The Flower Man's Daughter

By Jack Sobel

Book Overview

The violent coup that toppled Chilean president Salvador Allende in 1973 serves as the backdrop for this dramatic story about the experiences of a rookie CIA offi cer. Having just graduated from Yale, his ability to speak Spanish lands him in the capital of Chile just weeks before the revolution. His adventures there lead him to wrestle with ethical questions involving America's clandestine role in the destabilization of the Chilean government. When a kindly fl ower merchant and his wife are captured by military forces during the attack on the presidential palace, the young offi cer must make a diffi cult and dangerous decision that could change their lives forever.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1436349842
• ISBN13: 9781436349840
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Xlibris Us
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Flower Man's Daughter - a must read

The Flower Man's Daughter was our book club choice this month. Not only was the book historically interesting, the intrigue and detail of the CIA involvement in Chile was thrilling. The characters were well developed and you could actually picture what each person looked and sounded like. Hope there is a sequel!

Michener-style fact-and-fiction novel about CIA operations in Chile

This Michener-style (albeit far shorter) fact-and-fiction novel takes on the story of CIA (alleged) involvement in the violent 1970's overthrow of democratically-elected Chilean president, Salvatore Allende, because Allende didn't espouse the US government view of an appropriate style of government. The story is told by main character seasoned lawyer Tony Gannon looking back over his life. He begins that story as newly-minted and naive Yale-graduate engineer and ends it as a Miami lawyer, and along the way he demonstrates why many of us became lawyers - to obtain justice for all and especially for those who cannot fend for themselves against government. He also leaves the reader with probable cause for the international view of the U.S. government as arrogant and imperialist. Tony-the-brand-new-engineer eager for excitement is hired by the CIA because he is also a street-smart tough guy. He leaves the U.S., his family and his girl, and starts his short CIA career as an operative in Chile fronting as a U.S. telephone company technician. In cognito as Andre Stephens, his boring CIA mission is to maintain bugs in the Presidential palace and to monitor and report on those who are loyal and disloyal to the president. He gets more excitement than he bargained for and questions the ethics of our government involvement when in later assignments he is directed to infiltrate the local scene and to incite violence against the president and his loyals. Finally, at the precipice of the overthrow, Tony is directed to assist higher-ups locate a presidential loyal in a palace hiding place known only to him ... and he thereby facilitates the assassination. But wait, there is the local flower farmer and his wife who get caught in the middle of the violent overthrow. Tony's moral conscience overcomes his CIA loyalty when he comes to the aid of the innocent family, and in the process willingly destroys his CIA career. So Tony returns to America determined to fulfill his destiny to aid those in similar need, and finds that ultimate power as a lawyer. When Tony-the-lawyer meets the flower-man's daughter years later in Miami, he knows he has made the right decision.....

This is a really good book

Jack has written a really, really good book ! The prose he uses draws the reader into the story and makes the characters leap off the page and come to life. It is an easy read and flows nicely; it is not the kind of book you will want to put down and finish later. As the events are unfolding you can imagine and picture the situation and can't wait to see how it evolves. While some reviewers take issue with some of the events or the believability of the story, remember this is a fictional story set against the background of historical events; the author never represents the events as factual. Further, on that point, it is clear that the author has done extensive background research into the events of September 11, 1973 in Chile, which makes the entire story that much more realistic and believable. I am left to wonder how the main character would have reacted and how the story would have unfolded if he had gone to law school first ?! Hats off, Jack. The book was well done and the ending was emotional and perfect ! Dave S.

Dramatic Novel Tabs CIA Involvement in Chilean Coup

By Eugene R. Hull (see all my reviews) With "The Flower Man's Daughter", Jack Sobel has skillfully crafted a first novel that recounts the violent coup (backed by the CIA) that toppled Chilean President Salvador Allende in 1973. The author has researched his subject well. He details the complexities of events which serve as the vivid setting for the experiences of his protagonist, Tony Gannon, a young rookie CIA officer, recruited out of Yale and eventually sent to Chile as an undercover operative. There Gannon is gradually, and reluctantly, more involved in the rapid downward spiral of a political revolution. Thrust ever deeper into midst of the conflict, Gannon is suddenly faced with a dangerous decision that affects his future and the lives of others dear to him. The author says he set out to write an entertaining and enjoyable story. "The Flower Man's Daughter" is that and much more. It is high drama that raises ethical issues similar to those confronting our nation today. It succeeds as both historical exposition and compelling fiction. I found "The Flower Man's Daughter" to be an excellent read. An admirable first novel in anyone's book Gene Hull Author: "Hooked On a Horn", "Slice of Life", Going To Court".

Rendition meets The Good Shepherd

The violent coup that toppled Chilean president Salvador Allende in 1973 serves as the backdrop for this dramatic tale of the experiences of a rookie CIA officer. Having just graduated from Yale, his ability to speak Spanish lands him in the capital of Chile just weeks before the revolution. As he is given more and more dangerous assignments, he wrestles with ethical questions involving America's involvment in the destabilization of the Chilean democracy. When a kindly flower merchant and his wife are captured by military forces during the attack on the presidential palace, the young officer must make a difficult and dangerous decision that could change all their lives forever. The writer's style is direct and emphasizes plot over description. He explores issues of national security still being debated in America today. The story-driven pace reminds one of a combination of the recent films, Rendition and The Good Shepherd. An easy read with interesting characters and a rewarding ending. Well worth the effort.