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Mitch Rapp #11
Extreme Measures
The latest pulse-pounding thriller by #1 "New York Times" bestselling phenomenon Vince Flynn explodes onto the scene with a deadly and charismatic hero fans will cheer for all the way to the last riveting page.Vince Flynn's thrillers, featuring counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp, have dominated the imagination of readers everywhere. Time and again, Flynn has captured the secretive world of the fearless men and women, who, bound by duty, risk their lives in a covert war they must hide from even their own political leaders.
Now, with Rapp away on assignment in Pakistan, CIA Director Irene Kennedy turns to his protegee Mike Nash. Nash has served his government honorably for sixteen years -- first as an officer in the Marine Corps and then as an operative in an elite counterterrorism team run by none other than Mitch Rapp. He has met violence with extreme violence and has never wavered in his fight against the jihads and their culture of death.
Nash has fought the war on terrorism in secret without accolades or acknowledgement of his personal sacrifice. He has been forced to lie to virtually every single person he cares about, including his wife and children, but he has soldiered on with the knowledge that his hard work and lethal tactics has saved thousands of lives. But the one thing he never saw coming was that his own government was about to turn on him.
In "Extreme Measures," Flynn introduces a modern-day patriot -- a hero who loves his country, even when it betrays itself. Using his insider knowledge of intelligence agencies and the military, Flynn once again delivers an all-too-real portrayal of a war that is that is waged every day by a handful of brave, devoted souls.Smart, fast-paced, and jaw-droppingly realistic, "Extreme Measures" is "the" political thriller of our time.
Now, with Rapp away on assignment in Pakistan, CIA Director Irene Kennedy turns to his protegee Mike Nash. Nash has served his government honorably for sixteen years -- first as an officer in the Marine Corps and then as an operative in an elite counterterrorism team run by none other than Mitch Rapp. He has met violence with extreme violence and has never wavered in his fight against the jihads and their culture of death.
Nash has fought the war on terrorism in secret without accolades or acknowledgement of his personal sacrifice. He has been forced to lie to virtually every single person he cares about, including his wife and children, but he has soldiered on with the knowledge that his hard work and lethal tactics has saved thousands of lives. But the one thing he never saw coming was that his own government was about to turn on him.
In "Extreme Measures," Flynn introduces a modern-day patriot -- a hero who loves his country, even when it betrays itself. Using his insider knowledge of intelligence agencies and the military, Flynn once again delivers an all-too-real portrayal of a war that is that is waged every day by a handful of brave, devoted souls.Smart, fast-paced, and jaw-droppingly realistic, "Extreme Measures" is "the" political thriller of our time.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2008
3077 people are currently reading
11504 people want to read
About the author
Vince Flynn
47 books6,920 followersThe fifth of seven children, Vince Flynn was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1966. He graduated from the St. Thomas Academy in 1984, and the University of St. Thomas with a degree in economics in 1988.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
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January 22, 2022
Book 11 in the Mitch Rapp series published 2008
A 4 star page turner.
Mitch Rapp is the CIA’s number one counter-terrorist operative and is viewed by many in government as an out of control threat to the American way of life and to law and order.
Mitch Rapp’s first concern is to stop anything that puts the American people at risk. Namely Islamic radical terrorists. To this end Rapp is prepared to do what ever it takes to keep the unsuspecting American populous safe.
On this occasion there are three wars going on.
1. A cell of Islamic terrorists have landed in America with the view to cause as much death and mayhem as they can create.
2. The clandestine war the CIA is waging to find these terrorists and stop them before completing their task.
3. The war that is being waged against the CIA and Mitch Rapp in particular by certain high powered Senators and Congressmen who have the misguided belief that there needs to be rules even in times of war.
Like the wars the story is told in three parts.
We get to look at the mindset of the terrorist. The things that motivate them to make the accursed American infidels pay I blood for the perceived treacheries of the past.
The tension as Rapp and his fellow operatives frantically try to find and destroy the terrorist fanatics.
Last of all, what drives the misguided upholders of law and order to do what ever they can to prevent Rapp from doing his job.
The portrayal of Muslims in this modern world is pretty stereotypical which I found disappointing but apart from that this is a page turner of the first order.
Recommended for all Adrenalin junkies.
A 4 star page turner.
Mitch Rapp is the CIA’s number one counter-terrorist operative and is viewed by many in government as an out of control threat to the American way of life and to law and order.
Mitch Rapp’s first concern is to stop anything that puts the American people at risk. Namely Islamic radical terrorists. To this end Rapp is prepared to do what ever it takes to keep the unsuspecting American populous safe.
On this occasion there are three wars going on.
1. A cell of Islamic terrorists have landed in America with the view to cause as much death and mayhem as they can create.
2. The clandestine war the CIA is waging to find these terrorists and stop them before completing their task.
3. The war that is being waged against the CIA and Mitch Rapp in particular by certain high powered Senators and Congressmen who have the misguided belief that there needs to be rules even in times of war.
Like the wars the story is told in three parts.
We get to look at the mindset of the terrorist. The things that motivate them to make the accursed American infidels pay I blood for the perceived treacheries of the past.
The tension as Rapp and his fellow operatives frantically try to find and destroy the terrorist fanatics.
Last of all, what drives the misguided upholders of law and order to do what ever they can to prevent Rapp from doing his job.
The portrayal of Muslims in this modern world is pretty stereotypical which I found disappointing but apart from that this is a page turner of the first order.
Recommended for all Adrenalin junkies.
July 12, 2024
This is not essentially a thriller like John Wick or Jason Bourne or a Tom Cruise Mission Impossible. Approximately 85% of the book is about political wrangling on Capitol Hill where the author is asking you to consider to what lengths a democracy may be entitled to go to defend that democracy.
The last 15% is more in the 24 category where Kiefer Sutherland played no-holds-barred federal agent Jack Bauer. A terrorist attack happens in DC, several locations are hit, the fatalities are approaching 200, senators and congressmen/women and ordinary citizens included. The terrorists are hunted down too late. At book’s end, three are still at large.
The writing is adequate. This is no Le Carré. The book certainly winds up on Jack Bauer’s side. The question remains: how far is a democracy entitled to go to defend itself and still remain a democracy?
The last 15% is more in the 24 category where Kiefer Sutherland played no-holds-barred federal agent Jack Bauer. A terrorist attack happens in DC, several locations are hit, the fatalities are approaching 200, senators and congressmen/women and ordinary citizens included. The terrorists are hunted down too late. At book’s end, three are still at large.
The writing is adequate. This is no Le Carré. The book certainly winds up on Jack Bauer’s side. The question remains: how far is a democracy entitled to go to defend itself and still remain a democracy?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2018
7/10
Mitch Rapp takes on terrorism and another evil monstrosity. Politicians. Yuck, they’re just the worst. Terrorist aren’t that cracking either. Who will win the day?
This wasn’t a normal Mitch Rapp outing in that the action took a back seat for the majority of the novel and placed more focus on the battle that he and the CIA have on convincing the politicians that there methods shouldn’t be questioned as they get results and that people who aim to blow people up shouldn’t really have human rights similar to a normal American citizen. It sits very much on the right wing, as does the whole series really, but it’s a fun read and sort of makes sense in the grand scheme of this novel.
There is more emphasis on a legal hearing about the methods and at no point was there any tension here which was a shame. You always knew Rapp would lay it on thick and then give some home truths which made him sound extreme but then due to what happened in the book made him seem a wise messiah. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting where the last 20% of this book was going and it was a nice change of pace but due to where it happened in the book meant it was never going to be resolved in this outing and has rolled into the next novel. So not a great deal of resolution here.
