Rating:  Summary: no-brainer Review: This book was kind of fun, but only when I kept my brain switched off. Clunky writing and shallow characters are expected in a genre book like this, but there were two points that really didn't work for me. First, the Phillipines and Palestinian plots were totally unrelated. Almost as if he took two incomplete book outlines and shoved them together to make deadline. Lazy lazy lazy. The worst for me was the alternating self-righteousness of the main character about thoughtless Washinton bureaucrats who thought they were above the rules and are therefore bad, as compared with the self-righteousness of the main character about his own definition of his own rules to govern his own actions which must be good. It's ok for him to reveal details about his operations to his wife, for instance.
Rating:  Summary: A wonderful ride from Flynn, as usual Review: This is a great thriller, packed with insider CIA tidbits and wonderful turns of phrase. While there was a bit of overwriting here and there, overall, I am happy to have spent precious moments in Flynn's intriquing world. I, too, am waiting for the next one.
Rating:  Summary: A non-stop thriller Review: This is my second Vince Flynn book and I seem to be reading them in reverse order. However two I've read are thrilling, action filled stories that could have come right out of today's headlines. We are treated to the machinations of high level Washington politics, down and dirty intelligence activities and some hard core direct military action. This is one of the best action/thriller series around today, much better than some of the more famous established writers of the genre. Mitch Rapp is almost a 21st century James Bond, but without the cartoonish escapades of 007. Flynn touches on many issues germaine to the real world of terrorism and world politics. Highly recommended.
Rating:  Summary: ANOTHER HIT Review: THIS IS ONE GREAT BOOK. NOT AS GOOD AS THE OTHERS BUT STILL A GREAT READ. DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE OTHERS WHO SAY IT WAS ALL BAD, MAYBE THEY HAD A BAD DAY. I DO RECOMEND THIS BOOK.
Rating:  Summary: (4+) It Is A Shame No Real Life Mitch Rapp Exists Review: This is the first book I have read by Vince Flynn, and it is totaly understandable why it was on the bestseller list for several weeks. The action is fast paced, the two interwoven plots are timely, Mitch Rapp is an interesting character, and the political implications and philosophical questions which it raises are fascinating. Mitch Rapp, the central character of the book, is a Special Services operative whose cover has been blown in a highly sucessful commando operation in Iraq and is now a special advisor to CIA Director Irene Kennedy and with strong ties President Hayes. When a team of Navy Seals is ambushed during a a top secret mission to rescue an an American family kidnapped in the Phillipines by Islamic radicals, the President charges Rapp and Kennedy with the responsiblity of discovering what went wrong. A man of strong convictions and decisive action, Rapp devises a plan to both rescue the family and discover the source of the leak which led not only to the failure of the raid but the deaths of two of the sSeals involved. And despite his promise to his new wife, news anchor Anna Reilly, that the time of his direct involvement in such dangerous incidents is past, he cannot resist the opportunity to participate. Meanwhile, there is a greater international crisis brewing, as an unknown conspiratorial group is engaging in assassinations of political figures, apparently intent on sparking a Middle Eastern war that will involve the United States. Both plots are at the extreme limits of credibilty (the main one is nevertheless quite clever) , but Flynn's style and the interesting nature of the geopolitical questions which the book raises make for a fascinating read. I certainly learned in a very interesting manner not only facts about Phillipine history and politics of which I was ignorant, but also some additional background historical details regarding Iraq, Jewish and Palestinian relationships, and Jerusalem. The two threads run in parallel, and the narative technique is quite effective as the reader views the events from the perspective of the key participants. While I don't want to reveal any details of the plot, one of the most interesting aspects of the book is that various readers will probably react differently to the story depending on their individual views concerning the causes of global terrorism and their sensitivities regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rapp is a character who sees things in black and white with few shades of grey, while "David" , the key Palestinian character is developed in great detail and in a relatively nuanced way. What I really enjoyed about the book was the questions which it implicity examined concerning the political expediency which often passes for policy in governmental affairs, the examples of bureaucratic hypocrisy and incompetency which it highlighted, and the rejection by Rapp of today's widespread moral relativism and situational ethics and the policy paralysis which often results. Rapp knows in what direction his moral compass is pointing and acts accordingly despite the potential consequences. Even more controversially, he is also willing to attempt to provide severe retribution to those whom he believes deserve it. Thus, I highly recommend this political thriller both for its engaging action and it's examination of many of the relevant issues with which we are faced today regarding what are the allowable limits of government action in the face of the threats of terrorists. I did not feel that it deserved five stars for two reasons. First, while I understand the context for the inclusion of the sections involving Anna and they were helpful in some ways to both Rapp's character evolution and the plot, they still often seemed superfluous and a distraction. Second, while I cheered him on, some of Rapp's actions and viewpoints seemed so extreme and doctrinaire (even to me) that he almost became a charicature of himself. The final point I would make is to emphasize that this is my first Vince Flynn/ Mitch Rapp book. Upon perusing the previous reviews, I noticed that the several low rankings and expressions of disappointment were from reviewers who were already familiar with the author and his protagonist and felt that this was a disappointing sequel. So, if you want a great read revolving around international political intrigue and the author is new to you, you should really enjoy this book. (Based on my enjoyment of this book and my attraction to Mitch Rapp,I have already purchased one of Flynn's previous novels.) But if you are a previous reader you might want to weigh the advice in some of other the other reviews.
