Berlin, pre-wall. Kruschev gives President Kennedy an ultimatum. Kennedy stalls, but directs the CIA to contact a secret group of German dissidents: the Bruderschaft.

Blackford Oakes, senior agent and the author's alter ego, leads the charge. While Kennedy confers with DeGaulle, and Macmillan, Oakes penetrates the Bruderschaft.

"Writing about high noon in the cold war, Buckley has created characters he cares about, as you will, in a novel of style and substance, wit and tragedy, seriousness and surprise." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)