Jackdaws

Amazon.com

Penzler Pick, November 2001: Each book by Ken Follett, one of the most successful suspense writers of our time, is a welcome event. With Jackdaws, he returns to his most successful era, the darkest days of World War II.

It is 1944 and the Allies are preparing for the invasion of Europe. In the occupied town of Sainte-Cecile, the French Resistance is preparing to blow up the chateau that now houses the crucial telephone exchange connecting the French telephone system to that of Germany. Bombers have been unable to inflict enough damage on the chateau to disrupt communications for more than a few hours at a time, but the Allies need to make sure that communications is down for longer so that there will be as little warning of the invasion as possible.

Felicity Clariet, known as Flick, is a British secret agent patrolling the streets around the chateau waiting for the first explosions that will give the signal for the attack to begin. She is married to Michel, a Resistance fighter. When the operation goes horribly wrong, they barely escape with their lives and Flick returns to her home in London--but not for long. When Flick returns to France it will be as part of an audacious, quickly assembled plan to put female spies in the chateau as telephone operators and cleaners, enabling the Allies to destroy the ability of the Exchange to warn Germany in advance of the landing on the beaches of Normandy. The twists and turns of the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Follett tells us that Jackdaws is based on a true story. The Special Operations Executive sent 50 women into France as secret agents. Thirty-six survived. --Otto Penzler

Book Description

D-Day is approaching. They don't know where or when, but the Germans know it'll be soon, and for Felicity "Flick" Clariet, the stakes have never been higher.

A senior agent in the ranks of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) responsible for sabotage, Flick has survived to become oe of Britain's most effective operatives in Northern France. She knows that the Germans' ability to thwart the Allied attack depends upon their lines of communications, and in the days before the invasion no target is of greater strategic importance than the largest telephone exchange in Europe.

But when Flick and her Resistance-leader husband try a direct, head-on assault that goes horribly wrong, her world turns upside down. Her group destroyed, her husband missing, her superiors unsure of her, her own confidence badly shaken, she has one last chance at the target, but the challenge, once daunting, is now near-impossible. The new plan requires an all-woman team, none of them professionals, to be assembled and trained within days. Code-named the Jackdaws, they will attempt to infiltrate the exchange under the noses of the Germans-but the Germans are waiting for them now and have plans of their own. There are secrets Flick does not know-secrets within the German ranks, secrets among her hastily recruited team, secrets among those she trusts the most. And as the hours tick down to the point of no return, most daunting of all, there are secrets within herself....

Filled with the powerful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and authentic detail that have become his hallmarks, Jackdaws is Ken Follett writing at the height of his powers.

Customer Reviews:

Fast-paced Espionage Story.......2007-10-01

This is a fantastic story about a rag-tag group of female spies that infiltrate a Nazi-occupied French telephone exchange on the eve of D-Day.

The characters are believable, the story fast-paced, and the action scenes unbelievable. This would make a fantastic movie, a la The Bourne Identity. Some of the torture scenes are not for the faint of heart, but the book is a real page-turner, with thrilling plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat, constantly rooting for the female heroine.

If you like suspense and/or war time novels, this is a must-read.

Not up to Follett's Standards.......2007-07-11

I am usually a big fan of Ken Follett, but Jackdaws just doesn't measure up to what we have come to expect from him. It's really too bad, because the premise--an all-female commando unit operating behind Nazi lines--is great. And the story has a basis in fact, as the afterward explains. So, the scene is set for a terrifc read, but this time Follet doesn't deliver.

The characters are thin and one-dimensional, even the lead. Follet spends very little energy demonstrating the motivation of the generally rag-tag recruits to undertake a critical and deadly assignment. The love interest subplot is forced and unconvincing. But most of all, the darn thing just isn't well written. Follet commits the amateurish literary sin of "telling" rather than "showing"; that makes for easier writing, I guess, but it short-changes the reader. Characters do not just have emotional reactions, they announce their emotions, as if we wouldn't understand them otherwise. And the dialog rarely sounds natural.

