Rating: 
Summary: Move Over Tom Clancey!
Review: (This reviewer read the novel prior to 9/11/01, but wrote the review after that fateful day)Those who enjoy the adventures of James Bond or the thrill of Tom Clancey will probably be favorably impressed with David Hagberg's novel. It takes the reader behind the scenes of the current world situation. There is the obligatory love story. Interwoven, though, is an intense drama about preventing the world's number one terrorist, Usama bin Laden, from detonating a nuclear bomb aimed to destroy the daughter of the President of the United States as well as one of the nation's most loved cities. It has all of the intrigue of the 1960's Man From U.N.C.L.E. Yet, the author presents facts that,though the average reader won't know how accurate they are, give a chilling look at the mind of the terrorist. When reading the book prior to the bombing of the WTC and the Pentagon, much of the action seemed overstated. WRONG! This novel's plot is no longer impossible to dismiss as "just a story." It is a mirror of our times. It's a good story and well written. The action is moving and the suspense is gripping. Well worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: Torn from the pages of current events
Review: 4 and 1/2 stars - Although written before September 11th, the storyline for Joshua's Hammer takes on new meaning in the wake of the horrific events of that day. The story itself takes Kirk McGarvey, former CIA assassin and currently among the top men in the CIA, back out into the field to negotiate with Osama bin Laden. Events quickly spin out of control and McGarvey finds himself fighting for the safety of his family, the President's family and millions of Americans. At the same time, McGarvey must thwart bin Laden's plan to set off a tactical nuclear device in San Francisco. McGarvey portrays a cool, confident, cerebral agent, yet also displays emotion sufficient to indicate that more than ice water runs through his veins. The story moved along at a fast pace, with a plethora of action and suspense. This was the second of Hagberg's book that I have read. I will clearly be going back for more.
Rating:
Summary: Torn from the pages of current events
Review: 4 and 1/2 stars - Although written before September 11th, the storyline for Joshua's Hammer takes on new meaning in the wake of the horrific events of that day. The story itself takes Kirk McGarvey, former CIA assassin and currently among the top men in the CIA, back out into the field to negotiate with Osama bin Laden. Events quickly spin out of control and McGarvey finds himself fighting for the safety of his family, the President's family and millions of Americans. At the same time, McGarvey must thwart bin Laden's plan to set off a tactical nuclear device in San Francisco. McGarvey portrays a cool, confident, cerebral agent, yet also displays emotion sufficient to indicate that more than ice water runs through his veins. The story moved along at a fast pace, with a plethora of action and suspense. This was the second of Hagberg's book that I have read. I will clearly be going back for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Needs work
Review: Although I didn't particularly enjoy Assassin, I picked this book up because of the good reviews, and mostly because the plot was applicable to the times. This book was much better than Assassin. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Afghanistan, and the possibilities explored with Bin Laden and his family. It was an entertaining book, and just like watching an action movie at the local theater, you have to suspend some logic and reality to properly enjoy this book. POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW As a marathon runner, I found problems with the half-marathon description that were so glaring that I have to conclude that the author did not consult with an experienced marathon runner. Based on this conclusion, I also start to wonder how many other parts of the book have problems. Also, was I the only one that kept getting the impression that the book was orignally written with the Olympics in mind, and then editted at the last minute to be the Special Olympics ? There were times during the narration of the Special Olympics where it seemed to be decribing the regular Olympics, not the Special Olympics.
Rating:
Summary: Good, entertaining read
Review: Although I didn't particularly enjoy Assassin, I picked this book up because of the good reviews, and mostly because the plot was applicable to the times. This book was much better than Assassin. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Afghanistan, and the possibilities explored with Bin Laden and his family. It was an entertaining book, and just like watching an action movie at the local theater, you have to suspend some logic and reality to properly enjoy this book. POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW As a marathon runner, I found problems with the half-marathon description that were so glaring that I have to conclude that the author did not consult with an experienced marathon runner. Based on this conclusion, I also start to wonder how many other parts of the book have problems. Also, was I the only one that kept getting the impression that the book was orignally written with the Olympics in mind, and then editted at the last minute to be the Special Olympics ? There were times during the narration of the Special Olympics where it seemed to be decribing the regular Olympics, not the Special Olympics.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money
Review: Although I have heard a great deal about David Hagberg and his novels, I was very disappointed in Joshua's Hammer. Hagberg would be well advised to do some research when writing his books. I found the glaring inaccuracies in Joshua's Hammer embarrassing and frustrating. When I finished the book I felt cheated out of several hours of my life for reading such an inaccurate, boring, and simplistic book. Yes, this book is fiction, but it would be nice to have it based on accurate facts and information. This book is not worth your time or money!
