Product Description Homeland Security Op Scot Harvath must find the kidnapped daughter of a politically connected family in the terrorist frontier of Afghanistan.
Another bare-knuckled thrill ride from one of the mastersAugust 18, 2009 Darryl Kujawski 53 out of 63 found this review helpful
Brad Thor is one of the preeminent writers of thriller today, and his best-selling books are too numerous to count...so instead of talking about his past successes, let's get straight to his newest novel: The Apostle: A Thriller, shall we? The book, in short, is about an American physician who gets kidnapped while working in Afghanistan. Ah, the scene is set, but this doctor has connections. He, and his family, are politically connected to America's new President, and turn to him for help, but the ransom being asked is too steep for the President, and he decides to launch a covert operation to get the American physician back instead.
The premise, along with the characters, are rather interesting - they have a passionate view on the current state and try to convince others to come to that point of view. It would seem that The Apostle has mingled in current affairs with a fictional tale. The President in the story is another interesting facsimile of our current Commander in Chief. A quote from the book "the new President had been very aggressive with his first 100 days. Campaigning on a platform of change, and he had done just that when he stepped into the Oval Office, and not necessarily for the better." The President, in the book, had single handily eviscerated the central intelligence of the country.
Much like all of Brad Thor's novels, he bases them on current headlines but allows the reader to decide which is which. Is the President in the book based off of our current President? The Apostle informs, implores, and entertains the reader in a way that only a few authors can. He has created another bare-knuckled thrill ride that seems so believable, it could have been taken from the headline news. I really enjoyed this novel (as I've enjoyed all Brad Thor's novels) I guarantee everyone will walk away from this reading experience knowing more about global terrorism, central intelligence, and other aspects of our country that you didn't know before.
But I personally think the true message of the book (or at least what I took it to be) As Americans there is quite a bit of frustrations with the higher offices of the country. We have got fantastic men and women in the militaries that are putting their lives on the line to protect our citizens, to protect our country, and to protect Lady Liberty, and yet, they are forced to deal with some of the worst management and leadership...and they shouldn't have to. This book really is a voice for the people who can't speak of these matters due to the red tape and bureaucracy. The Apostle: A Thriller is an incredible novel that you don't want to miss...another great book I'd recommend is: Conquest: The First Horseman (The Four Horsemen Series, Book 1) a remarkable tale of heroics and bravery.
Another winnerJuly 28, 2009 Jeffrey Borysko 5 out of 7 found this review helpful
The Apostle is a excellent read from Brad Thor. Mr Thor has really found his groove in storytelling, character development, factual details, and current topics in a fictional setting. I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with Scot Harvath, Mr Thor's main character. If you are looking for a summer thriller that you open up and just cant put down, this is the book.
Superb, topical thriller that puts America firstJuly 15, 2009 Jerry Saperstein(Evanston, IL USA) 6 out of 9 found this review helpful
Scot Harvath has been honed into one of fiction's most compelling and believable American counterterrorism operatives. In fact, he has only one near-peer and that is Vince Flynn's Mitch Raap. If the United States only had a large contingent of such men (and women) in real life, our security would be greatly enhanced.
Alas, we do not. And in "The Apostle", Brad Thor immediately sets up a parallel plot to show us why: cowardice and groundless idealism in high office.
Julia Gallo, a doctor working with the CARE relief organization, is kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taliban.
The kidnapping has been engineered by an aggressive Taliban local commander who has great ambition. He is helped in his scheme by a mysterious Russian.
The kidnapped doctor just happens to be the daughter of Stephanie Gallo, an immensely powerful and wealthy media mogul who essentially engineered the election of near-pacifist Robert Alden to the Presidency of the United States. Alden, in just a few short weeks, has gutted America's intelligence operations, among other changes which rational people would see endanger the nation.
Gallo, who has contributed heavily in every way to put Alden in the White House, wants her daughter to be rescued without delay or consideration for the laws of the land.
The kidnappers are demanding the release a major Taliban terrorist in exchange for Julia Gallo. Said terrorist is in the custody of Afghanistani authorities. Stephanie demands that the United States gain possession of him and make the exchange.
The weak-willed Alden tells Gallo that the US does not do such things and is peremptorily shut up by a threat from Stephanie Gallo, a threat that is overheard.
This puts into motion a particularly compelling back story that alternates with the main story throughout the book.
Scot Harvath used to be a counterterrorism operative for a highly secret government agency that was put out of business by the new President who believed in "diplomacy", not, paraphrasing George Orwell, the rough men who stand ready to do violence on the enemies of the people.
Confronted with the threats of his benefactor, the spineless Alden yields and gives Presidential cover to Stephanie Gallo's plan of gaining the Taliban terrorist out of an Afghan jail to be exchanged for her daughter.
Harvath is reluctant to undertake the mission, but a variety of factors change his mind.
Once in Afghanistan, the suspense is ratcheted up as Brad Thor puts Harvath to work organizing the kidnapping of the terrorist. Harvath works with old colleagues in Kabul and Thor's detail practically brings the stench of the city to your nostrils. Unlike many other characters, Harvath comes across as a human being, not some superman endowed with superhuman powers. He gets tired, is always concerned about what might go wrong, pays a lot of attention to detail and stays focused on the mission.
Yes, Harvath catches a few lucky breaks, without which the plot would collapse, but for the most part, Harvath does it on his own with off-the -shelf technology, lots of training and experience.
Any more detail and I'll start dropping spoilers.
Suffice it to say, that Harvath's missions takes unexpected twists and turns. Welcome help comes from unanticipated sources. The action is top-notch and the suspense never lets up in either of the two intertwined stories.
This is a great piece of action fiction. It is intended for an audience who think the United States should do what it has to in order to protect itself. As Harvath thinks to himself: "Sometimes, the ends did in fact justify the means. It was the height of moral folly to play by a set of self-imposed rules when your enemy played by none whatever."
Harvath is a fictional great American - and I wish we had many like him in real life.
Jerry
Right on time!February 6, 2010 Rebekah A. S. Bageant(Illinois) 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I got this book for a Christmas present for my husband. I ordered it a little late, so I was worried that it wouldn't get here on time (and I wasn't willing to pay extra for it to get here faster)... however, it got here with time to spare! I would definitely buy from this seller again. The books condition was also in great shape... just like he/she described. Thanks so much!
Accountability and realism at its best!July 8, 2009 K. B. West(VA) 7 out of 11 found this review helpful
Fabulous novel! This 8th novel in the Scot Harvath series might not `kick your teeth in' like The Last Patriot did but it does offer an amazing adventure and realism. The Apostle depicts the complexity of the Afghan culture and urgency to ensure success in Afghanistan. The challenges are real and success is imperative. The other message this novel explores is the despicable corruption of our politicians. Neither party is immune and the American people are sick of it. It was nice to have a character like Elise Campbell see through her adoration to ferret out the truth and hold people accountable. If we want this country to truly change that is what we all must demand. It is time for Americans to give themselves a `gut check'. Thank you, Mr. Thor for another terrific novel!!
PS: I loved all the wit and salty language too.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