This is not a terrible book. Ken Follet is incapable of that, even on a bad day. But there are many other books by the same author that you will find more rewarding. If you are in the mood for a action-oriented novel in a historical setting, look to his other novels.

Likeable characters, exciting twists, Good read........2006-10-02

I like Ken Follett, and this is no exception. The characters are interesting, the story believable, and there are enough twists to make this whole story an enjoyable read.

In this book, Follett's villain was a likeable character. In other books, Follett's portrayal of the villain caused the reader to dislike him. But in this one, Franck was a likeable villain, and the reader almost cheers for him, especially with his clashes with the Gestapo.

If I was forced to criticize the book, it would be regarding the ending. Of course we know that the good guys win before even starting, but the sabatoge story and the subsequent stories (details omitted so as not to ruin the story), went too fast, and without many things going wrong for the Jackdaw team.

But I enjoyed it. It was an entertaining read.

The World's Best Book.......2006-05-09

It is about Adolph Hitler and what he did. This book is for mature readers because of things he did to other people and what happened to him to make him hate the Jewish religion. This book is an historical biography. I like the book because it is about history. I would recommend this book to people that like history and reading about the Holocaust. The book's title is Jackdaws by Ken Follett.

Jackdaws.......2006-03-18

Good book, it keep my interest. I belong to a book club and this was one of the books that was on the list.

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Jackdaws
Truly a book you can't set down..
Jackdaws

Jackdaws
Ken Follett
Manufacturer: NAL Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0451219597

Book Description

In his own bestselling tradition of Eye of the Needle and The Key to Rebecca, Ken Follett delivers a breathtaking novel of suspense set in the most dangerous days of World War II. He once again strikes Nazi pay dirt as a gang of all-female saboteurs go behind German lines.

Customer Reviews:

Jackdaws.......2007-10-02

One of Follet's best. Ranks right up there with Pillars of the Earth. HIghly recommend it.

Truly a book you can't set down.........2007-04-02

This was a great book, I enjoyed it a lot, there are some books I can read in the train, and just continue it day after day, and there are books like these, where I just have to finish it, and once I do, just wish there was more.. Very interesting, described vivid images.. loved it..

Jackdaws.......2007-03-09

Terrific story of undercover resistance during WW2. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in that era.

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Jackdaw Cake
Norman Lewis
Manufacturer: Hamish Hamilton Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0241116899

A Bend in the Road/The Woman Next Door/Jackdaws/Long Time No See (Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 2: 2002)

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A Bend in the Road/The Woman Next Door/Jackdaws/Long Time No See (Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 2: 2002)
Nicholas Sparks , Barbara Delinsky , Ken Follett , and Susan Isaacs
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

A Bend in the Road, The Woman Next Door, Jackdaws, Long Time No See (Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 2 2002 (260))

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A Bend in the Road, The Woman Next Door, Jackdaws, Long Time No See (Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 2 2002 (260))

Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: B000B45KS2

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The Civil War (Jackdaw)
David Johnson
Manufacturer: Golden Owl Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0305620207

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Jackdaws (Random House Large Print)

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HWYMHI

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Jackdaws
Ken Follett
Manufacturer: Macmillan Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

War | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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The House of Jackdaws
Alice Dwyer-Joyce
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Regency | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0312392621

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The jackdaw and the witch: a true fable
Sybil Leek
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

New York Times bestselling author Jackie Collins blazed onto bestseller lists nationwide with L.A.Connections -- four entwined novels of passion and danger among Hollywood's most powerful players. Now this sensational serial novel is collected in one blockbuster volume from "the queen of glamour fiction" (San Antonio Express-News).

