To Save the Nation
Page 27
He is a frequent and highly-rated lecturer in continuing legal education programs, as well as to civic and professional organizations. In connection with his previous non-fiction works, he has been quoted in the press, interviewed on radio across the country, and has appeared on local and national television.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
With thanks to:
My Argentine friend, Natalio Kogan,
who has kept prodding me to finish this book
To another Argentine friend, Jorge Singman,
who helped me make important connections
To Jo Venet, a former Belgian bank executive,
whose words have kept a mystery alive
To Alejandro Fontana Sandoval, son of
one of the “disappeared,” who graciously hosted us
for hours at his home in Buenos Aires to tell his story
To B. Scott Custer, Jr., one of the partners in
my law firm in Brussels in the 70s, who told me
what it takes to be a good lawyer
To Leo Gibson, who knows why
To Donald Barris, Herb Sott, David Denn
and Eugene Driker, who mentored me
and allowed me a career full of legal thrillers
To my daughter, Adena Rose, and my former colleague
in Brussels, Francis Camerlinckx, both of whom
took the time to review drafts of the manuscript
To Judy Meshefski and Anna Hansen, my
assistants, each of whom has made it a
real pleasure to go to the office each day
To my wonderful clients—too many to mention—
who have shown an interest in the message of
this book and encouraged me
And last, but not least, to my wife, Sonja, who
has tolerated my obsession with this story, even
during vacations in Belgium, Switzerland, Aruba,
Argentina and Mexico over the last two decades
DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. How did you feel about the main characters? Were they believable?
a. The lawyer
b. The private investigator
c. The Argentine banker’s daughter
d. The Argentine banker
e. The lawyer’s assistant
f. The law firm’s computer support person
g. The man from Tricontinental (Mr. Banks) Who did you relate to the most/least?
2. Are there any quotes, passages or scenes that stood out to you?
3. How did the book make you feel?
a. Were you amused, upset, bored, angry, or intrigued?
b. Did the pacing of the story keep your attention? Did you have to force yourself to get through it, or were you unable to put it down?
c. Are you glad you read it?
4. How do you feel about how the story was told?
a. Was it too predictable or progress in a way that was too systematic?
b. Did it jump around too much?
c. Did it hold you in suspense?
d. Was the ultimate resolution acceptable to you, or too sappy?
e. What did you find particularly compelling, or upsetting?
f. Were there parts of the book you thought were unique, thought-provoking or disturbing?
5. What were the main points the author was trying to make?
6. What do you think about the ending?
a. Were you satisfied or disappointed with how the story ended?
b. Is anything left unresolved or ambiguous and, if so, do you feel it was intentional?
c. How do you picture the main characters’ lives after the end of the story?
d. What do you think is going to happen to the former Argentine military (Mr. Banks) who was about to ascend to a position of power in U.S. Homeland Security?
7. What is your impression of the author?
a. What do you think about the author’s writing style?
b. What do you think about the author’s storytelling ability?
c. Why do you think the author picked this story to write about?
8. What changes would you hope for if the book were turned into a movie?
a. Which sections would you cut?
b. What parts would you definitely want to retain?
c. Who would you cast to play the main characters?
9. How does this book compare to other legal thrillers you have read?
a. Did you like it more or less than other legal thrillers?
b. Is the book different in any way from books you usually read?
10. Ultimately the author wanted to provoke a serious discussion about human rights.
a. Did you find the statements made about things some people believe should be done “to save the nation” troubling?
b. Before you read the book, were you aware of events during the Dirty War in Argentina in the 1970s?
c. Before you read this book were you aware of the issue of enforced disappearances, generally?
d. Were you surprised to learn from the Epilogue that enforced disappearances are going on today in nearly 100 countries worldwide?
d. Admitting that these are difficult issues, did this book change your mind in any way about human rights?
11. Did you enjoy the book? Would you recommend it to other readers? To a close friend?