Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I really wanted this book to be good. Based on the hype and the endorsements, I expected Mr. Rosenberg to be the next Tom Clancy. Unfrtunately, this book falls short of the mark.Unlike other genres, the techno thriller/political thriller relies of careful attention to detail. Now everyone makes mistakes, but here are a number of glaring technical errors related to systems, organizations and weapons through out the book. Finally the book is set in a post Bush administration where American weapon technology would be in the next generation. For example the F22 and JSF systems would be operational. National Missile Defense would be in place, and progress on the digital battlefield more advanced - none of this was really considered in the book. The plot is straight forward enough. A coordinated attack against Canada, England, Saudi Arabia and America attempts leadership decapitation. The identified culprit is Saddam Hussein and the race is on to take him out. (Memo to Mr. Rosenberg: Heavy forces cannot be moved strategically overnight.) There is a subplot involving the Four Horsemen (The Four Horsemen are amongst the most feared terrorists in the world), who are tied to an iranian/Russian organization. In the post 9-11 world, I suspect there are standing orders that if you find a bad guy you nail him. I am still trying to figure out why they decided to attack the retired MOSSAD head in Jerusalem. This book does prove that you can write a bestseller without resorting to gutter language or engaging in a meaningless whirlwind romantic subplot. For that I am grateful and I wish more people would take the same tact. The debate over the use of American nuclear weapons is interesting. I fail to see where it was right wing or left wing. I think it accurately reflected the ongoing debate of whether or not the United States can ever employ nuclear weapons as a first strike option. However I would point out, Presidents cannot declare war - that is a congressional perrogative. If you can live with the inaccuracies, then spend an afternoon in a cozy chair.
Rating: 
Summary: Impressed and Frustrated
Review: Based on some great reviews, I picked up this book. I was soon sucked into the story, riveted by the attack on the president and the ensuing global consequences. The plot zips along, the characters play their expected--somewhat predictable--roles, and the climax promised to be memorable. I was impressed with the author's ability to weave in Christian themes without sounding preachy. In many ways, this book equalled "Mission Compromised" by Oliver North. Unfortunately, the last fifty pages were a letdown. Yes, the pace kept racing, but inconsistencies detracted from my enjoyment. For example, throughout the book Rosenberg teases us with scenes of "the four horsemen," some of the world's most feared terrorists, as they maneuver toward a deadly goal. Here's the thing: their target is not even scheduled to be in any specific location until well after the "horsemen" begin heading that direction. The sudden and abrupt conclusion left room for a sequel, yet it left me feeling rushed, as though the author built up all the questions and possibilities surrounding nuclear war, then closed the story before having to respond to the aftermath. These frustrations aside, "The Last Jihad" was a quick and easy read, with pertinent political and spiritual points. If you don't have time to dig deep into a Clancy classic, this book will more than ease your appetite.
Rating: 
Summary: Please, we've suffered enough ...
Review: If you're looking for an unlikely story populated with Saturday morning cartoon hero and villain stereotypes, "The Last Jihad" fills the bill. It lurches along a crude, poorly researched plot-line that culminates in well-telegraphed, brutish wish fulfillment. It's an unending drone of inane situations and dialog punctuated with so many product placements that you'll have to check the cover to be sure you didn't pick up a Sharper Image catalog by mistake. It's a howler right down there with Plan 9 from outer space.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: Let me start by saying, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good action and "ripped from the headlines" (I hate that phrase) plots. I don't read alot of fiction but when I do, I love a good political thriller. Rush Limbaugh turned me on to Vince Flynn and I love his books. So when Rush so vehemently praised "The Last Jihad", I thought I'd give it a try. I was a little turned off because A) I thought this guy was trying to capitalize on 9/11 and B) I'm used to Mitch Rapp, Vince Flynn's hero; a real macho terrorist-killing machine. Rosenberg's hero is a...Wall Street strategist?!! Oy Vey! But I have to admit, I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I couldn't put it down and read it in 11 days, a major feat for me. The action is non stop and there is not a wasted scene in the entire book. Rosenberg doesn't bog you down with minute details, and I noted one inaccuracy in a shoot out, but otherwise this book was amazing. I don't read these books for thorough character development and intellectual dialogue. But I enjoyed the characters and the dialogue seemed real to me, but it won't win any literary awards. I just got "The Last Days" and attended a book signing last night. I can't wait to see where this leads.