Power
Obsession
Murder
Revenge

A killer is playing a deadly game inside the exclusive mansions of L.A. Drawn into this dangerous world are a high-class call girl looking for a way out...a ruthless agent playing for high stakes...and a beautiful journalist chasing the story of her career. They are about to discover the rules of survival in this city of dreamers and deceivers.

Customer Reviews:

LOOOVED IT!.......2006-07-24

I loved this book. The ride was wonderful. I have read quite a few of Jackie's books and this one is definately among the top 5. You must read this one. FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Enjoyable Easy Read.......2002-05-03

I read a lot of Jackie Collins' books. The thing I like about her books is they are easy reads, entertaining about Hollywood and right to the point. I recommend this book. I had it read quickly and was entertained to the end.

I LIKED IT!!.......2001-12-31

I thought this books is pretty good. Since it was written to be 4 separate books what i didnt like was that in the beggining of everybooks she would talk about the one that i just finished. Overall her characters were well illustrated in my mind by the way that jackie collins had intended.

Could have been better........2001-01-20

L.A. CONNECTIONS is actually 4 separate books combined into one paperback. Each segment reads as a separate book, as they were originally published as a 4-part serial.

The main story line throughout all 4 segments is a series of murders that affects in some way all the main characters. There is Kristin, the expensive call-girl who is trying to support her sister who is in a coma; there is Sally, the big chested super star who is really a down-to-earth simple gal who happened to become a celebrity; there is Madison, the journalist, who accidentally meets Sally and finds herself involved in the coverage of a murder; and a host of other fascinating characters, all bigger than life. And in between the murders there is plenty of sex, violence, and other trash that keeps the pace moving.

What I like about Jackie Collins books are the characters. They are never dull and are always living on the edge, no matter what their profession. L.A. CONNECTIONS was no exception. The problem with this book was that it read like 4 separate books, when i had been expecting one. It also seemed to have an abrupt ending as if Ms Collins wanted to get this book over with. This is not to say I didnt enjoy the book. I did, and it was fast reading from start to finish. But I think this book could have been better, if the ending was done right, and the 4 separate novels (Power,Obsession, Murder,and Revenge) were re-written to be published properly as a single book.

Excellent.......2000-06-22

As always Jackie has written an excellent book. I'm waiting for her new release in July

LA Connections : Power, Obsession, Murder, Revenge (L.A. Connections)

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LA Connections : Power, Obsession, Murder, Revenge (L.A. Connections)
Jackie Collins
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LXZ39Y

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L.A. Connections: Power Obsession Murder Revenge
Jackie Collins
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000JJILQM

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LA Connections : Power, Obsession, Murder, Revenge (L.A. Connections)
Jackie Collins
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O9IDE2

Book Description

When the Alliance Fleet mounts a major campaign against a deadly warlord, tyrant Ysanne Isard has taken control of Thyferra, intending to use its supply of medicinal bacta to destabilize and destroy the New Republic. Undermanned, deprived of Alliance support, Rogue Squadron must oppose Isard's plans, defeat her Star Destroyer fleet, and free Thyferra from her rule in a winner-take-all battle against a seemingly superior force.

Customer Reviews:

The Rogue Squadron Tetralogy, Book 4.......2007-05-26

I understand that this series was capitalizing on the popularity of a computer game, but it would have been better if it didn't have the title of "X-Wing."

That minor beef aside, the first 4 books of this series form a tetralogy featuring the exploits of the ace starfighter squadron. For post-Return of the Jedi novels that are not about Luke, Han and Leia, these books are not bad.

As for the best novels from the era of the movie saga, I highly recommend the following 5-star novels:

Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)
Shadow Hunter (Star Wars: Darth Maul)
Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars)
Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)

Rogue Squadron led by Stackpole does it again!.......2006-11-05

I'm a bit torn about this book. It is among one of my very favorites of the Star Wars books, and of the X-wing series in general. THe biggest problem with it that I had was when it was over. I didn't want it to end. Stackpole's ability to blend thrilling X-wing battles, ground combat and political intrigue is simply masterful. If one could elect him to "Jedi Master" status, I would.

