SWORD by Bogdan Teodorescu

I have been approved to read a copy of SWORD from @NetGalley and immediately started reading it so I can be able to give a proper feedback on it before the UK release on the 8th of May.

I was attracted by the description of the book, the author and also the fact that I was born in Romania so I can say that I am not a stranger to the environment in which the story takes place, not to mention that I used to work for a TV station and have lots of acquaintances and friends who are journalists.

All these aside, I have to tell that the book itself is very well written and documented. It an in-depth journalistic narrative of the current situation in Romania in regards to political games, corruption and the highest level, press manipulation and a serial killer who threatens to stir things between Romanians and Roma community.

Reading “SWORD” reminded me again just how easily society can be manipulated by media and implicitly the political class and also, how every single person (important or not) is just a piece of chess for the President to move around as he pleases. From a serial killer to dangerous political games, this book has them all and offers a clear picture of what Romania became after the 1989 Revolution when everyone thought that the gained freedom will bring them better brighter lives. Journalists are being bought or their careers are coming to a sudden end if they can’t bend towards the ones who have the power, contracts are being offered to different business people according with higher interests and the game is dirtier than we can see in the movies with low blows at all levels

We have to destroy the credibility of those who try to act against us. And find something which will compromise him ….

Useless politicians placed in high places are forced to play a game just to keep their comfortable chairs in the Government, even if that means that lives are to be lost and criminals are free to do what they know best.

You’ve been in power long enough to k now how the game is played. You have to fulfill certain demands, or else the system breaks down and we lose the election.