Edge of Battle: A Novel
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Very Disappointing
  • Edge of Battle
  • The old Dale Brown is gone...
  • WOW, what a read.
  • Edge of Battle - it could have been worse
Edge of Battle: A Novel
Dale Brown
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
WarWar | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Action & AdventureAction & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. The Traitor: A Tommy Carmellini Novel The Traitor: A Tommy Carmellini Novel
  2. Act of War Act of War
  3. Ghost Force Ghost Force
  4. Strike Force: A Novel Strike Force: A Novel
  5. Stephen Coonts' Deep Black: Jihad (Deep Black) Stephen Coonts' Deep Black: Jihad (Deep Black)

ASIN: 0060753005
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Book Description

The War on Terror . . . with a little more firepower

Violence and tensions along the U.S.-Mexican border have never been higher, sparked by battles between rival drug lords and an increased flow of illegal migrants. To combat the threat, the United States has executed Operation Rampart: a controversial test base in Southern California run by Major Richter and TALON, his high-tech special operations unit.

Their success is threatened by a drug kingpin and migrant smuggler named Ernesto Fuerza. In the guise of Mexican nationalist "Commander Veracruz," he causes a storm of controversy on both sides of the border, calling for a revolution to take back the northernmost "Mexican states"—the southwestern United States. His real intention is to make it easier to import illegal drugs across the border. This sets off a storm of controversy that's being stirred to a fever pitch by a popular right-wing radio talk-show host who calls for the complete militarization of the border. Soon Richter and his force are reassigned to the FBI to investigate the murders of several Border Patrol agents—a deadly mission that will bring him face-to-face with Fuerza and set off a wave of bloodshed that threatens to become an all-out guerrilla war. Lurking behind Fuerza—and possibly calling the shots—is Richter's nemesis, former Soviet nuclear forces commander turned terror mastermind Yegor Zakharov, who is set on revenge to the very end.

In Edge of Battle, bestselling author Dale Brown stays a step ahead of world events. Don't miss this sensational ride!

Download Description

"

The War on Terror . . .
with a little more firepower

Violence and tensions along the U.S.-Mexican border have never been higher, sparked by battles between rival drug lords and an increased flow of illegal migrants. To combat the threat, the United States has executed Operation Rampart: a controversial test base in Southern California run by Major Richter and TALON, his high-tech special operations unit.

Their success is threatened by a drug kingpin and migrant smuggler named Ernesto Fuerza. In the guise of Mexican nationalist ""Commander Veracruz,"" he causes a storm of controversy on both sides of the border, calling for a revolution to take back the northernmost ""Mexican states"" -- the southwestern United States. His real intention is to make it easier to import illegal drugs across the border. This sets off a storm of controversy that's being stirred to a fever pitch by a popular right-wing radio talk-show host who calls for the complete militarization of the border. Soon Richter and his force are reassigned to the FBI to investigate the murders of several Border Patrol agents -- a deadly mission that will bring him face-to-face with Fuerza and set off a wave of bloodshed that threatens to become an all-out guerrilla war. Lurking behind Fuerza -- and possibly calling the shots -- is Richter's nemesis, former Soviet nuclear forces commander turned terror mastermind Yegor Zakharov, who is set on revenge to the very end.

In Edge of Battle, bestselling author Dale Brown stays a step ahead of world events. Don't miss this sensational ride!

"

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Very Disappointing.......2007-08-19

I cannot think of anything to recommend about this book. Several of the authors that I have enjoyed reading in the past have disappointed me lately. "Edge of Battle" is the most disappointing of all. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

Very soon into the book I found myself skimming lengthy, uninteresting dialogue by uninteresting characters. Worse yet, I didn't even find any of the thinly-developed characters particularly likeable. There was very little coherence to the storyline and, overall, I found it a struggle rather than a joy to read.

I'm sorry Dale, but you just lost me as a reader. (Note to one reviewer: maybe it was just a typo, but you are right, this wasn't written by Dan Brown, but Dale Brown. If not just a typo, the confusion is understandable: not only are their names very similar, but it just so happens that Dan Brown hasn't done a very good job with "present-day techno-thrillers" either. Case in Point: "Digital Fortress.")

