5 comments about Blackout: A Novel.

1. Well I'm absolutely disapointed ! I like to read books with airplanes and am ready to forgive a lot of wrong plots, impossible survivals and so on.
   But this book is very strange. Leaders of major organisations are playing dumb - just an example : CIA tells the President, that a jumbo pilot may have been blinded by crashing into a smaller jet, because the explosion of the smaller jet before his cockpit was so bright - and still its known, that the jumbo was absolutely free of damage - and the President is buying that explanation ...
   Well, most of the people in the book are unrealistic and unpleasant. Women in the wrong footwear drag ablebodied man that try to resist through the forrest of Vietnam ... and so on. Just buy another book. This one is just plain bad.



2. Blackout was an amazing book by Nance and I strongly suggest it to all pilots. The conspiracy was amazing and the true story uncovered in the last 3 pages and the thrills ended on the last page! Bravo Nance, I'm now a huge fan!



3. Not having read any of Nance's works, I decided to take a chance and picked up Blackout from the bargain book table. I'm glad I did. Nance takes the reader on a page-turning adventure than starts with the unexplained crash of a U.S. passenger jet in the Caribbean. The story quickly shifts to a meeting in Hong Kong where an FBI agent Kat Bronsky (who specializes in airline terrorism) meets up with Washington Post reporter Robert McCabe (who claims to know something about the downing of the plane). Nance then chronicles the efforts of this pair to uncover the truth regarding the downing of the first jet (and those that come later). Blackout is clearly a page turner that grabs the reader early and keeps him guessing. Prepare for some level of sleep deprivation as you stay up too late in order to read "just one more chapter."



4. when i picked up blackout i was excited to start reading it because i love to read these types of books. the book grabs you right from the begining and, as a reader, you dont want to put the book down. but, as the book goes on the plot just seems so unlikly. the conditions surrounding the crash just didnt really make since to me. (eg. people at the highest levels of government not knowing what was going on and, the way the crash happend). all in all the book was OK but not the best. it doesnt compare to a book such as Airframe.



5. It's been a few years since I read this book, but I can still remember how much I enjoyed reading it. It's another great Nance book, filled with action and adventure. In my opinion, this was one of the last books he wrote that were astounding, the only exception being "Saving Cascadia", and he definitely goes out quite well at that. If you've never read his books, this is one that is worth your time.

No comments about When the Extreme Right is Extremely Wrong.

2 comments about Into the Den of Infidels.

1. What happens to a Muslim when they start asking questions of their religion?
   
   Through the form of personal letters and short stories the author of "Into the Den of Infidels" portrays how Muslims convert to followers of Christ. Each of the stories show how the Muslim convert sheds their religion and gains a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal savior. It also shows how the Muslim "religion of peace" then persecutes the convert and their families. Usually this will happen through beatings.
   
   If you want to better understand Muslim thought and culture especially how it relates to other religions then this is the book for you.



2. When you are born rich, it is hard to understand the blessing, because
   you don't know poverty. When you know it, you understand more.
   
   When you are born Christian, it is hard to understand the endless blessings, because it's the only thing you know. This book gives a glance into being born outside of Christ's riches.
   
   It shows also how great God's love is for the Muslims. How seeks them each out personally. And that he does not want that any of them should perish, but should come to the knowledge of his grace and mercy in their savior, Jesus Christ.
   
   I highly reccomend this book.

5 comments about The Command.

1. Like others, I've followed the exploits of Dan Lenson, also I share the feeling that character development around him is poor. Although we read to escape into another's fantasy, in this novel the inner workings on this outing are slim. Cdr. Lenson barely explores his inner self, although we're given hints that he may freeze with a panic reaction at the wrong time - then that line gets dropped. The ending is almost like "I've written my contract length, cut it off somehow." To save the ending, at the very least I think Cobie should get the Navy Cross. I come from a long Navy family tradition, even though I became a career Marine; I know how Cobie could do it.



2. Back to Captain Dan Lenson and the destroyers - terrorist plots in the Middle East - good stuff, as always. But...couple of thoughts: Dan is in command of a rather old Spruance class ship: could it be that these are the ones Poyer knows in detail, and since he left the Navy he has no way to keep up with the newer classes? He won't be able to keep the Spruance thing going for long,they're starting to be scrapped! [EDIT 4/21/2008- Thanks to an alert commenter who points out that Poyer does in fact know the newer Perry class.]
   