Not terrible by any means but this is an excellent series so this one sort of felt like a weaker entry but it still made for an easy comfort read. I’ll try and pick the next one up quick to see how things are resolved.
Mitch Rapp takes on terrorism and another evil monstrosity. Politicians. Yuck, they’re just the worst. Terrorist aren’t that cracking either. Who will win the day?
This wasn’t a normal Mitch Rapp outing in that the action took a back seat for the majority of the novel and placed more focus on the battle that he and the CIA have on convincing the politicians that there methods shouldn’t be questioned as they get results and that people who aim to blow people up shouldn’t really have human rights similar to a normal American citizen. It sits very much on the right wing, as does the whole series really, but it’s a fun read and sort of makes sense in the grand scheme of this novel.
There is more emphasis on a legal hearing about the methods and at no point was there any tension here which was a shame. You always knew Rapp would lay it on thick and then give some home truths which made him sound extreme but then due to what happened in the book made him seem a wise messiah. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting where the last 20% of this book was going and it was a nice change of pace but due to where it happened in the book meant it was never going to be resolved in this outing and has rolled into the next novel. So not a great deal of resolution here.
Not terrible by any means but this is an excellent series so this one sort of felt like a weaker entry but it still made for an easy comfort read. I’ll try and pick the next one up quick to see how things are resolved.
December 8, 2008
This one is a page turner. It is hard to put down. A third terrorist cell is on its way to the US. Can Rapp and Nash intercept them or will the senate judiciary committee chairman have her way and toss our heroes in the clink, for using extreme measures?
This may help explain the somber look on Obama's face when he exited his first briefing with the president. He needs our prayer because while the book is fiction, the issues are not.
This may help explain the somber look on Obama's face when he exited his first briefing with the president. He needs our prayer because while the book is fiction, the issues are not.
November 28, 2009
I just finished this book by Vince Flynn. It's only the second of his books I've read, both being "Mitch Rapp" stories. I enjoyed this one and I'm sure for those who have read many of Flynns books starring Mitch Rapp, this one follows along a similar pattern. I guess what I enjoyed most (and I don't usually enjoy "preaching" in stories) is the obvious opinion of our current national attitudes towards the "War on Terror." The current administration, of course, denies there is such a war or at least refrains from using that word. Well, no political correctness in Flynn's book. Congress gets "told." Specifically, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee. One experiences a certain satisfaction seeing these elected pecksniffian characters get their comeuppance for failing to do what they are supposed to do, that is look out for the best interests of their constituencies. None of them do this and we need to fire all of them and start over. The thrill in this story of one man's fight against political correctness albeit through "extreme measures" gives one satisfaction that backs are being guarded. I purposely mention nothing about the actual story line here as I wouldn't want to spoil the suspense. I've not read all that many books dealing with the subject of terrorism and counterterrorism but I think Vince Flynn has this subject down pat. Read this, you'll enjoy it.
July 26, 2017
This novel is a thinly veiled argument for the necessity of torturing prisoners, which made the book difficult for me to read. I think I'd probably sit on the opposite side of the aisle from Vince Flynn. So, reading about something repugnant, like torture, was torturous reading. Yet I continued. Here's why.
Flynn's writing style is rich and fluid. His characters are generally well drawn. So, I admired the book for its writing. And he does an interesting job moving you from finding torture deplorable toward questioning yourself if you'd actually permit it under the right circumstances. Of course, the senator who is prosecuting the protagonist, Rapp, for his inexcusable treatment of prisoners comes around to Rapp's way of thinking at the end. That's not a surprise given the side of the argument we know the author is on. But Flynn is more creative at stirring the reader's feelings and making him/her think again about the topic. A main character, Nash, says that almost everyone is against torture. It's repugnant, unethical and not how we want to think of ourselves as human beings. That's the sentiment of most readers and the people Flynn wants to talk to the most. Then, Nash turns the table and asks if a man were to kidnap and sodomize 25 children under 12, would you be willing to castrate him? We get that logical argument but are still resistant. What the author then does is push our faces into such a situation: he has terrorists cut the toes off and kill a cia agent. At that point, most readers are abhorred by the torture and would be willing to do anything to the torturer. The conundrum is that it's too late; the deed was already done. Knowing what we do now, should we have acted differently earlier?
What Flynn brings us to... is both our noble desire (Rapp eventually calls impractical) to treat people like we'd want to be treated, vs a deep set need to revenge awful deaths, an eye for an eye. He asks the question that would divide opinion: If torture would reveal secrets that would prevent the deaths of innocents, like children, would you permit it? If torture would have prevented 911, would you have permitted it, or would you be willing to let 2000 innocents die for the sake of a terrorist's Geneva Convention rights? If you ask the widows and widowers of 911, you can imagine the answers.
Flynn is clear where he lands on the subject. I think most of us are left somewhere in the middle, which is a different place from where we might have been when starting the novel. Unsaid in the novel is the issue of presumed guilt, not innocence, and the use of torture for any reason, not just suspected terrorism. Were we to say the police had the right to torture anyone they suspected of anything, we would protest. If we say, well, just do it on foreigners or foreign nationals who are suspected of terrorism, our opinion softens. There's our moral dilemma. Can we afford the risk of two measuring sticks? If we were God and knew the terrorists were terrorists, no problem. But we're not God. We only sometimes act like Him.
Torture and terror are an unfortunate reality of the world we now find ourselves in. This book is like reading about how cows and chickens are slaughtered so they can end up on our plates. It's something that goes on that most of us are eager to forget.
As for the story itself, the book picks up half way through. The first part looks like the story will be about tracking down a terrorist cell. Exciting! But that gets put on hold for more than half the book as Flynn develops a courtroom type of drama where the merits of torture are argued. I think the author was so bent on making a point, he was willing to sacrifice the plot. I nearly put down the book as a result. The second half is dramatic and Rapp does his super human stuff at the end, which comes off, to me, as a little too far over the top. So, the writing at the end missed the mark.
I look forward to reading another Flynn novel because of the language and, next time, a better execution of the plot.
Flynn's writing style is rich and fluid. His characters are generally well drawn. So, I admired the book for its writing. And he does an interesting job moving you from finding torture deplorable toward questioning yourself if you'd actually permit it under the right circumstances. Of course, the senator who is prosecuting the protagonist, Rapp, for his inexcusable treatment of prisoners comes around to Rapp's way of thinking at the end. That's not a surprise given the side of the argument we know the author is on. But Flynn is more creative at stirring the reader's feelings and making him/her think again about the topic. A main character, Nash, says that almost everyone is against torture. It's repugnant, unethical and not how we want to think of ourselves as human beings. That's the sentiment of most readers and the people Flynn wants to talk to the most. Then, Nash turns the table and asks if a man were to kidnap and sodomize 25 children under 12, would you be willing to castrate him? We get that logical argument but are still resistant. What the author then does is push our faces into such a situation: he has terrorists cut the toes off and kill a cia agent. At that point, most readers are abhorred by the torture and would be willing to do anything to the torturer. The conundrum is that it's too late; the deed was already done. Knowing what we do now, should we have acted differently earlier?
