Sleeping with Strangers

Book Description

From Thieves' Paradise to Drive Me Crazy to Chasing Destiny (which reached #6 on the New York Times list—his eighth bestseller), Eric Jerome Dickey has captivated audiences with his edgy, steamy books.

Dickey's fans will be delighted by this fast-paced, deadly, and sensual read that gives them the chance to catch up with some of their favorite characters while introducing a great new bad-boy narrator: a hit man who goes by the name of Gideon. He's a man who lives off the grid, drifting along while making love on the run as he works as a hit man—enacting the revenge of the broken-hearted . . . for a price.

With a supporting cast of grifters and killers, broken-hearted squares and streetwalkers, and three very different women who each want to become Gideon's leading lady, this is a world that thrives on the darker passions of revenge and desire.

Get ready for another scorching hot read full of twists and surprises from an author who keeps climbing higher on the bestseller lists with each new book.

Customer Reviews:

HOR-RI-BLE!!! .......2007-09-26

I was misled by the reviews of this book. I am mad I bought it. This book is horrible! Too much unneeded information. I had to skip to the end I was sick of hearing about British people and how they live and what they're saying who cares! Stick to the story! Not a good one Eric, very disappointed.

NEEDED COFFEE.......2007-09-24

I love EJD, but this was not his best. This book bored the living daylights out of me. It took forever for it to get going? The plane ride was too long. I'm glad that a friend let me borrow this book(she didn't like it either!!!! Won't read or buy the 2nd one.

Walking with Enemies.......2007-09-21

This book is hot, hot, hot. Very unpredictable and fascinating, I give it 2 thumbs up!!!!!!! Mr. Dickey you are the best.

Penthouse personals.......2007-09-17

Apparently I was supposed to guess that SLEEPING WITH ENEMIES was the first of two novels along with WAKING WITH ENEMIES and that if I wanted to know the ending of the first I had to read the second. I don't see any reason why a resolution would take more than a hundred pages. The book is rather short as is.

Unfortunately, that's not the only thing wrong with the book. Most authors skirt the issue when dealing with sex scenes, or come at them from a different angle. Not so with Eric Jerome Dickey. His rival those in the Penthouse personals. By the time we get to the third one, they've lost all the luster they might have once had.

Otherwise, this is not a bad novel. Dickey tries to show us why his contract killer is the way he is. His mother was a prostitute for one thing, and she was the one who started him on the road to perdition. She also sexually abused him, and he wants to see her dead. There are also some likable characters, especially Lola, the motormouth woman he meets on the plane to London and Mrs. Jones, who just won't stop crying. Of course, he beds both of them.

The other plot line is that Gideon (He got the name from a hotel Bible) is himself being hunted by another hit man as part of a clean-up operation from Gideon's involvement in the murder of The Big Bad Wolf, a rapper at war with another hiphop artist named Sledgehammer. There is an especially gruesome flashback, where we see Gideon dispose of The Big Bad Wolf and his posse with a sledgehammer.

Dickey is also adept at describing London. For one thing, I had no idea there were still red light districts in the city. It sounds a lot like Amsterdam, another city Dickey takes us to in flashback.

Perhaps it's my own fault for not reading the Amazon synopses, but I don't plan on ordering the second book. By the time I'd get around to reading it, I would've forgotten about the first one.

Loved it!!.......2007-09-06

This book was excellent. Intrigue, mystery, sex, lost love, etc. It has a fast pace and I couldn't stop listening (had it in the audio version). I can hardly wait for the sequel. It's already ordered.

The Assassin King (The Symphony of Ages)

Average customer rating:

Wait for the paperback
3 years wait for under 400 pages? Ridiculous!
A frustrating read (but in a GOOD way!)
Great new installment
Dissapointed Yet Still Intrigued?

The Assassin King (The Symphony of Ages)
Elizabeth Haydon
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765305658
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

The Assassin King opens with the arrival of a mysterious hunter, a man of ancient race and purpose, who endlessly chants the names of the pantheon of demons that are his intended victims, as well as one other: Ysk, the original name of Achmed, the Assassin King of Ylorc. At the same moment, two gatherings of great import are taking place. The first is a convocation of dragons, who gather in a primeval forest gladethe site of the horrific ending of Llauron, one of the last of their kind. They mourn not only his irrevocable death, but also the loss of the lore and control over the Earth itself that it represents. The second gathering is a council of war: Ashe and Rhapsody, rulers of the alliance that protects the Middle Continent; Gwydion, the new Duke of Navarne; Anborn, the Lord Marshall; Achmed, the King of Ylorc, and Grunthor, his Sergeant-Major. Each brings news that form the pieces of a great puzzle. And as each piece is added it becomes quite clear: War is coming, the likes of which the world has never known.

Customer Reviews:

Wait for the paperback.......2007-08-21

Unless your collecting the series in hardback just wait for the paperback with this one. It is written as well as the others and introduces one interesting character but at less than 400 pages there just isn't much to it. As it is a cliff hanger it is a must read but don't blow hardback money on it.

3 years wait for under 400 pages? Ridiculous!.......2007-05-30

The Bad: This book was obviously put out prematurely due to a deadline being long overdue. After a 3 year wait we get an unfinished book that's way to small. I can understand breaking the story off without finishing if your into 1000 plus pages, but to not finish a book that's only 400 pages is a disgrace. I am very upset that I paid over 20 dollars for this book.

The Good: I like the story and I am only so upset because I feel this book didn't do the overall story justice since it was cut short.

A frustrating read (but in a GOOD way!).......2007-05-03

I fell in love with Rhapsody, Achmed, and Grunthor in the first trilogy. I didn't enjoy the next books as much. But, I found my self really enjoying THIS book.

YES, it clearly is setting up the next book. But, I feel it did it in a reasonable way, and it really contributed to the overall story and character building.

I say it was frustrating to read because of how many bad things happen to the good people and how many good things happen to the bad ones. I REALLY got into it. And, so it was frustrating to see how close the good guys would come to success but not quite be able to reach it. [sigh].

