Black Cross

Rating:
Summary: Farfegnugen!
Review: I appeciate all of the books written by Iles - he's an unbelievably telented writer. If reading the premis of the book turns you off and you don't normally like this type- let this book change your mind - I can almost guarantee after finishing the book (probably in record time)you'll be glad you did. Even though Black Cross got me hooked from the beginning, when you get to the last third of the book - I dare you to try to put it down! While I was reading - I actually stopped and realized my heart rate was as though I'd been running a race! Greg Iles' knowledge and obvious research was one of the things that made this book great - but his charachter writing is probably the best I've ever read - and even *that's* just the frosting. The whole cake is filled with nail-biting suspense, intrigue, sadness, warmth, bravery and pride. ENJOY.

Rating:
Summary: fantanstic
Review: JUST A NOTE TO SAY HOW MUCH I ENJOYED THIS BOOK
GREG ILES IS GREAT
SORRY LINE SEEMS SO TRUE
THE CAMPS GAVE ME CHILLS
SORRY IT ENDED.......
ANY BODY THAT CAN RECOMMEND ANY AS GOOD
LET ME KNOW
[e-mail]
SPANDAU PHO.... A WINNER ALSO THANK YOU TO GREG ILES

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling and chilling
Review: I've now read all of Greg Iles' books, and Black Cross just might be his best. Black Cross, along with Spandau Phoenix, are unlike his more recent efforts in that they relate to WWII and mix actual history with fiction to come up with an exciting story that could actually be true.
Black Cross is the story of an American pacifist Dr. Mark McConnel and a Jewish soldier Jonas Stern who are sent to Germany to make the Germans believe the Allies have just as much poison gas as the Germans do. This is done to convince Germany that the allies will retalliate if the Germans use gas to stop the Normandy Invasion.
Black Cross stands out because Iles takes us inside a German concentration camp and lets us meet all kinds of characters. We get to know Jewish and Polish prisoners, sympathetic German nurses, spies, and even a German officer is made to look somewhat sympathetic. Iles portrays him as a soldier who puts up with the German brutality because he has no choice, and because it is his duty to fight for his country.
Iles also bookends the book with McConnel's grandson finding out the truth about his grandfather. So what happened in WWII isn't a secret, but is tied to the present. Therefore while reading, we want to know how everything turns out but you want to know what happened to these characters for the rest of their life. The conclusions aren't breathtaking or startling, but they are satisfying.
I do think Black Cross might have been a bit two long. The ending seems to go one and on until the mission is accomplished. Also some of the logistics of the plan seemed a bit far fetched. Like what were the German guards in the tower doing when all this was happening. But these are minor problems in what is a great novel. Maybe in the future Iles will return to this genre.

Rating:
Summary: terrific story
Review: this was my first book that i have read by the author,however i have already purchased my second book.black cross is an excellent story with just enough twists and turns to keep your interest peaked.the violoent concentration camp scenes were just enought to get the authors point across without it being to much to handle.the ending was very exciting.although a little a long the story does give great detail.i would recommend this book to anyone as this was one of the better books that i have read recently.

Rating:
Summary: Another 5 stars for Iles
Review: What an AWESOME book!!! Greg Iles's knows how to keep the reader gripped and never lets go. I have studied the twentieth century and Iles does a remarkable job at recreating Nazi Germany and the death camps. I truelly felt for the prisoners and was excited for the heros. This is a great read.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping, Fast Read
Review: If you have read some of the authors books in the past you have a good idea of what you are going to get. An easy to read and understandable book that is full of action. This is an overall great book, it is not often that an author can come up with such a comprehensive book as this. This had it all, a great story, good characters, wonderful action and a quick pace. This is an exciting book. It really made me happy reading the book; it was like a great game of treasure hunt where you find everything. Each time I was ready for a plot twist, action of drama it was there. The characters just explode in your memory - you do not get them out of your head. Overall this was a great effort.

Rating:
Summary: The Chef of writing
Review: What a good book. WW2 always has a grip on me, this was the big one. The blending of all that can be in a story is what the book is about. When the world was good and bad and we knew what side all were on it left us with many stories to be told both in fact and fiction. Mr. Iles is a master at giving us what possibly could be and what was. I highly recommend all his books, I have yet to read a poor one.

Rating:
Summary: Great twist of facts and fiction
Review: I love a good WW2 novel anytime. After having read all of Higgens' novels, I've been looking for a new author for a while. I stumbled on Iles, and am glad I did! The way he blends facts and fiction is remarkable, and leads to great suspense throughout the book. I would definately recommend Black Cross, it will keep you turning the pages! I'm looking forward to reading some of his other books as well, even though most of them are not WW2 related.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: At the end of this novel, even with it being nearly 600 pages in length, I was left longing for more. I couldn't bear not continuing my journey into the lives of these characters. This book was AMAZING! I continue to get my friends hooked on Mr. Iles' works as well. You just can't put them down!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Thriller!
Review: One of the most gripping novels/thrillers that I have read in a while. The story keeps your attention throughout, moving slowly, but surely, towards the thrilling climax. The author has developed interesting, and likeable, characters which adds greatly to the power of this book to take hold of you and not let go until the very end. Whether you are a history/World War II buff, or not, I feel that this book is definitely worth reading. Highly recommended.