What Flynn brings us to... is both our noble desire (Rapp eventually calls impractical) to treat people like we'd want to be treated, vs a deep set need to revenge awful deaths, an eye for an eye. He asks the question that would divide opinion: If torture would reveal secrets that would prevent the deaths of innocents, like children, would you permit it? If torture would have prevented 911, would you have permitted it, or would you be willing to let 2000 innocents die for the sake of a terrorist's Geneva Convention rights? If you ask the widows and widowers of 911, you can imagine the answers.
Flynn is clear where he lands on the subject. I think most of us are left somewhere in the middle, which is a different place from where we might have been when starting the novel. Unsaid in the novel is the issue of presumed guilt, not innocence, and the use of torture for any reason, not just suspected terrorism. Were we to say the police had the right to torture anyone they suspected of anything, we would protest. If we say, well, just do it on foreigners or foreign nationals who are suspected of terrorism, our opinion softens. There's our moral dilemma. Can we afford the risk of two measuring sticks? If we were God and knew the terrorists were terrorists, no problem. But we're not God. We only sometimes act like Him.
Torture and terror are an unfortunate reality of the world we now find ourselves in. This book is like reading about how cows and chickens are slaughtered so they can end up on our plates. It's something that goes on that most of us are eager to forget.
As for the story itself, the book picks up half way through. The first part looks like the story will be about tracking down a terrorist cell. Exciting! But that gets put on hold for more than half the book as Flynn develops a courtroom type of drama where the merits of torture are argued. I think the author was so bent on making a point, he was willing to sacrifice the plot. I nearly put down the book as a result. The second half is dramatic and Rapp does his super human stuff at the end, which comes off, to me, as a little too far over the top. So, the writing at the end missed the mark.
I look forward to reading another Flynn novel because of the language and, next time, a better execution of the plot.
February 5, 2013
Another disappointing novel from this used to be good author. I was a Mitch Rapp fan, but this latest rendition reeks. The first half of this story should have been edited out. Then, there would be no need for the torture, mayhem, death and Extreme Measures of crap. 1 of 10 stars.
February 12, 2021
In a timely (for Australian readers at least) read, Extreme Measures opens with CIA counter-terrorism agents Mitch Rapp and protégé Mike Nash, infiltrating a US airbase in Afghanistan to interrogate two Taliban prisoners for information on a rumoured third terrorist cell planned-attack on American soil – the first two cells already intercepted. With one prisoner ready to negotiate, the other plays hardball, citing his civil rights vaunted by three US Senators on a recent fact-finding tour. With the events of 9/11 fading, the ‘doves’ are in the ascendency over the ‘hawks’ in the political arena. The interrogations disrupted, Rapp and Nash are recalled to Washington DC to front the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Barbara Lonsdale.
I never thought I’d write this about a Mitch Rapp thriller, but most of the book is a slow-burner, bordering on dull. Not the MC, whose role is smacking the heads of people needing to be smacked. A man of few words and direct action, his instinct spares a lot of the carnage. Senator Lonsdale is a political animal, relishing a chance to bag the CIA under Irene Kennedy’s directorship, in its use of “extreme measures” – a woman at best misguided and naïve, refusing to believe in a “phantom” terrorist cell.
Cell leader Karin Nour-al-Din, is the standout, a man of destiny, from the training camp in the Paraguayan jungle…
Karim thought back to those first few weeks when the men had all taken ill, their bodies assaulted by the horrid stew of moisture and insects…had assumed their youth and health could handle it. They had, after all, survived fighting against the Americans in the cold, rough mountains of Afghanistan. Karim hated the cold, but never again would he curse it.
…to infiltrating the US coast unsighted, the drive north, ruthlessly eliminating any loose ends, to their target, a Washington establishment asleep at the wheel. The final confrontation, so well-planned and executed, rescues the book.
The big disappointment was Nash – a former decorated marine and father-of-four to Rapp’s widower loner. Here we have a man keeping his real job secret from his wife, torn between the domestic dramas of grizzling baby and teenage angst (for that, I need only to look across the street) – and the safety of the operatives he handled. Perhaps the author was showing that a man can hold down a regular job, be a faithful husband and attentive father – or he can be out there putting his life on the line defending America, but not both. Take Nash’s domestic dramas out and the book would 150+ pages shorter and probably more interesting.
What really confused this reader was the minor characters – not exactly a cast of thousands, but close. Senators and their lackeys, a school principal, security operatives - some mentioned as one-liners then dropping under the radar, only to poke their heads up 40/60/80 pages later. I tried making notes but gave up on some of them. This was the third Mitch Rapp book I have read, after the excellent American Assassin and Kill Shot – and I note that other reviewers share my views that it was not his finest work. However, there are several others early in the series I have yet to track down.
I never thought I’d write this about a Mitch Rapp thriller, but most of the book is a slow-burner, bordering on dull. Not the MC, whose role is smacking the heads of people needing to be smacked. A man of few words and direct action, his instinct spares a lot of the carnage. Senator Lonsdale is a political animal, relishing a chance to bag the CIA under Irene Kennedy’s directorship, in its use of “extreme measures” – a woman at best misguided and naïve, refusing to believe in a “phantom” terrorist cell.
Cell leader Karin Nour-al-Din, is the standout, a man of destiny, from the training camp in the Paraguayan jungle…
Karim thought back to those first few weeks when the men had all taken ill, their bodies assaulted by the horrid stew of moisture and insects…had assumed their youth and health could handle it. They had, after all, survived fighting against the Americans in the cold, rough mountains of Afghanistan. Karim hated the cold, but never again would he curse it.
…to infiltrating the US coast unsighted, the drive north, ruthlessly eliminating any loose ends, to their target, a Washington establishment asleep at the wheel. The final confrontation, so well-planned and executed, rescues the book.
The big disappointment was Nash – a former decorated marine and father-of-four to Rapp’s widower loner. Here we have a man keeping his real job secret from his wife, torn between the domestic dramas of grizzling baby and teenage angst (for that, I need only to look across the street) – and the safety of the operatives he handled. Perhaps the author was showing that a man can hold down a regular job, be a faithful husband and attentive father – or he can be out there putting his life on the line defending America, but not both. Take Nash’s domestic dramas out and the book would 150+ pages shorter and probably more interesting.
What really confused this reader was the minor characters – not exactly a cast of thousands, but close. Senators and their lackeys, a school principal, security operatives - some mentioned as one-liners then dropping under the radar, only to poke their heads up 40/60/80 pages later. I tried making notes but gave up on some of them. This was the third Mitch Rapp book I have read, after the excellent American Assassin and Kill Shot – and I note that other reviewers share my views that it was not his finest work. However, there are several others early in the series I have yet to track down.
February 22, 2020
STORY
WOW. Just, wow. I loved it. The story was a big twist compared to the atmosphere we usually see Rapp in. Stakes were high, the plot was thick, and every decision mattered. I really enjoyed the story involving the Muslim terrorists, the legal issues and Senators and such trying to nail Rapp, all of it wrapped together and made one of my favorite books of the series. Absolutely a well-written and woven novel. Blew me away.
THEMES
Oh, gosh, this book hit hard. Really hard. I was doing OK, y'know, till Nash had a pretty moving scene with his son. Nash, in the end, decides he will be there more for his kids. His job matters, but his family needs him. None of the Rapp novels have shown such raw, beautiful portrayal of "domestic" life. We only saw Rapp and Anna in the (rather sickening) honeymoon stage of marriage. Nash and Maggie are quite a wild couple but realistic and the dilemma of raising kids while working in the government... it's a hard life to live. But this family wasn't just cast aside or made into a bunch of non understanding civilians. Nash loves them. He cares for them. They're a family. And I know this sounds like a stupid theme to be caught up over, but the theme of family hit me hard. Because I truly wish every single Army, Marine, Navy, government, you name it, not every guy chooses family over career. And it hurts the family they leave behind. It really does. So seeing this novel tackle this topic... it made me laugh. It made me cry. I loved it.