In looking through some of the previous reviews, it becomes clear to me that some of them are mixing up the plotlines to this story. The entire group of Rogue Squadron pilots has resigned in the wake of the departure of the Super Star Destroyer Lusankya from Coruscant to combat the threat from Ysanne Isard, former Director of Imperial Intelligence. In control of the bacta cartel from the planet Thyferra, Isard poses an intolerable difficulty to the New Republic, for she controls the supply of the precious medicine bacta, but because of political turmoil, the New Republic as a whole cannot invade Thyferra and squash Isard.

Thus enter Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron.

This is arguably the best of all of the X-wing books, linking many of the supplementary stories (from the comics) into a highly entertaining story. I'd actually rate this book with six stars!

X-Wing, Book 4.......2005-11-28

The rogues have seperated from the New Republic and have gone off on their own to fight the imperial remnant. I thought it was an excellent direction for the author to go, especially after showing the New Republic in such a bad light in the first three books. This truly makes them "rogues".

This book is full of space battles and X-Wing action. While the first three books really centered on Corran Horn, this one centers more on Rogue Squadron as a whole and gets everyone into the story nicely.

Well written, and with a great pace, this book is a great finale to the first four X-Wing books. The final battle is an amazing scene and one that will long be remembered by EU fans.

The X-Wing saga continues with this excellent novel.......2005-07-03

X-Wing Book 4: The Bacta War (1997.) Book four in a nine-part series.

INTRODUCTION:
The Star Wars film series is, without question, the greatest science fiction series of all time. George Lucas captured the minds of people young and old across the world. But as anyone knows, there were only three films (this was before the prequels), and for many people, this just wasn't enough. And thus, the Star Wars Expanded Universe was born. The Expanded Universe consisted of comic books, video games, novels, and other media. Many of the stories focused on the characters in the films, many focused on unknown characters from the same universe. Among the authors who tried their hands at creating Star Wars novels was Michael A. Stackpole. In the mid-late nineties, he created the Star Wars X-Wing series, a nine-book series loosely inspired by the Star Wars PC game of the same name. Read on for my review of the fourth book in this series, The Bacta War.

STORYLINE:
It's been two-and-a-half years since the Rebel Alliance triumphed at the Battle Of Endor and Emperor Palpatine's death. The Rebellion now rules former Imperial Center Coruscant, and following the events of the previous X-Wing novel, the members of Rogue Squadron have resigned from the Rebellion to go about doing missions their own way, since the New Republic's goals differ from their own. Ysanne Isard, the new leader of the Galactic Empire, has control over pretty much all the Bacta in the galaxy, so the former Rogues must wage war on her convoys, bringing it back to those who need it the most. Although one of Rogue Squardron's own betrayed them at the conclusion of the previous book, things actually start to look up - one of the finest young Rogue pilots believed to be dead has returned to the squadron, and Mirax Terrik's father and his business partner have started to get the former Rogues the equipment they need to destroy Isard's reborn Empire.

OPINIONS:
Overall, I was very satisfied with this story. This was the fourth of Stackpole's Star Wars novels I read (I'm working on the X-Wing series as we speak), and I am very satisfied with what I read. I personally thought Wedge's Gamble (Book 2 in the series) was a bit of a disappointment in that it was a departure from the aerial combat, but Stackpole redeemed himself beautifully with Book 3, and this continues that trend in a good direction. In this novel (and all other X-Wing novels), the classic trio of Luke, Leia, and Han have EXTREMELY SMALL roles. Stackpole instead focuses mostly on new characters, with the occasional old favorite like Wedge Antilles and Admiral Ackbar. I'm reading the X-Wing novels in order, and thusfar this one is one of the best ones I have read so far. It's an exciting, emotional story, and if you preferred the space/air battles of the series to the conflicts on the ground, the X-Wing series should be right up your alley. If you strictly want to follow the exploits of Luke, Leia, Han, and all the other classic main characters, though, bypass this series. But if you want high-flying action that many stories lack, this one's for you.