   It's a good story, except right at the end, I felt he underplayed the effect of the nuclear blast - could the ship really have survived at all? And what about the heavy doses of radiation, his and others? And what was going to happen to the fallout plume? that stuff drifts....
   
   I think he set Dan up for a desk job - or maybe no more jobs! Dan's marriage is going away if he stays at sea, that's for sure.



3. Lenson is back in fine shape. A timely tale, well told. Here's hoping more will follow.



4. In "Command" DC Poyer has finally elevated Dan Lenson - the luckless but never feckless USN Career officer-hero of his books - to a genuine command. Previoulsy, Lenson had near commands of other ships and, in "China Sea", center-seated an obsolete destroyer on a covert sea war against modern-day pirates of the Pacific. In "Command", it's 1992, and Lenson masters a Tomahawk-armed missile destroyer, the USS Horn. With a mixed-gender crew, the Horn is something of a social-experiment at sea. Sent to mideastern waters to enforce the post-Desert Storm blockade against Saddam Hussein, Lenson will contend with smugglers and terrorists as well as more internal threats - vague ROE, friction caused by the presence of women aboard and outright hostility from colleagues. Unfortunately for Dan, his immediate supervisor is Admiral Niles - his boss from "Tomahawk". Though African-American, Niles has some intolerant views on women in combat - and considering the bad terms with which he and Dan parted ways, Niles's position bodes poorly for Lenson & The Horn. Following form from his other books, Poyer adds depth to his depiction of sea-life by creating a coterie of lower-echelon crewmembers whose lives will run parallel the intrigue of the larger story - from women sailors aboard the Horn to an American Muslim who runs investigations for NCIS in Bahrain. Departing from the other books, Poyer also gives us the terrorists themselves - especially a Sunni doctor who constructs especially deadly bombs for a certain, never-named organization (though we can guess) that cut its teeth driving the Soviets out of Afghanistan, and now may have Dan's new command in his sites. Lenson must balance these threats/issues while running Horn on a mission that includes blockade enforcement and possible attacks on Iraq.
   
   This is great stuff - it's not quite as unpredictable as "China Sea", but we see more of the crew's private lives than we had in other books. Poyer drops details from his other books, though they seem extraneous - neither advancing the plot nor hindering it for those who haven't read them. Though sometimes seeming abbreviated, Poyer still writes a meatier naval technothriller than anybody else. Poyer isn't afraid of using flawed, sometimes unlikable characters plagued by self-doubt and lacking cutting-edge technology - though "Command" actually gives us some techno-wizardry without getting in the way of our characters' personality.
   
   If "Command" has a flaw, it's that it creates too many threads without resolving them. More any other Poyer book, it looks needlessly unfinished.



5. You want to cheer for protagist Dan Lenson, but the author has made his flaws so overwhelming you keep thinking, "this guy is a schmuck!" On the other hand, Commander Dan, toiling in a Navy so flawed you wonder how they can float a conoe, always comes through in the crisis. The writing is compelling, however dark, and I continue to read every novel in the series.

5 comments about Islam Beyond Terrorists and Terrorism: Biographies of the Most Influential Muslims in History.

1. Greatness in their souls, sublime visions, outstanding inner strength, and determination characterized these influential Muslims who dedicated their lives and energies in search of knowledge. The life of each individual has universal appeal, enlightening and challenging to all human beings. Their endless efforts in pursuit of higher knowledge radiate highest qualities and possibilities in human beings. It is beneficial for every one to study these remarkable individuals and be inspired and strengthened and have one's focus directed towards noble causes. This book is not only a celebration for Muslims but it stretches every reader's mind beyond imagination. These biographies depict the open mindedness and progressive thinking of these pioneers indicating that the survival and progress of nations depend on their ability to learn from other cultures and religions. This is a balanced book written with good intentions for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.



2. Terrorists and terrorism are today's focus and the world is contemplating , questioning, and worrying abouthow much people have to suffer from such fear or loss. The biographies depicted in "islam Beyond Terrorism" offers great interest to the world. The contents will undoubtedly correct misunderstandings and fears toward this religion. The life sketches are exceptionally concise and distinctive. Such greatness of mind and establishment capture the eyes of the people who are ignorant of such intelligence and mastery of subjects in the Islamic world. Throught this book, the author attempts to promote progressive and intellectual thinking in the Islamic world.