The themes of brotherhood and justice and patriotism hit super hard in this novel, as well. With so much at stake, people had to come together, had to have each other's backs, and I will never tire of these themes. I especially loved when Rapp told the men that they were warriors and ought to be proud of what they did. This is a mindset I feel America is lacking. We need to be warriors. Unashamed, unafraid.
CHARACTERS
Rapp was a total blast in this novel! Focused on the game, smartmouth never tiring, and always there to slap sense into his comrades, I really enjoyed him in this one.
Nash is a great guy and his family is absolutely amazing. I loved this subplot.
Coleman is a KING and y'all can fight me. (He's very proud of Nash's 1 year old and that slays me)
STAN HURLEY RETURNS. Sure, it was a brief scene, but 1) Stan is still a terrible, terrible old man 2) he made me laugh, as usual 3) OUCH. Talk about Stan giving Nash a pep talk but it also being a slap to the face I, also, needed to hear. Ironic.
I do want to point out I loved the ending plot twist with Senator Londsale, her final choice was absolutely amazing.
The villains, also, weren't your usual "kill! kill! be bad!" but they were complex and intriguing. They did terrible things but are the type of antagonists who justify their actions, see them as justice, etc, so it's interesting to read, for sure. I look forward to seeing what happens with Karim and Hakim.
CONTENT
R. Heavy swearing. Descriptions of torture, violence, blood, murder, gore, etc. Sensual content and innuendos but I think a bit less than R in that department? Who knows.
OVERALL
I loved it. Oh my gosh.
WOW. Just, wow. I loved it. The story was a big twist compared to the atmosphere we usually see Rapp in. Stakes were high, the plot was thick, and every decision mattered. I really enjoyed the story involving the Muslim terrorists, the legal issues and Senators and such trying to nail Rapp, all of it wrapped together and made one of my favorite books of the series. Absolutely a well-written and woven novel. Blew me away.
THEMES
Oh, gosh, this book hit hard. Really hard. I was doing OK, y'know, till Nash had a pretty moving scene with his son. Nash, in the end, decides he will be there more for his kids. His job matters, but his family needs him. None of the Rapp novels have shown such raw, beautiful portrayal of "domestic" life. We only saw Rapp and Anna in the (rather sickening) honeymoon stage of marriage. Nash and Maggie are quite a wild couple but realistic and the dilemma of raising kids while working in the government... it's a hard life to live. But this family wasn't just cast aside or made into a bunch of non understanding civilians. Nash loves them. He cares for them. They're a family. And I know this sounds like a stupid theme to be caught up over, but the theme of family hit me hard. Because I truly wish every single Army, Marine, Navy, government, you name it, not every guy chooses family over career. And it hurts the family they leave behind. It really does. So seeing this novel tackle this topic... it made me laugh. It made me cry. I loved it.
The themes of brotherhood and justice and patriotism hit super hard in this novel, as well. With so much at stake, people had to come together, had to have each other's backs, and I will never tire of these themes. I especially loved when Rapp told the men that they were warriors and ought to be proud of what they did. This is a mindset I feel America is lacking. We need to be warriors. Unashamed, unafraid.
CHARACTERS
Rapp was a total blast in this novel! Focused on the game, smartmouth never tiring, and always there to slap sense into his comrades, I really enjoyed him in this one.
Nash is a great guy and his family is absolutely amazing. I loved this subplot.
Coleman is a KING and y'all can fight me. (He's very proud of Nash's 1 year old and that slays me)
STAN HURLEY RETURNS. Sure, it was a brief scene, but 1) Stan is still a terrible, terrible old man 2) he made me laugh, as usual 3) OUCH. Talk about Stan giving Nash a pep talk but it also being a slap to the face I, also, needed to hear. Ironic.
I do want to point out I loved the ending plot twist with Senator Londsale, her final choice was absolutely amazing.
The villains, also, weren't your usual "kill! kill! be bad!" but they were complex and intriguing. They did terrible things but are the type of antagonists who justify their actions, see them as justice, etc, so it's interesting to read, for sure. I look forward to seeing what happens with Karim and Hakim.
CONTENT
R. Heavy swearing. Descriptions of torture, violence, blood, murder, gore, etc. Sensual content and innuendos but I think a bit less than R in that department? Who knows.
OVERALL
I loved it. Oh my gosh.
October 16, 2024
In 2013, I was a smoker. Hated smoke inside the house, so I would smoke on my porch and read. I was mostly reading David Baldacci then, and I was looking for a new writer because I was almost done with his books. My neighbor recommended Vince Flynn, and I read all of his books in a summer. Mitch Rapp was one of my favorite characters.
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
July 3, 2013
Fox News fan fiction. We are treated to several long speeches from characters explaining the virtues of "enhanced interrogation" and a short story about a schoolyard fight as an analog for the justified use of violence.
Throughout the book, women are constantly screwing everything up with their dumb womanly ideas and the men have to come in and save the day by punching some stuff. At one point Rapp even says something like "your mom doesn't understand because she's a woman. But I'm a man so I know what it takes!" Ha!
It was interesting to have the perspective of the terrorists thrown in, but the writing for them was pretty unbelievable. Their motivations were flat as were their personalities.
Throughout the book, women are constantly screwing everything up with their dumb womanly ideas and the men have to come in and save the day by punching some stuff. At one point Rapp even says something like "your mom doesn't understand because she's a woman. But I'm a man so I know what it takes!" Ha!
It was interesting to have the perspective of the terrorists thrown in, but the writing for them was pretty unbelievable. Their motivations were flat as were their personalities.
June 12, 2012
In a world full of dime-a-dozen thriller writers who specialize in cardboard characters, cheesy dialogue, over-the-top action and plot choices that are beyond ridiculous, Vince Flynn reminds me once again that it's entirely possible to write (or read) a thriller without turning off one's brain first. There are no shoot-outs here where the hero kills 50 people with five bullets while dodging 100 rounds aimed at him. There are no stupid villains who eschew the easy kill so that they can leave the hero in some convoluted predicament from which he will inevitably escape because no one sticks around and bothers to ensure that he actually, you know, dies. There is no insane person bent on taking over the world with the help of a ridiculously over-engineered master plan. And on and on. Rather, there is Mitch Rapp, perhaps too good to be true, but not overly so, and committed to keeping America safe--even if it means annoying some high-powered types who are too naïve and/or self-absorbed for their own good. This time around, Rapp has to deal with a terrorist cell that is intent on hitting the U.S. He knows that there were three cells out there and that only two have been put out of commission, but he's called off before he can get the critical information needed to ruin the third cell's day. Instead, that cell manages to make its way to Washington, D.C. where ... well, to say more would be a major spoiler. Let's just say that it's a good thing that Mitch Rapp is around. This is a very enjoyable book, and Flynn is a writer I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about dipping a toe in the thriller pool.
June 11, 2009
I quite enjoy Flynn's books featuring Mitch Rapp. He's the literary equivalent to Jack Bauer - he does the dirty work that no one wants to acknowledge but it's to protect us all.
While Rapp is a prominent character in this book, the focus is on Mike Nash. Nash also does secret stuff for the CIA but he's trying to balance his job with raising a young family. His wife doesn't quite know or understand what he does which makes it even more challenging. I liked the human aspect of the story a lot.