But, that's why I say it was frustrating in a GOOD way. I'm totally involved -- invested -- in the outcome.

I'm very much looking forward to the next book and hope it comes sooner rather than later.

Great new installment.......2007-03-30

This book is definitely worth the read for those following The Symphony of Ages series. Some of the new authors who have attempted to write a series that equals the greatness of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time or Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth, tend to loose their audience after two or three books because they can't hold a strong storyline. Haydon continues to write captivating plotlines complete with interesting characters. I was kind of glad that Ashe and Rhapsody are more separate in this book, though, because their love life can sometimes draw away from the power of the story. All in all, this is a great new installment to Haydon series and definitely worth the read even though it is too short! I felt like it was over too quickly. I can't wait until the next one!

Dissapointed Yet Still Intrigued?.......2007-03-25

After anticipating this book for 2 years, I will say I am dissapointed. While Haydon's characterization and fluid writting remain enchanting as ever I could not help but feel I was being grounded with facts rather than reading an enjoyable story.

The overall feeling of this book is that its only purpose was to prepare you for the sequel and, while there is a need to develop the plot and input the information you will need for the next book, I felt there could have been more meat to this book than there was, instead of just a casual glaze over the information. Many key points were left without much depth and only a few pages of writing, although this isn't to say that many important and emotional peaks won't be met, especially were Achmed is concerned. Important wheels begin to turn here, yet, as already noted near the end the book it begins to feel that those wheels are the only thing that's in it.

As discouraging as it is, the general page volume of the books has declined since Requiem of the Sun and I can only hope that with the next book of the series (of which there are 9 in total) will come a revitilization of the overall symphony.

Don't give up just yet! The way the characters are protrayed and the feeling of the world still remain consistent and rich, if rushed, and I am still optomistic that this is only the lull in the storm. As with many great series, it is hardest to pull of the middle/transition book and I still believe Haydon did a fair job at it.

Just remember, a writer doesn't write for her fans. She writes for the beauty of writing and the integrity of the story. As long as these things remain true, I believe this story will finish as a masterpiece.

Lupus

Average customer rating:

Super!!
I love Saint
lost
Starts great
Very good read

Saint
Ted Dekker
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1595540067

Book Description

"We call you Saint."

The name ignited a light in Carl's mind. Saint. He'd been covertly recruited for Black Ops and given his life to the most brutal kind of training any man or woman could endure. He was here because he belonged here. To the X Group.

An assasin. The most effective killer in the world. And yet . . . Carl Strople struggles to retain fleeting memories that betray an even more ominous reality. He's been told part of the truth--but what's the rest?

Invasive techniques have stripped him of his identity and made him someone new--for this he is grateful. But there are some things they can't take from him. The love of a woman, unbroken loyalties to his past, the need for survival.

From the deep woods of Hungary to the streets of New York, Saint takes you on a journey of betrayal in a world of government cover-ups, political intrigue, and one man's search for the truth. In the end, that truth will be his undoing.

Customer Reviews:

Super!!.......2007-09-04

I've read almost all of Ted's books and this one has another entertaining storyline. Starts off very unique and exciting from page one. Quick pacing throughout. A joy to read.

I love Saint.......2007-09-04

Like so many here, I really was drawn into the story from the start. I immediately loved Saint and felt anguish with the turmoil he went through. I haven't read any of the other stories yet (Red, Black, White). I didn't even know this story was connected to the other novels. But overall I didn't have trouble following along with what was happening. Ted filled in the spots where explanation was needed. The only problem I had was with the ending, like others have mentioned. First, let me say it was very good. It just felt rushed. Like the book needed to finish somehow and a bunch of events happened in a few pages. I liked the ending, don't get me wrong. Just wish it would have been dragged out a little. Ted Dekker is on top of my list of writers and I haven't been disappointed. I can't wait to read the next one and see what happens to Saint. He's the kind of character you can fall in love with and want to help if you could. Read this novel, you'll love it!

lost.......2007-08-02

I loved the beginning of this book, I was hooked but towards the end I felt lost and annoyed. References to characters that were not discussed in this book, such as "Black" and "White", Project Showdown and some "great evil" which was not dicussed at all that had occurred in Paradise 12 years earlier. The end was dumb, seriously, I felt lost and confused. I felt that if this book had been a sequel to a previous work than I should be been informed of such.

Starts great.......2007-07-15

It is important to realize that this book is a sequel to Showdown. However, I had no real clue to this until about the middle. The beginning 1/2 of the book was terrific, decribing in detail the extreme training in an ultra secret CIA-sanctioned global assassination group. Suddenly, after a fairly plausible decription of creating a perfect assassin, who could control his breathing, and heart beat, so as to hit a target exactly at 2000 yards, we are plopped into a continuation of Showdown, where the action suddenly becomes supernatural. The switch to a different playing field is too abrupt for me and would not be understandable at all for those not familiar with Showdown. I had to go back and re-read the last chapters of Showdown to remember what was going on. In the first 1/2 of the book I would have thought I was reading Koontz - very scary and very good. The second 1/2 may have been good on a different level - more mystical, spiritual, and Bible based - but I just was not ready for it. The ending was not very satisfactory and completely unresolved - I suppose because it leads into Dekker's next novel, Skin. Dekker is one of my favorite authors, because of his creativity and Biblical analogies, so I hated to down rate him, but I was hoping for better. I am looking forward to better in the future.

Very good read.......2007-07-14

This book follows Showdown, which is still connected to the circle trilogy of Black, Red and White. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be an easy read because it was fast paced, always something happening which made it hard to put down. I think this book was much better than Showdown but it is necessary to read Showdown to understand what is happening in Saint. I would recommend this book, if you have read the others first.

Average customer rating:

Barry takes a breather....
Aptly Entitled Novel - The John Rain We Knew is Gone
My Favorite Author
Rain returns to form after soap-opera-ish "The Last Assassin"
Rain #6 Rocks!