3. In the 'Biographies of the Most Influential Muslims', the author's analytical and critical thinking towards Islam and Muslims encompasses through the eyes of the history, shows breadth and depth, and throws inspirational insights into the Islamic world. These biographies written in a historical background are concise and make this book interesting and entertaining. These life sketches also encourage people to a supreme way of life building. This is a must read book for the Muslims to embrace and cherish their heritage and to the non-Muslims to recognize the contributions of the Muslims to the world. The book is also an eye opener for the western world. The book directs unity and global growth of mutual understanding and teaches both the Muslims and non-Muslims to understand each other for a greater universal harmony.



4. This book represents the glorious Islamic heritage of the past. Islamic world is not full of fundamentalists rather there is a vast majority of moderate Muslims who unfortunately do not voice their opinions. The author appears to be moderate and presents the current problems of the Islamic world in a realistic manner. The author's criticism of such fundamentalist countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia may not be liked by the orthodoxy in Islam but will be appreciated by the majority moderate Muslims round the globe. In this book the author not only criticizes the Islamic fundamentalism but also praises the western democracy and its values (a rare combination by a Muslim writer). The author's approach is educational and informative. The author emphasizes to the non-Muslims that there is enormous contribution of Muslims to the human civilization (which has been ignored by the western world) whereas he tells the Muslims about their glorious past and points out to them that they can regain their glory provided they adopt the policy of open mindedness and willingness to learn from others as well as respect other cultures and religions as was the custom of their predecessors. This book will be probably criticized by the narrow minded and conservative Muslims but this book's educational value is enormous. As usual, the biographies always provide great entertainment and this book is no less entertaining than any other biography book and should be read by both the Muslims and the non-Muslims.



5. This book is a showcase of glorious Islamic heritage for Muslims to treasure. It inspires the reader with endless exploration to better life for our world. The author's comments on the existing political problems in the Islamic world are real and require immediate attention. Ever since the incident of September 11, 2001, people all over the world have their eyes on Islam and its followers with fear and bewilderment. This book uplifts the image of the Muslims. It is encouraging to study the lives of these distinguished Muslims who have made a difference by bringing all sorts of knowledge to higher levels. It is important for both Muslims and non-Muslims to recognize and applaud such great accomplishments. In this book the author educates the readers to a higher humanistic way of endurance and acceptance of differences.

5 comments about Mission Compromised: A Novel.

1. Incredible story! Could not put it down. Makes you wonder how much of it really happened in some way, shape or form.



2. This book was quite a letdown. I read his most recent book, Assassins, first and it was great. Exciting and riveting. This is the first book in the series and basically introduces all the characters you will see in the other books...slowly and with too much detail in some instances. Also, this book is filled with religous mumbo jumbo. I never realized Ollie was so religous. Assassins had a lot less religious stuff in it.
   
   You really don't need to read Ollie's books in order as Ollie is good at "re-introducing" characters in his other books so you aren't lost if you did not read the earlier ones. I would skip this one. I still look forward to reading the Jerricho Sanction and Assassins was great.



3. I think it was summed up best by another poster who said, "If not for the trying-too-hard-to-deliver-a-Christian-Message sections, it would have easily sat near the top of the techno/military thriller pile." A lot of the Christianity passages seemed forced, weren't relative to the story, and a bit boring. Thankfully, they're short, like he KNEW that it wouldn't be received well. I don't object to it all, the Christian network of believers that helped him so greatly were pertinent to the story, and weren't coming across as a sidebar. All in all, the book (as well as Jericho Sanction) was suspenseful, fun to read, and hard to put down.



4. What a fantastic, eye opening story! Not my usual read, as I am a single, white female, over 50. I had no idea these scenarios could be a reality. Once the stage was set in the book, I was truly entranced.



5. Mission Compromised seems to have all it takes to make a great novel: military adventure, political intrigue, terrorism, an inside view of the corridors of power. But despite all of this, it fails. The main problem is there's too much going on at once and North, Musser and the editors didn't know when to cut out what's irrelevant. Every character and every object is described with so much detail, often several pages of back story, that the pace becomes much too slow. And the subplot with Newman's wife's love affair and religious conversion really distracts. Once the action starts, suddenly the story switches to her going to church. This was North's first novel and I get the feeling he had so much he wanted to say, and he wanted to say it all in one book. The result may be sincere, a labor of love, but as a novel, it's a mess.
   
