Review: Enthralling Narrative and Gripping Dialogue Propel The Winds of Kedem
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 25, 2013
Narrative description that propels the story forward combined with dialogue that satisfies and informs the reader rarely happens. Roger Radford's The Winds of Kedem succeeds on all counts.  Events connect the story together seamlessly. From his start in Syria, the protagonist, David, begins a journey that will keep you reading without pause. The history of the Mossad (and Israel) is peeled away like the skins of an onion through the life experiences of the protagonist and Eli Cohen, the head of Mossad. While the insidious nature of terrorism spills onto the pages, the reader discovers the historical basis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seen through the eyes of both Israeli and Palestinian characters. The reader is left to judge for himself without rancour. True, hatred on both sides comes to light, but what is unique about this book is the even-handed way hatred is balanced by the human cost of that hatred on both sides.  Once again, this cost is not shown as a propaganda tool but rather displayed in the subtle changes in the perspectives of the characters in their lives. Serendipity rhythms without repeating itself: Events in the plot pop up and the reader realizes how the carefully the seeds of later events are planted as the story progresses. Roger Radford has created a human, poignant narrative laced with touching experiences and harsh realities. A great book in the Le Carre tradition of The Little Drummer Girl. Bravo!