The FBI doesn't believe it. The Governor wants the problem to disappear. But agent Judy Maddox knows the threat is real: an extreme group of eco-te...
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reviews
Aug 20, 2009
Jessica
rated it: 
A sad/high adventure book by Ken Follett.
It had two main characters on opposite sides of the fence. The first character, Priest, was a criminal turned vineyard operator. His peaceful existance is threaten by the building of a dam in his northern California valley. He desperately turns back into the criminal he used to be in order to save "his family and home".
The second character is the law. She is a strong female character who worked her behind off to get w More...
It had two main characters on opposite sides of the fence. The first character, Priest, was a criminal turned vineyard operator. His peaceful existance is threaten by the building of a dam in his northern California valley. He desperately turns back into the criminal he used to be in order to save "his family and home".
The second character is the law. She is a strong female character who worked her behind off to get w More...
Apr 20, 2009
Stefan
rated it: 
Hammer of Eden is one of Follett's techno-thriller efforts, which is a good adventure novel, but not of the class, of some of Follett's other works. The characters were fairly developed (especially the transformation of a small time criminal into a cult leader that made up part of the back story), the plot was decent (I definitely felt it was weaker then some of Follett's other novels, because of the crucial role technology ineffectively played), and the settings were vivid and interesting. Over
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Dec 19, 2009
Brent
rated it:
A few wackos living in a commune in northern California figure out how to cause earthquakes and then us that knowledge to threaten California with more earthqueakes if more power plants are built. I enjoy Ken Follet's stories. He does a good job of setting out the characters of his books and then putting them in situations that are exciting.
As I was reading this book I was thinking yes it is enjoyable story but not too believeable. Then I picked up the newspaper and read how the S More...
As I was reading this book I was thinking yes it is enjoyable story but not too believeable. Then I picked up the newspaper and read how the S More...
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Apr 10, 2011
Jerry
rated it:
No one can say this novel is just like the author's medieval stories about cathedrals and such! “Hammer” is about a cult left over from the sixties that turns into terrorists (mostly their leader) when a government project threatens to flood the land where they’ve been peacefully settled for three decades, successfully making wine to generate what little monetary income they need. The threat is that the group will cause an earthquake – seemingly a far-fetched idea which the author makes so bel
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Sep 08, 2010
Tim
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 29, 2012
Reinhold
rated it:
Priest hat sich vor Jahren zum unangefochtenen Herrscher einer Hippiegemeinschaft aufgeschwungen. Diese Gemeinschaft lebt in Kalifornien und baut von den meisten Menschen unbeachtet Wein an. Nun aber soll der Pachtvertrag für das Land auf dem sie leben gekündigt werden, weil durch einen Kraftwerksbau die Sicherheit dieses Landes nicht mehr gewährleistet werden kann. Das ist dieser Gruppe überhaupt nicht Recht und so nutzen sie die Fähigkeiten die sie haben und versuchen die kalifornische Regieru
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Jan 17, 2012
Annie
rated it:
I liked the idea of this story however I wasn't a big fan of the way it unfolded. I also feel like it is dated, since it was written pre 9/11 and the way terrorism is handled now is a bit different. The hippie cult was a bit strange, and I wonder if there were (are) actually groups like that out there, kinda weird. The book was ok, it kept my interest like all of Follet's books, but I wouldn't recommend it he has way better books out there.
Sep 30, 2010
Caitlyn
rated it: 
What I really enjoyed but somewhat hated about this book is that it made me want both Judy and Priest to win. I think Priest truely did have good intentions in the beginning but he went totally haywire, but I liked that character greatly and wanted him to win when I read from his pov, but when I read from Judy's pov I wanted her to win, lol. Anyway Ken Follet has become one of my favourite authors because of the feel he always makes me feel towards the characters of his stories. They always brin
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Sep 29, 2011
Nana
rated it:
The setting is NOT Portugal. It is set in liberal leaning California, home of the hippie!
Ricky Granger,raised by a prostitute mother in the 60s, became the head of a commune for 25 years. They lived off of a vineyard, but when the valley was to be flooded to supply an new electric plant, he stole a seismic vibrator to start earthquakes to convince the governor to stop the electric plant.
Ricky Granger,raised by a prostitute mother in the 60s, became the head of a commune for 25 years. They lived off of a vineyard, but when the valley was to be flooded to supply an new electric plant, he stole a seismic vibrator to start earthquakes to convince the governor to stop the electric plant.
Apr 07, 2011
Joann
rated it: 
I am a Follett fan, but this one seemed formulaic and just old enough that the technology didn't work well. It wasn't a total waste...I listened while driving, but nothing like some of my favorites. If you want to read Follett at his best, I would suggest: Lie Down With Lions; Pillars of the Earth; World Without End; Eye of the Needle; and Night Over Water.
Sep 10, 2010
Carrie
rated it:
I read this book during the summer (1/2 last year, the rest this year). It was good, not great, but good. A social drop out living on a commune somehow discovers a way to cause an earthquake and plans to hold the state of California more or less hostage in order to get what it wants. It was entertaining and a good escape.
Feb 25, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
All in all this was a good book. It was a little slow to start, but ended up being very interesting. The last 200 pages in particular had a lot going on, and it was hard to stop reading.