OVERALL:
In the end, I must say that I am very satisfied with this story, and I am not at all reluctant to say that it would make for a fantastic movie - if George Lucas decides to make future Star Wars movies, this is a novel I would strongly recommend converting to the big screen. If you're a Star Wars fan who wants to go beyond the films, Stackpole's X-Wing series should appeal to you - that is, unless, you just want to follow the exploits of the main classic trilogy characters. Just make sure to start with Book 1 and read them in order, or you may be left dazed and confused.

Stackpole is one of the best Star Wars has to offer.......2004-12-30

"The Bacta War" is the fourth book of the nine book X-Wing series. It is also the concluding book of a four novel story arc which follows the Rogue Squadron two years after the events of "The Return of the Jedi". At the end of the third book, "The Krytos Trap" Rogue pilot Corran Horn was presumed dead while trying to free Coruscant of the Krytos virus. Perennial suspect and Rogue member Tycho Celchu is believed to be the traitor who caused Horn's death. While Celchu is under arrest we soon learn that Corran Horn is alive, though not well. He is a prisoner of Ysanne Isard at the infamous Lusankya prison. It is because of his release from Lusankya that Celchu is believed to be a double agent for the Empire. A good portion of "The Bacta War" is spent with Corran Horn and his attempts to escape from Lusankya.

The rest of the book, however, deals with the "bacta war" itself. After giving up Coruscant to the krytos virus and to the Alliance, Ysanne Isard, a top Empire Intelligence Official and de facto ruler, has escaped to Thyferra. Thyferra is the only planet in the galaxy which still makes the healing bacta wonder drug. Allowing control of bacta to stay in the hands of Isard would be disaster for the Rebel Alliance. But, because Isard gained control of Thyferra legally, the Alliance cannot attack without losing credibility or its moral strength. The Rogues take matters into their own hands and resign from the Alliance to fight their own war and get Isard out of Thyferra.

There is a smaller subplot which has to do with the investigation of Tycho Celchu, but the direction this novel takes is more towards the war against Isard and Horn trying to escape. In the process Horn learns more about his heritage and we are treated to another excellent Star Wars novel by Michael Stackpole. He is able to mix humor, action, and tell a good story that keeps the reader interested the entire way through. He introduces new characters, strengthens our interest in older characters, and adds to the depth of the Star Wars Universe. He also does a good job in completing the four book story arc of the Rogue Squadron. Surely there are other battles, but this is sufficient. The next X-Wing book will be Aaron Allston's "Wraith Sqaudron", which introduces a new X-Wing squadron unrelated to the Rogues. Stackpole is one of the best Star Wars authors out there, and this book is not a let down.

-Joe Sherry

5 Titles Star Wars X-Wing (1-5) : 1. Rogue Squadron 2. Wedge's Gamble 3. The Krytos Trap 4. The Bacta War 5. Wraith Squadron

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5 Titles Star Wars X-Wing (1-5) : 1. Rogue Squadron 2. Wedge's Gamble 3. The Krytos Trap 4. The Bacta War 5. Wraith Squadron
Michael A. Stackpole , and Aaron Allston
Manufacturer: Bantam Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Product Description

five mmpb books. 5 Titles Star Wars X-Wing (1-5) : 1. Rogue Squadron 2. Wedge's Gamble 3. The Krytos Trap 4. The Bacta War 5. Wraith Squadron

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The Bacta War Star Wars X Wing Book 4
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Star Wars: The X-Wing Series, Volume 4: The Bacta War

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Star Wars: The X-Wing Series, Volume 4: The Bacta War
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download

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The Bacta War
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000J31VXI

