Showdown

Book Description

When a stranger named Marsuvees Black appears in Paradise, he brings with him a message of hope and love. Or is it death and hate? Perhaps neither - perhaps both. He seems to know too much about the town's many unspoken secrets, and he himself holds the greatest secret of them all. As black clouds and sandstorms envelop the town, it becomes almost impossible to get in or out. It quicky becomes apparent that Paradise is being isolated for a reason. But why?

Ted Dekker's latest adrenaline-laced thriller has been proclaimed as his most original, daring tale to date. A novel that will take you further than anything he's ever written. A novel that will leave you wanting more.

Customer Reviews:

Showdown.......2007-10-08

Show Down is a page-turning suspense novel that you don't want to miss. Make time for this book, you will want to read it in one seating

cool.......2007-09-04

First off, I should tell you that some fans of Dekker's Circle Trilogy may be dissapointed. This novel isn't as weird as the Circle Trilogy is (weird in a good way) but it is related to the trilogy; the books of history are a mayjor part of the plot. This book is better for people with good imaginations (there are dungeons that aren't described incredible well) but is very enjoyable. A very unique and interesting idea (kids secluded in a monastery from birth and sheilded from evil). Dekker has written better books in his time (e.g. Saint, Circle Trilogy, Thr3e) but it is definetly worth the read. It's an important peice of the puzzle in the 10-book Books of History super series (Black, White, Red, Showdown, Saint, soon to be released Choosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, and Sinner). Dive deep.

WOW!!.......2007-07-31

Whatever you do DON'T read the first two chapters at night if you have a VIVID imagination!!!! This was a great book and I love how Dekker ties most of his books together.

Well Done.......2007-07-05

Showdown
Ted Dekker

It is always difficult to review a Ted Dekker novel. To much review and you run the risk of giving away to much of the story, The plot revolves around a stranger named Marsuvees Black who comes to the small Colorado town of Paradise. Black warns that he is a messenger from God, but there are those with doubts. While Black works his magic in Paradise another part of the plot occurs in the hills above town. A group of children raised in a strange experiment begin to challenge ideas of good and evil.

You must read the book to find the connection between the city and the experiment. Before all is said and done we will see the showdown between good and evil.

Dekker is very much in his element with this novel, The pace is fast and there are very few plodding moments. As with all Ted Dekker you are better served not trying to figure out what is going on. Instead, just hang on for the ride. Showdown is both challenging and a great read.

Not much entertaining or inspiring here.......2007-05-31

I totally agree with an earlier reviewer who said they loved "The Circle Trilogy" but wouldn't recommend anyone waste their time reading "Showdown".

I disagree with other reviewers in that I personally am glad that Dekker is trying to push the limits a bit on Christian fiction -- probably freaking out some people with his imagery (pulling out eyes, worm excretions) in the process -- but ultimately and unfortunately I dont think he pulled it off well in this book. Maybe it was lack of character development, maybe it was the illogical way the characters acted, maybe the ridiculous Thomas the Cop episode should have been entirely redone or omitted.

Also a negative for me is that the Christian analogy that he was working up to was just way too thin. Most readers will be familiar with the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from another book (albeit a non-fiction one), so in that case it's TOO EASY to see whats coming in the end of "Showdown".

Not much entertaining or inspiring here.

The Main Enemy: The Inside Story of the CIA's Final Showdown with the KGB

Average customer rating:

Milt Bearden gives us the data dump
A curious discrepancy
Valuable insight into the climax of the Cold War
Great Read
I LOVE SPY BOOKS

The Main Enemy: The Inside Story of the CIA's Final Showdown with the KGB
Milton Bearden , and James Risen
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345472500
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Book Description

A landmark collaboration between a thirty-year veteran of the CIA and a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, The Main Enemy is the dramatic inside story of the CIA-KGB spy wars, told through the actions of the men who fought them.

Based on hundreds of interviews with operatives from both sides, The Main Enemy puts us inside the heads of CIA officers as they dodge surveillance and walk into violent ambushes in Moscow. This is the story of the generation of spies who came of age in the shadow of the Cuban missile crisis and rose through the ranks to run the CIA and KGB in the last days of the Cold War. The clandestine operations they masterminded took them from the sewers of Moscow to the back streets of Baghdad, from Cairo and Havana to Prague and Berlin, but the action centers on Washington, starting in the infamous "Year of the Spy"--when, one by one, the CIA’s agents in Moscow began to be killed, up through to the very last man.

