Rating: 
Summary: 4 1/2 Stars...A Team That's Hard to Beat
Review: Does Iraq have weapons of mass destruction? With that question still lurking, "The Jericho Sanction" is a pertinent thriller. Through the eyes of Peter Newman, Marine, we see once again the subterfuge and lies of Middle East politics--not to mention the politics of western capitalism and moral relativity. Although the book stands alone, it will be particularly gratifying for those who have read the first novel, "Mission Compromised." We witness the events of the Newman family's survival, and the subsequent troubles they face when Mrs. Newman is kidnapped from a street in Jerusalem. The attack is more than a personal vendetta; it is a ploy to sell nuclear weapons and track down embedded double agents. Once again, a renegade Russian diplomat is at the helm, steering the story toward a conclusion that is realistic, but without any real surprises. For readable, yet credible military thrillers, North and Musser form a team that's hard to beat. North's background lends eye-opening insights into the political and military process, while Musser's prose brings the story to life. With the loose ends left at the end of this book, I have no doubt that we'll be seeing a third book soon. I can't wait.
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 Stars...A Team That's Hard to Beat
Review: Does Iraq have weapons of mass destruction? With that question still lurking, "The Jericho Sanction" is a pertinent thriller. Through the eyes of Peter Newman, Marine, we see once again the subterfuge and lies of Middle East politics--not to mention the politics of western capitalism and moral relativity. Although the book stands alone, it will be particularly gratifying for those who have read the first novel, "Mission Compromised." We witness the events of the Newman family's survival, and the subsequent troubles they face when Mrs. Newman is kidnapped from a street in Jerusalem. The attack is more than a personal vendetta; it is a ploy to sell nuclear weapons and track down embedded double agents. Once again, a renegade Russian diplomat is at the helm, steering the story toward a conclusion that is realistic, but without any real surprises. For readable, yet credible military thrillers, North and Musser form a team that's hard to beat. North's background lends eye-opening insights into the political and military process, while Musser's prose brings the story to life. With the loose ends left at the end of this book, I have no doubt that we'll be seeing a third book soon. I can't wait.
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 Stars...A Team That's Hard to Beat
Review: Does Iraq have weapons of mass destruction? With that question still lurking, "The Jericho Sanction" is a pertinent thriller. Through the eyes of Peter Newman, Marine, we see once again the subterfuge and lies of Middle East politics--not to mention the politics of western capitalism and moral relativity. Although the book stands alone, it will be particularly gratifying for those who have read the first novel, "Mission Compromised." We witness the events of the Newman family's survival, and the subsequent troubles they face when Mrs. Newman is kidnapped from a street in Jerusalem. The attack is more than a personal vendetta; it is a ploy to sell nuclear weapons and track down embedded double agents. Once again, a renegade Russian diplomat is at the helm, steering the story toward a conclusion that is realistic, but without any real surprises. For readable, yet credible military thrillers, North and Musser form a team that's hard to beat. North's background lends eye-opening insights into the political and military process, while Musser's prose brings the story to life. With the loose ends left at the end of this book, I have no doubt that we'll be seeing a third book soon. I can't wait.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than the (good) first book, Mission Compromised
Review: Excellent thriller based on more history and fact than fiction, a la Clancy. Well researched (experienced) book is a "page turner." North just gets better with each book. No "dead spots." You'll get your money's worth. Very entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Missing details
Review: I didn't read "Mission Compromised," however; I don't believe it would make much of a difference in understanding the plot details of this book.
"The Jericho Sanction," starts out with the character Mitch Vecchio being interviewed by the FBI over a wanted poster. He apparently went to the FBI because he recognized the face on the poster and realized the name was wrong and that he knew who the real person was and wanted to let the FBI know. The person in question happens to be the main character in the story; Peter Newman. The strange part comes in when Mitch Vecchio is reflecting in though while waiting to be interviewed by the FBI. The story goes on to tell that Mitch had an affair with Peter's wife Rachel and that he wondered if Peter ever found out about that or not, a series of questions ran through his mind wondering what could of happen to Rachel since the last time he saw her. When the FBI finally interviews Mitch, they apparently had on file that they knew Mitch was having and affair with Rachel, which in turn made Mitch tell the FBI everything he knew about Peter Newman. Ok - So after this whole little bit, the book changes gears completely, going over the secret life of Rachel and Peter, then eventually to the kidnapping, the nukes, saving the world, etc.
