Author
Thomas Hoover
Born 1941
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Subjects
Books by Thomas Hoover
The Samurai Strategy
"The Samurai Strategy" by Thomas Hoover is a financial thriller that was likely written in the late 20th century. The story revolves around Matthew Walton, a freelance corporate takeover lawyer in New York, as he becomes embroiled in a high-stakes scenario involving international finance, murder, and Japan's growing economic power. This intricate tale unfolds against the backdrop of a looming financial crisis, and it explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and personal conflict. The opening of the novel introduces Matthew Walton, who is contemplating a vacation with his daughter while also juggling his law practice. He receives an unusual call from Matsuo Noda, a mysterious Japanese industrialist, who hires him to look into acquiring a significant property in New York. As Walton prepares for an auction at Sotheby’s, he reflects on his past relationships and professional life. The section richly describes his character as someone caught between personal loss and professional ambition. It sets the stage for a suspenseful intersection of legal maneuvering and the dark undercurrents of international finance, hinting at a larger, potentially dangerous conspiracy involving Noda and the implications of a huge financial scheme that could have dire repercussions for the U.S. economy.
Life Blood
"Life Blood" by Thomas Hoover is a contemporary novel written in the early 21st century that blends elements of a medical thriller with themes of personal struggle and adoption. The story centers around Morgan James, a filmmaker who finds herself entangled in a dark conspiracy involving bizarre human experimentation while navigating her own infertility issues and the complex world of adoption. The opening of the novel introduces Morgan as she experiences the tinges of mid-life regret and a desire for family, juxtaposed against her dedication to completing her feature film, "Baby Love." In the midst of this creative endeavor, she embarks on an interview with a woman, Carly Grove, who shares her adoption story that seems too good to be true. Morgan's longing for a child intensifies as her own dreams of motherhood fade, leading her to contemplate adoption. The narrative hints at ominous forces at play, particularly concerning the adoption agency, Children of Light, adding a layer of suspense as Morgan seeks to uncover the truth behind her characters' stories.
Project Daedalus
"Project Daedalus" by Thomas Hoover is a thriller novel written in the early 1990s. The story centers around retired CIA agent Michael Vance who is approached by an old KGB antagonist, Alex Novosty, and an NSA codebreaker, Eva Borodin. Their disparate problems intertwine in a lethal conspiracy involving a superplane and a secret agreement between Russian military factions and the Yakuza, with the potential to escalate into nuclear disaster. The opening portion introduces a tense world of espionage and high-stakes intrigue. Vance finds himself in Athens, where he meets Novosty, who reveals his entanglement in a large embezzlement scheme that has drawn unwanted attention from the KGB. As the two men converse, tensions rise, and a sudden explosion disrupts their meeting, setting off a series of events that lead to chaos and danger. Vance learns that he must navigate a shadowy web of deceit while trying to reconnect with Eva, amidst escalating tensions that hint at a larger conspiracy at play, making the stakes dangerously high.
Project Cyclops
"Project Cyclops" by Thomas Hoover is a techno-thriller novel written in the early 1990s. The story revolves around Michael Vance, an ex-agent turned sailor, who finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes conflict involving Arab terrorists, a stolen thermonuclear warhead, and a cutting-edge laser launch facility in the Aegean Sea. As the terrorists take control of the facility, Vance becomes the unlikely hero, risking everything to thwart their plans and save countless lives. The opening of the book introduces us to Michael Vance as he navigates his handmade replica of Ulysses' ship, "Odyssey II", across the tumultuous Aegean waters. While he battles a brewing storm, the plot quickly escalates with the sudden attack from a Russian gunship piloted by Arab terrorists, who aim to seize a powerful laser facility guarding a nuclear warhead. As Vance's ship is destroyed in the ongoing chaos, he washes ashore, emerging as America's last hope against the terrorists. The tension builds as the multiple storylines of Vance's personal quest and the terrorists' sinister agenda collide, setting the stage for an intense narrative filled with action and suspense.