Behind the scenes with the CIA's covert operations in Afghanistan, Milt Bearden led America to victory in the secret war against the Soviets, and for the first time he reveals here what he did and whom America backed, and why. Bearden was called back to Washington after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan and was made chief of the Soviet/East Euro-pean Division—just in time to witness the fall of the Berlin Wall, the revolutions that swept across Eastern Europe, and the implosion of the Soviet Union.

Laced with startling revelations--about fail-safe top-secret back channels between the CIA and KGB, double and triple agents, covert operations in Berlin and Prague, and the fateful autumn of 1989-- The Main Enemy is history at its action-packed best.

From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

A landmark collaboration between a thirty-year veteran of the CIA and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, The Main Enemy is the dramatic inside story of the CIA-KGB spy wars, told through the actions of the men who fought them.

Based on hundreds of interviews with operatives from both sides, The Main Enemy puts us inside the heads of CIA officers as they dodge surveillance and walk into violent ambushes in Moscow.

This is the story of the generation of spies who came of age in the shadow of the Cuban missile crisis and rose through the ranks to run the CIA and KGB in the last days of the Cold War. The clandestine operations they masterminded took them from the sewers of Moscow to the back streets of Baghdad, from Cairo and Havana to Prague and Berlin, but the action centers on Washington, starting in the infamous "Year of the Spy" -- when, one by one, the CIA's agents in Moscow began to be killed, up through to the very last man.

Behind the scenes with the CIA's covert operations in Afghanistan, Milt Bearden led America to victory in the secret war against the Soviets, and for the first time he reveals here what he did and whom America backed, and why.

Bearden was called back to Washington after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan and was made chief of the Soviet/East European Division -- just in time to witness the fall of the Berlin Wall, the revolutions that swept across Eastern Europe, and the implosion of the Soviet Union.

Laced with startling revelations -- about fail-safe top-secret back channels between the CIA and KGB, double and triple agents, covert operations in Berlin and Prague, and the fateful autumn of 1989 -- The Main Enemy is history at its action-packed best.

Customer Reviews:

Milt Bearden gives us the data dump.......2007-03-27

My introduction to Milt Bearden came from reading "Charlie Wilson's War" by George Crile. A great book by the way, I would highly recommend it.

I would recommend this book to people who are interested in Cold War history.

My only dissapointment with this book is that in the epilogue Milt doesn't approach the question of whether or not the rules have changed from when he was chief of the SE Division, and if those changes are for the better. For example, let's take "extraordinary renditions" - in the days when Milt was chief of SE Division the unwritten rule was that USA and USSR didn't kill or unduly rough up each other's spies. Now that we engage in those kinds of activities, are our CIA operatives in the DO more cautious? Are there more restrictions on their movements when they are overseas? And has the change in methods and attitudes affected our relationships with other intelligence agencies, and if so, for the better or for the worse?

A curious discrepancy.......2006-12-18

Much as I have enjoyed this fascinating book, I wish to point out a startling anachronism. Bearden makes much of the delivery of the "120 mm Spanish mortar" to the Mujahideen in 1987, and elaborates on how teams were trained in applying GPS readings to precisely deliver their ordnance beyond visual range. "It came...with a ranging system worked out by Langley...that fused the low-tech mortar with the high-tech world of satellite guidance." And "Once their exact coordinates had been calibrated, the leader of the team would feed the GPS data into a small computer, add the coordinates of the target, and then query the computer for the precise compass direction and elevation..." This procedure, GPS and all, supposedly led to devastating night attacks on the Spetsnaz battalion at Chagasaray on 28 Nov 1987 and 15 Dec 1987.
Problem: Although initial use of GPS was reported in 1990, it did not become operational until 1993. In 1987 the satellites had not been launched yet (this was during the Challenger stand-down).
We can only conclude that while the attacks and the mortars were real, the procedures and the "ranging" method used must have been invented by the authors for literary convenience. No doubt this is the ghost writer's shortcut, not Bearden's, but this does raise questions about technical accuracy throughout the volume.

Valuable insight into the climax of the Cold War.......2005-11-18

In a brief period of time between 1989 and 1991, the world changed dramatically. Several significant events transpired, each literally changing the way the world worked overnight. In The Main Enemy, Milt Bearden and James Risen provide a detailed and fascinating view into the struggle between the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Soviet security service, Komitet Gosudarstvenoj Bezopasnosti (KGB).

Anyone aware of the state of world affairs for the last half of the twentieth century would be hard pressed to believe any of the events that took place as the final decade of the century was poised to begin. Starting with the Soviet Union's withdraw from Afghanistan in 1989, we observed as one event followed another, each coming as a greater surprise than the previous. We watched the collapse of the Berlin Wall and saw the reunification of Germany shortly thereafter. Not long behind Germany's rejection of socialism, we saw revolutions in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, and elsewhere. In the latter half of 1991, we watched a failed coup in the Soviet Union, and as that year drew to a close, the Soviet hammer and sickle was replaced with the Russian tricolor flag over Moscow.

