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Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy – Book Review

Posted on December 23, 2010
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Weighing in at well over 700 pages, Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy and aided by Grant Blackwood is a monumental publication. Although in no rush to finish the book, it took me three days to finish and, my overall reaction to reading my first Tom Clancy thriller was one of efficaciousness.

It’s not very often that a book can afford to spend in excess of 200 pages creating a thorough and enviable foundation but Dead or Alive successfully achieves this, all the while creating countless scenarios and once again re-introducing us to characters of old. Although Dead or Alive may appear rather sedentary in the beginning I found, as a newcomer to Clancy novels, the care and effort taken to ease me in as a reader invaluable.

As you would expect; countless scenarios mean a huge array of characters, some more colourful and enigmatic than others, Clancy weaves a magical web and although I wasn’t sure he could tie them all together he does so effortlessly and with an assured imagination.

Available at “The Book Depository” & “Amazon”

Dead or Alive is an intellectually stimulating read and I found myself, on numerous occasions, sitting back, taking stock and digesting every minute detail Clancy and Blackwood offered -Perhaps more importantly I found the novel and subject matter believable – some may argue it borders on being a little far-fetched, I would have to disagree! With the threat of terrorism an ever growing factor in the 21st Century, Dead or Alive made me think about the infinite possibilities and how we all hope there are guys like Jack Ryan and John Clark out there to help serve and protect!

I found the second half of the book run away from me, it was over before I …

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Pandora’s Succession by Russell Brooks – Book Review

Posted on October 23, 2010
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“The blow to the side of his head dropped Ridley Fox to the floor. The cold surface against the side of his face, the jarring pain, and the spinning were the last things he remembered before he blacked out. When he awoke, the throbbing pain remained as he was dragged by his legs across the floor, the concrete scraping the back of his scalp. He opened his eyes, only to stare into the barrel of a Russian AK-108 assault rifle that was less than a foot above him.”

Pandora's Succession by Russell BrooksRussell Brooks’ book debut “The Pandora’s Succession” launches digitally on October 24th, 2010 – a superb non-stop action thriller set in the world of bio-weapons, chemical warfare and espionage.  I enjoyed the novel, Russell’s style is engaging and considering this is his first book is well executed. As most authors will tell you, writing the first book is extremely hard work – the second is even harder in many ways. Amazon US & Amazon UK

Since Lee Child exploded on the scene in March of ’97 we have seen a spate of enigmatic, no-nonsense action heroes, I see no reason why Russell can’t continue in this tradition and develop Ridley Fox as a character – dependent on Brooks of course!

The story begins on the outskirts of Grozny, Chechnya in an old bunker – Ridley Fox, a likeable leading man, is captured, beaten and in poor shape. Someone has set him up. Sveta Stechnia, an informant helps him escape but inevitably pays the ultimate price and the CIA operative leaves alone.

A hyper deadly microbe called “Pandora” has ruled out ancient civilisations and has returned. A deadly and virulent microbe, Pandora takes no prisoners, leaves anyone behind – Pandora is a desirable commodity and there’s no shortage of …

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The Death Instinct by Jed Rubenfeld (book review)

Posted on September 10, 2010
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Jed Rubenfeld’s “Death Instinct” is the sequel to the critically acclaimed “The Interpretation of Murder” and takes place 10 years down the line.

Although the novel is a work of fiction, Rubenfeld does well to blend real fact based events with his own brand of intellectual fiction. The result is a magnificent concoction of enticing prose and adventurous storytelling.

The story centres around three characters namely Stratham Younger, Captain James Littlemore and Colette Rousseau and begins with the devastating explosion on Wall Street in 1920.

At 12:01 midday on the 16th of September, 1920 Wall Street rocked to the tune of a 45Kg bomb exploding in a horse drawn carriage outside the headquarters of JP Morgan. 23 Wall Street was a mess, a combination of mass hysteria and human remains lined the pavements, this was the biggest attack on US soil at the time. The blast killed 38 people and 143 were seriously injured, the crime to this day has never been solved but Rubenfeld puts his own slant on what might have happened.

The bombing in September 1920 would remain the most destructive act of terrorism in the United States until the Oklahoma bombing of 1995 by Timothy McVeigh claiming 168 lives and 680 injured.

I took my time reading this book; I discovered early on that this wasn’t a book to be rushed. It deserved a slow and thoughtful read allowing all the information to settle and the tension to build at a natural pace. Some books are meant to be read quickly, Rubenfeld’s storytelling is a delight to behold and is best appreciated slowly.

The Great War had been over for two years, Prohibition was in its relative infancy (it would continue until 1933), discovery of radium and the world wide Influenza outbreak had ended …

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24: 1800 – 2000 – amazing double header

Posted on March 7, 2009
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Is it me or does Fox’s 24 get better and better? I’ve just finished watching the double header (episodes 11 and 12 or 6pm – 8pm) and I was left in awe at the writing, storyline and of course the great acting! The series follows on from the special Redemption Film.

IMPORTANT WARNING – please do not continue reading if you are in the UK and haven’t watched the double header broadcast on Sky on the 9th March. Again, please do not continue reading if you do not want to know what happened! if you do want to read on please follow the image jump!

Well done, you made it – read on !!!

One thing that was predictable about the double header was the attack would take place inside the White House.  The house has always been seen as the safe haven for everyone and a general no go area for terrorists but not anymore. How many times do we find ourselves shouting at the tv – when Jack tells us there’s a credible threat, believe him – he’s a hero, he can do no wrong!!!

Agent Walker stumbles across proof that the General and his men are planning an attack on Abe’s house and jumps into the water to warn the government. She fails to make it in time and his men find a way through a secret tunnel (National Treasure or Dave anyone?!!!) and start killing secret agents and White House staffers, taking the remaining staffers hostage.