Requiem for an Assassin
Barry Eisler
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0399154264
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Book Description

If you had to kill three people to save your best friend's life, would you do it?

When John Rain decides to get out of the business, his hand is forced by rogue CIA operative Jim Hilger. Hilger kidnaps Dox, Rain's trusted partner and closest friend, and offers Rain a choice: carry out a final assignment, or bear the responsibility for Dox's murder.

For a professional like John Rain, the choice ought to be easy: Do the job-a series of three hits-then walk away. But how does Rain know Jim Hilger won't kill Dox anyway, once the assignment is complete? How does he know that each of the hits isn't simultaneously a setup for Rain himself? And what will he do when he finds out that among the targets of this lethal game of extortion is someone else Rain cares about deeply?

From the urban canyons of Silicon Valley and New York to the lush forests of Bali, the boulevards of Paris, and the old killing fields of Vietnam, Rain must grapple with his age, his enemies, and most of all, his conscience in a battle that not even Rain-"the stuff great characters are made of" (Entertainment Weekly)-can hope to survive intact.

Customer Reviews:

Barry takes a breather...........2007-10-03

I love this series so much so that I had Requiem ordered in hardcover in the US and sent to me in Australia, where it is still not available. It gets 4 stars as compared to other authors but I'd probably give it only 3 if compared to other books in the series. Rain seems to be getting a bit soft with age. Please don't let this turn into a sappy story of an old battered warrior finding love and understanding in the twilight years... yawn! Don't get me wrong, this book is still good and I will continue reading future books in the series... but hope they acknowledge an assassin can never go back to being a normal civilian. If the twists and turns eventually bring Rain to save his son and start a fatherly relationship then I am burning my collection of this series!

Aptly Entitled Novel - The John Rain We Knew is Gone.......2007-10-02

Jerry Saperstein's review entitled "The Wussification of John Rain is Complete" is a classic and is not to be improved upon. I agree with all of his comments and mourn the passing of the John Rain that ruled the first four novels that Eisler wrote. The softer, gentler, although still deadly, John Rain is not a welcome addition to the line.

My Favorite Author.......2007-08-30

I liked all the John Rain novels and my only "regret" is that there are not a hundred John Rain titles. Of all my favorite authors, Eisler is the best, in my opinion. He makes the entire story interesting, taking us to foreign locales that most of us have never seen, plus the John Rain character as a guy who is so deep into his way of life that although he wants to get out, what can he do when one of his best friends is at the mercy of an arch-villain? So he keeps on going in his line of work. And hopefully Mr Eisler will come out with one per year.....or maybe five.

Rain returns to form after soap-opera-ish "The Last Assassin".......2007-08-06

Barry Eisler has created one of the most intriguing anti-heroes out there, and the Rain series has been one of the better sets of thrillers in recent years. To understand "Requiem," a bit of background is required.

John Rain, half-Japanese, half-American, is not at home in either country and isn't all that much at home in his own skin. Rain survived a special forces career in Vietnam, capped by his own private "Apocalypse Now" mission where he was forced to kill his beloved brother-in-arms. Rain then took his talents private, specializing in jobs where the victim's demise needed to "look natural." This provided Rain with a good living, even if it was a solitary one.

The life of the lone wolf appealed to Rain, but there was another side of him that needed to get out - the human side. A part of Rain knew that it's much better to enjoy jazz and a good single malt with your soulmate. And thus Rain went against his better instincts and had an affair with Midori, a gorgeous jazz pianist. From that ill-fated union Rain eventually learned that he had a son. Sure, Rain was still a killer, but he was now a killer with a conscience.

This led to the only weak spot in this entire series, "The Last Assassin." Midori had kicked Rain out of her life and didn't want her son Koichiro learning to play catch or tie his shoes from Daddy the Assassin. Rain didn't care for this much, and tried to wheedle his way back into Midori's life like a dumped teenager - including the pathetic line, "I can change!"

Fortunately for the reader, Eisler has returned to form with "Requiem." Hilger, a former CIA spook turned private entrepreneur, seeks revenge against both Rain and Dox, marine sniper extraordinaire and Rain's only real friend. Hilger and his team kidnap Dox (a feat by itself) and ransom him to have Rain perform three jobs as only Rain can - one slip-up, one deadline missed, and Dox dies . . . badly.

So much of "Requiem" sees Rain in full-on operations mode - Rain is either trying to pull off one of his jobs, or he is trying to track down Hilger. This is where Eisler shines both as a writer and as a yarn-spinner. His set-ups are so realistic and so clever that the suspension of disbelief is effortless. Eisler may not be any great stylist, but his writing is direct and always describes the scene with the necessary clarity - whether Rain is scoping out a new city or engaging in lethal fisticuffs.

I can't quite give "Requiem" five stars - this isn't one of the best books in the genre. And Dox screams out "comic sidekick" a bit too often for my taste. But I am sorely tempted as Eisler has brought Rain back in from the romance and forced him to confront what he is - a stone-cold killer who has just a bit of a nice guy streak in him. Welcome back, John.

Rain #6 Rocks!.......2007-08-03

The sixth installment in Eisler's awesome hit man thriller series didn't disappoint. Our hero comes to the U.S. to try and put his bloody past behind him once and for all by taking out his new arch nemesis, the rogue operative Hilger.

Will Rain succeed, or will he forever be haunted by his soul?

Side note: Birdies tell me that the next book from Barry won't be a Rain thriller. Instead, look for a standalone. After that, Barry plans a Rain prequel.

I... can't... freaking... wait!

Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum

Average customer rating:

Tatum needs to stop capilalizing on Stingley's misfortune !!!
Can't believe this was published....
States again what was said in the original...
Brutally honest and shockingly factual, the best ever.
Don't Waste Your Money.

Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum
Jack Tatum , and Bill Kushner
Manufacturer: Quality Sports Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1885758073

Customer Reviews:

Tatum needs to stop capilalizing on Stingley's misfortune !!!.......2007-04-06

I wish I could give Tatum a -----***** in honor of Stingley's death today. What a self-centered jerk!!!

