The Sentinels: Fortunes of War

Gordon Zuckerman's first book in his Sentinels trilogy, Fortunes of War, starts off a unique series that focuses on the Six Sentinels, six graduates - men and women - of an elite California economic doctoral program in the 1930s who uncover a plot by German industrialists to finance the Third Reich by squirreling away hundreds of millions in illegal war profits. 

It's an intriguing premise, to be sure, but it starts off a little slow. The pace picks up somewhat and Zuckerman delivers on the promised action and suspense. The six main characters - the sentinels - each have excellent connections both financially and through their families, making it possible for them to infiltrate the upper echelons of European society. Danger dogs their every step, however, as they try to stop the outbreak of World War II. 


Zuckerman knows his stuff, and well he should considering he is a graduate of Harvard Business School. He's also studied banking, international finance, and history, making him the perfect candidate to tell this story. It's definitely a different story than the typical World War II fare and should find a ready audience.