The Camel Club

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

It exists at the fringes of Washington, D.C., has no power, and consists solely of four eccentric and downtrodden members whom society has forgotten. Their simple goal is to find the "truth" behind their country's actions.

One man leads this aging, ragtag crew. He has no known past and has taken the name "Oliver Stone". Day and night, Stone and his friends study wild conspiracy theories, current events, and the machinations of government, hoping to discover some truth that will hold America's leaders accountable to its citizens. Yet never in Stone's wildest nightmares could he imagine the conspiracy the Camel Club is about to uncover.

After witnessing a shocking murder, the Club is slammed headfirst into a plot that threatens the very security of the nation, full of stunning twists, high-stakes intrigue, and global gamesmanship rocketing to the Oval Office and beyond. Soon the Club must join forces with veteran Secret Service agent Alex Ford, who becomes an unwilling participant in one of the most chilling spectacles to ever take place on American soil. It's an event that may well be the catalyst for the long-threatened Armageddon between two different worlds, and all that stands in the way of this apocalypse are five unexpected heroes.

In The Camel Club, best-selling author David Baldacci paints a frighteningly vivid portrait of a world that could be our own very soon, and the few people who have a chance to stop the chaos.

©2005 Columbus Rose, Ltd. (P)2005 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"As fans of this writer know, years of experience have made him an author who promises a good story and then delivers it." (Publishers Weekly)

Good Baldacci

Several stories at once all hanging together. Then they come together while you are peeking corners to see where it's going. Surprises and "I thought I knews". Good characterization. very enjoyable.

Surprised at the low ratings

I have listened to a few of the David Baldacci books. They have been long and sometimes would get bogged down in too much detail. I liked this one because of the plot, the mystery and was fun trying to work out the characters next steps. It was another FBI / secret service story but had good twists!

A slow, confusing start, good action

U struggled with the first part, but it did pick up a bit, the narration was okay, but not great, a better narrator might have helped

Wow! Now I understand Baldacci fans!

I had read a few Baldacci novels before this. I found them entertaining, but not overly intriguing. I had given up, deciding I just didn't 'get' the angle. An older friend of mine brought up Baldacci in conversation. I explained my experiences. They challenged me to read "The Camel Club." I bartered for him to read one of my favorite books and agreed to give this one a try.

I am SO happy I did. The characters are rich and intriguing. The mystery was elevated, complex, and captivating. Their development was sufficient to get me invested in them, but not over done. I know there's more to each character, and I'm excited about getting to know them.

Not as technical as Clancy, not as mythical as Meltzer, but every bit as entertaining and capturing - ENJOY!!

Just a couple of plot holes

Other than that it was really good, getting ready to get into the next one

NOt his best work

Although this was a fun read, I can't say it was that compelling or held my interest, but if you want something light hearted for a quiet day then by all means go for it.

Good until the last 4 chapters

I really enjoyed the book until the last 4 chapters where it felt like a writing deadline slammed the book closed while he tried to shoehorn in all the rest of his ideas.

Great Listen

I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to have a wide array of characters to keep track of and I learned quite a bit about middle-eastern thought.

Good story with a small shortcoming

As usual Baldacci delivers a well written story that is immensely entertaining. The small shortcoming is at the ending of the book. Without giving anything away, the storm in the ocean was ridiculous in the truest sense of the word. It was the first time during any of the 10+ Baldacci stories that I had to say 'give me a break.'
That said, the rest of the book is well done and the characters memorable. The plot cruises along at a good clip and even takes a few well thought out and entertaining turns. A recommended read.

Top notch page-turner

I loved the book, and enjoyed the performance as well as the story and characters. I am fairly positive when I read or listen to a Baldacci novel that I'm going to enjoy it.