Can't believe this was published...........2004-05-17

Aside from Tatum's whining about every game the Raiders lost, and his incessant bad-mouthing of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 70's, I actually enjoyed Tatum's first book, "They Call Me Assassin". Tatum's second book, "They Still Call Me Assassin", was almost an exact reprint of the first book, except it included a few more of Tatum's self-serving rants that would interest no one outside of Tatum's immediate family. Now, in this third installment, we are given exact reprints of both books. Amazingly, the reprinted portions of "They Call me Assassin" that were in "They Still Call Me Assassin" are left in "Final Confessions", so much of the reprinted material in "Final Confessions" appears twice in the book! The actual `new' material takes up a whole 12 pages in the 348 page fiasco. Don't waste your money now, simply wait until the fourth Tatum book appears on the market, "I Still Have Final Confessions", and has the exact reprints of volumes 1-3.

States again what was said in the original..........2003-11-09

Buy "They Call Me Assassin" rather than spend your money on this release. It is simply too dry a read; especially when compared to his first book.

Brutally honest and shockingly factual, the best ever........1999-10-14

Brutally honest, shockingly factual, this book is the best ever written on the REAL world of professional sports.

"Final Confessions of NFL Assassin Jack Tatum" is an exact reprint of Jack's previous two books, "They Call Me Assassin" and "They Still Call Me Assassin - Here We Go Again". It also contains additional opinions and conclusions that Jack reached on a variety of subjects.

This compilation of events in the life of an NFL superstar reveals an athletically gifted, well educated, courageous and practical man who was raised to believe that truth, no matter how painful or revealing is more important than maintaining a phony status quo.

In this book, Jack has finally put to rest the whole issue of his insensitivity towards Darryl Stingley. He has taken a lot of undeserved heat for something completely out of his control. He indicates that he tried to visit and talk to Stingley more than once and was refused an audience. In spite of these unfortunate refusals, he has written words of praise for the man.

Honesty is not a behavior pattern for a reckless "loud mouth", it is the trait of a thinking man with values. This book is a celebration of honesty.

Just as time has transformed the public perception of Muhammad Ali from the "Louisville Lip" to one of the world's most beloved sports figures, this book proves that Jack Tatum deserves to be acknowledged as one of the greatest legends in sports history.

Jack Tatum deserves to be in the NFL Hall Of Fame because of his phenomenal play on the field and his courageously honest words off the field and in print.

If you want unvarnished truth about "pre through post" life in the NFL, This Is It!!

Don't Waste Your Money........1998-09-13

"Final Confessions" is actually two books: "They Call Me Assassin" (1979) and "They Still Call Me Assassin" (1996), which discuss the football career of Jack Tatum, a former Oakland Raider defensive back who was one of the hardest-hitters in the history of the NFL.

Tatum was criticized sharply in the press for his hard hits, which often injured or knocked out opposing players. The criticism turned into an uproar on August 12, 1978, after an exhibition game between the Raiders and New England Patriots, in which Tatum made a vicious (but clean) tackle of Darryl Stingley that permanently paralyzed Stingley. That coupled with Tatum's unfortunate tendency to fire off his mouth, the "bad boy" image of the Raiders, and Raider Owner Al Davis' own conflict with Pete Rozelle and the NFL led to Tatum being characterized as an outlaw.

In his defense, Tatum responds, (1) professional football is a vicious and brutal game, (2) I was paid to hit people hard, and (3) I generally played up to but within the limits of the rules. He has a point. Half of the second book is simply a rehash (often verbatim) of the first book. The other half is taken up with stories about Tatum. Jack Tatum may have an interesting story to tell, but you won't learn it reading this book. Only the oldest die-hard Raider fans will find anything of interest in it.

Average customer rating:

Bit of a plod

Great book!

Good Perspective of the Iraq War

The Definitive Book on Iraq

The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq

The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq
George Packer
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq

Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq

State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration

The One Percent Doctrine: Deep Inside America's Pursuit of Its Enemies Since 9/11

American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21stCentury

ASIN: 0374530556
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Amazon.com

As the death toll mounts in the Iraq War, Americans are agonizing over how the mess started and what to do now. George Packer, a staff writer at The New Yorker, joins the debate with his thoughtful book The Assassins' Gate. Packer describes himself as an ambivalent pro-war liberal "who supported a war [in Iraq] by about the same margin that the voting public had supported Al Gore." He never believed the argument that Iraq should be invaded because of weapons of mass destruction. Instead, he saw the war as a way to get rid of Saddam Hussein and build democracy in Iraq, in the vein of the U.S. interventions in Haiti and Bosnia.

How did such lofty aims get so derailed? How did the U.S. get stuck in a quagmire in the Middle East? Packer traces the roots of the war back to a historic shift in U.S. policy that President Bush made immediately after 9/11. No longer would the U.S. be hamstrung by multilateralism or working through the UN. It would act unilaterally around the world--forging temporary coalitions with other nations where suitable--and defend its status as the sole superpower. But when it came to Iraq, even Bush administration officials were deeply divided. Packer takes readers inside the vicious bureaucratic warfare between the Pentagon and State Department that turned U.S. policy on Iraq into an incoherent mess. We see the consequences in the second half of The Assassins' Gate, which takes the reader to Iraq after the bombs have stopped dropping. Packer writes vividly about how the country deteriorated into chaos, with U.S. authorities in Iraq operating in crisis mode. The book fails to capture much of the debate about the war among Iraqis themselves--instead relying mostly on the views of one prominent Iraqi exile--but it is an insightful contribution to the debate about the decisions--and blunders--behind the war. --Alex Roslin

Book Description

Named one of the Best Books of 2005 by The New York Times, The Washington Post Book World, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle Book Review, The Los Angeles Times Book Review, The New York Times Book Review, USA Today, Time, and New York magazine.

The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq recounts how the United States set about changing the history of the Middle East and became ensnared in a guerrilla war in Iraq. It brings to life the people and ideas that created the Bush administration’s war policy and led America to the Assassins’ Gate—the main point of entry into the American zone in Baghdad.