Rating: 
Summary: A Timely Thriller
Review: As an author with my debut novel in its initial release, I admire the timeliness of David Hagberg's techno-thriller JOSHUA'S HAMMER. The villain is Osama bin Laden. Yes, that Osama bin Laden. The plot involves the villain's acquisition of tactical, and highly portable, nuclear weapons. Hagberg's book reads like Tom Clancy by way of Ian Fleming. Hagberg's hero, Kirk McGarvey, is back on the scene, and the battle between America and international terror has become intensely personal. JOSHUA'S HAMMER is a fascinating read, especially in light our recent tragedies. Wouldn't the world be a better place if life was merely as simple as it is in this complex thriller in which a good man wages a basic human fight against evil?
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book!
Review: David Hagberg has once again written a good book. This book has good characters,an outstanding plot,and excellent action.I was very impressed with the use of Osama bin Laden in this book. Hagberg also displayed how large and far reaching bin Laden's terrorist network is.Kirk McGarvey once again plays the role of hero to the max. He once again saves the day. His daughter also steps up to the forefront in this book. One of the more sinister characters in this book is bin Laden's chief of staff Bahmad.He is one of the more evil people that Hagberg has used.In this book bin Laden goes on a mission of vengance witk a purchased nuclear device.The United States through the efforts of McGarvey must find a way to stop this plan. The book is one of nonstop action as the forces of good do battle with the forces of evil. This book has it all. Buy this book and read it. You will not be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent thriller
Review: During the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, Saudi Arabian billionaire Osama bin Laden becomes a leader of the resistance. He uses his vast funds and charisma to fight the invaders. When the Soviets depart, the heroic bin Laden calls for a Jihad against the west. He finances terrorist activities that have killed thousands, but now prepares his most horrific scheme to date. He bought a nuclear device from one of the former Soviet Republics, planning to use the mass destruction weapon in the United States. The CIA knows he will strike soon, but surprisingly bin Laden instead asks, through a circuitous path, for a meeting with a high-ranking agent. Deputy Director of Operations Kirk McGarvey goes to meet with the terrorist in Afghanistan, but a foul up occurs. The Americans launch a missile strike that kills bin Laden's precious teenage daughter. There is no room left for discussion as the stricken father sends an emissary to kill Kirk's daughter as well as the child of the President. Only Kirk stands in the way of an eye for an eye. David Hagberg is one of the more interesting writers of thrillers in the new millennium. His works rival that of Clancy, Koontz, and Cornwell. With JOSHUA'S HAMMER, he probably surpassed these notable authors. The heart thumping story line is a chilling thriller that gets inside the heart and soul of its cast, humanizing a terrorist and a CIA operative. Mr. Hagberg turns the genre into his personal playing field with this realistic drama that never eases up the throttle. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Get to know Kirk McGarvey...you'll be glad you did
Review: Ever since I picked up my first Kirk McGarvey novel about 7 years ago, I have been been a HUGE fan of David Hagberg and he has done nothing but inspire that trust in novel after fantastic novel of high adventure and international intrigue. 'Joshua's Hammer' is easily one of the best McGarvey tales yet. An absolutely riviting yarn which walks the fine line between fiction and reality. First off a meeting is arranged with notorious world terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Apparently Osama wants things to change, and he needs the help of America in order to pull it off...but the CIA sends their chief of station from Saudi Arabia and Osama only wants someone higher up to make the arrangements. But before that happens the former Chief of Station and his entire family are killed vacationing in Orlando. Did Osama order the hit, or was it one of his underlings? Kirk McGarvey steps in and decides to find out by going himself to negotiate with Osama. Kirk has a GPS chip implanted on his body so the CIA will always know exactly where he is...and if something goes wrong, the President is strong-armed into ordering an attack. Osama apparently is dying of cancer and wants to return back to Saudi Arabia, but that cannot happen unless things change, and it looks as though the beginning of a possible truce is forged between him and Kirk...but not before the GPS chip is discovered and surgically removed, and accidentally broken. Washington now believes Kirk to be dead, and before he can get word otherwise to the powers-that-be in DC, the attack is launched on Osama's compound. This is where the story goes from fast right into high gear. Osama is spared in the aftermath, but his daughter is killed, and now the filthy American Infidels MUST pay. Osama's bargaining chip was a small suitcase-sized nuclear weapon he purchased from a weapons depot in one of the Soviet Union's many break-off nations. Obtained with the ultimate hope of forcing America to accept peace on Osama's terms, now is scheduled to be transported to San Francisco only to be detonated under the Golden Gate Bridge during a Special Olympics footrace...a race that stands out because the President's mentally handicapped daughter will be running in it. The race is truly on. Can Kirk stop them? Will they truly detonate this 1-kiloton device? Finding out the answers is really a great deal of the fun that this novel provides--which it has aplenty, too. Not just good, but a GREAT example of a novel charged with excitement literally from page ONE. Trust me, get to know Kirk McGarvey, and soon you too will understand why he is compared constantly to Jack Ryan and Dirk Pitt. Highly Recommended.
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