The Fourth K: A Novel

One of the best books I've read in a long time

I first read this when I was in high school. I enjoyed it very much then, and would re-read it many times over the the next nearly two decades. This book seems to be fairly polarizing, with a lot of people loving it and a lot of people hating it or at least being dismissive of it. It's not a perfect book, by any means, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. I think Puzo tends to "overwrite" in spots, a criticism that I've levied towards Stephen King as well. Spending pages to write something that could be condensed greatly. This is most evident when dealing with the chapters dealing with The Oracle and the chapters dealing with David Jatney. I just finished reading the book a few moments ago, the first time I've read it in about three years. A criticism I've seen is that characters show up and then disappear never to be heard from again. However that's not really true. There are characters that disappear for extended times, however with the exception of Cryder Cole, David Jatney's college friend who participated in the Assassination Games at BYU, everyone else in the book that is brought up plays a fairly major role in the book. And even Cole, it's revealed what happened to him. He was never a major character, he was simply an associate of Jatney, who has a major role in the climax of the novel. I think pretty much every character that is featured in the major storylines were very instrumental in the plot and the winding road that the novel follows. As much as I wasn't really that interested in reading the Oracle's story (after years of reading the book, perhaps) I recognize his importance to the overall narrative. Likewise, for the most part, I didn't care about David Jatney's story, however it's important because it gives you context and clarity for how he acts in the end. I think this is a fantastic read and really exemplifies the quote "Power Corrupts. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely". You have a guy in Francis Xavier Kennedy who came into office a fairly idealistic, perhaps naive, politician, and evolves, due to tragedies outside of his control, into a monster, for lack of a better word. He leaves behind everything he ever believed in and eventually grows into a tyrannical dictator, all while believing he is doing the best thing for the country. The sad thing is it is not an unimaginable scenario. Power corrupts and erodes integrity, many times. The most iconic, and tragic character in this, for me anyway, was Christian Klee, Kennedy's right hand man and the Attorney General of the USA. A powerful man who is not above doing anything and everything he can think of to protect Kennedy, who he views as a brother. This means stepping way over the bounds of reason and legality and morality, all with not a scintilla of remorse or regret. Everything he's doing is justified, in his mind. Even when he is confronted with his machinations in the end, he feels like he's been wronged, because in his mind he feels he was acting in the best interest of the country, and his friend, the President. This is a book I think everyone should read. Very interesting and intriguing political thriller. Not a perfect book, by any means, but it is a highly entertaining read, one that lends itself to multiple read.

This is the best political thriller that I have read in quite some time. It is a real page turner full of twists and turns that are unfortunately believable in our modern age.

First chapter is full of adjectives, no action. The remaining chapters have lvery good action. Yet excessive adjectives

I read this one years ago but the details are still vivid. What can I say. This guy is the master. Basically the founder of the James Bond School of cool. With a Kennedy now running for presidency, it makes you think that maybe this author was clairvoyant? If you read in my order, this should be your second book before you jump to "The Family."

Very well-written and fascinating. Would have given it five stars but the multitude of supporting characters sometimes made it difficult to follow. Puzo was truly a writer ahead of his time as far as political intrigue and international conspiracies.

He is in fact, a top flight novelist, and created several powerful stories that will live long after him. This is one of them. I recommend it highly, and also his other novels. He is, simply put, a master, a genius.

This is a great piece of work by Puzo. This book, which Puzo states was his biggest undertaking, has shown what hard work can do for an author. Puzo's detail to attention, not only in the character development, but the great conversation, is just superb. Everyone compares everything that Puzo has written to The Godfather, which this is not. But if you can separate his writing of The Godfather and put this in its own category...it is an amazing good.

the book is worth a try.

素晴らしい

Great read

bought this as a preasent for someone and he is very pleased wiith it. He said it was a good read.

Outstanding action. Unexpected twists and turns. Excellent story line. Left me wanting a follow up book.