The Executive

The Executive, Arnold Hano, Signet, 1964

Edison Clay spent many years as an architect, looking to become the next Frank Lloyd Wright, before he gave it up to become a high-paid salesman. Now a vice president at Jackson Willett and Associates, a San Francisco firm, Clay travels the world, making them a major architectural force worldwide.

Clay is embarking on his biggest sales trip to date, convincing President Tito of Yugoslavia to choose Jackson Willett as the architect for a $350 million government center in Belgrade. The architect's fee is "only" $20 million.

Having done this sort of thing before, Clay knows the value of doing his homework. Knowing that Tito will have the ultimate word, Clay discovers who, in the bureaucracy, is The Person To See. He has the firm's European office construct several models of the proposed center, and ship them to the right people in Belgrade. He enlists the help of the US Embassy (Clay is all but an official American diplomat). He knows the difference between bringing extra American consumer items, knowing some will have to be left behind, and outright bribery.

But Edison Clay is not a happy person. he constantly drives himself to a bitter sort of success. After 12 years of marriage, his feelings for his wife, Marion, are not what they once were. While away from home, Clay takes advantage of any one-night stand opportunities that may present themselves.

In Belgrade, things are going very well for Clay, except for getting his wallet stolen by a local punk. He does just the right amount of nudging and cajoling with the right people. A possible obstacle appears in the form of Congressman Crenshaw, a Texan who is absolutely opposed to doing any business with communists. He is in Belgrade for an official visit, and has the ability to destroy Clay's deal. Just when everything seems to be signed, sealed and delivered, things go very wrong for Edison Clay.

This book is quite good, but keep in mind that it was published 40 years ago. If the architectural salesman was changed to, say, an investment banker, this book could be published today. It has a main character with personal problems, an exotic foreign city, big money, and a bit of sex; everything you need for an interesting story. A person could do a lot worse than read this novel.