Not at ONE point does the book ever foreshadow the beginning part on the secret affair of Rachel and Mitch, which I find extremely lacking since Rachel and Peter were very significant characters in the book and held the glue together.
Another point, which I found odd, was the fact that in the book a FBI mole gave out secrets to the Russian General Komulakov, who's the main villain. The FBI mole started the whole drama in the book by filling in to Komulakov that Peter is still alive, which originally he was presumed dead. General Komulakov freaks with the news and the process of finding Peter begins with added intel reports from what the FBI mole discovers. My question goes back to the start of the book where the FBI knew about the secret affair between Mitch and Rachel... The FBI mole had all kinds of info on Peter, except he never reported to the General that Rachel had an affair with Peter. This could in turn added extra drama to the book during the whole kidnapping fiasco...
The rest of the book was interesting; the technology mentioned was hard to believe, even though I understand it's all dead-on accurate. However, after finishing the book, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth over the whole plot with questions left to be unanswered. I'm only wondering if this had anything to do with the rush deadline that Oliver North had to meet.
Rating:
Summary: Family and Current Events
Review: I had a few sleepless nights and long days at the office because of this novel. It was hard to put down.
I enjoyed the fact that the author used family and events similiar to our current state. This would be post-Gulf War? Sadaam and his family are still in power. Mr. North makes good use of geography with emphasis on Israel, Turkey, and Iraq.
Mr. North also did a good job of "coordinating" a multi-national special forces raid.
I picked up this book at the Anderson's Restaurant bookshop in Santa Nella, CA while on the road last month. I plan to take the first book an another trip. I can't wait for book #3.
Thanks for the testimony, Mr. North.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars for "The Jericho Sanction".
Review: I read very little fiction but this book and his previous book, "Mission Compromised" captured my interest immediately. I was just compelled to "read on". Oliver North has put reality into fiction form. "The Jericho Sanction" is an easy read and should be on everyones "must read" list. It's a real pleasure to recommend this book.
Donald W. Trask
WW2 Veteran
M/Sgt USAF Retired.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book with very realistic characters
Review: I really enjoyed the book -- I didn't want to get interrupted once I started reading it. Ollie North realistically depicts the characters -- be it a US marine, an Israeli counter-terrorism expert, or a former KGB general, as well as the politician of the time of the book (though none referred by name) -- the Prime Minister of Israel, the Secretary of State, or the President caught in the midst of a sex scandal. It is also nice to read the book where the character is a US marine written by a Hero US Marine, a decorated war veteran, who can relate on the personal level what exactly is going through the mind of the main character. I also found the book very informative in many ways, both from Colonel North's explanations throughout the text and by the glossary of terms and abbreviations used throughout the book, provided in the beginning of the book (e.g., names of Israeli units such as Sayeret Duvdevan etc.). Enjoy this fantastic read!
Rating:
Summary: Reality TV in Print!
Review: North's story is as timely as today's front page headline. This is a real page-turner and hard to believe that it's all fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Above average techno-thriller with engaging characters
Review: Oliver North and Joe Musser have created an above average techno-thriller with a great cast of characters. The story revolves around Marine Lt. Colonel Peter Newman. There are three nuclear artillery shells hidden in Iraq, sold to one of Saddam Hussein's henchmen (long dead) by the traitorous Soviet general, Komulakov. American and Israeli intelligence are made aware of the weapons existence by the frantic search of the Iraqis to find the hidden weapons. Newman must go into Iraq and find the weapons before Israel unleashes a preemptive nuclear strike. Meanwhile, Newman's wife Rachael and friend Dyan are kidnapped and held hostage by Komulakov. Komulakov wants Newman to uncover a mole in the American intelligence service that can expose his treachery and ruin his chance of disrupting the election of Putin so he can grab the Russian presidency for himself. There are some great sequences of small unit covert actions and interesting information about satellite reconnaissance and electronic intercept capabilities.
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