When two of his American employees were held hostage in a heavily guarded prison fortress in Iran, one man took matters into his own hands: American businessman H. Ross Perot. His team consisted of a group of volunteers from the executive ranks of his corporation, hand-picked and trained by a retired Green Beret officer. To free the imprisoned Americans, they would face incalculable odds on a mission that only true heroes would have dared… "Superb… Ken Follett's fans may be reluctant to see him return to fiction." - The New York Times Book Review "A marvelous, rare, terrific read…as exciting as a novel." - USA Today
ON WINGS OF EAGLES
The inspiring true story of one man's patriotic spirit--and his heroic mission to save his countrymen.
When two of his American employees were held hostage in a heavily guarded prison fortress in Iran, one man took matters into his own hands: American businessman H. Ross Perot. His team consisted of a group of volunteers from the executive ranks of his corporation, handpicked and trained by a retired Green Beret officer. To free the imprisoned Americans, they would face incalculable odds on a mission that only true heroes would have dared....
Only H. Ross Perot could make it happen.
Only Ken Follett could tell the tale.
"Superb.... Ken Follett's fans may be reluctant to see him return to fiction."
"A marvelous, rare, terrific read ... as exciting as a novel."
"Ken Follett has combined the best of his journalistic skills and his flair for crackling fiction into a nonfiction work that's sure to be read.... This is one time when the mad dogs of the world were soundly defeated by the indomitable Yankee spirit and derring-do....
"A FIRST-RATE BESTSELLER ... STIRRING, PROVOCATIVE, as meticulously detailed and as thrilling as Follett's fictional creations."
"EXCELLENT.... Fifteen American executives led by a feisty ex-army colonel on a hair-raising mission.... No Hollywood scriptwriter could match this adventure."
"RICH IN ATMOSPHERE, CHARACTER, AND DIALOGUE.... Follett is a pro's pro.... If this is not a major motion picture, somebody should kick Hollywood back to life."
"A REAL-LIFE THRILLER THAT LEAVES FICTION IN THE DUST."
"ADVENTURE, SUSPENSE, AND DESPERATION ... AS EXCITING AND COMMANDING AS HIS NOVELS."
"A REMARKABLE ADVENTURE."
"FOLLETT AT HIS MOST SPELLBINDING."
"A GRIPPING THRILLER."
"AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY ... GRIPPING."
"A REMARKABLE TELLING OF A REAL-LIFE THRILLER.... Follett takes a hundred loose ends and false trails and weaves them into a book that flows like the best of well-made fantasies."
"IMPRESSIVE SUSPENSE AND EXCITEMENT."
CAST OF CHARACTERS
DALLAS___________________________
Ross Perot, Chairman of the Board, Electronic Data Systems Corporation, Dallas, Texas
Merv Stauffer, Perot's right-hand man
T. J. Marquez, a vice-president of EDS
Tom Walter,chief financial officer of EDS
Mitch Hart, a former president of EDS who had good connections in the Democratic party
Tom Luce, founder of the Dallas law firm Hughes & Hill
Bill Gayden, president of EDS World, a subsidiary of EDS
Mort Meyerson, a vice-president of EDS
TEHRAN________________________
Paul Chiapparone, Country Manager, EDS Corporation Iran; Ruthie Chiapparone, his wife
Bill Gaylord, Paul's deputy; Emily Gaylord, Bill's wife
Lloyd Briggs, Paul's Number 3
Rich Gallagher, Paul's administrative assistant; Cathy Gallagher, Rich's wife; Buffy, Cathy's poodle
Paul Bucha, formerly Country Manager of EDS Corporation Iran, latterly based in Paris
Bob Young, Country Manager for EDS in Kuwait
John Howell, lawyer with Hughes & Hill
Keane Taylor, manager of the Bank Omran project
THE TEAM
Lt. Col. Arthur D. "Bull" Simons, in command
Jay Coburn, second-in-command
Ron Davis, point
Ralph Boulware, shotgun
Joe Poche, driver
Glenn Jackson, driver
Pat Sculley, flank
Jim Schwebach, flank and explosives
THE IRANIANS
Abolhasan, Lloyd Briggs's deputy and the most senior Iranian employee
Majid, assistant to Jay Coburn; Fara, Majid's daughter
Gholam, personnel/purchasing officer under Jay Coburn
Hosain Dadgar, examining magistrate
AT THE U.S. EMBASSY
William Sullivan, Ambassador
Charles Naas, Minister Counselor, Sullivan's deputy
Lou Goelz, Consul General
Bob Sorenson, Embassy official
Ali Jordan, Iranian employed by the Embassy
Barry Rosen, press attache
ISTANBUL_______________________________
"Mr. Fish," resourceful travel agent
Ilsman, employee of MIT, the Turkish intelligence agency
