Cathedral

Rating:
Summary: A fast paced race to the end of the novel.
Review: The IRA has taken Saint Patrick's cathedral (NYC)and if their demands aren't met, the place is going to be leveled. If that doesn't sound like the makings of an excellent thriller, I don't know what is! This action packed work of fiction keeps you turning pages. Taken right out of today's headlines, this book is great read

Rating:
Summary: Very exciting, but somewhat formulaic.
Review: This book is absolutely exciting. Even though the premise was unlikely, and the end read like a made-for-TV-movie, I was so wrapped up in the action of this book that I would recommend this book. It would be especially good for long airplane flights, or on the beach. Read and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Weak
Review: this book was a little weak in content. a lot of characters and tough to identify with most of them. not truly developed. And i'm a big Demille fan - this one fell short along w/rivers of babylon.

Rating:
Summary: Okay
Review: This book WAS filled with tons of action but it was REALLY hard to follow it towards the end. I love DeMille books, ao maybe I'm being a bit harsh but compared to his others it rates towards the bottom of the scale.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This great story lets the reader into the minds of the characters on each side of the seige. DeMille has a way of making you care about each of the characters (good and bad). He even does a good job of giving life to most of the supporting characters. His characters are great, the dialog is top notch (as always), and his setting is amazing. I've never seen St. Patricks Cathedral, but DeMille made it very easy to visualize it (the diagrams in the front were a great touch).

I've always described reading a DeMille book as watching a movie in your mind. This one is no exception. The action and suspence are great. If you can, read the last section in one sitting. It will be worth it, and I bet you won't be able to put it down at that point anyway.

Also recommend Plum Island, and Jeffery Deaver's The Devil's Teardrop and A Maiden's Grave.

Rating:
Summary: Not DeMille's best effort
Review: This is a great 250 page book. However, it's more than 400 pages. Good story, but all the unnecessary sidebars are tiresome.

Rating:
Summary: Cethedral
Review: This is a great book. Not of DeMille's best but definately an outstanding book.

Its about an IRA group who takes over the St Patricks Cathedral during a parade in New York. A New York city cop (Burke) and a negotiater (Schroder) negotiate for the lives of many innocent people and the famous cathedral. There are MANY suprises in the book that gives it a great twist.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting Read!
Review: This was a very interesting book. It had goos heroes,it had evil villains, and a very good plot. DeMille covered the situaion of the Seizing of the Cathedral very well. By using his characters in the story DeMille was able to show both sides of the situation. The history of the Irish scene was shown well by the use of the Irish terrorist Hickey. The use of Saint Patrick's Day as the day of invasion of Saint Patrick's Cathedral also came off very well. DeMille also used his police personnel very skill- fully to make the story interesting.Major Martin,the British Consulate in the story was established as a major villain in the story. The finale,the rescue operation of the Chapel was well done. The sniper,Leary came off as a cold blooded killer. The revenge on Major Martin was also good. This is a very well written book. A definite must read

Rating:
Summary: An EXCEPTIONAL book
Review: This was an extraordinary book that has kept me up at nights reading, as I got drawn into its suspensful and intriguing plot. Nelson DeMille, a former U.S. Army lieutenant in Vietnam, is the author of many acclaimed novels, such as "The General's Daughter" which was made into a movie. "The Cathedral" is my favorite DeMille book, as it's rich characterization, amazing plot, and thrilling suspense simply cannot be ignored.

Cathedral is full of action, politics, and romance. The whole story takes course in just one fateful day. In New York City, while people are happily celebrating St. Patrick's Day, they are unaware of an ingeniously masterminded terrorist act taking place. A renegade group of IRA terrorists have taken over St. Patrick's Cathedral, taking hostage four VIPs in the city. The leader of the terrorists is Brian Flynn, a man devoted to the cause of freeing his family and friends imprisoned by the English in Northern Ireland. The terrorists threaten to destroy the Cathedral and kill the hostages, if their demands are not met by dawn. The world is watching, waiting for the final outcome of dawn, as the 'electrifying' duel between the Police and the terrorists ensues.

In Cathedral, characterization is a major plus. By the end of the book, you can really relate with the characters, and feel like you've known them all your life. There are about five major characters in the novel, each with his/her own background, aspirations, and unique personality. Due to such great characterization, Nelson DeMille really creates a strong and realistic human drama that is emotionally engaging. In addition, there is plenty of fast-paced action that always kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot is so suspenseful, that you can't let go of the book. Here is a memorable quote, "I was about two seconds late¡¦ Then there was a strange sort of a feeling¡¦like a presence¡¦in this business they talk about having an Angel on your shoulder while you work-you know? God Almighty, I had a regiment of them." The use of such elaborate dialogue makes this book so enjoyable. It definitely makes you want to find out more and more about what is happening, and how each character is involved.

The only weakness I see in the book is the slow beginning. The beginning chapter of the book is slow-paced, as it sets the tone for the book. Also, at times the architectural description of the Cathedral was confusing, and hard to imagine what the layout is actually like (of the Church).

This is an exceptional book overall, with a great plot, detailed and interesting characters, and realistic human drama. I strongly recommend this book for everyone, whether you like action, drama, romance, or mystery, Cathedral is all that and more. Nelson DeMille has created another literary masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: Yet again surprised
Review: This was definitely an interesting book. A cathedral in New York is taken over by an IRA offshoot. The characters, some you love and hate. Demille's characters are amazing. It's the same in all 5 of this books that I've read. There's no sappy dialogue, or stupid replies. Everything is witty and sharp. I wish that I had read the one with a map of the church, but after awhile I got pretty good at imagining what the inside of the cathedral looked like. In the end it definitely had me waiting with held breath to see what would happen.