Nash and Rapp are on the hunt for an Al-Qaida cell that's about to launch a terrorist attack on US soil. They get a great lead but are stopped from pursuing it when a Senator decides to put the CIA on trial, so to speak, for "enhanced" interrogations.
Flynn makes many points about political correctness, government policies and politicians all standing in the way of the front line people who are trying to keep the rest of the citizens safe. My political views aside, I love these books for their action and suspense. So much so that I read this in one sitting last night.
While Rapp is a prominent character in this book, the focus is on Mike Nash. Nash also does secret stuff for the CIA but he's trying to balance his job with raising a young family. His wife doesn't quite know or understand what he does which makes it even more challenging. I liked the human aspect of the story a lot.
Nash and Rapp are on the hunt for an Al-Qaida cell that's about to launch a terrorist attack on US soil. They get a great lead but are stopped from pursuing it when a Senator decides to put the CIA on trial, so to speak, for "enhanced" interrogations.
Flynn makes many points about political correctness, government policies and politicians all standing in the way of the front line people who are trying to keep the rest of the citizens safe. My political views aside, I love these books for their action and suspense. So much so that I read this in one sitting last night.
January 24, 2023
Fascinating tale with a terrorist who fancies himself as Ernest Hemingway and must experience a war to understand the true meaning of life. The last action scene was heart pounding as Rapp and Nash improvised and threw the dead terrorist bodies (who were strapped with timed explosives) out a 4-story window to save the day.
October 5, 2017
I have this theory that Vince Flynn novels are basically romance novels for men. Now, hear me out. Your typical blouse ripper is the epitome of vicarious experience, guilty pleasure reading. Many ladies (and some guys) get a thrill from reading the exploits of their stoic yet vulnerable heroine pursuing the tall, dark and handsome tough guy who wears his bad-boy nature on his sleeve but has a hidden romantic streak just waiting to be unleashed. It's fun to read fantasy stories about characters living lives you quietly wish you could live. I think Vince Flynn provides a similar vicarious experience for men. The bold, decisive and action oriented Mitch Rapp is the hero of many an American male's daydreams. Nothing much of importance is conveyed in these modern myths. That's not the point. These are just simple, blue collar, pulpy novels that strike a chord with the masculine side of our psyches and give us an out let for good old fashioned male machismo. And, man, is it ever a blast to plow through these novels.
Extreme Measures tosses Mitch into an impending international incident revolving around the liberal use of "enhanced interrogation" techniques (read: mild torture) while trying to uncover a terrorist plot which may be on the verge of harming the United States. The narrative shifts rapidly between several character's story arcs and each one is intriguing in its own right. There's your devoted husband and father character who is trying to defend his country from a radical Islamic threat while also attempting to juggle the issues that arise from a typical American family life. We have a stern and idealistic United States Senator who is attempting to right perceived wrongs and ensure that America remains a nation of law and order. We also have the motivated religious extremist who desires the death of his enemies above all else and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Toss it all in the mix with good old Mitch Rapp and sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
I noticed that much of Flynn's typical action scenes took a backseat to more of a courtroom drama scenario in this go-around. Don't get me wrong, Rapp still puts bullets into a lot of bad guys in Extreme Measures, but we finally get to see what happens when the powerful, political elite - whom Mitch seems to innately rile up - finally have had enough and decide to make the attempt to nail his proverbial anti-terror hide to the wall. Full disclosure: I never really felt any tension during the courtroom drama portions. To be honest, Extreme Measures was quite light on tension throughout. However, I had a healthy sense of dread throughout the novel simply because I sensed where the somewhat heavy-handed foreshadowing was leading the plot.
Despite all that, the final quarter had me riveted right up to the climax. There was a wee bit of fan service at the very end that felt a little too simplistic for me to swallow. But, taken with the whole, Extreme Measures was another solid Flynn outing. Man this guy wrote great stories!
Four stars.
Extreme Measures tosses Mitch into an impending international incident revolving around the liberal use of "enhanced interrogation" techniques (read: mild torture) while trying to uncover a terrorist plot which may be on the verge of harming the United States. The narrative shifts rapidly between several character's story arcs and each one is intriguing in its own right. There's your devoted husband and father character who is trying to defend his country from a radical Islamic threat while also attempting to juggle the issues that arise from a typical American family life. We have a stern and idealistic United States Senator who is attempting to right perceived wrongs and ensure that America remains a nation of law and order. We also have the motivated religious extremist who desires the death of his enemies above all else and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Toss it all in the mix with good old Mitch Rapp and sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
I noticed that much of Flynn's typical action scenes took a backseat to more of a courtroom drama scenario in this go-around. Don't get me wrong, Rapp still puts bullets into a lot of bad guys in Extreme Measures, but we finally get to see what happens when the powerful, political elite - whom Mitch seems to innately rile up - finally have had enough and decide to make the attempt to nail his proverbial anti-terror hide to the wall. Full disclosure: I never really felt any tension during the courtroom drama portions. To be honest, Extreme Measures was quite light on tension throughout. However, I had a healthy sense of dread throughout the novel simply because I sensed where the somewhat heavy-handed foreshadowing was leading the plot.
Despite all that, the final quarter had me riveted right up to the climax. There was a wee bit of fan service at the very end that felt a little too simplistic for me to swallow. But, taken with the whole, Extreme Measures was another solid Flynn outing. Man this guy wrote great stories!
Four stars.
January 26, 2013
Extremely Silly
"Team America: World Police" had more realistic baddies than this Mitch Rapp whack-a-thon. (Team America is a movie from the creators of South Park. It is acted by puppets.)
Though slightly more entertaining than picking my nose while stuck in traffic, Extreme Measures can't really be called a novel. It's polemic, pushing the idea that the CIA should be allowed to do anything it wants, wherever it wants because America's enemies are really, really bad guys. The plot's conflict arises when some liberal career politicians and an unpopular young Air Force officer disagree with Rapps' position- oh, and some psycho Islamic terrorists from central casting, too- but this persecution's 100% attributed to their own petty self-aggrandizement. How dare they throw Rapp in the slammer just so they will look good to their own constituents, etc etc. Flynn throws up some minority and gay characters too, but don't worry. They all get killed, and the surviving liberal politicians tearfully repent the naive error of their ways.
It's repetitive, offers little fresh detail about how intelligence organizations operate, and spells out three times what MILF stands for. The analogous subplot involving sidekick Mike Nash's son punching a spoiled little punk and then being hounded with the threat of expulsion? Lame. Read two chapters, you've got everything about what this book is and where it's going.
Critical Mick says: as a spy novel, Extreme Measures is about as satisfying as getting toenails ripped out by Mitch Rapp. As a way to cash in on the target audience's politics without pushing a single preconception one quarter of an inch, it's a bestseller. For espionage fans living two thousand miles beyond the range of AM radio stations, it's all as daft and aggressive as a white kid from the burbs trying to bust bad-ass gangsta rhymes. I've had more interesting entertainment from a jack-in-the-box.
"Team America: World Police" had more realistic baddies than this Mitch Rapp whack-a-thon. (Team America is a movie from the creators of South Park. It is acted by puppets.)
