Military Rule - Softcover

It is the year 2008 and the American Empire has secured total control of the oil fields by a method of "Public Diplomacy" known as Ensconce: that is by covert operations destabilising governments and installing puppet administrations. But the President is coming to the end of his second term and has taken a fancy to reinstating some form of local "democracy" in the Middle East. Elements in the military are not prepared to tolerate such a hostage to fortune and plan their own version of Ensconce to depose the President and install military rule. No holds are barred in a fast moving tale of intrigue and blatant murder which might have seemed far-fetched if one had not been following the news recently, but in the light of recent events in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Lebanon, is sadly, all too realistic apart from the brave derring-do of the British who in Bennison's tale set about putting an end to the generals' triumphalism. This is a really good read. It is up with Jack Higgins' THE EAGLE HAS LANDED as a perfectly crafted political thriller while at the same time employing all the sublety of plot, motive and characterisation one associates with Anthony Trollope. Highly recommended. --Professor Julienne Ford, Author of 'Social Class and the Comprehensive School'

A tense and exciting read, particularly appropriate in the light of current world trends. --Sheila Collins

Oh, the conspiracy theorists and George Dubya Bush-haters will just love this one but only for the first few pages. Set in the very near future, MILITARY RULE pictures a world in which the USA is in complete control of the Middle East. The president- called Richard Burkhart is nearing the end of his term of office and is preparing to hand over the reins of power to his brother, a leading contender in the forthcoming election. With the President s support, he should win with a slam-dunk. (The president s brother isn t called Jeb but should be, if you get my drift.) To end on a high note, and prove that he really does cleave to democracy, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Star-Spangled Banner and Old Glory, Burkhart plans to hand the Middle East back to a non-military leader. No problem. He ll look like a good guy. But there is a problem. Good ol boy General Mandeville hasn t read the script... If ever the phrase Better the devil you know... applied to a scenario of political instability, then this is it. Gripping, edge-of-the-seat stuff with a chilling dose of realism. Let s hope that Bennison has another half-dozen in him, for he s got me hooked already. --Mike Hallowell, The Shields Gazette

America has secured its place as the world s superpower, with total control of the Middle East and its oilfields. Absolute world domination is in its grasp. But the outgoing President seems to be losing his grip and some believe he is selling out. The military, headed by a power-crazed general, have other ideas about the fate of the nation and are prepared to seize control at any cost and establish a dictatorship. Their answer: military rule for America and subsequently the rest of the world. In a tangled web of deceit and conspiracy, personal and selfish ambitions come to the fore. The line between friend and enemy becomes blurred in the battle for power. Who can be trusted, and will a David arise to slay the dangerous Goliath that has emerged before it is too late?