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The Bacta War X-Wing Star Wars Book 4
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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BACTA WAR (STAR WARS X-WING, NO 4)
MICHAEL A. STACKPOLE
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Bacta War[X-Wing, Book 4]
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Isard's Revenge, Wraith Squadron, Wedge's Gamble, the Bacta War, Rogue Squadron, the Krytos Trap (X-Wing, volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8)

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Isard's Revenge, Wraith Squadron, Wedge's Gamble, the Bacta War, Rogue Squadron, the Krytos Trap (X-Wing, volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8)
Aaron Allston Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Bantam Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

good start on this Star Wars series

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Star Wars. X- Wing. Bacta- Piraten.
Michael Stackpole
Manufacturer: Goldmann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

German | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 3442248191

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The Crusades were not carried out by Christians

Christian Jihad

Compelling and Factually Based

Very Enjoyable

Highly recommended

Christian Jihad: Two Former Muslims Look at the Crusades and Killing in the Name of Christ
Ergun Mehmet Caner
Manufacturer: Kregel Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs

More Than a Prophet: An Insider's Response to Muslim Beliefs About Jesus & Christianity

Voices Behind the Veil: The World of Islam Through the Eyes of Women

Costly Call, The: Modern-Day Stories of Muslims Who Found Jesus

Out of the Crescent Shadows: Leading Muslim Women into the Light of Christ

ASIN: 0825424038

Book Description

Two former Muslims examine the impact of Christian atrocities on modern personal and cultural interaction, question popular views of just war, and challenge us to face our past and redeem our future.

Customer Reviews:

The Crusades were not carried out by Christians.......2007-03-05

A Christian is someone who seeks to follow Christ. The Crusades were carried out by the Catholic Church which is NOT a Christian orginazation!
Roman Catholics follow man-made rules and worship men. The Bible, which is Jesus in Word, since He is the Word made flesh, explicitly tells us not to follow man-made rules over God's, or to worship men, (see Matthew 23). Islam was created by the Catholic Church, and their plan back-fired on them. See the testimony of Alberta Rivera at chick.com, who was a Jesuit priest and escaped the order, but lived to tell about his experiences before the Jesuits succeeded in killing him. He told of seeing the early writings of the Jesuits who made-up Islam, and incited them to hate true Christians. Muslims fell for the worship of a virgin queen without realizing that true Christians only worship God in Trinity, and do not worship statues of a virgin. Even Jesus'es mother, Mary, knew that she needed a Savior and would have abhored anyone worshipping her (see Matthew 1:47).
Caner needs to realize the vast difference between Catholicism and Christianity. Catholics follow the Pope and Rome and don't read the Bible. They are like robots repeating the same thing every mass. Christians read the Bible and follow Christ. They've been set free from the clutches of the anti-Christ, and his ways. They aren't robots who kill when Rome tells them to kill. Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco were all Catholics in good standing with the Catholic Church, but they were not Christians.

Christian Jihad.......2007-01-01

I am nearly finished with this book and have found it very enlightening and thought provoking. In other reviews here I have read that there is no such thing as a Christian Jihad. Although that may be technically true with regards to semantics- I would challenge the idea that there is no such thing as a Christain Jihad in spiritual or ideological terms, as an American Indian and Christian who is well versed in history, politics and foreign policy. Christianity itself may not be completely responsible for the acts of Western Statist powers, but often we Christians have both enabled and condoned atrocities and war crimes in the name of patriotism. The dropping of atomic bombs on civilian populations in Japan and the holocaust of the First Nations of the Americas are two quick examples. With regards to the Mid-East we have signed off on policies that have both created and enabled the growth of terrorism for the last several decades. These would include the arming and enabling of Saddam, the brutal reign of the Shah in Iran and the eventual reaction to it, the arming and training of the Mujahideen which became al Quaeda, the enabling of the Taliban, the Iran-Contra scheme and so-on. The West has actively sought for the last 40 years to squelch secular nationalist governments throughout the Mid-East and thus allowed a space for radical Islam to grow in. Again, these things may not be the responsibilities of Christaianity per se...but inasmuch as the U.S. and many of her allies are considered "Christian Nations" with high concentrations of "Christians" in the populace as well as the leadership- the message of the Caner brothers is right on point and very important- if we wish to see a more peaceful and Christ-like world.