Rating:  Summary: Another good plot Review: This is the latest in Vince Flynn's "series." Super-spy Mitch Rapp is married, and settling into his "desk job" with the CIA. A Palestinian terrorist has teamed up with a black-sheep Saudi Prince to stir up more trouble in the Middle East. The plot thickens as the head of the Israeli Mossad is unwittingly makes himself a co-conspirator to the scheme. OF course, Mitch and his commando buddies save the day. The story involves a daring rescue of American hostages in the Philippines, during which Rapp is shot. This was almost like a sub-plot--it wasn't really important to he rest of the story. I won't go much into the plot, lest I spoil it for those who haven't yet read it. Suffice it to say that I thought this book was on par with his previous tomes, and if you enjoyed htem, you won't be disappointed with this one.
Rating:  Summary: TOTALLY HOOKED ON VINCE FLYNN! Review: This was the first book I bought by Vince Flynn...I was bit reluctant and after reading a 100 pages the day I bought it I was hooked. The characters are so real its scary. Mitch Rapp is without a doubt the best character I have ever read about and the detail about weapons, espionage, and the training is so real that I have bought every other book with this character. Its not fun reading the books backwards but each one is more enlightening...I can't wait for the next one...I only have one more left to read...
Rating:  Summary: AN ASTOUNDING, AUTHENTIC TALE Review: Veteran voice performer Armand Schultz gives a tense and gripping reading to the latest political thriller from Vince Flynn. Following "Separation of Power" Flynn delivers another straight from today's news dynamite story. Mitch Rapp, CIA superagent, can no longer work underground. He was at the head of a commando group that infiltrated Iraq, then received worldwide press coverage when he was acclaimed for his valor by the President. Now Rapp is battling terrorism from behind a desk at CIA headquarters where he is an advisor to the Director. He won't be desk bound for long after he learns that some Navy SEALS dispatched to the Philippines to rescue a kidnaped American family have been caught in a deadly vise. How did our enemies know the SEALS were being sent? Supposedly, this was top secret information. How can Rapp work when his identity is known to all? Thanks to Vince Flynn there's another astounding, authentic tale to set pulses pounding. - Gail Cooke
Rating:  Summary: A page-turning novel of international intrigue. Review: Vince Flynn does an excellent job of holding interest in this novel cast around the formidable but likable protagonist, Mitch Rapp. Rapp's rough character, sharp mind, and thirst for action round out his well-written interactions with frustrating bureaucrats and his tender, but tough, wife. Highlights of the novel include the insider looks into the minds of assassins, the complex and interwoven politics of America and the Middle East (and the Philippines), and the drama of the oval office in tense situations. A couple of editorial errors and a few weaker dialogue points brought its star rating down for me, but it was overall a captivating read.
Rating:  Summary: The usual Vince Flynn high standard. Review: Vince Flynn's "Executive Power" could easily become the lead story on tomorrow's news. This tale is prescient in its take on the tangled politics of today's Middle East, terrorism and counter-terrorism. The CIA's most efficient field agent (assassin) Mitch Rapp has been called in from the cold and is supposed to become a desk jockey. Situations change, and Mitch takes hands on leadership of a SEAL op to rescue an American family taken hostage in the Philippines by radical Islamic terrorists. The first attempt was blown by leaks traced to the State Department and the Filipino embassy. In a parallel plot we follow Palestinian assassin, David's, crafty strategy to eliminate the heads of numerous Islamic terrorist organizations, the Saudi Ambassador to the U.N. and a Palestinian Ambassador...to throw the blame on the Israelis in order to establish sympathy for establishment of a Palestine state. David and Rapp's paths eventually converge and collide. Mitch is resolute, ruthless, self-assured, indifferent to politics, interested only in getting the mission accomplished. He is fully supported his boss (a strong CIA head) and a heroic POTUS. Rapp's inability to suffer the methodical bureaucrats gets the job done...forget PC. An incredibly accurate portrayal of the politics of retribution filled with intense suspense. A political thriller on the cutting edge that you will be unable to put down.
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