Bill Buchanan releases the under arrest Bauer so he can help rescue the President to the lockdown area. Ten’s of agents are killed as the terrorists approach the President but Jack manages to secure the leader in the lockdown (strong room). With the President trapped they warn off …

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South Africa favourites to level series

Posted on March 3, 2009
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With the second Test match starting in Kingsmead, Durban this Friday Australia has its hands full according the latest odds across the board. Betfair have South Africa at 2/1 to win with Australia at 13/5 and the draw an outside chance at 6/4.

Despite the predicted second Test win for South Africa, Australia are clear favourites to take the series with odds of 4/5. South Africa is a distant 9/2 with a healthy offer of 11/4 for the draw.

I was quite surprised when I noticed this earlier today especially given the fact that Australia won the first Test in Johannesburg by 162 runs. In a shortened series anything could happen I guess and one thing is for sure – the Boks will be up for revenge after the bowlers failed to take advantage of the visitors in the first innings.

Following on from the terrible atrocities in Lahore today, it will be interesting to see how the players will handle the attack on the Sri Lankan team. Although none of the players sustained any critical injuries others within the party have perished and it is truly a dark day for cricket and Pakistan.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting had this to say in response to the gun attack in Pakistan:

“On behalf of the Australian cricket team I would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have been affected by the tragic events in Pakistan this morning. An act of violence like this is a terrible thing and when it involves those who are part of our cricketing family, players the world over are affected.

The wider cricketing community has been shocked by what has occurred and our thoughts and full support is with those involved.

We have spoken with members of the

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24 to get eighth and final season

Posted on March 1, 2009
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Kiefer Sutherland’s 24 character Jack Bauer gets to live another day!

The hit show’s executive producer Howard Gordon has told E! that there will be an eighth season of the series.

“We’re gearing up for a May start date,” he said. “I’m with the writers now just putting our heads together, coming up with an idea. Unless we fail to come up with an idea that’s satisfactory, you’ll see an eighth season.”

However, the producer also hinted that the eight season could be Jack Bauer’s last, despite rumours of a possible post series movie.

“We may decide ultimately if there’s not a movie (story] worth telling, Jack may see his last day on television,” he said. “He could die in the series. I think that’s possible.”

Sutherland says he’s undecided as to whether day 8 will be his last, he’s watching the clock in a way he never has before.

“I don’t think about [the end of 24] a lot, but I did this year for the first time,” he confesses. “It was one of those weird moments where the stage was unusually quiet; it was like a ghost town. I was looking around [thinking] about all the work that went into building this thing and it hit me: This will end one day, and I’m going to be sad about it.

“Whether season 8 is the end or not, I don’t know,” he continues. “I love making the show, so I’m leaving my options open. And in all fairness, I think the audience will dictate that more than anybody.”

So there you have it! The end is not quite set in concrete but the producers have started the machines and the cement is being prepared. Terrorists around the world rejoice, Jack only has a day left on his …

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Where were you on 9/11 ? Remember ?

Posted on September 10, 2006
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Do you remember where you were when the World changed? By change I do mean the atrocious attack on the World Trade Center in New York on the 9th September, or 9/11 as it is widely referred as. In an unprecedented attack on US soil, Osama Bin Laden changed the lives of all those lost that day but how the World looked upon the heroism of the New Yorkers and of course how we felt about Osama and the radical Muslims. By taking the lives of the thousands of innocent lives that day, the radical leader made us stronger, more alert to terror possibilities and altered the way we moved from A to B.

I was at my desk at 1:46 (8:46am in the US) on 9/11 and I remember switching over channels on the TV, bored with what was on BBC1 and I came across CNN’s coverage. I remember seeing the smoking images of World Trade Center 1, American Airlines flight 11 had struck moments before I changed channels. At the time I thought it was a trailer for a new Bruce Willis film until it dawned on me what had happened. No one knew that it was a terror attack until the second plane United Airlines 175 crashed into World Trace Center 2 some 16 minutes later. It then struck me the gravity of the situation.

Rushing out of my office to tell my colleagues, we turned on all the TV’s in the main office and stood still, unable to comprehend the situation, unsure at who to call and what to do next. Normality took a back seat, work was forgotten as an eerie silence hit the office. No one could talk, ringing phones went unanswered for the first five minutes as we all collected our thoughts. …

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Suspected Terrorists Delay Monarch Flight

Posted on August 21, 2006
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I’ve heard it all now ! In an ever changing world due to the numerous terrorist plots and threats, passenger power has won the day in Malaga following concerns by passengers flying back to Manchester. Two men were removed from the plane because other travellers thought they were speaking Arabic. Surely freedom of speech allows us to speak in our own language, we don’t all have to speak English. I can see that due to recent events over the last few years that people are wary of middle eastern people but surely everyone has the right to travel without suspicion.

Basically, because a couple of passengers overheard the two men talking in Arabic and had an Asian/Middle Eastern type appearance it set alarm bells ringing. Those passengers complained to Monarch that they would not board the flight until the pair were removed from the plane. This set of a chain reaction similar to Chinese Whispers and the rest of the passengers joined suit. The two men were taken from Wednesday’s flight ZB 613 and questioned but were allowed to fly back to the UK later in the week. There has been wide condemnation on this and as yet Monarch Airlines have refused to apologise for any inconvenience caused to the two men who missed the flight.

Does this mean now that if I don’t like the look of someone I can demand that they not board the same flight? Just because someone is of a certain religion or ethnicity doesn’t mean they are on the flight to cause harm. On the other hand it is a delicate situation and the media more often than not do not help paranoia in the general population. Who knows what the right thing to do is but if they were known terrorists I’d like …

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