It was well written and the characters were consistant through the book. It was interesting how everyone was connected and how people's lives overlapped with each other.
I would definitely read another book by Ken Follett.
It was well written and the characters were consistant through the book. It was interesting how everyone was connected and how people's lives overlapped with each other.
I would definitely read another book by Ken Follett.
Jan 02, 2010
Becky
rated it:
I liked this book. Follett was able to make me route for both sides of the battle.
A small group of idealistic people that want to save there lifestyle of 25 years, from land development, the government plans.
It becomes a life and death stuggle that is doomed. Does either side really win?
Worth the read!
A small group of idealistic people that want to save there lifestyle of 25 years, from land development, the government plans.
It becomes a life and death stuggle that is doomed. Does either side really win?
Worth the read!
Feb 25, 2011
Mary
rated it:
I really enjoyed this. It holds up real well although written in 1998. I actually felt pretty sympathetic for the bad guy up until the end. This group just wants to live their simple life without technology. The hero is a female FBI agent which is fun. If you want an entertaining page turner, this is it!
Mar 27, 2010
J.
rated it:
This book by Ken Follett was enjoyable for me to read. It caught my attending and was well written with a plot that grabbed me.
The concept of earthquakes is new and interesting and kept my attending.
It is a good read.
J. Robert Ewbank, author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
The concept of earthquakes is new and interesting and kept my attending.
It is a good read.
J. Robert Ewbank, author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Oct 10, 2009
Linda
rated it:
An odd book that was somewhat disturbing to read. The protagonists are terrorists who are portrayed as likeable, so the reader's sympathies are divided between the good and the bad guys. As with other Follett books, there are multiple plot holes, but this one definitely isn't his best.
Mar 30, 2010
Chuck
rated it:
California commune members are fearful of being flooded
by the construction of a new dam and power plant. They
demand a state freeze on new power plant construction
and threaten to cause earthquakes if their demands are
not met.
by the construction of a new dam and power plant. They
demand a state freeze on new power plant construction
and threaten to cause earthquakes if their demands are
not met.
Feb 14, 2011
Dad
rated it:
He is a good writer and this is an interesting domestic terrorism story, but Follett is just too profane for my taste. I got tired of skimming over so many words and sections, but I stayed with the story in spite of this.
Sep 17, 2010
Raymond
rated it:
If you can get past the tree hugging free loving hippies, this one's a great drama as are all Follet novels. Probably won't disappoint unless you are somewhat lame as a person. I'll give it 4 stars because it's pretty solid.
Jan 25, 2011
Dick
rated it: 
About my least favorite Follett book. The Hammer of Eden is a left-wing group dedicated to reforming society by artificially trigerring an earthquake. It registered only a 3 (out of 10) on my personal Richter scale.
Dec 31, 2010
Dee
rated it:
The story was a good one that kept you moving along. A book to read purely for entertainment, I marked it down due to the numerous explicit sex references throughout the story, which for me, were unnecessary to the story itself. I hate books that have gratuitous sex just for the sake of having gratuitous sex.
Apr 01, 2011
Ella
rated it:
This was a very good read. The author developed the characters at a pace that one could understand each move and thought. I especially enjoyed the ending - but the ongoing plot kept you moving along.
Jun 01, 2010
Valeriane
rated it:
Afin de préserver leur vie communautaire, un bande de hippies lancent un ultimatum au gouverneur de la Californie. Soit il renonce à son projet de barrage, soit le groupe menace de faire trembler la terre. Surpris par ce chantage hors du commun, la menace n'est pas prise au sérieux. Mais le FBI sera vite mis sur l'affaire suite à une première secousse qui a lieu dans l'arrondissement prévu. Un bon thriller "scientifique". Il s'agit de mon second du genre de Ken Follett (après le Troisi
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Oct 08, 2010
Karl
rated it:
airport read - implausible plot about environmental cultist terrorists that attempt to cause the next big clalifornia earthquake with a seismic 'thumper' truck - Follett has lost the plot
Apr 07, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
so-so. A little over-the-top..... really.... these people almost got away with causing a false earthquake??!
Michel gave me a more historical setting Ken Follet book - may try this later.
Michel gave me a more historical setting Ken Follet book - may try this later.
Jan 21, 2009
Dbraico
rated it:
actually listened to this one. does that count? the last book i ever listened to. the guys voice was kinda silly. interesting look at terrorism. very innovative. good stuff.
Sep 24, 2011
Toni
rated it:
About finished reading all of these books I have had on my shelf since I have been down here, now they get a new home.....the library...
This was a good not great read.
This was a good not great read.
Mar 29, 2011
John
rated it:
Another page-turner from Follett. A newer book set in current time about hippies and earthquakes. Familiar Follett style, pacing and plot development. What's not to like?
Mar 02, 2011
Lewis
rated it:
This book was freaking GREAT!! Slightly smutty at times but lots of good books are. I love the characters and the development throughout the book, Priest was creepy...........
Dec 06, 2010
Kathleen
rated it:
This was a great book and suspenseful even though it was set in more modern times. It kept you sitting on the edge of your seat and wanting to read further and further!!
