On Wings of Eagles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| On Wings of Eagles | |
| Author | Ken Follet |
|---|---|
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Thriller / True story |
| Publisher | William Morrow & Co. |
| Publication date | 1983 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-688-02371-1 |
| Preceded by | The Man from St. Petersburg (1982) |
| Followed by | Lie Down with Lions (1986) |
On Wings of Eagles is a 1983 thriller novel written by British author Ken Follett. Set against the background of the Iranian revolution, it tells the true story of the rescue of Paul Chiapparone and Bill Gaylord from prison in Tehran by a team of Electronic Data Systems executives led by retired Col. Arthur D. Simons. The story, according to Follet, is not fictionalized or a ‘non-fiction novel’. Follet based his account on many interviews with the people directly involved, and had the drafts checked by them as well. Aside from changing a few names, he believes the story to be what really happened.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
In December 1978 two EDS executives working in Tehran are arrested on suspicion of bribery. Bail is set at the amount of 13 million dollars. When Ross Perot, head of the Dallas-based company hears about it, he decides to get his people out no matter what. While the firms lawyers are trying to find a way to pay the bail, he also recruits a team of volunteers from his executive, lead by a retired United States Army officer, to break them out by force if necessary. Their well-rehearsed plan to break Paul and Bill out of jail fails because of a prison transfer, and the team has to figure out another way to rescue their colleagues, culminating in a harrowing overland escape to Turkey. Meanwhile, riots and violence dominate the streets of Tehran more and more each day, culminating in the Iranian Revolution led by Khomeini against the Shah, endangering the other EDS employees as well.
[edit] Mini series
In 1986 a five-hour mini series of the same name was released, starring Burt Lancaster as Arthur D. "Bull" Simons and Richard Crenna as Ross Perot.
[edit] See also
- Whirlwind (novel) - novel by James Clavell based on the struggle of Bristow Helicopters pilots to extract themselves and their equipment from Iran after the revolution.
