Rating: 
Summary: A God in Ruins
Review: I was very disappointed with this book, it is one of the few books I have discarded before finishing.What I originally mistook for a work of literature was in essence a lenthy editorial by the author. Stereotyped characters and poorly developed story line didn't give this opinionated writing sufficent credibility to survive as a novel. What a disappointment from the historical perspectives of his previous works.
Rating: 
Summary: A very good read
Review: I think it is one of his best. So glad to see this after my disappointment with Redemption (I thought it was too much a rerun of the wonderful Trinity)Great scope, conceivable plot, touching love scenes, terrific action, and (believe it or not) a wonderful moral lesson pointing us back to God as the final answer to man's sad state. A novel needed at this time.
Rating:
Summary: Bah, Humbug
Review: I wish I had read the other reviews prior to buying and reading this book. It was a total waste of money. Is someone capitalizing on Leon Uris' past successes? No way did the real Leon Uris write this. Not the Uris of Exodus, Battle Cry and other great reads.
Rating:
Summary: I can't believe Uris wrote this book!
Review: I'm a long time fan of Leon Uris and was excited to begin another of his novels. I have been greatly influenced by his previous works- to the extent that after reading "Battlecry" at the age of 18 I enlisted in the Marine Corps and served for 20 years. I am distressed to report that this novel is poorly researched, poorly edited and profoundly ideological. The book is replete with anahronism. One of the secondary characters, a Marine Major General, is supposedly a WWII vet still on active duty in the 21st century. Can't happen, wouldn't happen, didn't happen. Uris describes a former Marine Major who served on active duty from 1978-1986 as a Viet Nam vet. Umm, I was on active duty from 1976 to 1996, the US was out of the war three years before I enlisted. Quinn O'Connell rose to the non-existent rank of Master Technical Sergeant in a five year career? Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Uris' attempt at the techno thriller genre would embarass even the least talented Tom Clancy wannabe's. His description of the equipment, tactics and weapons used on the fictional raid into Iran strain the loosest credibility. Nor does he provide believable justification for this goofy mission. How exactly does freeing an Iranian criminal/dissident exact revenge for a terrorist bombing? It's obvious that the only reason for this little plot line is to provide an opportunity to ascribe heroic actions to O'Connell. Uris' description of the thinly disguised surrogate for the NRA, AMERIGUN, is directlty drawn from the rantings of the farthest left opponents to the Second Amendment. His efforts result in laughable caricatures of any prominent opponents to his point of view. Most distressing is the shift in the quality of writing about half way through the book. The story starts as vintage Uris with the epic sweep and characterization that made his previous work so enjoyable. When the story moves into present times the writing become less clear, less concise and .....just less good, in fact, not good at all. Avoid this book at all costs. I only gave it one star because I had no lower choice.
Rating:
Summary: An Entertaining Read For The Literate Liberal -Others Beware
Review: The characters and sub-plots are sufficiently well developed to keep the reader interested in the evenly paced story line. Unfortunately, Uris'life-long bent to apply broad strokes of the literary brush to his socio-political foes emerges here as polemic against the bulk of its potential readership. The premise that a kabal of gun industry gnomes and whiskey drinking, blood -thirsty hillbillys is the evil demiurge behind the National Rifle Association, the Republican Party and the Conservative Movement is credible only to a handfull of Leftist Idealogues. These folks read pamplets-not novels. In order to succeed, any novel must foster the readers natural desire to suspend disbelief and to vicariously interpose himself into the microcosm of the book. " A God In Ruins" does not succeed.
Rating:
Summary: I want a refund!
Review: This novel gets one star only because there is no lesser option. If an open-ended scale were available, I'd give five skunks. Most people have already covered the disappointing aspects of this novel, from the p-poor editing, to the sloppy character and plot development. Even in the glory days of "TV Movie of the Week," this novel would rate a pass. As a former Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine) Mr. Uris has many volunteer resources available to point out that there is no such rank as Master Technical Sergeant, and the days of flying sergeants are long gone. The service reorganization and rank parity actions in 1957 made sure of that. They must be using interns as editors now. The Marine Corps motto is Semper Fidelis, "always faithful." Mr. Uris has violated that motto as a Marine, and as an author. If we can no longer look to Mr. Uris for a good, thoughtful read... Like most of the Amazon reviewers, I bought this trash simply because Mr. Uris' name was on the cover. I've read and enjoyed all of his previous fiction titles; some of them had an impact on my life also. If the publishing company has any ethics left, refund checks should be in the mail soon.