I gave this book two stars only out of respect for Dale Brown's early work. It would be interesting to know why so many "established" writers seem to end up writing and publishing uninteresting, uninformative, and unimaginative negative contributions to literature. Are they under contract to produce so many books within a certain period of time? Is it just for the money? Do most writers only have a few good books "within them"? Fortunately for readers, there are always new authors to explore--and lots of older ones that we never got around to reading who await our discovery!

1 out of 5 stars Edge of Battle.......2007-07-30

Not up to par. Poor disorganized unbelievable plot. Hard to believe written by Dan Brown.

2 out of 5 stars The old Dale Brown is gone..........2007-07-10

Once upon a time, Dale Brown was one of my favorite authors. OLD DOG was a great, and HAMMERHEADS is one of my all-time favorites. That Dale Brown is gone. The stories that appear instead are campy, overly dramatic, and highly unbelievable. On top of that, character development has all be disappeared. This novel does a poor job of using established TALON characters in a scenario involving immigration issues and a potential war with Mexico. Overworked, overdramatic, overdone. Just plain "over."

4 out of 5 stars WOW, what a read........2007-06-05

Is this book fiction--or current-day reality? The border between the U.S. and Mexico is filled with tension. A citizen group known as the American Watchdog Project is assisting the Border Patrol that is spread too thin. An ultraconservative radio talk show host, Bob O'Rourke, rails every day about illegal immigrants breaking the law--and the government turning a blind eye.

An ideal combination of circumstances exist for a drug smuggler, turned so-called "hero of the people." Ernesto Fuerza, calling himself "Comandante Veracruz," calls for all Mexican immigrants, both legal and illegal, to rise up and take back the southwestern United States. And he has a global terrorist committed to destroying the Talon group and its leaders on their payroll.

His incendiary words cause the Talon Group, led by Major Jason Richter, to be called into action to support the Border Patrol. National Guard units build more detention facilities along the border. The highly effective and visually intimidating Cybernetic Infantry Devices (C.I.D)--ten-foot-tall exoskeletons for infantrymen--capture more than 300 illegal aliens in short order. The press in helicopters invade the air space overhead in violation of no-fly orders, the Mexican Vice Consul, brought to the site in an unmarked helicopter by a deputy U.S. attorney general grabs a bull horn and encourages the detainees to escape--and all hell breaks loose. Detainees and soldiers are killed as detainees destroy the fencing that surrounds them. One of the C.I.D. operators can't handle what he sees happening and the part he played steps out of his suit and blows his brains out on camera. And America is under siege from within and without.

His incendiary words cause the Talon Group, led by Major Jason Richter, to be called into action to support the Border Patrol. National Guard units build more detention facilities along the border. The highly effective and visually intimidating Cybernetic Infantry Devices (C.I.D) capture more than 300 illegal aliens in short order. The press in helicopters invade the air space overhead in violation of no-fly orders, the Mexican Vice Consul does something stupid--and all hell breaks loose. Detainees and soldiers are killed as detainees destroy the fencing that surrounds them. And America is under siege from within and without.

More concerned with political advantage than what is true or right--various factions within both governments try to turn the situation to their advantage. Convenient assassinations and attempted assassinations, selective telling of truths and outright lies, come easily to many of the principal characters in this story. And even those committed to doing the right thing have secrets come to light that prevent them from being effective.

Brown shows us petty politics at its best and worst within both the U.S. and Mexican governments.

Armchair Interviews says: (Exciting) fiction that's too close to reality.

2 out of 5 stars Edge of Battle - it could have been worse.......2007-05-17

Like a couple of other reviewers, the Dale Brown I grew to enjoy wrote books like Flight of the Old Dog, Day of the Cheetah, and Battle Born. He wrote detailed accounts of dog fights between MiGs and bombers, and had excellent characters that I for one actually cared about. The main character McLanahan was a great leader whose men and women would die for him.

Edge of Battle had none of that. Richter, the Major in charge of Task Force TALON (the super cool robots), annoyed me at every turn. He whined, he complained, and worst of all he was completely paranoid. I didn't (and won't) read Act of War so maybe he has the right to be paranoid about the enemy Consortium. But were they the main bad guys? Not in this book.

