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Summary: One of the best spy-conspiracy thrillers out there
Review: This brilliant novel portrays 4 Phase Man - the best black ops agents in the world, of whom only two are left. Both have taken their lives in different directions. Canvas sells his services to the Chinese, which want to take over US by implementing their own servant in US government. Xenos must stop them and Canvas, while also save himself from his past. The action is amazing, the plot awesome, the characters brilliant. This is Steinberg's best book. Simply superb.
Rating:
Summary: 4Phase rescues the genre!
Review: This is Rick Steinberg's best, by far. Steinberg, author of Gemini Man and Nobody's Safe, sharpens his storytelling ability with every new novel. That Steinberg works in the espionage genre is all to that ailing genre's benefit. Stagnant since 1991, the field has been groping for gravitas, and Steinberg provides it in generous helpings.4Phase man offers rich characterization--the best, in fact, that Steinberg has yet crafted--and a complex yet plausible storyline. And given the weekly headline revelations of the Chinese Connection to the present presidential administration, his storyline gets more plausible by the day. In short, 4Phase is a riveting and satisfying read, woven with powerful, sinewy prose and populated with memorable characters who, we hope, will return in a sequel. 4Phase is a must-read for anyone who wants to peer into the future of the thriller in America. A bright future it is, as long as Steinberg keeps spinning tales!
Rating: 
Summary: Great thriller -- highly recommended
Review: This was a very good book for its genre (political/techno thriller). The writing was very good, and particular the character development was outstanding. The plot is essentially a variation of the Manchurian Candidate, but updated for the modern times. In light of all the coverage on the connection between Clinton and the Chinese, and the theft of national security data by the Chinese, the plot is timely. The only reason why the book is not a 5 star is that the motivation of Xenos (the protagonist) is a bit weak. I didn't understand why he was so compelled to try to save Alvarez. Aside from this one small flaw in the plot, the book was great.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: When I first read "Gemini Man" I knew that here was an author that would be worth reading no matter what he wrote. This book is comparable to the best of Ludlum and Morrel and has it all. The characters are great and keep the book rolling along well. They are very 3 dimensional, with weaknesses to go along with their strengths. Mr. Steinberg is very good at presenting the motivations that drive his characters and the insights they have. But don't think this bogs it down or supplants the action, there's plenty of that as this juggernaut rolls along and keeps you coming back for more. This is a must read, along with his other 2 books. I hope we have many years to look forward to reading his books.
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Summary: The Thriller as Metaphor: 4 Phase Man
Review: With The 4 Phase Man, Richard Steinberg continues to hone the conspiracy thriller genre to a fine edge, cutting straight through to the rot that can exist at the very core of government and brilliantly spotlighting the double-edged sword that is covert operations. The characters and histories of the covert operatives are intricate and believable, locations are drawn with a cinematic eye, the plot and sub-plots are terrifyingly possible. Steinberg takes us to what he has called the "dark, gooey center" of ourselves as individuals and as societies. It's not a pretty picture, but it is an important one. An excellent read, The 4 Phase Man is destined to become the premier example of its genre.
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