Though slightly more entertaining than picking my nose while stuck in traffic, Extreme Measures can't really be called a novel. It's polemic, pushing the idea that the CIA should be allowed to do anything it wants, wherever it wants because America's enemies are really, really bad guys. The plot's conflict arises when some liberal career politicians and an unpopular young Air Force officer disagree with Rapps' position- oh, and some psycho Islamic terrorists from central casting, too- but this persecution's 100% attributed to their own petty self-aggrandizement. How dare they throw Rapp in the slammer just so they will look good to their own constituents, etc etc. Flynn throws up some minority and gay characters too, but don't worry. They all get killed, and the surviving liberal politicians tearfully repent the naive error of their ways.
It's repetitive, offers little fresh detail about how intelligence organizations operate, and spells out three times what MILF stands for. The analogous subplot involving sidekick Mike Nash's son punching a spoiled little punk and then being hounded with the threat of expulsion? Lame. Read two chapters, you've got everything about what this book is and where it's going.
Critical Mick says: as a spy novel, Extreme Measures is about as satisfying as getting toenails ripped out by Mitch Rapp. As a way to cash in on the target audience's politics without pushing a single preconception one quarter of an inch, it's a bestseller. For espionage fans living two thousand miles beyond the range of AM radio stations, it's all as daft and aggressive as a white kid from the burbs trying to bust bad-ass gangsta rhymes. I've had more interesting entertainment from a jack-in-the-box.
February 4, 2011
Vince Flynn just keeps getting better with every book he writes. His character, Mitch Rapp, continues to make the reader want a man like him in our covert operations.
Mitch again breaks all the rules, and you know you love him for it. He is attempting to get vital information from high ranking members of the Taliban. They have been apprehended by the United States and are being held on a United States Air Force Base. Mitch and his partner, Mike Nash, enter the base disguised as Air Force Personnel. Mitch, as his custom, uses methods just short of torture to get the informaion he needs, in his own words, "We're not cops. We're not soldiers. We're spies, and spies do nasty shit to nasty people". However, his plans fall apart when they are discovered.
Two cells of terrorists have been discovered that intend to "strike a mighty blow" against the United States. The problem is that there is a rumor that there is a third cell still in operation. Mitch is unable to interrogte the prisoners because he is now being put in front of a Judicial Committee to explain his tactics.
Those of you who have read Vince Flynn before know that Mitch Rapp have very little love for politics, politicians, and their laws and regualtions, especially when it stops him from doing his job. Mitch takes the bureacrats head-on and lets them know what he thinks of them and legislation. He also must walk a fine line because he does need their assistance to continue his search for this third cell of terrorists.
Mitch does manage to win the day, but is he too late to prevent an attack on the nation's capitol?
An exciting read that will keep you turning pages and wondering what will happen next, and maybe best of all, the ending leaves you wanting more and, as always, Flynn sets in up for Rapp's next assignment.
Mitch again breaks all the rules, and you know you love him for it. He is attempting to get vital information from high ranking members of the Taliban. They have been apprehended by the United States and are being held on a United States Air Force Base. Mitch and his partner, Mike Nash, enter the base disguised as Air Force Personnel. Mitch, as his custom, uses methods just short of torture to get the informaion he needs, in his own words, "We're not cops. We're not soldiers. We're spies, and spies do nasty shit to nasty people". However, his plans fall apart when they are discovered.
Two cells of terrorists have been discovered that intend to "strike a mighty blow" against the United States. The problem is that there is a rumor that there is a third cell still in operation. Mitch is unable to interrogte the prisoners because he is now being put in front of a Judicial Committee to explain his tactics.
Those of you who have read Vince Flynn before know that Mitch Rapp have very little love for politics, politicians, and their laws and regualtions, especially when it stops him from doing his job. Mitch takes the bureacrats head-on and lets them know what he thinks of them and legislation. He also must walk a fine line because he does need their assistance to continue his search for this third cell of terrorists.
Mitch does manage to win the day, but is he too late to prevent an attack on the nation's capitol?
An exciting read that will keep you turning pages and wondering what will happen next, and maybe best of all, the ending leaves you wanting more and, as always, Flynn sets in up for Rapp's next assignment.
July 17, 2009
Mitch Rapp, book 9
Having read all of his novels, there is no doubt Vince Flynn is one of my favourite authors. This latest thriller features Mitch Rapp and Mike Nash fighting one more battle against terrorism.
This is a very addictive series that captures the secretive world of the fearless men and women risking their lives in covert operations hidden from the scrutiny of their political leaders. This story starts with the CIA detecting and intercepting two terrorist cells, a third is rumoured to be still at large.
Rapp and Nash have to think on their feet and have to be at their fighting best; unfortunately this does not go well with their political leaders who wish to have them put on a short leash.
But one afternoon everything changes…... terrorists make their way into the US, mayhem and destruction follows.
This novel plunges us into a conspiracy with political intrigue, action packed with a lot of tension, violence and gory descriptions.
In this novel the dominance of Nash and his domestic life have left Rapp and Kennedy with a lesser role. I found it added a different twist and removed some of the predictability we have been lulled into.
Having read all of his novels, there is no doubt Vince Flynn is one of my favourite authors. This latest thriller features Mitch Rapp and Mike Nash fighting one more battle against terrorism.
This is a very addictive series that captures the secretive world of the fearless men and women risking their lives in covert operations hidden from the scrutiny of their political leaders. This story starts with the CIA detecting and intercepting two terrorist cells, a third is rumoured to be still at large.
Rapp and Nash have to think on their feet and have to be at their fighting best; unfortunately this does not go well with their political leaders who wish to have them put on a short leash.
But one afternoon everything changes…... terrorists make their way into the US, mayhem and destruction follows.
This novel plunges us into a conspiracy with political intrigue, action packed with a lot of tension, violence and gory descriptions.
In this novel the dominance of Nash and his domestic life have left Rapp and Kennedy with a lesser role. I found it added a different twist and removed some of the predictability we have been lulled into.
November 26, 2008
I enjoy Flynn's CIA/terrorist novels. The 400+ pages flew by in less than 2 days. This is his latest book, and I was happy to see my friend England still is the Secretary of Defense in this book (he paid to be in the last one!). The hero continues to be Mitch Rapp, who works in a clandestine group inside the CIA. Liberal politicians and bureaucrats concerned about human rights and dignity are out to hinder/stop the clandestine group from doing its job their "unlawful" way to protect the US from terrorists. A Nancy Pelosi seems-alike character is a key Senator trying to get Mitch and crew. The Islamic terrorist cells is well trained and hell bent to wrac havoc on a US city. Enough said.
I didn't give 5 stars because I am getting bit bored with Flynn's books: Too similar, not quite enough thrill, the narrative can get repetitive, and some of the typical filler (e.g., what the baby is fed and its diaper issues) seems so out of place. But, I love the kick ass, whatever it takes, do it now, and make them pay main character.
I didn't give 5 stars because I am getting bit bored with Flynn's books: Too similar, not quite enough thrill, the narrative can get repetitive, and some of the typical filler (e.g., what the baby is fed and its diaper issues) seems so out of place. But, I love the kick ass, whatever it takes, do it now, and make them pay main character.
February 10, 2016
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK, NOVEMBER 28, 2015
Narrator: George Guidall
This installment kept me up till 3am and as soon as it ended, I went straight to the next book, Pursuit of Honor, which picks up where Extreme Measures leaves off.
There were times when I felt like I was following an 80s primetime soap called 'CIA' but that's not a complaint, just something I noted as it wasn't all just terrorists or Rapp falling for another stupid cow. This time Flynn threw in Mike Nash, who was trained by Rapp amd it's Nash tangling with a similar difficult home life - wife who's in the dark about what her dh does for a living. She knows he works in the CIA but he could be the janitor for all she knows. Nash's marital woes are not as hopeless as Rapp's was with Anna though I did want to put a bullet through Maggie's head earlier on. She redeemed herself so she lives...
