No comments about Bioterrorism in the Health Care Community.

2 comments about Inventing the Axis of Evil: The Truth About North Korea, Iran, and Syria.

1. This a good book to gather information and historical trends of the countries it talks about however I think the justifiably liberal point of view looses a little creditability because it gets emotional at times- sort of like it is trying to persuade me too much. I can do without the slights and overly slanted remarks. Facts reflect fact: you don't have to spin up the truth too much to get your point across. I like the book but it makes me think the author(s) might have been insiders or closely related to but for some reason now have sharp teeth and snarls about the subject.



2. ... gets to be rather tiresome after all too few pages. He seems to have some significant problems in suppressing his anger and his anti-American agenda almost seems to bleed through the print.

No comments about Violence, Terrorism, and Justice (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Public Policy).

No comments about A lack of trust.(intelligence information sharing program under scrutiny)(Editorial): An article from: Security Management.

3 comments about Where Was God on September 11? (A Scientist Asks a Ground Zero Pastor).

1. Imagine two kind, thoughtful, intelligent people sitting in your kitchen with you and trying to make sense out of a senseless event. This brief and moving book invites you, the reader, into the conversation of two such people, one of whom believes in a Christian God and one of whom does not. Science writer John Horgan says: "I can't accept the idea that there is some kind of divine intelligence underlying the way blessings and suffering are meted out in this world." And pastor Frank Geer says: "From my earliest memory to this day, I have always believed in Christianity. My faith says 'It's not luck. There is a God out there who's watching out for us.'"
   These two compassionate men do not try to argue each other out of their respective beliefs, but rather try to find the comfort in the values that each holds to offer to those who have suffered in the terrorist attacks on September 11--and in other tragic events. So, readers with a range of faiths can find some words here that will evoke responses of agreement, empathy, and even comfort.
   The book reads quickly and merits rereading. The format is that of an erudite conversation, and I found myself wanting to be a part of it. I found this to be a good book that also does good.



2. This book is a conversation between two intelligent, sincere people, one who has faith, and one who has skepticism. They work together well, asking each other quesstions that are hard to answer. They both bring understanding and a desire to connect with others to the question of huge catastrophe. How could this be allowed; what possible good can be seen in the WTC disaster?

   3000 people died, but 26,000 were saved, and there was great heroism. More than that, people helped each other through hard times. This book helps us see the perspective of nine months later. It is great.




3. Both sides of the issue of God's place in the events of 9/11 and in history as a whole are handled compassionately and civilly. The agnostic point of view is somewhat overshadowed by the Christian view in terms of sheer volume of commentary; however, this makes sense, since the pastor was actually ministering to the victims in NYC and has more first-hand experience with the disaster. Clearly, the two men like and respect each other, and neither shows disdain for the other's positions. Rather, both seem to exhibit a bemused lack of understanding for how the other could hold a view that is so out of touch with reality. It's pleasant to hear opposite poles behaving respectfully -- if only our politicians showed this sort of tolerance. This is a book that's inspirational without being Pollyannish. Even the agnostic position seems uplifting -- it's spirituality without religion, a sort of secular humanism without the snottiness that so often infects that position. And the priest manages to be a Christian without being an intolerant fanatic -- also more spiritual than religious. All and all, a refreshing experience.

2 comments about Big Boys' Rules: The Sas and the Secret Struggle Against the IRA.

1. An overview of the SAS fight against the IRA, it appears that a shoot to kill policy may have been in place as the SAS killed many IRA terrorists during their covert operations.Great insight into the skill and sophistication of the IRA and the SAS.



2. Having served a number of times as an officer in Northern Ireland, this book filled in a number of gaps in my own knowledge. The reading of this book should be compulsory for anyone wishing to comment on the fight against Irish terrorism and the methods employed by each opposing side.

5 comments about U. S. Elite Counterterrorist Forces (Power).

1. You must read this book; not only is it packed with information, it is also very educational. The book is easy to follow and if you have any interest in knowing how the men of America protect us while we sleep, this is the book to buy!



2. This book is definately an excellent source for the layman, however totally skips over a certain set of individuals of which there are photos of in the book itself, but no mention in text. Air Force Security Police (Security Forces) are pictured in the book twice, yet no mention of them at all. Security Forces were also rated in the top five most hated organizations by terrorists in the world, ranked with British SAS, Delta, and others mentioned in this book. They are pictured as the individual inspecting the undercarriage of a vehicle with a mirror, and the K-9 handler in the 'Secret Service' section. One should research a little more before placing pictures with organizations they are not a part of. Security Forces deploy all over the world in almost every country to protect U.S. Armed Forces from the threats of terrorism and work often with organizations in this book. Please understand this book is for layman only, and some information is vague, especially for military organizations.



3. I thought is book was very interesting to read as well as look and admire the great pictures. After reading this book, it made me want to pursue a career in the teams. This is a great book, along with the whole Power Series books.



4. I picked up this book expecting a look at the many facets of the U.S. military and law enforcement special operations and counter-terrorist community though was disappointed by the units ultimately selected. The narrative is weak and not very insightful. I cannot endorse this title.



