By the Rivers of Babylon

By the Rivers of Babylon is a 1978 thriller set against the backdrop of Middle East tensions. Two Concorde jets carry diplomatic passengers toward a crucial U.N. peace conference, with hopes of resolving regional conflicts. After receiving warnings about hidden explosives, the flights are diverted from their original course. The surviving passengers find themselves stranded near the ancient ruins of Babylon, where they must mount a defense against hostile forces while awaiting rescue. The novel combines elements of aviation disaster, military strategy, and survival as Israeli forces attempt to execute a rescue mission. The story moves between multiple perspectives, including those of the survivors, their attackers, and the rescue teams. The narrative explores themes of survival, diplomatic complexity, and the persistence of ancient conflicts in modern times. DeMille uses the historic setting of Babylon as both a physical battleground and a symbol of civilization's recurring struggles for power.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced thriller with detailed technical and political elements. The book maintains tension throughout, with multiple storylines that converge effectively. Readers appreciated: - Authentic aviation and military details - Complex characters on both sides of the conflict - Historical context of Middle East politics - Balance between action and strategy Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in middle sections - Some dated cultural references and terminology - Technical details occasionally bog down the narrative - Character development sacrificed for plot mechanics Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (900+ ratings) "Takes you inside the cockpit and the politics with equal skill" - Amazon reviewer "The aviation sequences feel incredibly real" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much technical jargon in places" - Goodreads reviewer "Character motivations seem oversimplified" - LibraryThing reviewer

The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins Follows a German plot to kidnap Winston Churchill during WWII, with similar military precision and strategic elements seen in DeMille's work.

Flight of the Old Dog by Dale Brown Details a covert military mission aboard a modified B-52 bomber through hostile territory, matching the aviation crisis and survival elements.

Six Days of the Condor by James Grady Chronicles a CIA researcher who uncovers a conspiracy and must survive against trained killers, reflecting the isolation and survival themes.

The Last of the Giants by George C. Scott Centers on diplomatic tensions during a hostage crisis in the Middle East, mirroring the political complexity and regional conflicts.

Seven Days in May by Fletcher Knebel Depicts a military plot against the U.S. government during peace negotiations, sharing the diplomatic intrigue and military strategy focus.

🔸 The Concorde jets featured in the novel could fly at twice the speed of sound (Mach 2.04) and cross the Atlantic in just 3.5 hours, making them revolutionary aircraft of their era. 🔸 Before becoming a bestselling author, Nelson DeMille served in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant and led an infantry platoon, experiences that informed his detailed military writing. 🔸 The book's title references Psalm 137:1 from the Bible, which describes Jewish exiles weeping "by the rivers of Babylon," connecting ancient history to modern conflict. 🔸 The novel was published in 1978, during a pivotal period when Middle East peace negotiations were making headlines following the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. 🔸 The ancient region of Mesopotamia, where much of the action takes place, is often called the "cradle of civilization" and was home to the world's first cities, including Babylon, around 4500 BCE.