The Fourth ProtocolThe Fourth Protocol
Score Classic
What it's about
In the 1980s, a secret plot hatched inside the Kremlin aims to change Britain's government: a Soviet agent will assemble a small atomic bomb near an American air base in England, so the explosion looks like an American accident and sweeps an anti-nuclear government into power. John Preston, a stubborn MI5 investigator, is the only one who senses it coming.
Why it's worth reading
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. Forsyth's thrillers are realistic and tense, and this one became a film with Michael Caine.
You'll love it if you liked
The Day of the Jackal
The Odessa File
Red Storm RisingGood to know
There's a lot of technical and political detail. The real double agent Kim Philby appears as a character.
By the numbers
- Readers54 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller48 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #228 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #437 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1502 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Frederick Forsyth
The Day of the JackalThe Odessa File
The Dogs of WarIf you like this, read next
The Godfather
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Name of the RoseExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Fourth Protocol worth reading?
Yes. It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,502 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Fourth Protocol about?
In the 1980s, a secret plot hatched inside the Kremlin aims to change Britain's government: a Soviet agent will assemble a small atomic bomb near an American air base in England, so the explosion looks like an American accident and sweeps an anti-nuclear government into power. John Preston, a stubborn MI5 investigator, is the only one who senses it coming.
How long does it take to read The Fourth Protocol?
About 13 hours (526 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Fourth Protocol?
If you liked it, try The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth or Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy.