Review of Quest: Finding Freddie

[Adrian Bouknight]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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"Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin is a compelling narrative that explores the mysterious disappearance of Frederick David Nachman, also known as Freddie, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nachman International Trading Corporation (NITC). Set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Nigeria during the 1970s, Freddie vanishes while on a business trip to Lagos, Nigeria, amidst political instability and complex negotiations with the Nigerian government.

This book describes Freddie's disappearance on August 14, 1976, against the backdrop of Nigeria's turbulent political climate following the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. Ruth Nachman, Freddie's wife, seeks assistance from Clifford & Warnke, a prominent law firm in Washington, to locate her husband and bring him back safely. Thomas Richard Spradlin, a general partner at the firm, is assigned this challenging mission, despite the daunting obstacles he faces in securing a visa and navigating the hazardous Nigerian political landscape.

Spradlin's narrative intertwines personal accounts with historical events, providing a beautiful portrayal of the challenges and dangers encountered during his quest. His depiction of Nigeria's socio-political environment adds depth and authenticity to the story, highlighting the complexities of navigating through bribery, ethnic tensions, and bureaucratic hurdles.

The author conveys the emotional impact on Ruth Nachman and the desperate efforts to find Freddie amidst uncertainty and danger. Spradlin's portrayal of Ruth's anguish and determination underscores the stakes involved in Freddie's disappearance, adding depth to the narrative.

One of the book's strengths lies in its narrative clarity and engaging storytelling. Spradlin's writing is descriptive and immersive, capturing the reader's attention with each unfolding event. The incorporation of historical context enriches the storyline, offering insights into Nigeria's political history.

While the book is professionally edited with minimal errors, there are a few instances where grammatical issues slightly detract from an otherwise polished presentation. These minor flaws do not significantly impact the overall reading experience but warrant acknowledgment.

In conclusion, "Quest: Finding Freddie" is a captivating blend of mystery, historical insight, and personal drama. It provides a nuanced perspective on a real-life mystery, offering readers a compelling narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant. For these reasons, and given its polished presentation, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to readers interested in historical nonfiction and compelling narratives that delve into complex human experiences.

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Quest: Finding Freddie
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Diana Lowery]

I also read this book and enjoyed reading about a culture that I was not familiar with. I like the way you described Ruth's anguish.

[Adrian Bouknight]

I also read this book and enjoyed reading about a culture that I was not familiar with. I like the way you described Ruth's anguish.

Thanks! The more books I read and review, the more comfortable I'd say I feel with offering my opinion. It's tough early on, thinking of what things appeared good or not good in a book. Especially given that I've never authored my own book. But the more books I read, especially of a particular genre, and the more reviews I read from others, the more comfortable I feel saying "oh yea, this could probably have been handled a little better" or "wow that detail was handled so much better than in that other book I read".

I keep going back to my prior reviews and wondering what I could have said or done differently.

[Gerry Steen]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Share This Review

---

"Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin is a compelling narrative that explores the mysterious disappearance of Frederick David Nachman, also known as Freddie, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nachman International Trading Corporation (NITC). Set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Nigeria during the 1970s, Freddie vanishes while on a business trip to Lagos, Nigeria, amidst political instability and complex negotiations with the Nigerian government.

This book describes Freddie's disappearance on August 14, 1976, against the backdrop of Nigeria's turbulent political climate following the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. Ruth Nachman, Freddie's wife, seeks assistance from Clifford & Warnke, a prominent law firm in Washington, to locate her husband and bring him back safely. Thomas Richard Spradlin, a general partner at the firm, is assigned this challenging mission, despite the daunting obstacles he faces in securing a visa and navigating the hazardous Nigerian political landscape.

Spradlin's narrative intertwines personal accounts with historical events, providing a beautiful portrayal of the challenges and dangers encountered during his quest. His depiction of Nigeria's socio-political environment adds depth and authenticity to the story, highlighting the complexities of navigating through bribery, ethnic tensions, and bureaucratic hurdles.

The author conveys the emotional impact on Ruth Nachman and the desperate efforts to find Freddie amidst uncertainty and danger. Spradlin's portrayal of Ruth's anguish and determination underscores the stakes involved in Freddie's disappearance, adding depth to the narrative.

One of the book's strengths lies in its narrative clarity and engaging storytelling. Spradlin's writing is descriptive and immersive, capturing the reader's attention with each unfolding event. The incorporation of historical context enriches the storyline, offering insights into Nigeria's political history.

While the book is professionally edited with minimal errors, there are a few instances where grammatical issues slightly detract from an otherwise polished presentation. These minor flaws do not significantly impact the overall reading experience but warrant acknowledgment.

In conclusion, "Quest: Finding Freddie" is a captivating blend of mystery, historical insight, and personal drama. It provides a nuanced perspective on a real-life mystery, offering readers a compelling narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant. For these reasons, and given its polished presentation, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to readers interested in historical nonfiction and compelling narratives that delve into complex human experiences.

******
Quest: Finding Freddie
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

When the British left Nigeria to fend for itself, it caused a lot of political turmoil. The Igbo people were experiencing a genocide and tried to secede, forming the country Biafra. It is not surprising that Nachman disappeared. The 1970's were dangerous times in Lagos, Nigeria. Your review of this book has intrigued me further. Great review!

[Adrian Bouknight]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin.]

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5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

"Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin is a compelling narrative that explores the mysterious disappearance of Frederick David Nachman, also known as Freddie, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nachman International Trading Corporation (NITC). Set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Nigeria during the 1970s, Freddie vanishes while on a business trip to Lagos, Nigeria, amidst political instability and complex negotiations with the Nigerian government.

This book describes Freddie's disappearance on August 14, 1976, against the backdrop of Nigeria's turbulent political climate following the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. Ruth Nachman, Freddie's wife, seeks assistance from Clifford & Warnke, a prominent law firm in Washington, to locate her husband and bring him back safely. Thomas Richard Spradlin, a general partner at the firm, is assigned this challenging mission, despite the daunting obstacles he faces in securing a visa and navigating the hazardous Nigerian political landscape.

Spradlin's narrative intertwines personal accounts with historical events, providing a beautiful portrayal of the challenges and dangers encountered during his quest. His depiction of Nigeria's socio-political environment adds depth and authenticity to the story, highlighting the complexities of navigating through bribery, ethnic tensions, and bureaucratic hurdles.

The author conveys the emotional impact on Ruth Nachman and the desperate efforts to find Freddie amidst uncertainty and danger. Spradlin's portrayal of Ruth's anguish and determination underscores the stakes involved in Freddie's disappearance, adding depth to the narrative.

One of the book's strengths lies in its narrative clarity and engaging storytelling. Spradlin's writing is descriptive and immersive, capturing the reader's attention with each unfolding event. The incorporation of historical context enriches the storyline, offering insights into Nigeria's political history.

While the book is professionally edited with minimal errors, there are a few instances where grammatical issues slightly detract from an otherwise polished presentation. These minor flaws do not significantly impact the overall reading experience but warrant acknowledgment.

In conclusion, "Quest: Finding Freddie" is a captivating blend of mystery, historical insight, and personal drama. It provides a nuanced perspective on a real-life mystery, offering readers a compelling narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant. For these reasons, and given its polished presentation, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to readers interested in historical nonfiction and compelling narratives that delve into complex human experiences.

******
Quest: Finding Freddie
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

When the British left Nigeria to fend for itself, it caused a lot of political turmoil. The Igbo people were experiencing a genocide and tried to secede, forming the country Biafra. It is not surprising that Nachman disappeared. The 1970's were dangerous times in Lagos, Nigeria. Your review of this book has intrigued me further. Great review!

Thank you Garry, your input is much appreciated and enlightening!

[Stephen Christopher 1]

I'm a fan of true crime books and TV series, so this appeals to me. I don't know a lot about the political scene in Africa so I'm keen to learn more. Thanks for introducing this book to me.

[Elizabeth-Tush4Christ]

This is an intriguing read, and I have been looking forward to it since I came across the title of this book. Going through this review, I wasn't disappointed, as the book is an interesting one and the author gave a great narrative of his experience finding Freddie. I agree with you on the strength of the book; the author has the skill of sharing engaging stories that draw the readers in. Your review does a great job of presenting the book in a way that will appeal to anyone who enjoys history, mystery, and drama. Thanks for the thoughtful review. I am eager to read more from you!

[Kshitija Sonawane]

There are very few stories with Africa as the backdrop. This story even covers historical events in Nigeria as a backdrop for this book. This book sounds really fun and you did a great job with this review.

[Alissa Nesson]

I also really enjoyed this book! The story was immersive enough to read like fiction even though it wasn’t. I tore through this one pretty quickly because the narrative was so compelling. The only criticism I really had was that sometimes the author spent too much time describing the logistics required for his trip. But Finding Freddie made me interested enough in the historical backdrop to look it up and learn more about it online. A seriously fascinating story.

[Loretta Morris 1]

I enjoyed the book. The characters were well-developed. The plot of the story was great! As the reader, I became worried about "Freddie" as the details of the mysterious disappearance unfolded. I was very happy about the fantastic ending of the book!

[Loretta Morris 1]

I enjoyed the book. The characters were well-developed. The plot of the story was great! As the reader, I became worried about "Freddie" as the details of the mysterious disappearance unfolded. I was very happy about the fantastic ending of the book!

[Julie Marie Basil]

I haven’t read this book yet, but your review leaves me intrigued and interested in knowing more about this story. Keep up the good work!