I could have lived with all that had Mr. Brown at least made the CID (Cybernetic Infantry Device) more "front and center" in the story. I lost count, but I think the CIDs got maybe 6 scenes? And each scene was maybe 3 or 4 pages. So give it 30 pages total. 30 pages out of 437?

I think this book was more about immigration than Task Force TALON which is too bad. Because TALON is more interesting to me than the Tinman armor is. All Brown's books in the past have had some kind of political intrigue, but it never overshadowed what his reader's wanted (IMHO) - excellent prose about high tech toys and nail biting scenes of action about how those high tech toys saved the day.
The Infinity Guantlet #4 : Cosmic Battle On The Edge Of The Universe (Marvel Comics)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    The Infinity Guantlet #4 : Cosmic Battle On The Edge Of The Universe (Marvel Comics)
    Jim Starlin
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
    Antiquarian & Rare BooksAntiquarian & Rare Books | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
    BatmanBatman | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Star Trek | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
    ASIN: B000PGE7NU
    Jason Richter Series: Act of War, Edge of Battle (Set of 2 Military Suspense Novels)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Jason Richter Series: Act of War, Edge of Battle (Set of 2 Military Suspense Novels)
      Dale Brown
      Manufacturer: Harper
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback
      ASIN: B000UE66F4

      How to Treat a Lady (St. John Brothers)
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • A wonderful, tortured hero, a strong heroine, and a few secrets...
      • Chase & Harriet's story
      • FUN, IRRESISTABLE, CONTINUATION OF ST. JOHNS!
      • It's just OK
      • Another Addition To The St. John Ring Series!!!
      How to Treat a Lady (St. John Brothers)
      Karen Hawkins
      Manufacturer: Avon
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback

      GeneralGeneral | Romance | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Historical | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
      All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
      Similar Items:
      1. Affair to Remember, An (St. John Brothers) Affair to Remember, An (St. John Brothers)
      2. Confessions of a Scoundrel (Avon Romantic Treasures.) Confessions of a Scoundrel (Avon Romantic Treasures.)
      3. And the Bride Wore Plaid And the Bride Wore Plaid
      4. Lady in Red Lady in Red
      5. The Seduction of Sara (Avon Romance) The Seduction of Sara (Avon Romance)

      Accessories:
      1. philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

      ASIN: 0060514051

      Book Description

      Everyone knows that all the members of the St. John family are destined for greatness – all, that is, except the rebellious Chase St. John. Then, as the fates would have it, a lifetime of drinking, gambling and womanising catches up and leads him to a fateful incident which changes his life. Harriet Ward, on the other hand, has always felt the weight of responsibility caring for her mother and two brothers, but drawing the line at marrying a stuffy bore to save her home, she creates an imaginary fiance, Captain John. There is no one more surprised than she when Chase conveniently shows up, wounded by an unknown attacker, to fill the role of her suitor. As they pose as lovers and begin to unravel the mystery of Chase's assailant, they soon realise that their imaginary love has quickly turned into reality.

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars A wonderful, tortured hero, a strong heroine, and a few secrets..........2007-08-08

      Chase St John (another of those delicious, drool-worthy St John brothers) is fleeing from a murderous accident that was his fault. Horrified at his drunken behaviour, he's on his way to a ship to sail to Italy, determined to leave his family and the shame behind him forever. But he's set upon, beaten unconscious, and found by Harriet Ward... who just so happens to require a fictitious moneyed `fiancé', Captain Frakenham, to fend off foreclosure from the nasty bank. When the Ward family thinks he's lost his memory in his attack, Chase finds himself assigned the role of the imaginary `Captain' - something he plays with sensual and secret relish. Especially when it means he can get physically closer to Harriet than he really should! However, this nobleman gets more than he's bargained for when the hard-working Ward family put him to work, shearing sheep and the like, getting down and dirty (oh! the scene in the hay...). Reading how this heart-sore hero learns to love is beautiful. Only Harriet can help him face his demons, and possibly put them to rest.

