Manning a Raptor - Book Review

AA Freda’s Manning a Raptor is a high-octane exploration of power, marriage, and the moral gray areas of global capitalism during the early 1980s.  Written as a semi-biographical account by the fictional author, Miles Cornish, the controller for Coppi Enterprises, the narrative provides an intimate look at Samantha and James Coppi as they navigate a global empire so powerful that it can overthrow governments.

The book is a compelling read because it masterfully balances high-stakes international intrigue with the internal friction of a marriage between two equally formidable partners.

The plot is a whirlwind that moves from a massive Manhattan-sized ranch in Colorado to the foot of the French Alps, the jungles of Zaire, and the dangerous "Death Road" of Bolivia. The Coppis find themselves entangled in a web of political corruption involving a fraudulent Texas oil tycoon, Phil Eisley, and a manipulative Senator, Edward Hartley.  James, a Vietnam veteran with a "knack of seeing things that aren’t as obvious to the common man," must use his street-fighting instincts to protect his family and his assets from both literal assassins and federal investigators.

A pivotal character in the story is Miles Cornish, the controller for Coppi Enterprises and an aspiring author writing a book about his employers, Samantha and James Coppi. Once simply an employee, he grows into a trusted confidant—and later a key target when the Justice Department labels him a "weak link" to pressure the family. Under intense scrutiny, Miles stays loyal and refuses to cooperate with the FBI.

What makes this book exceptional is the dynamic between James and Samantha. While James is the "Raptor"—a predator who thrives on adrenaline and danger—Samantha is the strategic anchor who manages the corporate board and eventually clips James’s wings for the sake of their four children. Their relationship is not just a romance but a business partnership where loyalty is the ultimate currency. The tension between James’s desire for "one more mountain to climb" and Sam’s dream of a modest, quiet life creates a relatable emotional core beneath the billionaire lifestyle.

Freda makes several profound societal statements, most notably regarding the cynical nature of political power. The book depicts government officials not as public servants, but as careerists who treat citizens as expendable "statistics" or "cockroaches." Through James’s eyes, the reader sees how politicians like Senator Edward Hartley and government agencies like the IRS are used as weapons to suppress dissent and cover up high-level fraud. Furthermore, the book serves as a searing commentary on the legacy of the Vietnam War. James’s frequent ruminations on the war, Agent Orange, and the betrayal of soldiers by their own government highlight a generational trauma that fuels his distrust of authority. He argues that the "so-called good guys" are often willing to do anything to justify a "higher cause."

Ultimately, Manning a Raptor is a study of the fleeting nature of success, encapsulated in the Latin phrase Sic transit gloria mundi—"thus passes the glory of the world." It is a great read for anyone who enjoys a blend of corporate thriller and military action, underpinned by a philosophical inquiry into what it truly costs to reach the top.