The Assassins’ Gate also describes the place of the war in American life: the ideological battles in Washington that led to chaos in Iraq, the ordeal of a fallen soldier ’s family, and the political culture of a country too bitterly polarized to realize such a vast and morally complex undertaking. George Packer’s best-selling first-person narrative combines the scope of an epic history with the depth and intimacy of a novel, creating a masterful account of America’s most controversial foreign venture since Vietnam.

Customer Reviews:

Bit of a plod .......2007-09-27

I am not sure but this was probably, the first book which outlined the growth of the insurgency in Iraq and the break down into choas which followed the American invasion. The weakness of the book is that it is a personal journey. Rather than talk about what happened in general or abstract terms the author does it by talking about the experiance of large number of Iraquis he meets in his trips to the county. He also talks about his initial luke warm support for the war to a realisation that all was not well.

There are now quite a number of books about what are till now the failed attempts of America to build a democracy in Iraq. Both Fiasco and Inside the Emerald City are easier to read as they just concentrate on a factual anylsis rather than the approach of this book which is more journalistic. That is not to say that this book is bad. It explains the various mistakes the Americans made. The disbanding of the security forces the ideological nature of the initial occupation authority.

The problem is that the others do so free of the personal agonizing which occurs in this book. Inside the Emerald City also has more jokes.

Great book!.......2007-06-26

The best book on Iraq by far. Read this book if you want to know the facts behind this policy fiasco.

Good Perspective of the Iraq War.......2007-05-25

The Assasins Gate
America in Iraq, By George Packer
George Packer provides a first-person account of the political debates which preceded the war in Iraq, an analysis of its intellectual roots specifically those that came into play with regards to the occupation of Iraq, and finally, some of the consequences of the Iraq invasion. Packer does an excellent job of communicating the reality of the war from the vantage points of a wide variety of ordinary stakeholders. Specifically he tells the story of Iraqi exiles, their hopes and dreams for Iraq, the idealistic members of the new founded CPA, the competing demands of the Kurds, Sunnis and Shia upon the overly stretched soldiers and civilian staffers tasked with rebuilding a nation and the daily frustrations and minor accomplishments of the CPA. Packer repeatedly points out the tragic disconnect between the CPA headquarters and the everyday realities in Iraq.
Packer weaves an intricate story detailing both the frustrations of the Iraqi people and the Americans there to assist them. Packer's natural instincts towards the desires and wants of the Iraqi people and what they had endured and what they are enduring today leads to his own belief that it was necessary to depose of Saddam. Packer astutely points out the ravages of Saddam on Iraqi society and how his dictatorship and government crushed the very fabric of Iraqi will and self determination. Packer also points out repeatedly the unrealistic assumption of America assuming, with no evidence other than empty assertions and wishful thinking that the simple removal of Saddam would create a vibrant healthy country that would allow our troops to return in six weeks.
Packer uses the first few chapters to provide the reader with interesting biographical sketches on such people as Paul Wolfowitz, Robert Kagan, and Kanan Makiya. Packer illustrates how these peoples thinking influenced the white house and led to many of the decisions about Iraq.
One of the most interesting sections of the book dealt with the Kurds, and specifically with those in Kirkuk. Packer does a good job of explaining the recent history of the Kurds, their treatment by Saddam, and the forced displacement of the Kurds from their ancestral homes. Packer touches upon the ongoing struggle between the Arabs and the Kurds in the region and does not give much hope for a peaceful outcome within this region.
Ultimately Packer summarizes his position as: "I came to believe that those in position of highest responsibility for Iraq showed carelessness about human life that amounted to criminal negligence. Swaddled in abstract ideas, convinced of their own righteousness, incapable of self-criticism, indifferent to accountability, they turned a difficult undertaking into a needlessly deadly one. When things went wrong, they found someone else to blame." (page 448)
Proponents of the war will argue that Packer is telling a biased story based on his own beliefs. Yet Packer makes it clear that he still believes Iraq is salvageable. Packer clearly lays out the complexity of the situation in Iraq and provides some valuable advice on how the U.S. may still be able to bring stability to Iraq. The ultimate question that Packer raises is the role of the U.S in pursuing ideas or ideals within the world.
The Assassin's Gate is a good look at the Iraq war's history and aftermath, with a number of valuable lessons for policy makers. I highly recommend this insightful book which powerfully contributes to the debate about the decisions, history and aftermath of the invasion of Iraq.

The Definitive Book on Iraq.......2007-02-22

George Packer has written a masterpiece that speaks volumes! The book details the events that contributed to America's entering the War in Iraq and portrays the keyplayers involved. I even got a chance to hear him speak recently and he is extraordinarily down to earth. Enjoy!!

The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq.......2007-02-21

required reading as background history of Iraq, Oil, Middle East to understand the future we need to understand the past to the best of our abilities

Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist (Left Behind No. 6)

Average customer rating:

2,5 stars. Better than the rest so far.
I should know better
Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist Left Behind #6
Sadism Unleashed
Great Book in the Series

Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist (Left Behind No. 6)
Tim F. LaHaye , and Jerry B. Jenkins
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0842329277

Amazon.com

Is it right to kill Satan's hit man? Would it help God's work? This installment in the Left Behind series picks up with Rayford Steele--"believer" and international fugitive--as he struggles with a plan to assassinate Antichrist Nicolae Carpathia. Meanwhile, Carpathia has been busy rebuilding roads, airports, and a cellular/solar satellite phone system--all designed to help him become supreme ruler of the world--and even claim himself to be God. We also find ace reporter Buck Williams anonymously preaching to the masses of believers and converts through his cyberspace magazine The Truth. All the believers in the safe house, including Buck, Doc, Chloe, and Tsion, are suspicious of Hattie--former mistress of Carpathia--who claims to be a believer but may have already compromised their secret location when she tried to buy her way to Europe months before.