      4 out of 5 stars Chase & Harriet's story.......2005-06-15

      This was a fun book. The plot, wherein Chase plays The Captain with amnesia is really cute. It seems like everyone in Harriet's
      family is willing to go along with his plan, but her mom seems
      to be in denial -- she really wanted Chase to be "The Captain".

      The whole book was thoroughly enjoyable. I especially enjoyed
      the last chapters, and Chase's birthday present from his brothers.
      I also like the way the ring was passed on from Chase to Devon for
      the next book, The Bride Wore Plaid.

      4 out of 5 stars FUN, IRRESISTABLE, CONTINUATION OF ST. JOHNS!.......2004-08-18

      I love the entire Ring series and was thrilled to find this one at my local used bookstore. Chase and Harriet are wonderful endearing characters. I admit to being a sucker for the amnesia plotline, but the fact that he was faking his made this story a little more unique and much more entertaining. When Chase knows they are lying about who he is but can't admit it without admitting he knows who he really is, is so funny. Any male in that position would be irritable and annoyed, and he is. But he plays along and finds himself wishing he was this captain. I was so glad to find Chase's story and that he ends up with someone as perfect as Harriet. Will keep this book alongside the other Ring books. It's not necessary to read the others in the series, I believe this book can hold its own.

      3 out of 5 stars It's just OK.......2004-04-21

      This book is an interesting plotline and likeable characters brought down a notch by poor dialogue. I like when authors use the correct vernacular of the time period, but this book beats the reader about the head with it - if I never read another "B'God" or "piffle" again it will be just fine by me. "An Affair to Remember" is a better story all around.

      4 out of 5 stars Another Addition To The St. John Ring Series!!!.......2004-03-31

      This was another fun book by Ms. Hawkins which revolves around that great family the St. Johns. This is Chase's story and it was well worth the wait.

      Chase has decided that he must move on from a terrible accident since he can no longer stomach the fact that he has been paying a "friend" to keep quite about a tragic event that took place recently for him. Feeling that he is not worthy to be called a St. John he decides to not only leave London, but England as well. On his way to the coast he is set upon by some thievs but is rescued by Harriet. Now Harriet is nothing like the women that Chase normally finds himself with. Her voice is sweet, and before he looses conscienceness he can't believe that God has sent an angel to rescue him.

      Harriet is a no nonsense kind of girl. Her family has fallen on hard times due to the death of her father, and the bank has been making a lot of noise regarding a loan that was made to said dead father. Harriet's mom comes up with the idea of stating that Harriet is engaged to a very rich sea captain, and that all of the bank's fears will be put to rest once this handsome, rich captain returns from sea. Problem is there is no rich captain, and now one of the bank members is starting to question the truth. Harriet is on her way to market to sell some of their sheep when she and her sister's end up saving Chase. What follows from there is a great read that will have you chuckling to yourself, as well as rooting for a happy ending for two people that really deserve one.

      Ms. Hawkins is a great author and I highly recommend any of her reads. Her love stories are sensual without being too racy. For a fun read pick up Ms. Hawkins.
      How to Treat a Lady
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        How to Treat a Lady

        Manufacturer: Avon Books
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover
        ASIN: 0739438751

        Product Description

        A beautiful, desperate lady who needs a sham fiancé; a devilishly charming rakehell in need of a temporary hideout... Where will the deception lead?
        How To Treat A Lady: Roses, Candy And Candles
        Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
        • Wonderful read
        • This book is not worth the paper its printed on
        How To Treat A Lady: Roses, Candy And Candles
        Bobbie L. Darden , and Phyllis E. Miller
        Manufacturer: Authorhouse
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        GeneralGeneral | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Reference | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: 1420805525

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Wonderful read.......2005-11-13

        Bobbie Darden and Phyllis have done a wonderful collaboration. Thank Goodness a man is trying to enlighten other men on how to treat a lady. Women should buy this book and give it to their mates. Parents should buy it to train their young men on how to treat women.

