The Quaker State Affair, Dan Romain (4 stars)

The Quaker State Affair Book Summary

What happens when “some day” finally arrives?

A mysterious explosion in Taiwan. Nuclear secrets stolen from Los Alamos. China’s manifest destiny at hand.

In the near future, America and China go head-to-head in a battle of technological bluffs, setting in motion a chain of events that could lead to skyrocketing oil prices, the end of the dollar, the American way of life, and the republic itself. The only man who might have an answer in the midst of the international crisis is Patrick “Mac” McDaniels, a world-renowned physicist who wants nothing to do with the government. Has he been conducting revolutionary energy research in secret? And if so, will McDaniels be America’s salvation—or its ruin?

Review

Have you ever freaked out listening to the news, political analysts, or economists? What if all their worst fears, and yours, started coming true?

Patrick "Mac" McDaniels, a brilliant scientist compared to the likes of Einstein, went into hiding after working on a government project that he knew could lead the world down a devastating path... the Quaker State project. When his worst fears start playing out, the government forces him back in the game.

With each page turn, the action and fear intensify. Dan Romain builds tension with each expertly revealed development in the China-U.S. standoff, giving the reader everything from political intrigue to scientific and economic escalations. There is never a moment to catch your breath.

The most frightening part of the story... how realistic and possible it all is. Even the conspiracy theories of Mac's friend, Ben, never seem all that far fetched.

Dialogue and action rich, I do wish there was more character development and a closer look into the growing attraction between Mac and Agent Connie Barlow. But the fast pace keeps the reader so engaged, he/she will only notice this at the end. Even then, the odds are the reader will be thinking just how close to this type of mess we really are to care much about individual characters.

One thing's for sure, we all might want to reevaluate where we see this country going and what we consider progress.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a fast-paced, action-filled tale overflowing with scientific theories and behind-the-scenes political machinations. If you like a movie running in your head the whole time you are reading, this book's for you (and more likely a 5-star read).

A special kudos to the author for letting the unimaginable happen, versus having the hero save the day in the nick of time. There's hope in the end, but no clear cut victory.

As much as I enjoyed the book, I did want more insight into the characters inner thoughts and backgrounds. Maybe the book should come with the corresponding FBI files on each character; or, better yet, I'm hoping for a sequel highlighting Connie and Mac (and Mac's protege, Adam Hobbs).

Rating: 4 stars

About Dan Romain:

Dan Romain is a nationally recognized business consultant who built one of the most successful insurance firms in the country. A graduate of the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon International Economics Society, he currently resides in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, Lori, their two children, Danielle and Brian, and their black Labrador, Kona. He has been widely credited as one of the few who accurately predicted the economic melt down.

For more information on the book and author

The Quaker State Affair website

Dan Romain's business website

The Quaker State Affair blog tour site

Available at Amazon

Note: I received a complimentary copy from Tribute Books for review purposes. No other compensation was received. A positive review was not guaranteed or asked for; the views expressed are my own.

For more information on Tribute Books and their blog tours, please visit their website and/or on Facebook and Twitter.