These were not events that took place on their own. These were the highly visible climax of an ongoing struggle between the proponents of the Soviet Revolutskyj Mir ("World Revolution") and their counterparts in the West -- including Britain's MI6 and America's CIA. Such a conclusion wasn't always assured, and there were times when CIA was baffled by the tremendous success of KGB's operations against Western agents and interests. It is during these "1985 losses" that the book opens, providing a foundation that helps the reader to see just what was happening in the world of intelligence.

Milt Bearden is a career CIA officer, having spent a lifetime in the shadows and working for America's interests. James Risen is an accomplished journalist. The collaboration -- which also includes the input and assistance of many other players from many sides in this international game of strategy and intrigue -- is an admirable success. The story is gripping, compelling, and personal. The book is well-structured and the prose makes it easy to forget that The Main Enemy isn't a novel, but a book of real history.

For those of us whose understanding of intelligence is primarily from the technical side -- most likely through Bamford's glimpses into the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) -- The Main Enemy is instructive, helping us to see the value of human intelligence (HUMINT) and its role in world affairs.

While hardly the definitive work on the operations of CIA, The Main Enemy provides valuable insight into the climax of the Cold War. Hopefully its accessible style will help to open this important chapter of history to a wide audience -- not just spy buffs.

Great Read.......2004-07-04

For those of us who were a bit younger at the end of the Cold War and were more interested in girls and cars than politics, this is a great read about the spy games that went on between the CIA & KGB, both directly (eg. in Washington or Moscow) or indirectly (Afghanistan) and about the political changes that happened at the end of the 80's and early 90's. I have read a lot of Tom Clancy's novels, and this one has them beat for intrigue and insight. Anyone who enjoys books told from a truly inside perspective will love this one.

I LOVE SPY BOOKS.......2004-05-04

This is another terrific spy book that is worth reading. Was completeley drawn in by this one !!! Another Cold War era book I would recommend is the one by Benjamin Weiser titled " A Secret Life" about a Polish Colonel ( Ryszard Kuklinski ) on the Polish General Staff who passed on some 40,000 Warsaw Pact and Soviet documents to the CIA from 1972 to 1981.

Showdown with Nuclear Iran: Radical Islam's Messianic Mission to Destroy Israel and Cripple the United States

Average customer rating:

Informative, but dry
Great Book to read
A bunch of lunatics in Iran and what do we do.
Accurate, Alarming... A Must Read!
Biased

Showdown with Nuclear Iran: Radical Islam's Messianic Mission to Destroy Israel and Cripple the United States
Michael D. Evans , and Jerome R. Corsi
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1595550755

Book Description

A terrifying examination of how Iran's president (a radical Shiite zealot) believes he has a "divine mission" to usher in the apocalypse and thereby herald the second coming of a Shia Muslim messiah-and how he is trying to achieve this by building his arsenal and threatening to cripple America and destroy Israel in a nuclear holocaust.

Customer Reviews:

Informative, but dry.......2007-09-08

This book taught me a lot about Iran's past and present, but the information was presently too dryly for me to give it five stars. It's a good read if you're interested in the nuclear situation with Iran, but I would have liked it if the book delved further into the religious ideas behind Iran's actions.

Great Book to read.......2007-07-03

Take the time to read this book in its entirety. The author states the facts that no one likes to hear, but must be said. It is about time someone brought forth the truth.

A bunch of lunatics in Iran and what do we do........2007-06-29

I don't know what to make of this book.

Say someone had a written a book in 1934 saying that Hitler was going to conquer almost all of Europe and write of the methods Hitler used to commit his unspeakable acts of mass murder. I would not have found it believable. I would have said that German is a poor military weak country that is barely economically viable. It could not even stand up to the Polish army much less France. Also that I know many Germans and I could not imagine Germans doing such acts.

The problem here is also the same. Iran today is a weak country. Economically it is also barely viable. Militarily it could only draw with Saddam's Iraq. I know several Persian people. They are fine people.

The problem is the Iranian government. If there was a free and open election, it would lose. The Iranian government knows this. Also unlike most governments today, it has a mission to ram a horrible form of Islam down to its people and spread this doctrine thought the world. So it attacks the West which it sees as secular and in particular the US and Israel. So it now sees itself in conflict with them. Ironically both the US and Israel are the most unsecular of the Western goverments.