As Christians, we are supposed to be outside of and above the worldly mechanisms that help perpetuate the self sustaining cycle of violence, death and revenge. That is what is supposed to be different about us. Our signature message is supposed to be about universal salvation- not about empire building and ridding the world of evil-doers. The Caner brothers offer a fresh and poignant perspective on this.

Cont. I am finished with the book now.

I have noted that the jacket of this book has an endorsement from none other than Ann Coulter. This is actually based upon her endorsement of the other book the Caner brother's wrote entitled "Unveiling Islam: an Insider's Look At Muslim Life and Belief."

I find this to be very interesting and ironic. It seems Ann coulter, and I suspect many other "Christian" political types, jumped on the bandwagon because the book verifies many of the current fears concerning Islam. It talks about how the radicals belief in Jihad, violence and so forth has produced such horrific results. What strikes me as funny is that in this second book the Caner brothers reveal themselves as pacifists which would put them squarely at odds with the ideology of Ms. Coulter- some of whose quotes below will explain my vexation:

* Ann Coulter stated in her December 21 column that "I think the government
should be spying on all Arabs, engaging in torture as a televised spectator sport, dropping daisy cutters wantonly throughout the Middle East and sending liberals to Guantanamo." (this is about as un-Christian as it gets- but wait there's more)

* Commenting on radio host Melanie Morgan's assertion that if New York Times executive editor Bill Keller were convicted of treason she "would have no problem with him being sent to the gas chamber," Coulter said, "I prefer a firing squad, but I'm open to a debate on the method of execution." She later suggested that Times staff members should be "executed."

(Suspicion must always fall on those who attempt to silence their opponents.
~Ian Buckley)

* Coulter said of the media: "Would that it were so! ... That the American military were targeting journalists."

* Coulter suggested that Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA) is "the reason soldiers invented fragging," -- military slang meaning the intentional killing of a member of one's own unit.

* Coulter argued that the national debate during the Monica Lewinsky controversy should not have focused on whether former President Bill Clinton "did it," but rather "whether to impeach or assassinate" him.

* Coulter said of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens: "We need somebody to put rat poison in Justice Stevens's créme brulée.''

* Fox News host Sean Hannity* asked right-wing pundit Ann Coulter how she would propose to end Iran's nuclear activities if she "were president." Coulter replied: "How about we just ... carpet-bomb them so they can't build a transistor radio?" As Media Matters for America recently noted, Fox News host Neil Cavuto similarly wondered how a "President Ann Coulter" would view certain diplomatic overtures toward Israel from Hezbollah's leadership. Coulter noted that her "first act in office ... would be to deport all liberals" and then "deal with Israel."

* Hannity's response to this was jocular.

Chapter 1 of Christian Jihad contrasts Ms. Coulter's approach sharply. The 1st chapter is entitled "We Shed No Blood But Our Own". In it the Caners quote many of the early church fathers and theologians and assert that the only legitimate weapon a Christian disciple may wield is prayer.
They back this up not only with Biblical text- but also the sound reasoning of many early church fathers.
The Caner brothers explain in the book how it was that the pacifistic nature of Christianity is what attracted them and brought about their conversion. This story calls into serious question the attitude among MANY Christian Americans that there is simply no negotiation, no way of reaching Muslims. This contradicts the belief that Muslims are beyond reason, that they are irredeemable and the only thing that they respect and respond to is force and strength and dominance. This story calls into serious question the West's entire approach to the problem of radical Islamic fundamentalism and terror tactics. This story likewise calls into serious question the foreign policy approach that our government stands by even as we speak.

