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Summary: Love, War, History--Another Demille Thriller
Review: Nelson Demille consistently surprises me with his research, knowledge and laser paced action in his books. He just has a way of drawing me in to his characters with their transitional dialouge. I want to know them, care about them, and of course despise horrific villains. And as for action adventures, well, let's just say he moves a plot around like a Chinese acrobat with an inner ear problem!In "By The Rivers of Babylon", we meet an extensive group of characters who begin a journey of peace for the Middleast. Two Concordes take off from Lod airport. A mysterious Lear jet invades their flying space. Not known to the pilots and passengers is the fact that a rebel Palestinian guerilla, Rish , has had bombs planted in the tails of each bird as they were being built a year before. Leading to an exciting kidnapping and forced landing. What I enjoyed the most in this compelling book were the strategies of war. How different eras as well as nations handled nightime invasions for example. And how one must do anything to survive--anything. This seemed to be a pre-cursor to "The Lions Game" by DeMille. Similar themes, however, I was intrigued with the setting of Babylon. The history involved, the colorful descriptions of the Euphrates river, how Mesopatamia had been a glorious city and it's ironic downfall. Highly recommended reading for the adventure lover. Your interest & comment votes are appreciated--CDS
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Summary: Started Out Slow, Later I Grew More Interested
Review: At first the book could not keep me interested; after reading about a third of the book I started catching the DeMille fever. The book increasingly gripped my interest until the end. DeMille's style is among my favorites. This book lacks the sleekness of his later works and is at times confusing to follow. I felt it was still a good read. DeMille fans add a star.
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Summary: Precursor to Great Things
Review: Though not his best (nor his worst) Nelson DeMille's structure and writing for his best books (Gold Coast, Charm School, Plum Island) is presaged here. DeMille's best traits are developing and enriching his books with realistic characters as well as a knack for storytelling - both of which are done well.
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Summary: SIT, GET READY, ENJOY!
Review: It is unarguable that Demille is a master storyteller: it keeps you turning pages and always tells a good yarn. I particularly like him when he gets sarcastic and his main character is ironic (see "Plum Island" or "The General's Daughter"). In this novel he gets the action going and delivers the goods: you mustn't worry too much about the feasibility of the plot, you just sit back and enjoy. All the same, I believe he rightly identifies the Jewish/Israeli personality traits, and is not too far off some real occurrences: Entebbe, the 6-day war, the Mossad's hyperbolic feats, the Iraq nuclear plant bombing. Sometimes reality beats fiction!
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Summary: Hard to believe it was a first novel.
Review: Superbly crafted with many fully developed characters (good and bad) filled with tense drama and unending suspense...and an ending with a satisfying resolution as not every good guy remains standing. Some suspension of disbelief may be necessary, but not a ton. In times of extreme duress against impossible odds (especially in battle) many times men have risen to incredible heights. It is this aspect of the human spirit that is central to "By The Rivers Of Babylon" and makes it so credible. It is the story peopled with unlikely heroes who surprise even themselves as they rise to the occasion. I was drawn to the protagonists and their indomital vitality under pressure. It was refreshing that all were flawed, but none beyond redemption. The villians were exceedingly well drawn and particularly abhorrent. A most exciting and fulfilling reading experience. EOM
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Summary: You Won't Put this Book Down!
Review: Demille is the Best and in my opinion this book along with Cathedral, Word of Honor and Gold Coast are his best works. I could not put this book down. On an interesting note, I met Mr. Demille at a book signing and he told me that he himself is not a fan of this book. Interesting! A great read
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Summary: A Virtual Survivalist Manuel
Review: This book will show you why Israel is one of the most powerful nations on the planet. Intelligent dialogue, at least one character every reader can identify with, a solid Middle East history lesson - all wrapped up inside an entertaining and thrilling story. This book is strongest when it concentrates on how the 50 resourceful Concorde passengers set up their defense against 150 well armed Palestinian terrorists. Even hard-to-please readers finding certain aspects of this book "flawed" will find that the time reading it was very well spent.
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Summary: A Powerhouse. Emotionally trying and finely crafted
Review: Nelson Demille is a master. By the Rivers of Babylon is the most amazing thriller I have ever read. Once you are gripped by the plight of the passengers to the UN Conference you will never let them go. Their lives and deaths are visualized in full. Demille has given America a treat that should be enjoyed by all. It is Tom Clancy with the elitist confusing technology. It is James Patterson if he ever took a writing class. It is a gem.
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Summary: This book disrupted my life
Review: I couldn't put it down. Now that I've finished reading this fantastic story Perhaps I can get back to my other life. Thumbs up and hats off to Nelson Deville for the best book I've read this year.
Rating:
Summary: His best
Review: Of all of the books I've read in recent years only "The Triumph and the Glory" can compare to Demille's classic, "By The Rivers of Babylon," I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it.
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