The only hope of Iran to balance off the US is nuclear weapons. Therefore, they are trying to make one. It is only a few years before they will have one. Then they will want some missiles. Only when the Iranian government feel that they can strike with these at the US will they feel safe. Once they achieve this safety what will they do?

This book has some believable scenarios if you assume that a country is trying to achieve suicide. A few Iranian nuclear bombs hit Israel or the US will quickly result in a massive retaliation by either. That will result in the end of the Iranian revolution. Somehow I just cannot believe that this is what President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants. Even if he did, he is not supreme. Over him is the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his Council of Guardians.

What I was wondering is what would happen if a nuclear armed Iran decides to use its weapons against a non-nuclear neighbour.

This book is worth reading as a study of some disturbing trends and scenarios. It is not impossible that a nuclear missile supplied by some Muslim fanatical group or government goes straight into a major city and goes boom. Then what are we going to do?

Accurate, Alarming... A Must Read!.......2007-06-25

I just finished this book, and I have to say I was impressed. If I ran across something I found a bit hard to believe, when I checked the endnotes I (more often than not) found a web link. Sure enough, the web links were valid and led me to even more information.

Evans & Corsi provide an accurate and sobering picture of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. His visions of ushering in the return of the Mahdi through violence and jihad, and his explicit warnings of just that, should be heeded by the West. This is a must read for Americans, but even more so, for America's leaders.

Biased.......2007-02-22

When Corsi says the following:

"Islam is like a virus -- it affects the mind -- maybe even better as an analogy -- it is a cancer that destroys the body it infects... No doctor would hesitate to eliminate cancer cells from the body." (11/26/02)

...it reminds me of something the Nazis would have said about the Jews.

While Iran and Islam may be a threat, so are China and many other countries and groups. It is rather scary that so much propaganda and demonization have taken place merely (in my current opinion) to foment another war for oil, Israel and Empire. Haven't we seen where this path leads many times before?

Therefore, I caution readers to consider the bias of the authors into account.

Countdown to Crisis: The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran

Average customer rating:

Countdown to Nuclear Horror: Modern Iran = Evil Regime
Detailed Analysis of Iran's growing threat
A great book...
TWA 800 , Beirut , 911 , Hamas , Dhobar , USS Cole
Interesting Polemic Backed by Facts

Countdown to Crisis: The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran
Kenneth R. Timmerman
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1400053692
Release Date: 2006-02-16

Book Description

From the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize 2006:

“The most urgent and disastrous threat to world peace today is the looming danger that Iran will produce nuclear weapons. . . . Kenneth R. Timmerman, a U.S. expert on Iran, has for more than twenty years exposed Iran’s nuclear activities and intentions. . . . Despite the illusions of many in positions of power, he has been right, again and again. His latest book, Countdown to Crisis: The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran, lays out this ongoing scandal in chilling detail.” —Per Ahlmark, former Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, nominating Timmerman for the Nobel Peace Prize

IRAN: THE REAL ENEMY

Who is the greatest threat to America? The Islamic Republic of Iran.

In his chilling new book, New York Times bestselling author Kenneth R. Timmerman uses his exclusive access to previously classified documents, Iranian defectors and officials, and high-level intelligence sources to lay bare the true nature of the Iranian threat—and America’s failure to deal with the danger.

Crisscrossing the globe, Timmerman takes readers into secret terrorist gatherings in Tehran, tense meetings in the White House, debriefings at an obscure CIA outpost in Azerbaijan, diplomatic face-offs in the Kremlin, and many other dangerous spots to get the complete story on Iran’s radical Islamic regime.

And in a brand-new chapter for the paperback edition, Timmerman reveals that it may already be too late to stop the Iranian regime. For Americans interested in the truth about Iran, Countdown to Crisis may amount to a call for action—or even a case for war.

Customer Reviews:

Countdown to Nuclear Horror: Modern Iran = Evil Regime.......2007-07-21

This is one fantastic book with full historical documentation of the Iranian government's atomic energy program, and support of radical Islamic terror groups.

The Iranian government's support of insurgent killers who murder, torture, and maim innocent Iraqi civilians and American soldiers alike is another very serious wake up call for the west in our collective attempts to stabilize those nations like Iraq and Afghanistan plagued by war and civil terrorist violence.

The UN also has a responsibility to prevent the Iranian government from obtaining nuclear warheads, on top of sanctioning them for their rouge activities.

The president of Iran is a shrewd and media savvy individual, but also a hate filled and dangerous man who the west should always keep their collective eyes on.

All western nations, and Israel should be on guard, and on alert from the Iranian government's unscrupulous, and vile activities while holding full resolve in confronting Iran when or if the necessary time comes for possible confrontation.

