- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Brad Thor, a graduate of the University of Southern California, has served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security's Analytic Red Cell Program and is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Lucerne, Path of the Assassin, State of the Union, Blowback, Takedown, The First Commandment, and The Last Patriot. Visit his website at www.BradThor.com.
Dressed in the traditional robes of a Muslim pilgrim, a lone figure tore back the carpeting from beneath a window of the sumptuously appointed room and fastened the feet of a tripod firmly into the concrete floor with a commercial-grade bolt gun.
The equipment had been smuggled into Saudi Arabia's Dar Al Taqwa Inter-Continental Hotel via several large suitcases and a hard-shell golf club case. Arabs, even in Medina, loved their golf, after all, and no one had given any of the cases a second look.
Finally assembled and secured to its launching platform, the second-generation TOW 2 Short missile was something to behold. Though it retained the same three-foot ten-inch profile of the ones Israel had used during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the effective range of the weapon had increased by almost a thousand yards, and was now the length of forty-one football fields -- more than enough to deliver today's deadly payload.
The missile's optical sighting unit was securely positioned in the adjoining hotel room, and its crosshairs were fixed upon its target. An infrared sensor would track the weapon's trajectory and progress, relaying any last-minute adjustments. At such close range though, there'd be no need for adjustments. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.
The digital fuse was set for ten minutes into the night prayer session of the Prophet's Mosque, the second-holiest shrine in Islam. Friday was the most important day of worship in the Muslim faith, and the evening prayer sessions were always the most heavily attended. The timing of the attack insured maximum carnage. With a Do Not Disturb sign hung on the doors of both rooms, the terrorist would be resting comfortably on a first-class flight to Cairo by the time the missile launched. From Cairo, a clandestine transport network would round out the journey home just as today's events were being broadcast on the evening news.
As the digital fuse began its devastating countdown, the terrorist spray-painted a large hand cradling the Star of David on the wall.
For a moment, scenes of a happier time flashed through the terrorist's mind. A time before the hatred was so deeply entrenched. Two young lovers from different walks of life, two different sides of the struggle, walked together along a river in fall. Bells rang in the distance and they cherished the good fortune that had brought them together. Though each had been raised to hate the other, love had blossomed between them. But, there were influences at work greater than their love. It was those influences that would change their lives, and the world, forever.
The terrorist's eyes, normally silver in color, now flashed coal black with hate as the final letters were painted beneath the hand. It was a simple, yet chilling three-word message, "Terror For Terror."
Two hours later, a stream of worshippers hurried themselves along, late for the sunset prayer. As they entered the Prophet's Mosque, right leg first as custom dictated, each supplicated, saying, "I seek refuge with the Mighty Allah. I seek protection in His Generous Countenance and His Everlasting Authority....O Allah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy to me."
They fanned out deeper into the mosque, searching for empty spaces to kneel among the other thousands of worshippers. As was the custom, the women were directed into a separate area closed off by large panels of fabric, so as not to distract the men from their prayers. The younger children stayed with their mothers, while older sons, well behaved enough not to disrupt the service, were allowed to sit among the rows of adult men. Most of the families in the Prophet's Mosque were divided this way when a great rumbling erupted overhead and a massive double-detonating warhead crashed through the roof, exploding in a fiery hail of instant death.
By noon the next day, rescue workers were giving up any hope of finding victims alive beneath the wreckage of the Prophet's Mosque. As throngs of Medina's citizens gathered behind emergency-services barricades asking why, a broadcast fax went simultaneously to newspapers and news agencies around the globe. It read:
For decades, the Arab world has supported and encouraged terrorism against Israel. Publicly, terrorists are denounced, while privately they continue to be trained and financed by Arab nations. The nation of Israel will no longer tolerate acts of violence upon our soil, or against our people. Henceforward we will speak to the Arab world in the language they have given birth to, the language they have spat bitterly into our mouths, the only language they understand -- the language of terrorism.
As it says in Job -- "They that plow iniquity and sow mischief shall reap the same."
The fax was signed on behalf of an organization calling itself the Hand of God. Beneath the group's name was the same pictogram the Medina police found on the wall of room 611 of the Dar Al Taqwa Inter-Continental, a large hand holding the Star of David in its palm.
The operation had begun.
Copyright © 2003 by Brad Thor
For decades, the Arab world has supported and encouraged terrorism against Israel. Publicly, terrorists are denounced, while privately they continue to be trained and financed by Arab nations. The nation of Israel will no longer tolerate acts of violence upon our soil, or against our people. Henceforward we will speak to the Arab world in the language they have given birth to, the language they have spat bitterly into our mouths, the only language they understand -- the language of terrorism.