Rating:
Summary: Is this an Author in Ruins?
Review: Was this a quick write for the big buck? This is not the Leon Uris of Exodus, Mila 18 and The Haj, among others. His characters are caricatures. They have no depth, they are unreal. The editing is horrible. I wish I had read the reviews before I bought the book. I would not have bought it, I do not advice others to buy it. Extraordinarily disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Outrageous
Review: One star is too many. As a Jew, I am disappointed with Uris as a man, an author and a Jew. The hypocrisy of his anti-gun diatribe is shortsighted, intemperate and misinformed. The book and its shallow story line, is nothing more than a vehicle for an aging Uris to vent his virulent hatred for "...eighty-five percent.." of the nation's gun owners. His hypocritical, generic and mocking depiction of the National Rifle Association and Charlton Heston, paint a legitimate organization, unfortunately supporting a sizable redneck downside, with a massive brush; an objection to which most liberal activists and minority advocates strongly oppose. As a Jew, I dislike stereotyping. However, like it or not, stereotypical is a word that does depict a generic and genetic hypothesis. I will not reject facts simply because I don't like them. Mr. Uris' heartfelt sympathy for the "agony of Bill and Hillary Clinton", made me ill. At that juncture, despite my love for the author of Exodus, The Haj and Trinity, I tossed the book. As a retired populace County Sheriff's Detective I know it is impossible for the authorities to protect my family and me from thugs and predators; the bitter fruit of over population. Not unlike many reasonable American gun owners, I am uncomfortable with the syntax of the second amendment. But it is all we have between us and the gun grabbers. With the Clintons' and their ilk, Leon Uris, wielding power, I am compelled to remain armed and vigilant. In his past books Mr. Uris seemed to support Israelis in their armed vigilance. What happened, a night in the Lincoln bedroom?
Rating:
Summary: Outrageous
Review: One star is too many. As a Jew, I am disappointed with Uris as a man, an author and a Jew. The hypocrisy of his anti-gun diatribe is shortsighted, intemperate and mis-informed. The book and its shallow story line, is nothing more than a vehicle for an aging Uris to vent his virulent hatred for "...eighty-five percent.." of the nation's gun owners. His hypocritical, generic and mocking depiction of the [National] Rifle Association and Charlton Heston, paint a legitimate organization, unfortunately supporting a sizeable redneck downside, with a massive brush; an objection to which most liberal activists and minority advocates strongly oppose. As a Jew, I dislike stereotyping. However, like it or not, stereotypical is a word that does depict a generic and genetic hypothesis. I will not reject facts simply because I don't like them. Mr. Uris' heartfelt sympathy for the "agony of Bill and Hillary Clinton", made me ill. At that juncture, despite my love for the author of Exodus, The Haj and Trinity, I tossed the book. As a retired populace County Sheriff's Detective I know it is impossible for the authorities to protect my family and me from thugs and predators; the bitter fruit of over population. Not unlike many reasonable American gun owners, I am uncomfortable with the syntax of the second ammendment. But it is all we have between us and the gun grabbers. With the Clintons' and their ilk, Leon Uris, wielding power, I am compelled to remain armed and vigilant. In his past books Mr. Uris seemed to support Israelies in their armed vigilance. What happened, a night in the Lincoln bedroom?
Rating:
Summary: Had to be written by an imposter
Review: I have always considered Uris as one of the top writers and his works have not disappointed me ... until now. This poorly written book makes me think that it was written for a Hollywood screen play one weekend in order to generate a little cash flow. If I read it without knowing the author I would have tossed it thinking it was a dimestore novel. Save you money on this one.
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