        1 out of 5 stars This book is not worth the paper its printed on.......2005-08-14

        This book is complete garbage. When I read the first page, I thought a seven year old wrote it. Bobbie Darden has the ability to bore the reader with his mundane and souless style of writing. See spot run has more passion and grace. The author tries to explain to the reader that women are easily impressed with just flowers and candy, and instantly they are at a mans' feet. If your time is important I suggest you look for another book on the right way to impress a woman.
        How to Treat a Lady
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          How to Treat a Lady
          Karen Hawkins
          Manufacturer: Avon
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback
          ASIN: B000OEA4K8

          Swamp Thing Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing
          Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
          • Graphic SF Reader
          • Where the comics revolution REALLY began
          • the beginning of a horror masterwork
          • Sophisticated Suspense
          • You can't kill a vegetable...
          Swamp Thing Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing
          Alan Moore
          Manufacturer: Vertigo
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          GeneralGeneral | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
          HorrorHorror | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
          SuperheroesSuperheroes | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
          Moore, AlanMoore, Alan | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
          Moore, AlanMoore, Alan | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
          Similar Items:
          1. Swamp Thing Vol. 2: Love and Death Swamp Thing Vol. 2: Love and Death
          2. Swamp Thing Vol. 3: The Curse Swamp Thing Vol. 3: The Curse
          3. Swamp Thing Vol. 4: A Murder of Crows Swamp Thing Vol. 4: A Murder of Crows
          4. Swamp Thing Vol. 5: Earth to Earth Swamp Thing Vol. 5: Earth to Earth
          5. Swamp Thing Vol. 6: Reunion Swamp Thing Vol. 6: Reunion

          ASIN: 0930289226

          Customer Reviews:

          4 out of 5 stars Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

          Alan Moore took this as an opportunity to try something completely different with the Swamp Thing character, and pretty much succeeded. While I am not as much a fan of this as some people, it is still pretty good.

          The Swamp Thing series also introduces to someone perhaps a bit more interesting. John Constantine, Hellblazer.


          5 out of 5 stars Where the comics revolution REALLY began.......2007-06-18

          Many would say that the comic industry was redefined by works such as Watchmen and The Dark Knight returns, but for me (and there are countless people who would agree with me on this one) it all started with the first issue of Swamp Thing included in this collection. "The Anatomy Lesson" heralded a new narrative structure and a literary voice that still rings in the ears of most comic book fantatics to this day: Alan Moore. After clearing up some unfinished storylines before starting his revamp of the character Moore started to cut loose, and Saga of the Swamp Thing moved from an obscure horror comic book into legend. Not only is "The Anatomy Lesson" brilliant, but there are other stories in here that would rank as some of my favorites of all time. Though some people might claim that Moore was still trying out panel transitions and experimental narrative structures that did not always work, I disagree. They worked perfectly, and make reading the comic so much more enjoyable. If the narrative seems long-winded to some, well then, they can just go ahead and feast their eyes on the gorgeous art (courtesy of John Totleben and Steve Bissette). I also have to mention the very last issue in this collection as a counterpoint to the first, entitled "By Demons Driven." This story gives us a taste of things to come in future collections, and just when events just can't seem to get any darker the last panel of this issue proves us wrong. Even if you're not a comic fan, you should get this. See where it all really began. Buy it. Read it. Let the words penetrate the root systems of your mind. Smell the moss. Taste the fear...hold it in your hands. Saga of the Swamp Thing.

          5 out of 5 stars the beginning of a horror masterwork.......2006-10-14

          "No death, no doom, no anguish can arouse the surpassing dispair which flows from a loss of identity. Merging with nothingness is peaceful oblivion; but to be aware of existence and yet to know that one is no longer a definite being distinguished from other beings - that one no longer has a self - that is the nameless summit of agony and dread." - H.P. Lovecraft

          The ability to communicate this concept, sudden and total loss of identity, is a high achivement. -That- is psychological horror, and Swamp Thing delivers with gusto. The elemental forces of horror, combined with the most efficent form of story-telling, all under the direction of masters of the craft. If you know how to read, read this.