Copyright © 2003 by Brad Thor
Anonymous
Posted June 17, 2004
Brad Thor's realism is superb. From the tiny to large details, he is right on! If you want to really get caught up and re-planted into a Scott Harvath story, feel free to pick up any one of Thor's books. Brad, good luck in Europe and look forward to your next 'thrill-seeker'. Brad
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2012
Im willing to suspend belief for this type of novel but this plot is absurd. Very poor effort in this genre
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.nalaremraf
Posted December 14, 2011
Fast paced with a great surprise turn.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Readsalot73
Posted November 25, 2011
Loved the first in the series, and loved this one. Good story, great action, keeps you intrigued to the end. If you like this genre, you will love this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2011
I love Brad Thor! If you get a chance see him in person.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.2883893
Posted September 12, 2011
I've been so hooked, I just load my Nook with the next book in the series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Brad Thor's character Scot Horvath is excellent. However, he often gets out of trouble in the most mysterious ways. If he were not so lucky he would have been dead in the first book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KEPowell
Posted September 4, 2010
This is another great book by Brad. I love books that show American kicking ass and taking names. To bad too many in our government don't have the backbone to do it in real life.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Auburn_Tiger
Posted September 26, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Brad Thor is a great writer. He make his characters come to life. I have read the whole Scott Harvath series and I can't wait for a continuation. The great thing about Thor's books is a reader could start with this book, and not miss a thing. The characters get reintroduced in a manner that does not take away from the story, even for people who already know those characters from previous books. This book has a unique plot, with a great twist. I couldn't put it down.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.For a second effort I enjoyed this book except for a few things. As I read it, I could only think of those real bad Steven Seagall movies and then it hit me - Scot Horvath is Steven Seagall! The main character is perfect, annoyingly so. He knows everything when everyone else is an idiot - especially the CIA team. I don't like the main character - Horvath is a jerk in the best terms I can think of. There is no depth, no characterization - Thor takes the whole book to "brag" about how in shape and "super cool" Horvath is and then makes sure the plot reinforces it. If I took a shot of any liquor every time Horvath swore to avenge his buddies from the first book, I'd be so drunk I couldn't stand up. The character got old...fast. I will read the third book hoping that Thor adds some life and reduces the "superman, super cool" image of the main character.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 16, 2007
i first bought this book to read on plane ride home, i soon found myself with my nose buried in it, i couldnt put it down! this was the first of the Brad Thor/ Scot Harvath series, i am currently reading the rest of the series and i cant wait to finish them, would love to a see a movie made out of these books. Non stop action, and even has a sense of humor, it will make you laugh and cheer the hero as he kills the enemy
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 25, 2007
This book is great. You'll like Thor's books if you like an author who takes a character and writes add'l books about that character, I've read all he's written to date. Very little to none in the way of romance in any of his books. Shows honesty in relevant topics and events of the day in story line.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2006
I'm a Scubadiver and have the need for adrenaline and this book really got me going.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 19, 2004
Currently reading this book I can truly say WOW that a thrill ride. This book is a non-stop page turing fight for what Scott Harvath is all about I cant wait to see how it turnes out.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2004
This book was great, there was not one point which I felt was a good stopping point. If your going on a long plane trip this will make your time fly right by.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 21, 2003
The path of an assasin had me interested from the beging ! This is one great book ! I am now hooked on brad thors books especialy the scot harvath series. KEEP UP THEGREAT WORK MR.THOR
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 19, 2003
With the recent news on the war on terrorism, constant alerts and flare-ups in the Middle East and Israel, this book brings to bear the details of the underworld of secret agencies and terror plots. The plot line and characters though were not terribly sophisticated, and the author may have been too-heavy handed on the inner workings of national security. The locales dotting the book are stunningly exotic though (Macau, Bern, Switzerland, Jersulam, Paris, Cairo, Libya and Italy); and aside from the bad title, this book introduces a likely character that can please action-adventure fans.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Secret Service Agent Scott Harvath is doing his job when he risks his life to keep President Rutledge safe. With an increase in terrorism at alarming levels from multiple sides in the Mideast confrontation and a recent kidnapping attempt of Rutledge, Scott has job security. His current assignment is to eliminate those who assaulted the president but escaped, though Scott insured their mission failed. With synagogues and mosques exploding, the CIA believes the trademark evidence points to the 1980s deadliest assassin Abdul Nidal who supposedly died during that decade. Scott assumes the report of Abdul¿s expiration is true especially when the CIA points towards the son of the terrorist, Hashim. However, the Agency claims no pictures or description exists. One American Meg Cassidy has seen and survived Hashim¿s deadly destruction. Desperate Scott drafts the civilian to help him bring down the world¿s deadliest terrorist, but will soon learn there is more to this dangerous mess than the CIA, Mossad, and the American Home security agency has told him. That lack of information could cost Scott, Meg, and their allies their lives. No description seems strange with a survivor witness, but fans of adrenaline highs will not notice. Action, action, action, and more action as that fails to describe fractionally the global events of this non stop thriller that seems so pertinent with recent events starting with 9/11 and still current with the precedent setting Saddam scenario. Scott retains his hero mantle first earned in the exciting LIONS OF LUCERNE, but the tale of the tape is ACTION as PATH OF THE ASSASSIN is a one sitting thriller. Harriet Klausner
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 2, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
After rescuing the President from kidnappers in Brad Thor’s roaring national bestselling debut, Navy SEAL turned Secret Service Agent Scot Harvath shifts his attentions to rooting out, capturing, or killing all those responsible for the plot. As he prepares to close out his list, a bloody and twisted trail of clues points toward one man—the world’s most ruthless terrorist. One problem remains: Harvath and his CIA-led team have no idea what the man looks like. With no alternative, they are forced to recruit a civilian—a woman who has survived a brutal hijacking and is now the only person who can positively identify their quarry. From the burning deserts of North Africa to the winding ...