5. One must take into account that the book is after all, 1997...there were only a few terrorist activities that happened to the United States at that time.

   I find this book to be a good primer to other aspects of CT forces. Its only equal is Concord's "Special Operations Journal" which as of 3/1/2001 is in Volume 13. However, each SOJ is about the price of this book and you need to buy 3-4 SOJs to have the units contained here.

   The book doesn't really cover the military CT groups like Delta or SEALs (Douglas Waller's "Commandos" does better) but FBI HRT, US Marshals, and CT forces against super-terrorism.

   Stephen F. Tomajczyk did speak the truth when he said he visited these units and the photos show training exercises. Of course given the nature of their top-secret work, real mission photos aren't included...same applies to Concord Special Ops. Photos are mainly of training and the text is about unit history and terrorist events up to 1997.

   For the size and price, I think this is a great valuable book and the first of its kind. Surely other future authors can provide more detailed text or photos but you won't find such value, blueprints, diagrams, color photos, descriptions, and true life stories of SEVERAL units in just one book or just one journal of Concord "Special Ops." And if you do, chances are the price will be a lot higher than this book.

5 comments about Jaded Tasks: Brass Plates, Black Ops & Big Oil-The Blood Politics of George Bush & Co..

1. Madsen tells the reader the intricate details on how the spider web is built then lets you decide if that web was built to catch prey or spun as a conversation piece. He is what journalists were in our grandparents time. His independence seems to harness the trust of honest people in the intel-politico world. He factual illustrates why George W. Bush has done more damage to America's international reputation than any president in history. The so called "suicides" he investigates is worth the price of the book.



2. this book is a must read if we are to survive as a democracy.



3. Excellent, insightful, eyeopening
   Wayne Madsen knows how to write, inform, and make your hair curl while reading!



4. This is political `poppycock', as each party in the USA continue to `blackmail' their opponent by any means possible, to the consternation and shocking surprise of millions of people who have not yet been nourished with this sort of `democratic civility'.(!!!!)
   Mostly that the fall of 2006 being an election year in the USA, many Republicans wouldn't like you to read this book, published in May 2006 after thirty months under production, and authored by Wayne Madsen - a former naval officer - described as `investigative journalist and syndicated columnist'.
   In plain English, the word `jaded' if taken as adjective and/or verb, it may mean: dulled, satiated or dissipated by overindulgence. As a noun it means: worthless or disreputable.
   It is to be noted that Serge Brammertz delivers his latest Commission Report on the murder probe of Rafiq Hariri by the end of September 2006, WHY confuse the investigation process with this type of 'poppycock'???



5. This book explains the real ongoing of the "New World Order" without the hypocrisy which usually undermines most media outlets.

No comments about Jihadi Terrorism and the Radicalisation Challenge in Europe.

4 comments about Who They Were: Inside the World Trade Center DNA Story: The Unprecedented Effort to Identify the Missing.

1. This book is a factual first hand account of Dr. Shaler's experience. The book contains detailed descriptions of the complete identification process from 911. I did enjoy learning about forensics. It also made me very proud to learn how the people in government handled this situation.
   The book includes the feelings and emotions from the long term commitment to assist with the critical identification process.



2. I just started reading, but so far I'm enjoying this very easy read.



3. Once again, stalwart Free Press comes through with another incredibly in-depth, in fact slightly overlong, inquiry into recent history. In fact, given the subtance of the investigation, and its current limbo, this isn't really history at all, but reather current events of the most pressing nature. Who was it said that reading such and such a book was like holding lightning in your hands? Reading this book is like reading human blood.
   
   Dr. Shaler gives us a no hold barred accout of what it was like trying to deal with the innumerable scraps of human remains found at the site of the Weorld Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001, in New York, and in the days, weeks and even months afterwards. Scientists and doctors, some who had never spoken to each other before, strangers, and some who were outright enemies, found themselves standing shoulder to shoulder trying to use forensics to fight back, fight against prejudice, fight against violence and terror and fight against the cloud of uncertainty by trying to match easch scrap, be it of brain or liver, with an actual human being believed to have died in the attacks.
   
   He even describes the chill with which his team came to understand that, even among the morass of human material, some of these body parts were probably those of the hijackers as well.
   
   It's not all high science either. Dr. Shaler has the vocabulary of an average New Yorker, and he is given to a descriptive obscenity when the drama of his story calls for it. '"Don't tell me we f--ked up the identification!" I said' is a typical comeback from him. But in general, the science is paramount and it helps us understand the complexity of the work involved. By and by the forensics scientists found themselves invited to the funerals of the vitims they had matched, through DNA or otherwise. The families were grateful. There must be a primitive urge to want to preserve the scraps of your own loved one's bodies, even miniscule ones, for there were funerals for mere fingers. Reminds me of the the way Catholic churches in my youth were erected around mere "relics" embedded in the tabernacles. Dr. Shaler's writing is simple and moving on such occasions, as though Hemingway had willed his genes to a top scientist and bureaucrat:
   
   "We stood around the grave site and waited. Soon, the bagpipers began playing and there was a short ceremony. The sun was shining and it was warm. I felt like I belonged."



4. I guess I was expecting someone a little different. Very slow read.