Sometimes it gets tiresome when Rapp has to battle politicians and here, though it worked well with the overall 'relationship' plot and suspense plot, I wish Rapp were back in the field doing what he does best. I wish all the politicking were left to Irene and Rapp let loose to go hunting.
Anyway, I enjoyed this installment very much, despite the less-than-riveting portions dedicated to the terrorist's prep work.
The Narration: In the first two Rapp books, I thought Guidall's voice too old for a young Mitch Rapp. I still would, I think, if I were to relisten to American Assassin and Kill Shot. I see now how Guidall is such a favorite with non-romance audiobook enthusiasts and he's become my top fav as well, toppling even Dick Hill. I hope he'll continue to narrate the future Rapp books. He not only has great pacing, his cadence makes listening pleasurable and he narrates with the appropriate expression for each situation and character. He's great as an older Mitch Rapp (who's 40 in this book, IIRC).
Narrator: George Guidall
This installment kept me up till 3am and as soon as it ended, I went straight to the next book, Pursuit of Honor, which picks up where Extreme Measures leaves off.
There were times when I felt like I was following an 80s primetime soap called 'CIA' but that's not a complaint, just something I noted as it wasn't all just terrorists or Rapp falling for another stupid cow. This time Flynn threw in Mike Nash, who was trained by Rapp amd it's Nash tangling with a similar difficult home life - wife who's in the dark about what her dh does for a living. She knows he works in the CIA but he could be the janitor for all she knows. Nash's marital woes are not as hopeless as Rapp's was with Anna though I did want to put a bullet through Maggie's head earlier on. She redeemed herself so she lives...
Sometimes it gets tiresome when Rapp has to battle politicians and here, though it worked well with the overall 'relationship' plot and suspense plot, I wish Rapp were back in the field doing what he does best. I wish all the politicking were left to Irene and Rapp let loose to go hunting.
Anyway, I enjoyed this installment very much, despite the less-than-riveting portions dedicated to the terrorist's prep work.
The Narration: In the first two Rapp books, I thought Guidall's voice too old for a young Mitch Rapp. I still would, I think, if I were to relisten to American Assassin and Kill Shot. I see now how Guidall is such a favorite with non-romance audiobook enthusiasts and he's become my top fav as well, toppling even Dick Hill. I hope he'll continue to narrate the future Rapp books. He not only has great pacing, his cadence makes listening pleasurable and he narrates with the appropriate expression for each situation and character. He's great as an older Mitch Rapp (who's 40 in this book, IIRC).
November 17, 2008
Vince Flynn’s Extreme Measures, his latest addition to a prolific collection of Spy Thriller novels, is not a bad read, but it is not his best. Based on the five Flynn novels I have read to date I have arrived upon a working hypothesis for choosing the best books from his collection. Take a look at the author photo on the back of the dust jacket. If the photo shows an unassuming guy you’d imagine having over for a barbeque with his wife and kids, give the book a shot, you’ll probably enjoy it. If the photo is a ‘glamour shot’ of a too-suave, 007 (or Mitch Rapp) wannabe, choose another. Not very scientific I know but that seems to be the trend for me. (As it turns out, the ‘glamour shots’ are found on his later works.)
I did enjoy the, undoubtedly accurate, account of the self-serving politicians, out of control political correctness, and bureaucratic machinations that impede the ability of our armed services and covert ops to do the jobs they must do, and do well, if we hope to maintain the freedom and security to which we have become accustomed in this country. Flynn hits those topics dead on.
Flynn liberally uses the working man’s expletive (the f-bomb) in his novels, as an expletive. In Extreme Measures it is used several times as a verb, a perhaps subtle but significant distinction in my estimation. The obligatory Flynn torture, or Extreme Measures, inclusion is also considerably more disturbing in this novel as, in one instance, it occurs at the hands of the bad guys and is much more graphic and disfiguring. This IS NOT a novel for any but mature adults.
I did enjoy the, undoubtedly accurate, account of the self-serving politicians, out of control political correctness, and bureaucratic machinations that impede the ability of our armed services and covert ops to do the jobs they must do, and do well, if we hope to maintain the freedom and security to which we have become accustomed in this country. Flynn hits those topics dead on.
Flynn liberally uses the working man’s expletive (the f-bomb) in his novels, as an expletive. In Extreme Measures it is used several times as a verb, a perhaps subtle but significant distinction in my estimation. The obligatory Flynn torture, or Extreme Measures, inclusion is also considerably more disturbing in this novel as, in one instance, it occurs at the hands of the bad guys and is much more graphic and disfiguring. This IS NOT a novel for any but mature adults.
October 21, 2013
Reads like Right Wing porn. The plot I had predicted by page 3. The characterization of democrats as fools holding back the magic wand wielding Republicans is surely pleasing to those who already believe such things. An example of Mr. Flynn's world view is his scene where 6 special ops troops hold off a 200 man attack, killing almost all the attackers. Possibly true. Flynn's RW soldiers don't use magic wands but seems to me the analogy was fairly close. Those damn democrats keep screwing up the magic.
For his view of the Democrats, Flynn presents a thinly veiled portrayal of Senator Boxer and a fictional gay male aide.
As the country faces the horrific danger of muslim terrorists who cannot beat our troops at odds of 200 to 6, Flynn's Senator uses her time to question the tough alpha males who must use Extreme Measures to save America. The rest of the time, unbeknownst to the public, she chases men half her age. (I met Sen Boxer 30 years ago and can personally attest this sort of behavior was nothing like her, at least then.}
Flynn did have a few points I agreed with. Sending troops into battle then second guessing their on the ground decisions is a bad way to run things. And fighting someone who is trying to kill you requires commensurate force.
For American RWer's, this book will play into preconceived notions and so be enjoyable. For anyone else, a lot less so.
I gave the book a 1 rating but maybe a 2 star rating would be appropriate.
I did finish the book, partly to see if my early predictions about the plot line were correct. They were.
For his view of the Democrats, Flynn presents a thinly veiled portrayal of Senator Boxer and a fictional gay male aide.
As the country faces the horrific danger of muslim terrorists who cannot beat our troops at odds of 200 to 6, Flynn's Senator uses her time to question the tough alpha males who must use Extreme Measures to save America. The rest of the time, unbeknownst to the public, she chases men half her age. (I met Sen Boxer 30 years ago and can personally attest this sort of behavior was nothing like her, at least then.}
Flynn did have a few points I agreed with. Sending troops into battle then second guessing their on the ground decisions is a bad way to run things. And fighting someone who is trying to kill you requires commensurate force.
For American RWer's, this book will play into preconceived notions and so be enjoyable. For anyone else, a lot less so.
I gave the book a 1 rating but maybe a 2 star rating would be appropriate.
I did finish the book, partly to see if my early predictions about the plot line were correct. They were.
May 30, 2018
ebook
Flynn again chooses a plot that tends to bring home the problems that we have with our current military conflict. I don't see this ending soon. This is a different conflict that is not going to end with an armistice or surrender. i.e. Under Democratic leadership, we dropped a whole lot of explosives on the peoples of Indo China. But to my knowledge, the victims have never brought revenge to the USA.
My main thoughts while reading this is about the US Senate. Established as a balance of power in the government to represent the sovereignty of the states, it has evolved thru the 17th Amendment, to be an elitist class, representing the two national political powers, not the diversity of the states.