I recommend this book highly.

I must mention that someone with whom I have regular debates about Christianity and violence and warfare was recently promoting this book to me because they had seen a show about the Caner brothers and had latched on to the negative things the Caners had to say about Islam. He was apparently quite unaware that In Christian Jihad- the Caner brothers next take on Christian fundamentalism and its ties to violent expression. When I told him about the concept they had offered that stated the only legitimate weapon for a Christian was prayer his eyeballs nearly did a 360 in their sockets. Forgive me for finding this somewhat amusing.

At any rate this is an excellent read.
p.s.

Also, it is worth noting that by the end of the book the Caner brothers express support for both the war in Afghanistan and in Iraq. I wonder if they feel the same way about it a few years and a river of blood later.

Compelling and Factually Based.......2006-04-25

I have read other books by the Caners and each one sheds a new light on the subject of Isla-. I picked this particular book to see which stand the Caners opted to take on what has become a more touchy subject over the years. First, it is factual that the Crusades were a huge human tragedy in the annals of history. Unbelievers were tortured, mutliated and murdered. The Pope's call for the Crusades indicates the blind obedience that we give to other people who seem to act as though they are G-d. The Caners reveal to the reader that the Crusades did nothing but ostracize Christianity to the remainder of the world. It even divides the world today. The Muslims, Jews and other "non-Catholic" believers were persecuted and that is a fact.

Crusdaers would ride into towns and villages and regardless of the cries for mercy, they would impel young children and women on the ends of their swords and even torture anyone who tried to defend themselves.

Picture if you will, the carnage that engulfed the European and other parts of the Mediterranean on the way to Jerusalem. After realizing that I do not want to be associated with that image, I have become a Messianic Zionist and I know that the Yeshua (Jesus), that I have come to better understand does not receive any glory for the actions of extremists no matter what their religious beliefs might be.

Very Enjoyable.......2005-07-26

I really enjoyed the work although I did disagree with some of the propositions. I thought the authors did a very good job of making their point that Christianity has much forgiveness to seek. I think as far as that goes, tis true.

But, I think many of the assertions are a bit of a stretch, for example the assertion that Pope Urban's call was a call for unprovoked aggression. Even the quotes the authors' use indicates that the Pope was trying to take the Holy Land BACK. Also, while I think the argument can be made that there were definite political advantages in Europe that The Crusades provided. However, I think it is a far harder argument to make that The Crusades were launched solely or even primarily for domestic political reasons. I think the authors fall a little short in both cases.

Also, I think the author's condemnation of Richard the Lion hearted is weak. While there is reason for modern Christiandom to not be proud of his treatment of the conquered, it must also be dealt within the time and the culture. According to the authors'; own account RTLH accepted the surrender of the city based upon conditions that the inhabitants knew they could not fulfill. RTLH by the standards of the day, merely lived up to his promise. From his point of view it may very well be that even though the locals dealt with him dishonestly and still kept the true Cross of Christ hidden he, in his generosity did not harm the women and children. In our time by our standards that would be absurd but in the day killing the men of a town or village that did not meet your demands is not all that uncommon.

Even with the faults that this work has it is an excellent read. I think for the most part the authors' try and succeed in showing the warts of Chistiandom in a respectful manner. The work has the feel of being an internal and kind criticism. Which comes as no surprise since that was the expressed intent of the authors.

Highly recommended.......2005-06-16

Another unveiling of the brutal savagery called Islam. Since its inception Islam has used the most vicious and insideous tactics in its goal of subjecting the non-muslim world to its yoke. The word Islam means submission , but that is another way of saying slavery. Mohamed considered himself the slave of Allah and he himself owned and traded slaves and he wanted the whole world to be enslaved to his ideology. This well written book is highly recommended for any one who wants to debunk the historical myths propagated by Islamic apologists.

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