book data
854 ratings, 3.65 average rating, 171 reviews
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published
January 30th 2007
by Ballantine Books
binding
Hardcover, 480 pages
isbn
0345485750
(isbn13: 9780345485755)
description
Cotton Malone retired from the high-risk world of elite operatives for the U.S. State Department to lead the low-key life of a rare-book dealer. But h...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1146)
Read in August, 2007
I think this another one of those many books that has been riding on the coattails of The Da Vinci Code. Mind you, it's just the latest in an apparant series of book following Cotton Malone's adventures. Perhaps that's why I never really got all that involved in the book was because I had never really gotten to know the characters and there were just so many that I was expected to.
Even so, with the plot jumping to three different places and three seperate storylines (for the most pa...more
Even so, with the plot jumping to three different places and three seperate storylines (for the most pa...more
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Read in February, 2008
This book was fast paced and exciting. Hard to put down.
The story is about a the lost Library of Alexandria, a library that contained all the books from antiquity to the first three or four centuries (A.D.). The library was said to have been destroyed about that time. However, in this book the library was secreted away by monks who are now the guardians. Only certain people such as learned scholars are 'invited' to see the library by the 'guardians' of the library. The catch is that many...more
The story is about a the lost Library of Alexandria, a library that contained all the books from antiquity to the first three or four centuries (A.D.). The library was said to have been destroyed about that time. However, in this book the library was secreted away by monks who are now the guardians. Only certain people such as learned scholars are 'invited' to see the library by the 'guardians' of the library. The catch is that many...more
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My first book by Steve Berry and I loved it. I will definitely read more of his work.
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Read in September, 2008
I abandoned this book at about the 60% mark. As far as I can tell, there wasn't anything glaringly wrong with the book. Political intrigue just isn't my cuppa tea.
At the latest twist in the twist that twisted the twist, I decided that I really didn't care if the Vice President was undermining the President and the Attorney General was (figuratively) in bed with both the "Zionists" and the Palestinians and was there a mole and apparently "good guys" don't have to sleep...more
At the latest twist in the twist that twisted the twist, I decided that I really didn't care if the Vice President was undermining the President and the Attorney General was (figuratively) in bed with both the "Zionists" and the Palestinians and was there a mole and apparently "good guys" don't have to sleep...more
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Read in April, 2007
I finished Steve Berry's The Alexandria Link last night. The book features Cotton Malone who has appeared as the main character in several of Berry's previous works as well.
Malone, who retired as a US government agent and is living in Denmark as a book seller, is drawn back into action when his son is kidnapped.
The reason is Malone's knowledge of George Haddad, a Palestinian who is the Alexandria Link, a person who can find the lost library of Alexandria.
Several groups are seeking the libr...more
Malone, who retired as a US government agent and is living in Denmark as a book seller, is drawn back into action when his son is kidnapped.
The reason is Malone's knowledge of George Haddad, a Palestinian who is the Alexandria Link, a person who can find the lost library of Alexandria.
Several groups are seeking the libr...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
adults
Yet another book that is a 'continuation' of a story that I didn't figure out until I was a disc or two into it. This is the second book of the "Cotton Malone" adventures. His first, I believe, is titled: The Templar Legacy.
After listening to this book, I really want to get my hands on the Templar Legacy. And I'm pretty excited for the books that are scheduled to come out that continue Cotton's story as well as several other characters. I believe one should be out soon (if it i...more
After listening to this book, I really want to get my hands on the Templar Legacy. And I'm pretty excited for the books that are scheduled to come out that continue Cotton's story as well as several other characters. I believe one should be out soon (if it i...more
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What can I say? I'm sucker for books about libraries. And I'm a sucker for the name Alexandria (my granddaughter's name). Combine those two and I HAVE to read this book. Even though this is a sequel, there is enough exposition to get a sense of who the characters are and their relationship to each other. The story hinges on Cotton Malone, an former secret agent and the quest by several parties for the lost library of Alexandria. It seems that scrolls from the ancient library in Alexandria w...more
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Read in July, 2008
Characters: C
Character Development: C
Plot: B+
Pacing: C
Narrative: C
Dialogue: C-
OVERALL: C
After a shaky first outing with The Amber Room, Mr. Berry's other two stand-alones showed marked improvement that continued with The Templar Legacy, the first in the Cotton Malone series. Unfortunately, Berry has taken a step back with this second Malone outing. The ch...more
Character Development: C
Plot: B+
Pacing: C
Narrative: C
Dialogue: C-
OVERALL: C
After a shaky first outing with The Amber Room, Mr. Berry's other two stand-alones showed marked improvement that continued with The Templar Legacy, the first in the Cotton Malone series. Unfortunately, Berry has taken a step back with this second Malone outing. The ch...more
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The Alexandria Link is a potboiler in the mold of The Da Vinci Code, where a secret involving religion is at the heart of an international conspiracy. Former secret agent Cotton Malone is unwittingly pulled into intrigue when his son is kidnapped and his bookstore is destroyed by people trying to track down the mysterious Alexandria Link, the key to information saved from the legendary Alexandria Library that could have massive repercussions in the Middle East. Malone must navigate a complex mys...more
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Read in February, 2008
I bought this book after reading the jacket, thinking it sounded interesting. Then I realized it was written by the author of "The Amber Room," which was a disappointment to me -- I liked the villians better than the heroes.
While this wasn't one of my favorite books, I did like it and it kept my interest. One thing I'm finding is that I don't care for most of Berry's female characters. They always seem to be bitchy or stupid or mean.
