Extreme Measures

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It's a hit!

The plot is literally ripped from today's headlines. Congressional critters are applying the Geneva Convention to organizations that have never si... (show more)

The plot is literally ripped from today's headlines. Congressional critters are applying the Geneva Convention to organizations that have never signed the document nor do they follow any portion of it themselves. Furthermore, the Congressional critters develop amnesia to their requests to the CIA to use all means necessary to extract information from captured terrorists.

A high level Al Qaeda leader is captured and is not speaking so what is Mitch Rapp to do? Through a little slight of hand he has a the terrorist ready to give up an active terrorist cell plotting to strike the US within the week, but the weight and might of political correctness comes crashing down on Rapp's world.

I like that this episode does not quite have as much action as previous novels, but the action has more suspense. I also like the addition of Mike Nash as a featured character and his internal struggle with a work/life balance.

As with all Vince Flynn novels, I recommend reading them in sequential order to aide in character development. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

No, it's a flop!

This is one of those novels that will likely have a polarizing effect. While the politics of an author shouldn't be a measure of whether or not he/... (show more)

This is one of those novels that will likely have a polarizing effect. While the politics of an author shouldn't be a measure of whether or not he/she has written a good thriller, it can effect some reader's opinion of the novel. Some left leaning readers might find elements of the novel objectionable; in much the same way that right leaning readers might find that authors like David Baldacci irritate their sensibilities. Any novel that treats a complex issue like extreme interrogation of suspected terrorists as if were black and white, is going to alienate some readers.

Like most Canadian's, my politics lean left (at least compared to most of the US). But that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy a good rightwing thriller. It's a novel, and if its entertaining, I can seperate the politics. The problem with Extreme Measures is that it doesn't deliver much in the way of thrills. The entire purpose of the novel, it would seem, is to provide a platform from which the author can preach a decidedly one-sided view on the issue of torturing terrorists. His approach is as subtle as a sledgehammer. Every character that represents an opposing view is characterized as a hypocrite and a self-serving, self righteous, shortsighted parasite destroying all that is good and pure in America. A lawyer, who is opposed to the actions of Rapp and crew, takes the unlikely step of slapping Rapp around when he thinks Rapp is in handcuffs (illustrating the hypocrisy of the lefties).

But the real problem with the novel is that it just isn't very thrilling. Flynn gives us an uninspired plot involving a small terrorist cell planning an attack on US soil. Their plan is standard-fair and we get the run of the mill scenes from training camp to bomb detonation. While we wait for the terrorists to initiate their attack, we have to endure senate hearings on the man-handling of a known terrorist and more detail than we could ever want on Nash's domestic life. His son isn't enjoying his prep school, Nash is suffering from performance anxiety in the bedroom, and the baby said a swear word. Trust me, its painful to read.

If your politics lean to the right, you may be able to overlook the novel's contrived, tedious and unremarkable plot, but for the rest of us, this is a heavy handed rant dressed up as a thriller. (show less)

 

 

by Jeff Norburn

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  Mitch Rapp ROCKS. I especially liked Extreme Measures because it is a brilliantly-conceived example of just how clueless so many in Washington are about the threats that face us, and about the character of the men and women we put on the front lines to protect us. If ever there was a lucid coherent argument to this whole "waterboarding" nonsense, this book is it. I like all of Vince Flynn's thrillers but I must say I have enjoyed this one the most so far. This is the kind of bo... (show more)

  Mitch Rapp ROCKS. I especially liked Extreme Measures because it is a brilliantly-conceived example of just how clueless so many in Washington are about the threats that face us, and about the character of the men and women we put on the front lines to protect us. If ever there was a lucid coherent argument to this whole "waterboarding" nonsense, this book is it. I like all of Vince Flynn's thrillers but I must say I have enjoyed this one the most so far. This is the kind of book where the no-nonsense Rapp says and does the kind of things that you would like to say to some of these people you see on the news every night. My average for a Vince Flynn is about 2 days; I read this one in 1. When the same Congress that voted for the War and looked the other way while KSM was being interrogated is now parading around like holier-than-thou peacocks, you almost wish there was a REAL Mitch Rapp to set them straight. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Oct 21, 2009 at 10:26PM

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  Not another classic Vince Flynn thriller. Mitch Rapp, the interminably dedicated field op once again create trouble for the DCI Irene Kennedy by being his usual maverick self in order to extract the information he needs out of two high-level terrorist detainees. But this time, instead of the kind of chopping through jungle brush to ambush the enemy action we have seen in previous Mitch Rapp adventure, there is a kind of passing of the torch to Mitch's trusted sidekick, Mike Nash. Mitch is ... (show more)

  Not another classic Vince Flynn thriller. Mitch Rapp, the interminably dedicated field op once again create trouble for the DCI Irene Kennedy by being his usual maverick self in order to extract the information he needs out of two high-level terrorist detainees. But this time, instead of the kind of chopping through jungle brush to ambush the enemy action we have seen in previous Mitch Rapp adventure, there is a kind of passing of the torch to Mitch's trusted sidekick, Mike Nash. Mitch is now called on to defend the Extreme Measures that need to be taken in order to thwart what could be a disaster far worse than the September 11th tragedy.
  As Mitch struggles to apply his heavy handed, by-any-means-necessary tactics on the members of a Senate sub-committee, the clock is ticking and the known unknown threat looms ever closer. Will Mitch convince the turtle doves to suspend their reluctance in time, or will the war eagles triumph and save the country from certain doom? I think the answer is obvious to any Auburn fan. :) (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Sep 28, 2009 at 05:38PM

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