          5 out of 5 stars Sophisticated Suspense.......2006-08-17

          The above title was once the series tagline. Anyway, Vol.1 starts off with the autopsy of Swamp Thing by the Floronic Man showing that Swamp Thing was never human. He was only the memories of Holland combined into the living swamp. He soon returns to the swamp and sets up roots in the swamp and begins to grow some sort of vegetables. Abigail soon finds Swamp Thing and is confronted by the Floronic Man and tells her the above information. However, once Floronic Man gets in touch with his inner plant, he goes on a rampage and destroys many houses and takes many lives. Swamp Thing soon comes out of his catonic state and confronts Floronic Man and tells him he's hurting 'the green'. This chapter also features a special series of camo's by the JLA. The book then takes a supernatural turn when Abigail takes a job at a childrens asylumn. One child in particular knows a very dark and disturbing secret. The last few chapters involve the demon Etrigan as well.

          This was a very good series of chapters. It starts out slow, but eventually, you just can't put this book down. My favorite chapter is 'The Sleep of Reason', when we are introduced to Paul (the disturbed child, who Abigail works with)and his macabre 'visions' of the so called 'Monkey King' demon. Also, Etrigan enters the fray. Great first run by Alan Moore. I hope to get more of his Swamp Thing series soon. A very good read for any comic fan. (By the way: I'm 15).

          4 out of 5 stars You can't kill a vegetable..........2006-07-01

          After ending the twenty issue run of Martin Pasko for him, Alan Moore presents a retcon of the Swamp Thing character and brings in DC minor characters such as the Demon and Floronic Man. In his changes to Swamp Thing's origins Moore shows his brilliance and brings the character much closer to the swamp itself. All this with great lines like "You can't kill a vegetable by shooting it in the head", and you have another great trade paperback. However, what could you have really expected, it's Alan Moore.

          Cracking Da Vinci's Code: You've Read the Fiction, Now Read the Facts
          Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
          • Go to church-- you'll learn more
          • Bitterly Disappointing Response
          • Let's act like we have something to hide!
          • Countering the "Da Vinci Code" Anti-Christian Bigotry
          • A Great Resource and A Must Read If You're "Not Sure"
          Cracking Da Vinci's Code: You've Read the Fiction, Now Read the Facts
          James L. Garlow , and Peter Jones
          Manufacturer: Victor
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          GeneralGeneral | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Theology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          All DealsAll Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
          Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality | Blowout Books | Stores | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Theology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
          All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
          Similar Items:
          1. The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction
          2. Breaking the Da Vinci Code: Answers to the Questions Everyone's Asking Breaking the Da Vinci Code: Answers to the Questions Everyone's Asking
          3. The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code: A Challenging Response to the Bestselling Novel The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code: A Challenging Response to the Bestselling Novel
          4. The Da Vinci Code The Da Vinci Code
          5. Exploring the Da Vinci Code: Investigating the Issues Raised by the Book and Movie Exploring the Da Vinci Code: Investigating the Issues Raised by the Book and Movie

          ASIN: 0781443563

          Book Description

          Was Jesus merely human and not divine?

          Did Jesus and Mary Magdalene marry and have children?

          Is there a Holy Grail? If so, what is it and where can it be found?

          Cracking Da Vinci's Code provides the answers to these and other questions that may have troubled you and mdash;or readers you know. Authors James L. Garlow and Peter Jones present compelling evidence that Brown's assertions are not only historically inaccurate, but may also contain a hidden agenda.

          Customer Reviews:

          1 out of 5 stars Go to church-- you'll learn more.......2007-01-20

          I bought this book hoping for a Christian perspective on the Christian-themed The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. What I paid for is unabashed preaching on how the Gospel can be spread through never re-interpretting or revisiting the collection of stories called the Bible.

          These two theological scholars don't add any additional light to Brown's story nor do they actually show proof that the DaVinci Code couldn't have been true (which, in fact, I agree that most of Brown's work is fictional interpretation.)

          It seems like another opportunity for Christians to talk to themselves and reinforce a narrow viewpoint through villianizing the "mass media" and the general population. Pure back-patting fluff.

          1 out of 5 stars Bitterly Disappointing Response.......2007-01-05

          This book is an excellent affirmation of Christian values that must be read by anyone who didn't realize that "The Da Vinci Code" was a work of fiction. Please reread that sentence; "The Da Vinci Code" is a work of fiction, like "Star Trek" or "Harry Potter". Unfortunately, the same people who fail to appreciate this fact are the same people who actually need to read "Cracking Da Vinci's Code," in order to restore balance to a worldview so easily upset by Dan Brown's clever yarn.

