Title: Pathway to Glory: A Novel
Author: Edmund Schiavani
Publisher: Edmund Schiavani Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-961507-93-7
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 321
Reviewer: Allison Walker
Pacific Book Review
Pathway to Glory, crafted by the skilled pen of author Edmund Schiavani, presents a captivating narrative which delves into the complexities of power and ambition within the corporate world. Set in the summer of 1967 against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this novel follows the journey of Paul Stevens, a disenchanted husband, father, and chief financial officer at a large corporation who is trying to make ends meet in an increasingly financially insecure market. Discontent after decades in accounting and lacking respect for his boss, Paul Stevens devises a plan to challenge the entrenched management in a proxy contest and take over the company.
This dialogue-driven story unfolds with the introduction of the protagonist, Paul Stevens, as he embarks on a daring plan to seize control of the company at which he serves as the Assistant Corporate Controller, under a man younger and less qualified but more politically astute than he is. Stevens’s audacious move for power manifests in the form of a proxy contest against the entrenched management, setting in motion a chain of events filled with corporate drama, political games, and the insatiable thirst for power that permeates and corrupts the corporate workspace.
Schiavani’s storytelling leads readers through a labyrinth of high-stakes maneuvers as Stevens struggles to keep control over the consequences of his ambitious plot. Drawing inspiration from significant historical moments from the time period, Schiavani’s novel is teeming with political unrest and Christian themes. Although experienced and a hard worker, Stevens is passed up time and again for promotions given to better-aligned executives, so the narrative explores the existential quest for meaning and purpose in a world consumed by ambition and avarice, resonating with readers seeking more than just a conventional corporate thriller.
Pathway to Glory‘s portrayal of corporate dynamics and its examination of the human condition make it a compelling read for fans of corporate thrillers looking for a more introspective exploration of the genre. The late sixties setting lends an interesting dynamic to the games Stevens must play. While Stevens goes head-to-head against cutthroat businessmen, readers are given a glimpse of the frustration and disillusionment of the corporate workplace as it falls from valuing hard work. Schiavani excels as he delves into the psyche of Stevens, portraying the tumultuous journey from naively ambitious youth to the throes of realization, all against the backdrop of a dog-eat-dog corporate landscape. With its suspenseful plot twists and humorous interruptions, Pathway to Glory is an engaging read for those interested in exploring the complexities of human nature within a corporate setting.
Readers will groan and cheer as Stevens pounds his fists against the American Dream and fights to rise through Machiavellian schemes. Pathway to Glory blends relatable characters, pulse-pounding plot twists, high-risk schemes and existential agony, then throws in a good laugh now and again to create a truly immersive reading experience.
