History of the U.s. Marines

by Jack Murphy

The nerve-shattering new thriller from the New York Times- best-selling author of Mortal Fear and The Quiet Game

24 Hours begins with the perfect family. On the perfect night. About to be trapped in the perfect crime.

Will and Karen Jennings are a successful young couple with every reason to celebrate. From modest beginnings they have built the life of their dreams. Will has a thriving medical practice, and stands at the threshold of a great fortune. Karen has designed a magnificent house to shelter them and the five-year-old daughter they love beyond measure. But they are about to be tested in a way they could never imagine.

They have been targeted by John Hickey, a genius who has found the key to one of the oldest crimes in the world - kidnapping. Hickey has turned the crime inside out, creating an unbreakable knot of technology and terror that no one can unravel. In twenty-four hours of hellish precision, he squeezes a family's pressure points, extracts the ransom, and vanishes into thin air, leaving the hostage alive but the family too shattered even to call the police. Five times he has executed his plan, and not once has he been caught. He is unstoppable. Untouchable.

But this time Hickey wants more than money. This time he is driven by the pain of hi own family tragedy, one he lays at the door of Will and Karen Jennings. He means to avenge it in his own terrible way and disappear forever. He has reckoned every factor but one: Will, Karen and Abby share a love that only the closest families know, and from that love grows a formidable strength.

Though miles apart, the brilliant physician, the protective mother, and the resourceful child struggle against the clock to thwart the madman who threatens their family, and to reunite at last.

They have twenty-four hours to succeed where others have failed. Twenty-four hours to cut the unbreakable knot. Twenty-four hours to live or die.

24 Hours .

Genres: History, American History

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a Marine who served from 1969-1973. Of those four years, my service included two years overseas - one year aboard the aircraft carrier USS America (CVA-66) and the following year I was sent to SE Asia (Viet Nam and Thailand).

I am now 67 years of age and I find myself reflecting on my life much more than I ever have. I find that I'm supremely proud of only two occupations I've ever had: 1) U.S. Marine, and 2) Air Traffic Controller. I am currently employed as an Aircraft Dispatcher, but it doesn't compare with the other two positions of which I'm so proud.

After reading "History of the U.S. Marines," a gift given to me by a good friend, I can only say that I'm more proud of being a Marine than I've ever been before. I have three son-in-laws and I've received from each of them, at different times, "The Marines," written by the Marine Corps Heritage foundation. However, it's been years since I've read that book ; the "History of the U.S. Marines" has stirred up so many of my own memories and the unmitigated, insuperable pride I have always felt at having been "One of the few, the proud, the Marines."

[Bryer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talks about the marines and how they contribute to the war effort. it talks about their missions and whether they were successful or not. It also talks about all the invasions they have been involved in.
I liked this book because a lot of my family has served in the armed forces. To name a few my aunt was in the Air Force, both my gradpas were in the Navy. Also my brother is trying to join the Air Force. So as you can see the Belk's are none to shy of war.
I think that its cool to see the history of war. Also learn how warfare has evolved to what it is today. For example, at first people fought in close quarters with a musket and now these days we use a well trained snyper and kill from a mile away. I find this very cool.

[Wachlin007 Hotmail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a decent history of the United States Marine Corps. It provides a basic history of all the battles fought. If you're looking for something more in depth, this isn't it.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many books have been written about the history of the US Marines who have a legendary mistique. Murphy does an excellent job with his version.