I read many reviews of Flynn's books condemning torture. Besides asking them why they read the second book, I might ask "Aren't rules of engagement something that is agreed upon by all participants?"
In this episode, the violence of war is brought back to the power center. Up until recent history, the rulers of power were on or near the battlefields. i.e. King Harald Gowinson, King of Angaland, died with an arrow in his eye at the battle of Hastings in 1066. Also, our Vietnam war ended mainly because of conscription putting more citizen skin in the game. Just some of my relections, former Sgt. Us Army 1965-1968 (I acknowledge my bias having served under Lyndon Johnson who ran as "the Peace President" in the 1964 election, and helped destroy the center of the Democratic Party)
Flynn again chooses a plot that tends to bring home the problems that we have with our current military conflict. I don't see this ending soon. This is a different conflict that is not going to end with an armistice or surrender. i.e. Under Democratic leadership, we dropped a whole lot of explosives on the peoples of Indo China. But to my knowledge, the victims have never brought revenge to the USA.
My main thoughts while reading this is about the US Senate. Established as a balance of power in the government to represent the sovereignty of the states, it has evolved thru the 17th Amendment, to be an elitist class, representing the two national political powers, not the diversity of the states.
I read many reviews of Flynn's books condemning torture. Besides asking them why they read the second book, I might ask "Aren't rules of engagement something that is agreed upon by all participants?"
In this episode, the violence of war is brought back to the power center. Up until recent history, the rulers of power were on or near the battlefields. i.e. King Harald Gowinson, King of Angaland, died with an arrow in his eye at the battle of Hastings in 1066. Also, our Vietnam war ended mainly because of conscription putting more citizen skin in the game. Just some of my relections, former Sgt. Us Army 1965-1968 (I acknowledge my bias having served under Lyndon Johnson who ran as "the Peace President" in the 1964 election, and helped destroy the center of the Democratic Party)
January 24, 2009
Current events thriller Mitch Rapp is a continuing character in the Vince Flynn series. I am currently librarian in a prison and this is a very popular series with the male inmate population so I thought I would try one. Except for the language which is sad to say prevalent these days in movies and lots of best sellers and is to be expected with CIA, FBI, Congress and terrorists, this is a page-turner - top notch entertainment. Lead characters such as Mitch Rapp and Mike Nash are America's version of James Bond only better. I will go back and read more of this series. Quick read. I vote for Mitch Rapp and the extreme measures over terrorists any day.
Several reviews were not happy that the author upped the part Mike Nash played in the book, but even though this was my first Mitch Rapp book, I was clear - he is the hero sort of Lone Ranger and Tonto (with a family) style. I was caught up with both of them immediately and since this is my first read in the series, I feel like the author set the story up very well.
Several reviews were not happy that the author upped the part Mike Nash played in the book, but even though this was my first Mitch Rapp book, I was clear - he is the hero sort of Lone Ranger and Tonto (with a family) style. I was caught up with both of them immediately and since this is my first read in the series, I feel like the author set the story up very well.
October 9, 2009
This is the ninth book in the Mitch Rapp series. Although the subject matter (America's war on terror) remains the same, the focus of the book is a little different than past Rapp installments. This book is a little more focused on the political side of the story rather than the hard-core action and suspense from earlier books, although it does contain some of both and has a really explosive ending. At first, I kept thinking "when will the action start? when will Rapp be unleashed?" but it didn't take long until I was really engrossed in the unfolding political drama. The book presents timely and relevant issues that should scare the crap out of people if there is any truth to them. Vince Flynn manages to raise these issues without being preachy and without losing the appeal of his typical plots. I really enjoyed this book, particularly the inclusion of both Mitch Rapp and Mike Nash as central characters.
December 29, 2017
Even though Extreme Measures focuses on Mitch Rapp's War on Terror like in the previous installments, this one focuses more on the Political aspects minus Rapp being in the field beating up the bad guys.
Mitch Rapp joins forces with friend, colleague, and new-comer to the series Mike Nash, an Ex-Marine and elite operative. The CIA has captured 2 terrorist cells, but a third is believed to still be at large, run by a sadistic mastermind known as Karim. Rapp goes to extreme measures (hence the title) to get information out of the other 2 terrorist cells, whilst other parties of the US Government don't approve of Rapp's methods of interrogation.
The only thing that's preventing me from giving this entry 5 stars is I feel it didn't have enough of Rapp in it, or Kennedy. The story seems to shift more towards Nash, who is an interesting character, very similar to Rapp, plays by his own rules. But other than that, great plot, great characters, and as always GREAT ACTION!!!
Mitch Rapp joins forces with friend, colleague, and new-comer to the series Mike Nash, an Ex-Marine and elite operative. The CIA has captured 2 terrorist cells, but a third is believed to still be at large, run by a sadistic mastermind known as Karim. Rapp goes to extreme measures (hence the title) to get information out of the other 2 terrorist cells, whilst other parties of the US Government don't approve of Rapp's methods of interrogation.
The only thing that's preventing me from giving this entry 5 stars is I feel it didn't have enough of Rapp in it, or Kennedy. The story seems to shift more towards Nash, who is an interesting character, very similar to Rapp, plays by his own rules. But other than that, great plot, great characters, and as always GREAT ACTION!!!
February 18, 2009
Vince Flynn obviously seeks to prove a point with Extreme Measures, the latest entry in his thoroughly enjoyable Mitch Rapp series. This is my least favorite in the series, by far. This book explores the politics of violence related to terrorism and our country's response to terrorism, yet relies more on personal angst and interpersonal dialogue of the characters and less on action than his previous Rapp stories.
Certainly, we have mixed emotions in this country - and sometimes short-lived emotions - about the violence of terrorism and our nation's response to terrorism. After 9/11, everybody wanted blood; a few years later we want to Mirandize every terrorist we capture so they can "lawyer up" before revealing any knowledge held about planned attacks in the future. That's the plot of Extreme Measures; too bad Flynn didn't trade some of the angst for more action.
Certainly, we have mixed emotions in this country - and sometimes short-lived emotions - about the violence of terrorism and our nation's response to terrorism. After 9/11, everybody wanted blood; a few years later we want to Mirandize every terrorist we capture so they can "lawyer up" before revealing any knowledge held about planned attacks in the future. That's the plot of Extreme Measures; too bad Flynn didn't trade some of the angst for more action.
January 24, 2024
Vince Flynn continues to amaze (yes, I know he's dead but I'm just reading these for the 1st time). Extreme Measures, 11th in the Mitch Rapp series, is first rate all the way through. Solid interesting characters who are believable and self consistent, stories that are rich and full featured with being so complex or so full of extra characters that you can't follow them, and witing and dialog tht are sharp and crisp. I'm new to the genre and look forward to not only more Rapp books, both by Flynn and Kyle Mills who took over for Flynn, as well as finding other authors like these.
May 14, 2017
Three and a half stars. Less action than previous installments. Introduces new character, Mike Nash. Spends too much time on Mike's domestic issues, always my least favorite part of a Flynn novel. Rapp spends most of the book under investigation. Heats up at the end to segue into next book .
October 25, 2023
" The Huns are circling and we're talking about gay rights, and guns, and prayer and global warming, and all that bullshit." A quote from Hurley. I wonder how many politicians read and enjoy Flynn's books. Maybe the honest ones. Both of them. This was fairly long, but I get the impression that Flynn was trying to give us as much value as he possibly could. The only complaint I have about this is the... "to be continued" ending.
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