Title: Forty-Eight X: The Lemuria Project
Author: Barry Pollack
Publisher: Medallion Press
Publication Date: December 1, 2009
Hardcover: 338 pages
ISBN: 978-1934755020
Genre: Thriller

About the Book:

On the tropical island of Diego Garcia in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the United States has gathered together its most talented geneticists to work on the top-secret Lemuria Project. These secret experiments create a revolutionary new warrior so strong and so valiant that the age of casualties of war would become only a sad and distant memory. Haunted by a dark and dangerous past, Colonel Link McGraw is the officer chosen to train these new soldiers. He understands the rules of engagement and agrees to serve his country, reestablish his professional reputation, and secure his freedom in the process. As a trained and commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces, McGraw knows what constitutes the perfect soldier: following orders without question. When Egyptian beauty Fala al Shodaha and Israeli Joshua Krantz, scientists in their own right, stumble across the top-secret project, they are determined to uncover its true nature and pursue their quest to Diego Garcia. Tensions mount as Krantz and McGraw clash over the project—and vie for the affection of the lovely Fala. When they discover they aren’t the only ones on the island competing for her attention, shocking truths are revealed that beg the question, Is it too late to save themselves—and the entire human race—from almost certain annihilation?

My Review:

Forty-Eight X: The Lemuria Project by Barry Pollack is a suspense thriller with liberal doses of history, including lessons humanity should have learned and lessons humanity should have learned to not repeat. The Lemuria Project can and is likened in some instances to the Manhattan Project with General Mack Shell heading up the operation and Dr. Julius Wagner heading up the division of scientists. Pollack makes certain the reader receives a refresher course in history whether it is in politics, military, or science. Forty-Eight X spans the globe with players from around the world including archaeologists Dr. Kranz and Dr. Fala al-Shohada, who are working for Aman (Israeli Military Intelligence) cooperating with Mossad, Stanford geneticists Julius Wagner and Dr. Jaymes, politician Senator Leland Bruce head of the Senate Appropriations Committee and from the Military, General Mack Shell and Colonel Lawrence “link” McGraw. The Lemuria Project is a large undergoing that will change society, as it is currently known, if it is successful and can remain a secret. The first mistake was leaving behind a weapon, which the Pakistani government recovers, pulling Israeli intelligence into the game. Forty-Eight X is a complex novel in regards to understanding history and the key players, which Pollack describes deftly. Once all the players are set into place, Forty-Eight X becomes a fast-paced thriller which will keep the reader not only guessing the fate of humanity as one currently knows it but also the fate of those involved in The Lemuria Project as tension, greed, and power grow and loyalties are tested. Forty-Eight X is a brilliantly written novel with an extremely plausible plot and realistic characters. Saying much more truly will give the novel away and I would not want to spoil this thriller. I recommend Forty-Eight X to any reader who is interested in archeology, history, the study of humanity, or anyone looking for an excellent thriller.

About the Author:

Barry Pollack, who still works in the frontline trenches of medicine as an ER doctor, has a creative life that spans a variety of venues. After a master’s degree in film from Stanford and a fellowship at the American Film Institute, he began as a documentary filmmaker and went on to write and direct two feature films — MGM’s Cool Breeze in 1972 and the Fanfare release This is a Hijack in 1973. In 1980, Pollack graduated from the University of Oklahoma Medical School and began a new career as an emergency physician. However, he never stopped writing. Pollack’s subsequent work includes several prime time television dramas, such as Trapper John, M.D. and Hotel, magazine short stories, several screenplays, and ten years of newspaper columns for the Ventura County STAR in California. Forty-Eight X, his debut novel, was published by Medallion Press in December 2009. For more information please visit his website.

Barry Pollack’s Forty-Eight X Virtual Book Tour 2010 officially began on March 15 and end on May 15. You can visit Barry’s blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com during the month of April and May to find out more about this great book and talented author!

I received a complimentary copy of Forty-Eight X: The Lemuria Pollack by Barry Plloack from Pump Up Your Book Promotion as part of the tour. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.