Good Friday

In the near future, two flights of Soviet fighters converge on oil-rich Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. scrambles to find a way that will stop the Russians without starting World War III. The Saudi king promises aid but tells his princes a different story, and the princes, in turn, have their own uses for military units under their controlwhen, that is, the fiercely independent Bedouins obey their orders. Meanwhile, the American president, a former history professor elected on a peace program, orders a massive military operation and agrees to overthrow the Saudi leaders. Fast-paced, rousing and clever in its impromptu solutions to tactical problems, this also relies heavily on stereotypes and somewhat kneejerk jingoism. (September)