Fans of the series won't be disappointed. Jenkins's signature writing is at full force. Readers can count on a suspenseful plot, imaginative futuristic thinking, and familiar characters, all of which appear in the opening pages and are sustained until the last cliffhanger scene when God unleashes another earth-shattering disaster.

Book Description

After selling nearly two million copies since its release in August 1999, Assassins in now availabe in trade paper! The seven-year Tribulation reaches its halfway mark in the sixth book of the blockbuster Left Behind series, Assassins. Nicolae Carpathia is assassinated, setting the stage for the Great Tribulation.

Customer Reviews:

2,5 stars. Better than the rest so far. .......2007-09-27

With the exception of the first book, I've given the Left Behind sequels 1 star, mostly because of the extremely slow pace, where it feels like they took a few chapters and stretched them out to make a whole novel. The other problem is that they are preachy.

Well, "Assassnis" was certainly a step in the right direction. The was some action in the book, not (as in "Apollyon") only 200 pages into the book. "Assassins" was also not as preachy as for example "Soul Harvest".

So it's definitely an improvement. There are still problems though. There's still too much filler material and the book could have been about 50 pages shorter (but that's an imporvement from the other books, which should have been about 250 pages shorter). And the story is moving to slowly. I can't understand why they need to stretch it out into so many volumes.

2.5/5

I should know better.......2007-01-23

I should know better than to write another review for the left behind series. I've taken a real killing in the votes. But, I can help it. I'm enjoying the series. I'm neither a huge critic or supporter of the series. I stayed away from the series for years but now I enjoy it. I don't agree with all of the theology but I am in general agreement.

This book like all the others have been fun fast reads. It isn't great fiction but it is a fun read. If you are looking for indeapth character this series will also bother you. It took several book for me to really empathize with the characters and now that they are going into the second half of the tribulation I still find that the character development is a bit stiff and unconvincing.

There was also poor dialog at several points in this particular book with entire conversations seeming very awkward. One stylistic issue that continues to bother me is long discussion where the dialog goes unattributed. This isn't always a problem but there are times during longer and more complicated conversations when the reader loses tract of who said what.

But, over all this book like the ones before it is a fun read and I recomemnd it for light reading.

Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist Left Behind #6.......2007-01-04

This is another great book by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. I would recommend you keep reading if you haven't read it already, and if you have add it to your collection.

Sadism Unleashed.......2006-12-13

Just as I finished the painful task I've given myself of reading this "popular" fictionalization of the End of Time, I saw an article in the news about a video game version of Left Behind, aimed at the market of teenage boys and young men, indoctrinating them in violence and giving them the false notion that their God would condone their taking judgement into their own hands. Do any of the readers of these books recall Jesus's denunciation of the self-righteous Sadducees in the Temple?

Great Book in the Series.......2006-11-12

I feel that all of these books in the series live up to the hpe, and each has continued to become better than the one before it. I have read all 12, and I would recommend the series to anyone.

The Last Assassin (John Rain Thrillers (Hardcover))

Average customer rating:

A roller coaster, but with bullets and knives!
You'll Enjoy This One Too
The Best Series
A Very Human Assassin
Outstanding

The Last Assassin (John Rain Thrillers (Hardcover))
Barry Eisler
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000N3T40Q

Book Description

Barry Eisler has been compared to Forsyth, Ludlum, le Carré, Ian Fleming, and Graham Greene. But his latest thriller brings Eisler into a league of his own. When Japanese/American contract killer John Rain learns that his former lover, Midori, has been raising their child in New York, he senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even for redemption. But Midori is being watched by Rain's enemies, and his sudden appearance puts mother and child in terrible danger. To save them, Rain is forced to use the same deadly talents he had been hoping to leave behind. With the help of Tatsu, his friendly nemesis in the Japanese FBI, and Dox, the ex-marine sniper whose good ol' boy persona masks a killer as deadly as Rain himself, Rain races against time to bring his enemies into the open and eliminate them forever. But to finish the job, he'll need one more ally: Israeli intelligence agent Delilah, a woman who represents an altogether different kind of threat . . .

Customer Reviews:

A roller coaster, but with bullets and knives!.......2007-06-27

Just when I thought the action in a John Rain thriller couldn't get any better... it does! Times a thousand.

As if the stakes for Rain weren't always high, Eisler's gone and propelled them to the stratosphere with THE LAST ASSASSIN. Rain's lost love Midori and their newborn son are threatened by Rain's old nemesis, Yamaoto, the yakuza boss turned politician with a major axe to grind with Rain.

Now, Rain must protect his family by removing the threat, but doing just that introduces a brand new one: ending all contact with Midori and his baby boy... maybe forever.

The third act of this book was an absolute freaking roller coaster, but with bullets and knives. I simply could not put this book down.

You'll Enjoy This One Too.......2007-05-25

First of all, I would not read this book if you have not read the previous John Rain books in the series. This story is not the same unless you have followed it up to this point. It is precisely because I had read the previous books leading up to this book that I enjoyed The Last Assassin. The action is good and is classic Eisler and the change of location to New York and Barcelona was nice as well, although no John Rain book would be complete without spending some time in Tokyo. This is a good book in an entertaining and original series. I applaud Eisler for the depth his characters have taken on over the books, especially as the reader sees Rain struggle between his current life and the life he hopes to have. Bottom line, read the prior books and you'll enjoy this one too. On to Book Six for me.

The Best Series.......2007-05-16

The other reviewers have done a great job in sizing up John Rain. Yes, read the books in order to get the full effect. If you like the genre, then the John Rain series is definitely worth the read. I consider it the best. Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon is also very good, but I give the nod to Rain.

A Very Human Assassin.......2007-05-07

I have read all of the John Rain books. It is really best to read them in sequence and the payoff is a lot of interesting and fun stuff with a remarkable character. Each book envelopes you in the story so you can't wait to see what's next. It's really neat if you have been to some of the places Eisler describes. His word pictures of Shinjuku and the Rappongi are masterful. I would not, however, be able to afford Rain's taste in scotch! Can't wait till the next one.