Syndrome
"Syndrome" by Thomas Hoover is a medical thriller written in the early 21st century. The story revolves around Alexa Hampton, an interior designer with a serious heart condition, who is pulled into a secretive experimental clinic promising miraculous stem cell treatments. Alongside her long-ago lover, journalist Stone Aimes, they uncover dark truths about these procedures and face horrifying consequences as they delve into a world where the quest for eternal youth leads to madness. The opening of the book introduces Alexa as she navigates the realities of her deteriorating health and memories of personal loss, including the tragic deaths of her father and husband. Her estranged brother, Grant, unexpectedly reaches out with an urgent proposition to join a ground-breaking but risky clinical trial run by the enigmatic Winston Bartlett. Meanwhile, Stone Aimes is determined to uncover the truth about the secretive trials and their potential life-altering impacts. As the narrative unfolds, the conflict between the desire for miraculous healing and the ethical implications of stem cell research starts to take shape, setting the stage for a gripping exploration of science, morality, and personal stakes.
The Zen Experience
"The Zen Experience" by Thomas Hoover is a historical account written in the late 20th century. The text explores the evolution of Zen Buddhism, tracing its origins from Indian Buddhism and Chinese Taoism through several key figures such as Bodhidharma and Hui-neng, culminating in its development and impact in Japan. Hoover aims to illuminate Zen as a practical philosophy shaped by the experiences of its masters rather than dwelled upon through theoretical teachings. At the start of the work, Hoover introduces the foundational concepts of Zen, emphasizing its reliance on personal experience over mere intellectual abstraction. The opening portion delves into the historical roots of Zen, highlighting the influence of noted figures like Lao Tzu and the Buddha, while setting the stage for the arrival of Bodhidharma in China—deemed the First Patriarch of Zen. Through anecdotes and principles, the text suggests a dichotomy between rational and intuitive thought, presenting Zen not only as a philosophy but as a means of experiencing a deeper existence beyond conventional perception.
The Moghul
"The Moghul" by Thomas Hoover is a historical novel written in the early 1980s. The narrative unfolds during a tumultuous period around the year 1620, focusing on the adventures of Brian Hawksworth, an English ship captain navigating the complex political and cultural landscape of Moghul India as he aims to establish trade routes and secure England’s interests against Portuguese dominance. The book promises a vivid portrayal of the clash between empires, blending action with themes of love and the allure of an exotic land. The opening of the novel introduces Brian Hawksworth as he commands his ship, the "Discovery", through a treacherous sea battle against Portuguese galleons near India. Following a hard-fought victory, Hawksworth arrives in India, where he is quickly captivated by the beauty and mystique of the Moghul Empire. As he ventures inland, he faces conflicts of loyalty, desires for power, and the idea of a forbidden love. With vivid descriptions of the era's intrigue—complete with battles, the courtiers, and the lavish lifestyle of Indian royalty—this initial chapter sets the stage for an epic tale that combines historical adventure with deeply personal stakes.
Zen Culture
"Zen Culture" by Thomas Hoover is a nonfiction exploration of Zen aesthetics and its influence on various aspects of Japanese art and culture, written in the late 20th century. The book delves into how Zen principles permeate not just traditional art forms but also contemporary design, architecture, and even everyday life, suggesting a seamless connection between the historical and the modern. Hoover investigates Zen's emphasis on direct experience over intellectual analysis, positioning it within the broader spectrum of Japanese thought and culture. At the start of the work, Hoover presents an observation that the Zen arts exhibit striking modernity and a timeless quality, asserting their relevance to contemporary aesthetics. He elaborates on this by discussing how Zen ceramics, calligraphy, architecture, and performance art resonate with modern artistic movements, noting parallels with abstract expressionism and minimalism. The opening section also introduces the notion of 'direct perception' as a key element of Zen, proposing that through the lens of Zen, one can rediscover beauty in simplicity and imperfection in both art and daily activities.
Caribbee
"Caribbee" by Thomas Hoover is a historical novel written in the late 20th century. The book explores the early Caribbean landscape of Barbados in 1648, intertwining tales of rebellion against English rule and the ramifications of the slave trade. It showcases the robust characters, both real and fictional, who shape the turbulent era, including English colonists and enslaved Africans, all caught in the tempest of their divergent quests for freedom and survival. The opening of "Caribbee" immerses readers in the Caribbean in 1638, where a band of English hunters, led by Jacques le Basque, prepares to ambush a passing Spanish vessel for revenge after previous attacks on their settlement. Among them is a young Englishman whose moral dilemmas come into sharp relief as he grapples with the idea of attacking fellow countrymen for plunder. This morally charged scene illuminates the chaotic interplay of struggle and honor in a land where survival often forces individuals to confront their deepest values. As tension builds, it foreshadows not only the conflicts that define the early American colonies but also the complexity of human relationships amid the cruelties of colonization and enslavement.