          Unfortunately, this book is poor ammunition for anyone actually hopeing to defend the Christian faith from a popular fascination with the romanticized Cult of the Magdelene presented by Dan Brown. Doctors Garlow and Jones, both highly educated evangelists, have crafted a book that is more or less comfort food for their audience, not any scholarly attempt to address the factual underpinnings of Brown's novel. Somewhat pointedly, Garlow and Jones choose some of the weaker elements of Brown's novel to base their case on. For instance, by way of dealing with non-Canon gospels (the Gnostic gospels, and the somewhat-less-offensive Apocryphal texts), Garlow and Jones give a selective history of the Council of Nicea which posits that they merely reaffirmed a version of the New Testament already in circulation. This is somewhat true, but ignores how the wording of the gospels were decided to specifically reaffirm the Nicean view of Christianity at the expense of other popular Churches of the time (including churches established by the very disciples of Jesus). They cast aspersions on non-Canon texts without actually addressing why they are or aren't considered reliable. Likewise, when it comes to a discussion of Paganism and its influence on Christian theology, the authors steadfastly refuse to acknowledge even the possiblity (much less the accepted fact) that rituals central to Christianity - such as baptism, the eucharist, and chrism (annointing with oil or ashe) - were all employed by pagan cults for thousands of years prior to Christianity. Instead, Garlow and Jones rely on the emotional impact of the epithet "pagan" on their reader to cast aspersions and reinforcce doubt.

          Most disappointing about this book is that the authors attack fiction with fiction. Where there exist stronger points in the scholarship that underpin Brown's fiction (and I can't emphasize enough that "The Da Vinci Code" is JUST an entertaining story), Garlow and Jones turn instead to a fictional couples experience attending a discussion group of Brown's book and it's central thesis, which naturally involve secularist ridicule of faithful Christians engaged in acts of ministry.

          There are even a few instances where the authors manufacture assertions by inferral that were never made by Brown or any of his characters. Half way through this book, I got the distinct impression that neither Garlow or Jones (nor their editor) ever actually read Browns fictional works.

          This is one of those rare books where I was relieved to finally have finished it. There is no vice in the spirited defense of ones faith through the presentation of facts in support of rational argument. Unfortunately, this book is very light on facts, and frequently resorts to emotional arguments. The Gospels tell us that Jesus himself debated with authority found in a thorough knowledge of the law, and was skilled in avoiding rhetorical traps. Garlow and Jones do the opposite: they count on the unfamiliarity and uncertainty of the general population, and frequently employ rhetorical traps. Anyone seeking to be Christ-like, and defend their faith, would do well to not rely on this book.

          1 out of 5 stars Let's act like we have something to hide!.......2006-11-28

          What does it mean when someone gets excessively-defensive?
          It doesn't express that they have peace or comfort with themselves.

          Writing sludge like this just fuels the fire - that I suppose they are trying to put out. If .. there .. WAS .. ever .. a .. fire.

          4 out of 5 stars Countering the "Da Vinci Code" Anti-Christian Bigotry.......2006-06-28

          Garlow and Jones soundly refute the charge that the church was and is antisex. But then again, this is an age-old trumped-up charge, going back to ancient pagan Rome, and still leveled against those who do not agree with the hedonistic and libertinistic practices of the accusers. The same holds for those who accuse the church of being sexist or misogynist (anti-woman), as the Da Vinci Code does. It is routine for feminists to call anyone sexist or misogynist who has the temerity to disagree with their ideology or their policies.

          Garlow and Jones show that there was no such thing as a matriarchial society. They also expose the irony of the fact that the Da Vinci Code presents the Gnostic writings in a positive light even though Gnostic writings contain obvious misogyny!

          Garlow and Jones elaborate on the persecution of witches. It turns out that most instances of such persecution were instigated by secular rather than religious authorities. What's more, witch-baiting is a great exaggeration. The number of victims was quite small--perhaps 50,000 witches executed over a long period of time, certainly not millions. What Garlow and Jones do not mention is the fact that the persecution of others by the Christian church is dwarfed by the persecution of others by atheists. The hundreds of thousands of victims sent to the guillotine by the Jacobins during the French Revolution and the tens of millions of innocent people murdered by the atheistic Communists come to mind.