Of course, the idea that the contents of the Lib...more
While this wasn't one of my favorite books, I did like it and it kept my interest. One thing I'm finding is that I don't care for most of Berry's female characters. They always seem to be bitchy or stupid or mean.
Of course, the idea that the contents of the Lib...more
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Read in November, 2008
Much like the first book I read by Steve Berry (The Amber Room) this one didn't disappoint. He is a master when it comes to weaving historically accurate information along with fiction that by the end of the book you are convinced that he's solved the "mystery" that has eluded historians for hundreds of years.
One of the enjoyable things about his books are the strong thread of historical accuracy which means at the end of the day apart from it being a wonderful work of fiction, th...more
One of the enjoyable things about his books are the strong thread of historical accuracy which means at the end of the day apart from it being a wonderful work of fiction, th...more
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this mystery/thriller operates on the premise that there is a religious secret that has been hidden for many years and would have huge implications for the world if it was found out.
(its similar to the Da Vinci Code in that way).
the book keeps the mystery and suspense the whole way through and was quite good. the secret in this one is that there is a Library that has been hidden for centuries that has all kinds of original manuscripts and maps, and the upshot is that Israel is not in th...more
(its similar to the Da Vinci Code in that way).
the book keeps the mystery and suspense the whole way through and was quite good. the secret in this one is that there is a Library that has been hidden for centuries that has all kinds of original manuscripts and maps, and the upshot is that Israel is not in th...more
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Read in April, 2007
Ploddingly written and unrealistic even by thriller standards. What I mean to say is that one doesn't especially expect a thriller to mirror life in any significant way, but there are standards that when followed make for fun with a certain amount of integrity.
The motivating concept behind this mess is that the famed (almost mythical) library of ancient Alexandria, assumed to have been destroyed centuries before, still exists, protected and in hiding.
So far so good, but wooden character...more
The motivating concept behind this mess is that the famed (almost mythical) library of ancient Alexandria, assumed to have been destroyed centuries before, still exists, protected and in hiding.
So far so good, but wooden character...more
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Read in January, 2007
About a year ago I read The Templar Legacy by the same author and accorded it the honor of being my favorite of the "If you liked the Da Vinci Code ..." books. I picked up The Alexandria Link expecting more of the same, and it delivered. Tragically, it delievered in practically the exact same way: same characters on a new adventure; same variety of twists, turns, a...more
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Read in October, 2008
recommended to Marman by:
Erymel
There are times when the five star rating system doesn't truly reflect the reviewers opinion and this is one of those times. I enjoyed this book, once i got started I couldn't stop listening to it. I enjoyed it so much I used it as an excuse to start a morning and night power walking regime. Unfortunately I have come across quite a few adventure novels and I have to compare this book against those I truly consider as great adventure. Although the scope of the adventure is truly epic, the actions...more
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Read in November, 2008
Overall, a great story. I just thought the ending was kind of anti-climatic. Almost as if the author just didn't have anything left in him.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
thriller and action adventure fans
A fast paced adventure with overtones of The Da Vinci Code. Protagonist Cotton Malone and ex-wife are pulled into finding the lost library of Alexandria which contains the true location of Abraham's Palestine. Naturally this information will really heat up the situation in the Mideast. Wealthy financiers, private orders, and United States politicians get involved; each trying to get the most power and influence. Lots of bodies pile up before the end.
Couldn't get too worked up about the outcome...more
Couldn't get too worked up about the outcome...more
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Read in February, 2008
Steve Berry likes to take interesting events or mysteries of the past, research them, and write novels around them.
He's not the best writer, but he does good reseach, and has good ideas.
In the Alexandria Link, he speculates on what it would mean if the great Library of Alexandria had not been burned 1500 years ago, but survived today.
What might it mean to Israel and the Arab countries if a bible older than any that exist today was in that library, and contained incendary information?...more
He's not the best writer, but he does good reseach, and has good ideas.
In the Alexandria Link, he speculates on what it would mean if the great Library of Alexandria had not been burned 1500 years ago, but survived today.
What might it mean to Israel and the Arab countries if a bible older than any that exist today was in that library, and contained incendary information?...more
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Read in January, 2008
I think that Steve Berry is a really good author, but this book was a bit all over the place with its sub plots, perhaps it was because I was sick while reading it and had Nyquil running through my veins, but there were parts I had to re-read just to keep up with what was going on. That being said, once I figured out what was happening and the Nyquil fog wore off it was a very enjoyable read, making me want to pick up another of his books soon. I think the next one by Mr. Berry that I will pick ...more
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Read in January, 2008
In two years - if that long - I will forget that I read this book.
Yes, it's a wonderfully fun "National Treasure" / "Indiana Jones" / knock off Clive Cussler thing, but in the end, nothing really happens.
This is not to discount Berry's talent as a writer. However...
SPOILERS
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Why is it that nothing ever happens at the end of all these grand chases? At the end of The Da Vinci Code, the protagonist just walks away, smugly knowing The Secret. Why doe...more
Yes, it's a wonderfully fun "National Treasure" / "Indiana Jones" / knock off Clive Cussler thing, but in the end, nothing really happens.
This is not to discount Berry's talent as a writer. However...
SPOILERS
#
#
#
#
#
Why is it that nothing ever happens at the end of all these grand chases? At the end of The Da Vinci Code, the protagonist just walks away, smugly knowing The Secret. Why doe...more
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