Outstanding.......2007-03-23

This thriller is Rain at his best. Lots of description and thought-provoking insights. The team of Rain and his friends seem unbeatable.

Average customer rating:

Silva's a Five-Star
Not Free SF Reader
Artistic dagger combined with a musical edge!
Surprising plot, good characters
"Siva strikes again"

The English Assassin
Daniel Silva
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451208188
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Amazon.com

The English Assassin brings back Gabriel Allon, the appealingly melancholy art restorer with a double life as an Israeli secret agent, first introduced in 2000's The Kill Artist. Gabriel is sent to Zurich under a pseudonym to restore a Raphael belonging to a prominent Swiss banker and art collector, Augustus Rolfe, but upon arriving he finds Rolfe lying in a pool of blood. When Gabriel tries to leave Zurich, the Swiss police capture him immediately--and moreover, they know his real identity. He's released through some diplomatic string-pulling, but he soon discovers that Rolfe had requested a meeting with Israeli intelligence, for reasons unknown, just before his death.

Rolfe's daughter, Anna, is a world-class violinist attempting to rebuild her career after an accident that nearly destroyed one of her hands. But her physical scars are nothing compared to those on her psyche, left by her mother's suicide when Anna was a teenager. Temperamental and mistrustful, she nevertheless believes Gabriel's story, and reveals that Rolfe owned a secret collection of priceless French Impressionist paintings, apparently stolen by his murderers.

As Gabriel begins to put together the pieces of the puzzle, he faces two adversaries: a powerful group of men who would do anything to bury the past forever, and a hired killer who's planning a spectacular murder. Like The Kill Artist, The English Assassin balances fascinating characters, authentic-sounding historical detail, and plenty of glamorous international intrigue on the edge of a knife-keen plot. --Barrie Trinkle

Book Description

A master writer of espionage" (Cincinnati Enquirer), Daniel Silva makes his Signet debut with his most acclaimed novel to date...

Framed for the murder of a millionaire banker, Israeli spy by trade and art restorer by preference, Gabriel Allon, will have to fight for his life-against an assassin he himself helped train.

Customer Reviews:

Silva's a Five-Star.......2007-10-02

I got hooked on Daniel Silva's writing with his latest book - The Secret Servant. I've done a lot of research into the politics and history of the Jewish people, Israel, Europe and the Middle East, and Silva's research is impeccable. His writing, too, is delicious - he has a way of painting a brilliant, detailed visual scene without bogging down his narrative, and that's a gift I wish more writers had. I haven't finished the English Assassin yet, but it delves into some of the most embarrassing truths about even "neutral" European nations' involvement in the theft of Jewish treasures during the Nazi era. The historical detail, woven into a tightly paced international thriller, makes for a fascinating read!

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A Library Journal quote on the back of this suggest unrelenting action. Complete crud. Matthew Reilly is unrelenting action, Robert Ludlum could lay some claim to that, too.

There is almost more describing of picnic lunches and wine bars than action, in this book. It is a spy novel, with the odd hit, kidnapping and a couple of scenes of tortue and interrogation near the end.

A story about an Israeli intelligence agent, who works in the art world, he tries to get back some art works that have come to light, stolen from his people by the ratzis with the assistance of the Swiss.

He runs into an English acquaintance who is a professional hitter, working at odds to him. The Englishman bows out when he finds out what he is working on.

In some ways, barely even a thriller at all, it is just a spy novel.

Artistic dagger combined with a musical edge!.......2007-05-11

Daniel Silva has done it once again. I found myself catching up a bit, only recently reading, "The Kill Artist." I haven't exactly read the Allon books in order, but now I'm ok! This installment races through with the right rhythm at all the right times. But I thought there was maybe one or two questions that were left unanswered. If that doesn't concern you, you'll still enjoy "The English Assassin."

We find Gabriel Allon assigned to reluctantly clean some work of a Swiss Master, so to speak. He really doesn't want to do it. What makes matters worse, is that Allon walks right into a room where the client, Augustus Rolfe, is lying dead. Gabriel is framed for the murder. What's going on? Enter Anna Rolfe, exquisite musician. She wants answers as much as the next person about her father's murder. Do the answers lie in Switzerland? Good luck, because for some people in Switzerland, there is no past. You may find an answer or two lies with the Nazis, and from there a hidden secret nobody should know about. Protect the girl, and find some art work, return them to the rightful heirs. And yes, there is indeed an English Assassin, and Gabriel knows full well who he is, and how he does it! It really gets good!

I've read up to "A Death in Vienna" since I've started reading Silva, and this does indeed give me reason to read "Prince of Fire." Between that and "The Confessor," my first Silva read, I filled in a few blanks. Silva is indeed crafty with his craft! A couple of questions unanswered won't kill me. I just considered this a great thriller, with a hint of a musical edge! Quite the haunting notes from the great composer.

Surprising plot, good characters.......2007-03-02

Very worthy espionage/thriller. I very much enjoyed this book! I read it in two days. Originally I let it sit on my nightstand for months because I thought it would be another novel about stolen Jewish money stashed by nazis in Swiss bank accounts. But it turned out to be so much more. The assassin angle was not overdone, in fact it was light on details which can bore me anyway. Yet the assassins were interesting characters both. This definitely makes me want to read more Daniel Silva. I also enjoy David Lindsey's writing, and Aaron Elkins writes a good forensic mystery.

"Siva strikes again".......2007-01-24

This is the 4th Book that I have read by Silva. I would have a very difficult task picking my favorite. BUT did not consider any of the books that I have read as weak. My only disagreement with the two reviews that I have read would be the number of Stars. I'd give "The English Assassin" 5 stars (The same rating as I gave the other Silva reads.)

Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

On the edge of my seat
Will leave you craving for Book III
Brilliance part II
...kill to live [no spoilers]
Not bad for a follow up.

Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 2)
Robin Hobb
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553573411
Release Date: 1997-02-03

Book Description

Young Fitz, the illegitimate son of the noble Prince Chivalry, is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has had him tutored him in the dark arts of the assassin. He has barely survived his first, soul-shattering mission, and returns to the court where he is thrown headfirst into the tumult of royal life. With the King near death, and Fitz's only ally off on a seemingly hopeless quest, the throne itself is threatened. Meanwhile, the treacherous Red Ship Raiders have renewed their attacks on the Six Duchies, slaughtering the inhabitants of entire seaside towns. In this time of great peril, it soon becomes clear that the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands--and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.

Download Description

Young Fitz, the illegitimate son of the noble Prince Chivalry, is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has had him tutored in the dark arts of the assassin. He has barely survived his first, soul-shattering mission, and returns to the court where he is thrown headfirst into the tumult of royal life.

With the King near death, and Fitz's only ally off on a seemingly hopeless quest, the throne itself is threatened. Meanwhile, the treacherous Red Ship Raiders have renewed their attacks on the Six Duchies, slaughtering the inhabitants of entire seaside towns.

In this time of great peril, it soon becomes clear that the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands -- and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.

Customer Reviews:

On the edge of my seat.......2007-02-20

Again, as with Assassin's Apprentice, I was held fast by a story that constantly kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. This series is just stunning in the ability to hold my attention and keep me wondering all day exactly where Robin Hobb is taking her characters. Every time I think I know, the outcome is exactly the opposite of what I had predicted. Sometimes it is difficult, even sad, to read this book because you desperately want something good, something he deserves to happen to FitzChivalry, and it almost never does. I'm very eager to begin the third installment in the series.

Will leave you craving for Book III.......2007-02-06

Middle books of trilogies are supposed to be worse than either book one or three but that is so not true for this book. Political drama, adventure and court politics twirl in the Kingdom of Six Duchies where an ailing King is watching his sons combat one another for the throne, or so it seems.
The villain in the form of Regal is simply hateful and that is exactly the image of him that Hobb wants conveyed; there are times when he is a bit scary (because the reader would be reading from the perspective of Fitz, the hero) but that horror is so human that it bites into you for you to feel. It is the ugliness of a ruthless heart that unfolds itself and creates a solid impression on the mind of the reader.
Once again, credit goes to Hobb for a) Excellent characters which leave nothing to desire, b) a page-turning storyline and c) and end that will leave you gasping for the third book. For me, these characteristics of the book put Hobb in the same category as George RR Martin.
HIGHLY recommended.

Brilliance part II.......2006-12-29

This is the second installment of the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. In this installment we find FitzChivalry, [...] son of an ex heir to the throne and king's assassin, growing up. He has become an accomplished young man with the burden of many responsibilities. The six duchies that are Fitz' home have been under furious and relentless attacks by the Red raider ships who wreak havoc on the coastline murdering, burning villages and "forging" others by through an unknown process turn people into uncaring savages bent on destruction and death.

King Shrewd is in ill health and King in waiting Verity goes off on a quest to find the mysterious elderlings, of which ancient bards's tells proclaim can save the realm. This leaves Fitz at Buckkeep with little between he and the spiteful and treacherous Prince Regal. FitzChivalry soon finds that he may be little more then a fly caught in an ever growing web of intrigue.

Robin Hobbs' continues this captivating tale and plundering the depths of Fitzchivalry's psyche: His thoughts, his motivations, and his emotions, as well as adding layers and texture to the world she has created. While the book will serve to draw one in deeper and deeper into fitz' story, it does have its moments where it can be a bit overly descriptive and plodding.

This book is a second entry in the farseer trilogy and it should be recognized as such. This trilogy is not really three seperate books in as much as it is one very long book, so one should not expect there to be big climax's at the end, but instead part of the tale that builds the momentum to the climax at the end.

This trilogy is excellent and this book is excellent. Don't let yourself miss out on something well worth your time and effort!

...kill to live [no spoilers].......2006-12-15

"The Farseer: Royal Assassin" continues "The Farseer Trilogy" as FitzChivalry explains his activities using his developing skills as an assassin and in both the Skill and Wit from a first person point of view. Being educated and working alongside the master assassin uncovers more insight into Chade's past.

King Shrewd entrusts political assignments similar to the stereotypical mobster, in a subtle and (resembling his namesake) shrewd fashion asking for resolutions to specific dilemmas. Assassinations can be avoided also with the proper advice or suitable scheme. In the meantime FitzChivalry struggles with his emotions towards childhood friend Molly. Chade, Burrich, and the King's Fool remain refreshing support characters in addition to the unexpected King-in-Waiting Verity. Wide ranges of female characters interact but without the braid tugging or whining found in other series. A couple exciting events at sea and a powerful scene at a funeral pyre identify the amazing talent of the author.

The creative plot becomes darker when Red-Ship Raiders and resulting Forged ones generate difficulties by becoming more aggressive during periods of internal strife. Strangely FitzChivalry does not intuitively observe his surrounding and solve problems like in the previous novel. Nevertheless, the book has an intense and unanticipated end.

The storyline for the most part presents respectable affection between individuals and animals but maintains the cunning of politics to be acceptable for young readers. The many people can be confusing with the odd names. A more detailed map of the significant terrains and comprehensive appendix would have been useful.

I highly recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre.

Thank you.

Not bad for a follow up........2006-08-17

I was very suprised at how much I liked the first book, and was eagerly anticipating reading this one. I was not overwhelmed with its greatness, but neither was I let down at the direction the story took. As with the first one, the characters are very interesting, and the plot isnt "good guy always wins" style, wich I find boring. After 'Assasins Apprentice' I find it hard to believe anyone is doubting to buy this one, but if you are, than have no fear, it will not dissapoint.

The only thing different about this from the first book, is that while the first book was only 435 pages packed full of plot and written at a fast pace, this one is around 675 pages and slower paced. The story seems to drag toward the middle of the book. I would rather it had been full of plot and dialouge and been shorter, than have it longer and slower. As far as fantasy novels go in general 700 pages is still not long I suppose.

Either way, it is a good read, and an excellent series thus far. I highly recommend it.

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