   Another problem, but this is minor, is the extremely one dimensional supporting characters. The Iraqis and the Democrats are caricatures.
   
   With a better co-writer and a good editor, "Mission Compromised" could have been an exciting adventure, but unfortunately, it's not, although it is interesting to speculate on how much is fact and how much is fiction. 2+

2 comments about From the Terrorists' Point of View: What They Experience and Why They Come to Destroy.

1. While college-level students of world history and terrorism-related issues will be the most likely audience for the scholarly analysis in From the Terrorists' Point of View: What They Experience and Why They Come to Destroy, it'd be a shame not to recommend this outside the college-level collection for general interest readers. It argues that terrorism arises from an identity crisis in Islamic societies, and uses the author's own experiences of life in that world, along with his psychological degree, to analyze the psyche and motivations of the terrorist mind. Think this holds only implications for understanding individuals? Think again: chapters draw essential links between this understanding the U.S. strategies for abolishing terrorism - strategies which may be wrong given Moghaddam's insights.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. Professor Fathali M. Moghaddam's "From the Terrorists' Point of View" represents a shift in current thinking because it competes with the today's counterterrorism-antiterrorism paradigm. The core message the author sends to the national and international intelligence community is this: If you all want to end terrorism, you all should first "see the world from the terrorists' point of view." In the terrorists' world, their terrorist acts are morally justified and rational; and although they engage in terrorism, they also deeply care for the welfare of Islamic communities. The author suggests an alternative explanation for the origin of terrorism across all cultures that is based on his "staircase to terrorism" metaphor. The controversial nature of the author's thesis is what will make "From the Terrorists' Point of View" an interesting book. Reproduced with permission from: Freddy A. Paniagua (2006) "Review of From the Terrorists' Point of View," Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Vol. 3: No. 4, Article 10.

5 comments about Bangladesh: The Next Afghanistan?.

1. The author created fictional connections between few internal events with islamic fundamentalism which I beleive to cater the western audience to steer them away from the facts. Bangladesh had been a progressive country whose major population happens to be muslim. Given the recent 'not so well' relationship with India, the author of Indian origin paints a grim picture showing isolated political events to crate propaganda and anti bangladesh sentiment. In contrast, India sees more racial/fundamentalist voilence than Bangladesh and creates economical barrier for smaller neighboring countries like Bangladesh to develop by creating bad press and international influence.



2. Very nice job of explaining the influence of Islam in Bangladesh today. Is the author biased? Of course, as is the reviewer below. But a veneer of bias does not change the plethora of facts set forth by the author nor does it invalidate the logical conclusions he reaches. Read it for yourself.



3. The author equates possibly the most tolerant of all Muslim countries as being the next Afghanistan. This is a country of 150 million and it is not difficult to find individual crimes committed against a member of religeous minority, if that is the object to begin with. As with practically all countries there is a violent right wing element as well. The author prefers to overlook the rejection of such elements by mainstream Bengali culture and the actions taken by the government against violent radicals. Also he either intentionally ignores, or is ignorant of, the differences in culture, history, and national structure which go against his hypothesis. The author assumes his theory his correct and tries to find specific facts that support it, rather than taking an impartial stance to see whether the broad body of evidence supports his theory, which it does not.



4. In a Taliban society as the author claims Bangladesh is turning into they force strict regulation of women, including forbidding of most employment or schooling for women. In Taliban society the Taliban creates a banning of long lists of activities movies, television, videos, music, dancing, hanging pictures in homes, clapping during sports events. The Taliban also create religious police to enforce those laws. Also discriminatory attitude towards non-Muslims.
   
   Now if all those things mentioned above are not implanted then its not a Taliban state, So the ignorant author would you please enlighten us where do you see women being denied education and theres laws banning womens education and laws banning movies, TV, Music, and Dance. I wonder how Dr.Muhammad Yunus was able to issue micro loans to women if they were banned from leaving their home by them self let alone start a business.



5. As a student of political science, I can honestly say that this book is one of the most biased piece of written work ever been produced. The arments are not objective at all. After reading this book anyone can sense that the writter has an agenda. A high school student can analyse better than this author.

No comments about IntelCenter Terrorism Incident Reference (TIR): Somalia: 2000-2007.

No comments about Just War and Terrorism: The End of the Just War Concept?.