Rating: 
Summary: Accurate and engaging
Review: I liked this book and from page one was enthralled. The obligatory romance(s) could have been left out but in case this is made into a movie they have to be there. It was exciting throughout and delved into the mind of an egotistical maniac.
Rating: 
Summary: !Yea this guy is a fruit cake!"
Review: My response to this review is that I disagree with this person's review. I think that even though California may be earthquake country that there is no reason why anyone could create earthquakes. The book is not fast but it isn't slow but on the other hand I don't think it is thought out. The book doesn't really allow you to use your own imagination it tells the story in to much detail so that the readers can't think for themselves. I don't think that what happened in this book can actually happen in real life because sending something down into the earth to create and earthquake is fictional and just can't happen. Its not really a good book since it does show how terrible terrorists can be and since these people are from the U.S. it is even worse to know that these people are in the states. I just think overall this is a bad
Rating: 
Summary: Really a 3.5 stars
Review: 1) I listened to the audio book version of this and afterwards felt like it was the better choice than actually reading the paperback version.
2) The audio book version was well presented and well acted by the reader
3) The story seemed to have the following flaws
a) formulaic plot - I knew what was coming before it happened
b) one dimensional characters...except Priest - leaving a lot to be desired from the rest of the cast
c) had to suspend belief in the whole earthquake theoryI thought it was enjoyable on tape but on a whole I wished it was better.
Rating:
Summary: An engrossing read and highly recommended.
Review: Take a group of communal hippies, held together by a slightly likeable, but desperate, determined and deranged leader, called Priest, then add one smart, relentless female FBI agent. Add a slice of an environmentally insensitive California governor, sprinkle lightly with multiple-partner sex, add good California pot, a vicious back-stabbing at the local FBI office, then throw in a killing or two; shake well with earthquake force, then you will have a gripping Ken Follett novel. Follett is a master of creating conflicts within conflicts, a crisis within a crisis. In "Hammer of Eden" he draws you into the contrasting worlds of a free-love hippy commune and the regimented FBI. Follett enlightens you with some interesting and informative insights on how the FBI uses linguistic analysis to profile suspects. However, I did have difficultly accepting Follett's portrait of the FBI. After the gross intelligence failure of September 11th I believe it will be a long time before any author will, as Follett did, portray the FBI as being a technologically omniscient, an agency that is able to out think the common terrorist. That said, this is a engrossing read and highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: This is Follett garbage
Review: A totally unrealistic story about a commune making earthquakes. The leader is so smart but never learned to read or write. With his smarts he should have know how important reading and writing are and should have been able to pick it up rather easily. He can make everyone like him, both men and women. From what is written I don't see it. I understand about office politics but for all that Judy accomplished she would not have been overlooked on any level. That is just the first part of the book. Very stereotypical the way she is smarter than her superiors. So many of the characters are stereotypes (the people in the commune and the members of the FBI, for example). The novel is well written, but this novel is just a total waste of time with an unbelievable story and unbelievable characters. I'm still waiting for Follett to write another great book like "TRIPLE," still my all-time favorite Ken Follett novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Follett's best, but far from bad...
Review: I got this book from a friend. When I entered Amazon.com to check out the reviews I almost did not read it at all. I gave it a shot any way and I was quite surprised. This is a very exciting book. The pace is fast, the caracters are very well developed and the pages flow really fast. I honestly did not understand all the thrashing this book got from the readers. Sure it is no Pillars of the Earth but it is really worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: You almost know the end of the book at the begining
Review: The problem of this book is that you know in the first pages who is the bad guy, so you know that he will have to lose at the end. The way they are living in the village I think that is a little bit out of the reality.
Rating:
Summary: IF I HAD A HAMMER....
Review: Okay, so it's fluff and yes, there was an overload of profanity, and yes the story that Judy tells young Dusty before he goes to sleep is one of the most ridiculous ones ever, but this book is fun. That's why I liked it. It had me interested all the way through, cheering on feisty Judy Maddox and hunky Michael Quersic, hissing at the nasty villains Priest, Star, and Melanie. The plot is a little far-fetched, but isn't that what good writing is all about; transporting you to an unbelievable environment and making you believe it at least for the length of time it takes to read the novel? Follett has a particularly graphic and disturbing murder early in the book, that made me hate Priest immediately. Even though Follett tries to make the reader understand where these eco-terrorists are coming from, Priest's way of life is no better than the life he is condemning; he has no conscience or moral code, and he has to have things his way or else. I cannot understand how Star could have stayed with him so long. The book's pace is commendable and Follett has a way with words that keeps everything smooth and interesting.
The climax is powerful and the wrap up of all the characters is a nice way to let us know what happens with all these people. Poetic justice befits Mr. Priest's eventual outcome, but I wish he had gotten a little more of what he deserved.
All in all, though, it's a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and Interesting
Review: Ken Follet is an incredible author who creates captivating, intriguing and fascinating work. Although this is not my favorite by him, it is still a great book. The characters are well portrayed,and there is a good balance between good and evil. Judy is a great and likeable character, and I rooted for her throughout. Other reviews discredit the book because it is unrealistic -- but that is unfair. The plot is not unrealistic, as there are many cults and sub cultures out there who will do anything to stop a political venture, or to fight government. This is a book any Ken Follett, or suspense reader will enjoy. It is fast paced, and as always, Follett did his homework. Keep the books coming!
Rating:
Summary: The Hammer of Eden
Review: I read very little fiction but this book caught my interest. I grew up in California - "earthquake country" and that is why I chose this book to read. This book is fairly fast paced and gives good descriptions of the places, and especially the characters. A good book for those looking for "brain candy" to kick back with and something thought provoking. What if this were possible? A very fresh idea and viewpoint on domestic terrorists. A great summertime read. Enjoy!
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