Brad West is happy with his anthropological pursuits in northern China when May, his seductive Chinese girlfriend, calls with disturbing news: She must leave him. Is this a mere linguistic mix-up, or does she mean for good? To find out, Brad must fend off a brainwashed assassin, dodge oncoming trains and avoid a bloodthirsty mob in Beijing. But that's only the beginning. It is an election year in America, a religious demagogue has captured the public's imagination, and rogue governors have barred all imports. The result is impending economic collapse and a battle for the American mind. The CIA wants Brad home to investigate the anarchy. But his personal life mixes with duty as May joins forces with the dark side. In a race from universities to the secret Pentagon to ski resorts, Brad must deprogram a nation to win back May's heart.