.li
The Camel Club is a novel about four eccentric men who years prior formed a club to discuss and keep watch over the bigwigs in Washington, DC. Camped in a tent in a small park across the street from the White House, due largely to the intercession of the ACLU, the leader of the club “Oliver Stone” has posted a sign simply stating, “I want the truth.”The group meets in a variety of places around Washington DC to discuss current events, politicians and conspiracy theories; as the story opens one meeting is about to take place on a small island dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt; their meeting is disrupted by two men carrying a third man. When they witness the murder of the third man, they realize that they themselves could be in danger; not because they witnessed a murder, but because they witnessed who committed the murder.As the conspiracy theories grow, so does the involvement of the secret service; but, can the group of oddballs and one secret service agent save the United States from a full blown disaster? You’ll have to read the book to find the truth!This is the first book in David Baldacci’s Camel Club series.
—Linda Munro
Same fun, eccentric characters from Baldacci's The Collectors, however, this book came first. Intricate plot, however, a few characters are used as mouthpieces to give long dissertations on the peaceful nature of Islam and the greed of Americans. Though his points may or may not be valid, it was delivered heavy-handedly and got tiresome. After all, I'm reading a novel, not a slanted history book on Middle East politics.Aside from that, though, I enjoyed the story and the main characters. I'll read future adventures of the Camel Club as they are published.
—Johnnie
