Without Warning

Imagine a world with no America...or at least with 95% of America gone. I know some lefties and commies and terrorists who may love the idea, but reading the book Without Warning by John Birmingham speculates on this nightmare.

I don't remember where I heard about this author but I am very glad that I expanded my reading list. I'm not always open to reading new authors but this guy is excellent.

Within the first few pages of the book you are drawn into a world that has Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and even some Cubans disappearing off the face of the earth. Gone. While some celebrate, others panic and with good reason. America is the glue that holds this crazy place together.

Without our military might and economic support, thugs and insanity begin to rule.

The book leads us through the story and the lives of several main characters - a pirate (yes, modern day), several military members, a spy, and a Seattle government worker. (Seattle is one of the only corners of the states that survived.)

It's a fascinating look into an alternative future. I couldn't put it down and read it in two days. Birmingham has other books too and I plan to order and read them as soon as I can.

Extreme Measures

For the first time in a lot of months...more than I can remember...I could not put a book down before bed. I stayed up for two hours because I wanted to finish it and could not stop - hubby kept waking up and telling me to turn the light off and go to sleep. I wonder when he'll stop trying to "order" me to do things...I never obey.

If you haven't been reading the books by Vince Flynn you are SOOOOOO missing out. They are sort of Tom Clancy meets the 21st century threat of terrorism. None of that tired old Russia as the enemy. (Not that they still aren't in some ways...but that's another post.)

So I started reading them a year or two ago after Limbaugh recommended them and he was spot on. Flynn's books are, so far, page turners. I was a little leery about starting this latest book, Extreme Measures: A Thriller (Mitch Rapp Novels), because the reviews on Amazon weren't entirely positive. I don't know what those folks were smoking when they read the book ... it was fabulous.

It was also infuriating. It's so true to life and could so easily happen that it makes you want to go to DC and start pounding on politicians doors to scream at them to wake up.

There is a self aggrandizing senator who thinks her shit doesn't stink and is all about upholding the letter of law - with no regard to the actual consequences.

In every book so far the main character is Mitch Rapp. This is the man we want out there in the dark allies of third world countries...tracking down and killing those who wish us harm. I pray we have many many Rapps in our CIA even if we never hear about them.

In Extreme Measures: A Thriller (Mitch Rapp Novels) Rapp gets himself in a spot of trouble by roughing up a poor widdle Terrorist in custody...you know how they have to have special rights and all that.

This culminates in his being brought before Congress ... but somehow he makes it on his own terms and as always comes out on top. Though not before a lot of unnecessary and unfortunate blood shed.

These books also give a frightening look into the terrorist mindset ... imagine the cheering in the streets of Palestine after 9/11. Striking a blow to the great Satan and worshiping death as a means to an end. It's quite sick.

Extreme Measures: A Thriller (Mitch Rapp Novels) is absolutely fabulous and I whole heartedly recommend it. I know I'll be reading it again...I always reread good books. :)