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One fateful day, the worst attack on American soil brings out the very best in our nation’s heroes—in this powerful thriller from bestselling author
David Poyer
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Commander Dan Lenson is visiting the Pentagon while his wife is at a job interview at the World Trade Center. In the terrifying moments that follow, their lives are changed forever. Our nation is under siege. And, as the whole world watches the towers fall, the search for Bin Laden begins…
“With blow-by-blow descriptions, [The Towers] does a great job putting you in the middle of the action.”—Kirkus Reviews
Still reeling from the tragedy, Lenson’s SEAL team is assigned to Task Force Rhino in Afghanistan. Their mission: to hunt down, capture, or kill Osama bin Laden and other senior members of the Taliban and al Qaeda. But Lenson quickly discovers the odds are against them. The terrain is impenetrable, the journey grueling, the mission spiraling out of control. And before they can take down a target that’s just beyond their reach—they have to face an enemy that’s all too close…
“A great tale…harrowing…This is an excellent glimpse at the immediate post 9/11 world.” —Genre Go Round Reviews
—Kirkus Reviews
After barely surviving the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, and having his wife maimed while escaping the attack on the World Trade Center, U.S. Navy officer Dan Lenson reconsiders retiring and becomes embroiled in the search for Osama bin Laden.
Poyer, who has drawn on his considerable experience as a naval officer in crafting the popular Lenson series (The Weapon, 2009, etc.), likely had no reason when he was writing this book to believe it would be upstaged by the actual discovery and disposal of bin Laden. That Obama administration triumph unavoidably takes some of the edge off this story. But plot isn't what drives the bookas much as procedure. It still succeeds as a detailed examination of how the government and the military work together, or don't, in such pressure-backed situations—and in such hostile territory as the frigid expanse of Afghanistan, urban Bagram and pre-revolt Yemen. Poyer couldn't be more authoritative in imparting chains of command, strategy, weaponry and terrain. On September 10, 2011, Lenson is in the Washington suburbs licking his wounds, having been passed over for captain despite his Navy Cross and Silver Star. His superiors don't like his independent streak. Former SEAL sniper Teddy Oberg is in Los Angeles, having left the Navy to produce war movies. The 9/11 attacks draw both men back to the Middle East. Meanwhile, federal special agent Aisha Ar-Rahim, an Arab-American working counterterrorism in Yemen, discovers the racial stereotyping she had to deal with a day earlier are nothing compared to the nastiness after 9/11.The book is short on suspense, and the opening descriptions of the World Trade Center disaster add nothing to our understanding. But with its sure characterizations and blow-by-blow descriptions, it does a great job putting you in the middle of the action and conveying the vast odds against military success in Afghanistan.
An involving, skillfully told tale of the after-emotions of 9/11 and the internal conflicts experienced by U.S. personnel in the hunt for bin Laden.
Anonymous
Posted January 22, 2012
Good book, typical of Poyer. It was not necessary to characterize President Bush as "simian", however. To do so invites us all to characterize ALL our presidents as other than humanoid.
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.Garandpa
Posted December 19, 2012
Poyer hits a homer with this action packed novel. His superb writing and deep military experience bring to life a snapshot of how the war on terror has become the new doctrine. His rich descriptions will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 16, 2012
I have read many of Poyers books over the years and unlike the more popular authors who write military action novels, Poyers books are always well written, acurate and most importantly have real characters, warts and all.
This book in has several characters from previous novels that each share a part of the tradgety of 9-11 and its aftermath. Poyer ties them altogether into a fast paced tale of what it might have been like to lunch our attack on Afganistan and the hunt for Bin Laden.
I found this book to be exciting and realistic. I looked forward to coming home each evening and reading more.
John149NY
Posted January 26, 2012
I am a big fan of all Poyer's novels especially the Lenson series, The Towers is another good read although it might be painful for anyone who lost a friend or loved one on 911. Poyer is very respectful with the subject matter and gives some good insight on what happened that day and the events in the military that came there after. I except his next novel will continue the story line of this book and I look forward to its publication.
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Posted January 8, 2012
As someone who has read all the Dan Lenson novels, I found this one to be the same excellent read as the others, but more "today" since it starts on 9/11. From where it ended, I only expect more great stories in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.84todd
Posted January 6, 2012
Once again Mr. Poyer outdoes himself. A great work of fiction intertwined with real life. I couldn't put it down once I started. It gives in depth descriptions of what these people in the towers probably went through. It was also very descriptive of the search for Bin Laden. Mr. Poyer makes you feel like you are there in the middle of the hunt. His research of his subjects is phenominal. You can tell he spends endless time researching, as well as, using what he has learned in his service to this country in the US NAVY. I recommend this book and author that enjoys naval/armed services adventures. I can't wait for the next one in the series!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 31, 2011
This book is not Mr. Poyer's best. I wanted to read this book because it is the next in the Dan Lenson series. This series has been full of action, high adventure and naval politics. This book however reads like the author just had to get something out. The hero, Dan Lenson only has a bit part and it is over written. I would not recommend this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.On September 11, 2001, unhappy Navy Commander Dan Lenson visits the Pentagon still upset after being passed over for promotion to the rank of captain in spite of his heroic successful efforts; while he considers retirement, the brass detests his stubborn independence. At the same time his wife Beth Blair is at the South Tower on a job interview. Both are impacted mentally and physically when the planes crash the Pentagon and Twin Towers. He escapes the flames but fears for his spouse as he loses phone contact almost immediately reaching her.
While Beth struggles with her injuries, Dan and his SEAL team are assigned to Task Force Rhino whose mission is to capture or kill Bin Laden and his Taliban allies. His unit deploys to Afghanistan but deals with DC, Kabul and Islamabad politics at the isolated mountainous Tora Bora border. At the same time in Yemen, Muslim-American FBI special agent Aisha Ar-Rahim learns the hard way what being a Muslim-American means on September 12 2011.
The latest Lenson military thriller (see The Crisis and The Weapon) is a great tale in spite of the reader knowing the outcome. The keys to The Towers are the harrowing descriptions of death, destruction and survival on 9/11, the racism that ignites starting on 9/12, and the insightful look at how well (or not) the civilian and military elements of the government work together in hostile scenarios thousands of miles away from DC where the leadership resides. This is an excellent glimpse at the immediate post 9/11 world in which crises (real does not matter) are needed to fuel the avenging vendetta.
Harriet Klausner
Anonymous
Posted October 12, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted December 29, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted October 14, 2011
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Overview
One fateful day, the worst attack on American soil brings out the very best in our nation’s heroes—in this powerful thriller from bestselling author
David Poyer
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, Commander Dan Lenson is visiting the Pentagon while his wife is at a job interview at the World Trade Center. In the terrifying moments that follow, their lives are changed forever. Our nation is under siege. ...