Rating: 
Summary: Non-stop action!
Review: This was a really good book. It starts out with an attack on POTUS, which is almost successful. What follows is a book full of mystery and intrigue. The assasins had help from the inside, but who? The plot is traced to Iraq, which threatens the world with a nuclear weapon, and it's up to the United States to take care of the problem before Israel does. If I say much more about the plot it would ruin it for those who haven't yet read it. However, it was obviously written before the current war against Iraq, and before U.S. soldiers dispatched Saddam's evil sons to meet their Maker. Therefore, some of the events mentioned in the book won't match recent history. Initially, I was going to only give the book 4 stars because of the somewhat abrupt ending. My comment was going to be: "There had BETTER be a sequel," because there were so many things left unresolved. BUT, I heard an advertisement last night for, yes, the sequel! I'm looking forward to starting it. This book is definately written from a conservative slant--a hard-core liberal might not enjoy it as much as us conservatives.
Rating:
Summary: Please, we've suffered enough ...
Review: If you're looking for an unlikely story populated with Saturday morning cartoon hero and villain stereotypes, "The Last Jihad" fills the bill. It lurches along a crude, poorly researched plot-line that culminates in well-telegraphed, brutish wish fulfillment. It's an unending drone of inane situations and dialog punctuated with so many product placements that you'll have to check the cover to be sure you didn't pick up a Sharper Image catalog by mistake. It's a howler right down there with Plan 9 from outer space.
Rating:
Summary: Inaccuracies galore
Review: I've spent the last few years working on in-vehicle navigation systems; it was new to me that GPS receivers actually transmit back and can be traced, or that anyone has actually digital maps of Iraq in a commercial product... The rest of the book is just as bad. If you want to read technothrillers by someone who really knows what they're talking, read anything by John J. Nance.
Rating:
Summary: The Last Jihad
Review: The Last Jihad is a political thriller set a few years into the future and revolves around the now fictional possibility of what could have happened during President MacPherson's presidency had the re-elected President Bush pulled out of Iraq before Saddam Hussein was captured. Now, in2010, Saddam attempts to assassinate the President of the United States, along with the leaders of England, France, and Saudi Arabia. Then Israel foils an attempted SCUD launch pointed at Tel Aviv. MacPherson then sends one of his senior advisors (Jon Bennett), a CIA operative (Erin McCoy), and an FBI agent (Deek Black) to Israel to attempt to convince them not to nuke Iraq. But before they reach Prime Minister Doron, terrorists again attack them.
The book is and excellent combination of action and explanation, while still keeping the events potentially real. The book did get confusing due to the large number of characters, but it's not enough to deter a person from reading the book. It does leave you hanging at the end, but it is continued in the sequel: The Last Days, another excellent book by Joel C. Rosenberg. The Last Jihad is an overall excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for amore realistic fictional novel.
Rating:
Summary: Advertisement disguised as a novel
Review: When I began this book, I was slightly distracted by what seemed to be pointed references to brand names and products. As I continued, I was no longer distracted; I was appalled and disgusted. Apparently Rosenberg was looking for some kickbacks from Coke, M&M's, Blackberries, etcetcetcetc, because they are mentioned AD NAUSEUM. That's about all I came away with after reading this book - commercials. Sure, the plot is remotely engaging, but the characters are a bit flat and the dialogue is laughable at times. I zoomed through it and I suppose that has to do with a fast-paced plot. If you're looking for a book that feels like you're being interrupted for a commercial message every 2 pages, this one might be for you. I consider it a waste of paper (and I am also disappointed that it was so highly recommended by sources I held in high regard).
Rating:
Summary: Fast Paced -Couldnt Put It Down
Review: This is an excellent book. Better than Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlam in that it motors along. Most of the plot is quite plausible. Espeically the part linking IRAQ to terroists. PS....The other reviewer who posted a there is no Iraq Terrorist link is delusional.
| 
