Rating: 
Summary: Not great, but has some fun moments.
Review: In "The Road To Gandolfo", we met General Mackenzie Hawkins and his unwilling sidekick, the kicking-and-screaming Sam Devereaux, attorney at law. The result was a satirical farce of rapid-fire action and broad humor, featuring an intricate plot to kidnap the Pope. In "The Road To Omaha" Hawkins and Devereaux return, with a new supporting cast and a new Hawkins plan: lay before the U.S. Supreme Court an old treaty and an airtight legal argument, and demand that much of the state of Nebraska (including the land around Omaha, site of the U.S. Strategic Air Command) be returned to its rightful owners, namely an obscure Indian tribe called the Wopotomis. It is almost an axiom in both literature and film that sequels rarely live up to their predecessors, and this book is no exception. Where the concept of a funny espionage/intrigue novel was fresh and inspired in "Gandolfo", in "Omaha" it appears a trifle forced. The satire is less biting, and the humor devolves at times into a madcap, slapstick silliness reminiscent of the Keystone Cops. Reading the sequel, the reader too often gets an impression of the author struggling mightily to outdo the previous work in sheer hilarity, and in the process trampling subtlety and suspense completely out of some of the scenes. That said, however, this is still a good book, and anyone who enjoyed "Gandolfo" will almost certainly get some fun out of "Omaha" as well. There is still plenty of wit and humor here, and Ludlum is a master at keeping the reader hooked into the story, turning the pages in anticipation and trying to get in just one more chapter before bedtime. The main characters grab you, and if some of the peripheral roles are mere cardboard cutouts, it's a flaw that's easy to forgive in the blazing pace of the story. The political satire may lack finesse at times, but it has teeth, and the casting of mob boss Vincent "Vinnie the Bam Bam" Mongecavalo as head of the CIA is a splendidly snide volley from an espionage writer. This book does not really have the strength to stand on its own: if you didn't read, or didn't like, "The Road To Gandolfo", you'll most likely be disappointed. But if you liked "Gandolfo" and would like to revisit Hawkins, Devereaux and the oddly gripping world of humorous intrigue they pioneered, "The Road To Omaha" is good enough to make you overlook or forgive its flaws.
Rating: 
Summary: Sharp wit & scathing satire show off Ludlum's talent
Review: Light hearted without being fluffy, this is a scathing satire of the American government, the American military, the American legal system, U.S.-American Indian relations, and American lawyers. All-in-all, one of the best books I own. This isn't only funny, I was laughing aloud while reading it. This really shows off Ludlum's ability to lead you along a primrose path, only to find you're not really seeing what you thought you were. A law student receives a letter from the U.S. Supreme Court. Surprising, since he didn't write to them. They have decided to hear his case involving a breach of contract between the U.S. Government and an Indian tribe. [apparently, there is a small provision for cases being heard directly to the supreme court without previous judicial consideration] The only catch is - the law student has no idea what they're talking about. Suddenly the CIA, the FBI, the Department of Defense, and the mafia are all after him. The legal case revolves around the fact that, under U.S. law, any improvements made to real estate which is illegally seized revert to the lawful owner when the real estate is returned. So, if I steal your farm, spend thousands of dollars improving it, and then you get the property back, I can't ask for restitution or the money back. Sure, no problem. Now think about the U.S. Government and American Indian tribes .....
Rating: 
Summary: comical and entertaining, but far from perfect
Review: Ludlum isn't for everyone. Some readers find his books impenetrable. But OMAHA is a delightfully funny departure from most of his other novels. Granted, humor is subjective. And many of his loyal readers may be a bit put off by this book. But for the otherwise unenlightened, this is a soft introduction to Mr. Ludlum's often intricate and layered storytelling. Good fun, but reading it can tax you in spots.
Rating:
Summary: comical and entertaining, but far from perfect
Review: Ludlum isn't for everyone. Some readers find his books impenetrable. But OMAHA is a delightfully funny departure from most of his other novels. Granted, humor is subjective. And many of his loyal readers may be a bit put off by this book. But for the otherwise unenlightened, this is a soft introduction to Mr. Ludlum's often intricate and layered storytelling. Good fun, but reading it can tax you in spots.
Rating:
Summary: This book is very average
Review: Robert Ludlum has mastered the art of confusing his readers. This book is no differrent. Lengthy pasages which confuse and confuse and confuse.... Each one of his books can be compressed to half their size if he does away with his tendency of not making sense to his readers.
Rating:
Summary: absolute must
Review: Sam and Mac are introduced in Gandolfo. Sam is still the same inept character but incredible lawyer. Mac finally explodes larger than life in Omaha. I picture Mac the same as Col. Kilgore from Apocalypse Now with the smell of napalm in the morning speech. The two Dezi's are a perfect compliment to Mac. This is not for the spy thriller crowd. This book is for those who love the crazy antics of a larger than life hero
Rating:
Summary: absolute must
Review: Sam and Mac are introduced in Gandolfo. Sam is still the same inept character but incredible lawyer. Mac finally explodes larger than life in Omaha. I picture Mac the same as Col. Kilgore from Apocalypse Now with the smell of napalm in the morning speech. The two Dezi's are a perfect compliment to Mac. This is not for the spy thriller crowd. This book is for those who love the crazy antics of a larger than life hero
Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as The Road to Gandolfo!
Review: The Hawk, aka Colonel Mackenzie Hawkins, or in this outing Big Chief Thunderhead, is back! In this excellent comedy thriller which would also make a rib-tickling movie, the Hawk. after having inflitrated an Indian tribe called the Wopotamis, makes a ploy for the Supreme Court by claiming back the state of Nebraska on behalf of the Wopotamis! How does he manage? A protocol from 1878 found in a dusty archive. As he hatches his devious plan, his old adversary is back, Sam Deveraux. With the assistance of Jennifer Redwing, a Native American, plus his mom, and lawyer Aaron Pinkus, they do all they can to stop the Hawk once again before he threatens national security - remember Strategic Air Command is on the land the Wopotamis want back! And so the hilarity begins. Every character is loveable, from the bumbling Air Force staff in the Looking Glass plane put on Wopotami alert to the White House and Congress, which serves as biting savage political satire. Ludlum proves his versatility once again. Although I thoroughly enjoyed this one, overall, I did feel it was a bit overlong and on the whole, GANDOLFO is slightly better. But this still gets a five star rating due to its arrant sense of wild, madcap humour throughout!
Rating:
Summary: Road to Omaha not as funny, but still worth traveling
Review: The Road to Omaha lacks the one ingredient that made The Road to Gandolfo so funny...spontenaity. Where Gandolfo was naturally, outrageously, and expertly humorous, Omaha's intentions are quite obvious from the outset...Nevertheless, Hawkins and his faithful lawyer sidekick engage in their share of hijinks as they try to hand Nebraska, and SAC, over to the Indians... Although not Ludlum's best, it is indeed worth a read...
Rating:
Summary: Omaha Rewards
Review: This book did bring very good character action into play. The Road to Omaha unfortunately was a little bumpy. I would've appreciated if they would've described the character relation to Omaha itselt in a little bit more detail. Gandolf, the www.omaharewards.com site member has a little trouble with business loyalty. In the long run though I would recommend this book for anyone interested in explorer character interaction in vague detail.
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