          A major shortcoming of Garlow and Jones' book is his failure to contextualize the DaVinci Code trash as a manifestation of overt anti-Christian bigotry--yes, a form of bigotry that would never be applied to any other religion. After all, the DaVinci Code (yes, I have read the book) not only attacks the Christian faith as an error, but accuses the church of being a deliberate conspiracy that is attempting to conceal a fraud. The fact that it is admittedly fictional does not change the fact of this bigotry. If Hollywood made a fictional film accusing the Prophet Mohammed of being a fraud and concocting a conspiracy to hide the true origins of Islam, it would be widely denounced as Islamophobic bigotry. Were Hollywood to make a film that positively portrays the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, even as fiction, it would be universally condemned as anti-Semitic. The real lesson of the DaVinci Code that needs to be stressed by Garlow, Jones, and others is the fact that anti-Christian bigotry is now just about the only acceptable form of bigotry, and that this is an ominous portent for the future. Christians, wake up!

          5 out of 5 stars A Great Resource and A Must Read If You're "Not Sure" .......2006-06-15

          Highly recommended, very easy to read, yet well-researched.

          The chapters are subdivided mostly into three sections describing the major historical/theological claims of The Da Vinci Code (DVC), a Christian rebuttal to these claims, and short narrative in each chapter about a hypothetical college student's related experience. If you want to head straight for the claims and rebuttal, and by-pass the narrative, it is very easy to do. But the narrative is quite useful in understanding the types of arguments and beliefs you can encounter with devotees of DVC and how to respond to them. The narrative describes the student's doubts about Christianity, the pagan rituals that go along with DVC, and the responses of Christians who gently lead her to the real truth. It also has a good series of questions that can be used for a group study situation. The index is available only on the Internet.

          A few examples from this book showing the lunacy of buying-into DVC follow. "The Priory of Sion," claimed to be the keeper of the secrets since the Middle Ages, is a complete hoax, started in France in the 1950s by a person who thought himself to be heir to the French throne (112). Nearly all of the New Testament was documented as recognized scripture by no later than 200 AD, or 125 years before the Council of Nicaea (142), contrary to DVC's claim. Christ's divinity was not decided by a "close vote" at Nicaea as claimed by DVC: the vote was "two" against and over 300 "for" (96).

          In summary, this book adeptly exposes the major supposed "facts" that Dan Brown claims DVC is based on as a series of neat deceptions and lies, and built upon the wishful thinking of the aging New Age Movement.
          Cracking Da Vinci's Code: You've Read the Fiction, Now Read the Facts
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Cracking Da Vinci's Code: You've Read the Fiction, Now Read the Facts
            James L. Garlow , and Peter Jones
            Manufacturer: Victor
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback
            ASIN: B000N55QP6

            Books:

            1. Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum Novels)
            2. Ellen Gallagher: Murmur
            3. Elphame's Choice (Luna)
            4. Fatal Charms and Other Tales of Today/The Mansions of Limbo (Omnibus)
            5. Form Line of Battle! (The Bolitho Novels)
            6. Give a Horse a Second Chance: Adopting and Caring for Rescue Horses
            7. Gods and Legions: A Novel of the Roman Empire
            8. Goodbye, Columbus : And Five Short Stories (Vintage International)
            9. Holy Skirts: A Novel of a Flamboyant Woman Who Risked All for Art (P.S.)
            10. Horseplay: A Novel

            Books Index

            Books Home

            Recommended Books

            1. Harry S. Truman: His Life and Times
            2. Yoga & Ayurveda Book
            3. The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen: Passing, Quicksand, and The Stories
            4. The Best Canadian Animal Stories: Classic Tales by Master Storytellers
            5. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
            6. Why We Get Sick: The New Science of Darwinian Medicine
            7. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
            8. The Olympic Rain Forest: An Ecological Web
            9. Sunnyvale: The Rise and Fall of a Silicon Valley Family
            10. El Alca En Debate: Una Perspectiva Desde Las Mujeres