All terrorist groups supported or allied with Iran should be immediately destroyed by full western military force, and all political and economic efforts by the UN and the west should be utilized when confronting the Iranian government on her nuclear ambitions.

Detailed Analysis of Iran's growing threat.......2007-06-18

Timmerman goes right through the history of Iran's growing threat - both the motivation and the nuclear program. He details all the signals that the US ignored and downplayed, as well as the willful blindness on the parts of our allies and the IAEA. After you read it, you will be fully versed on the topic.

A great book..........2007-06-13

...for 100%-pure bigots. If you want to reinforce your prejudices, your Coulterian demons, this book is for you. If your friends are tired of your quoting Coulter, now you can impress them with quotes from this pseudo-intellectual Timmerman. Countless assertions are made in this hackjob which the author makes no attempt to substantiate, but which are clearly designed to increase your level of hatred against people you don't understand.

Read this book, memorize the hooks, and go back to your favorite rightwing chatroom, where you can impress your bigoted pals with your newly found pseudo-knowledge.

By a bigot, for bigots. Wish I had thought of this grand way to make a pile of bucks.

(I didn't buy the book, and I'm glad I didn't)

TWA 800 , Beirut , 911 , Hamas , Dhobar , USS Cole .......2007-02-10

Countdown to Crisis: The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran
1. Iran has Uranium enrichment centrifuges and used to convert uranium into fuel for nuclear weapons.

2. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has used Germany made tunneling equipment to bore into a mountain creating six tunnels. Two underground chambers house 15 nuclear warheads. The tunnels are disguised with a rock door. Two tunnels house Shahab-3 missiles that can be driven outside and launched in 25 minutes; likewise, the missiles can be moving the missile quickly back into the protective cover of the mountain, in the case of a counterstrike.

3. Harden underground near Isafahan is though to be a location where uranium hexafluoride is produced as a nuclear weapon fuel.

4. Weaponized labs near Parchin produce HMX, a non-nuclear lens that triggers a nuclear bomb.

5. UN IAEA turned a blind eye to Pakistan nuclear mastermind Dr. Abdel Qader Khan, who in 1986 signed a nuclear consulting agreement with Iranian leadership. Dr. Khan facilitated black market supply chains for the last 18 years, the inventories are bear, and it is believed that Iran possesses enough fissile material to produce 20 to 25 nuclear weapons.

6. Iranian officials were involved in 911 and collaborated with Al Qadea: provided passports, safe haven, intelligence assistence, secure communications, training in explosives and airline hijacking. Murder is one tool the ruling clerics used to disrupt opposition "Velayat-e faghih".

7. July 26,2001 Hamid Reza Zakeri defected and disclosed a the 911 plot to CIA operatives. In Zakeri's, 5 page letter, he describes "impending terrorist attack", however, the CIA thought Zakeri was lying. Zakeri sketched out the organization chart for the Iranian Shadow Intelligence Organization and revealed that Ali Akhar Nateq-Nouri was the top man and Mustafa Hadadian reported to him, Zakeri's boss. The 911 attack was to happen on the 20th of Shahrivar and strike: the World Trade Center, the Whitehouse, the Pentagon, and Camp David.

Countdown to confrontation:
1. Apr 12, 1996, Hussein Mohammad Mikdad, a Lebanese Shiite was instructed by Iranian handlers to hand carry a bomb onto an El Al flight in Tel Aviv.

2. Iran financial funds Hamas groups to disrupt security stability in Israel

3. Homayoun Maghadam, a member of the Iranian People's Party, describes an elaborate RAAD plan.

4. June 10, 1996 Homayoun says the Republican Guard Police and Iranian Defense plan to hijack a U.S civilian airline using Lebanese surrogates. The CIA can not use the information because it is not a specific airline threat lacking a date and location. The information can not be communicated to the airlines. The airlines do not want generalized threats because of the negative impact to their business.

5. June 20, 1996, CIA meets with Homayoun but can't confirm his "Elvis" source.

6. June 24, The Defense Intelligence Agency Middle East is told a plan is unfolding in Saudi and two days later, the Khobar Towers are bombed.

7. July 11, Homayoun reports that "attack on US civilian airliner is imminent".

8. July 17, The TWA flight 800 explodes, 20 minutes in the air, and 230 people die. The bomb is thought to be a double device: standard chronometer that delays activation and barometric that triggers the bomb at a certain pressure.

9. Apr 1997, Iran's Shahid Hemat Industrial Group test fires a R-214 rocket engine; the R-214 was a component of a Russian Intermediate rage nuclear missile from an SS-4, a mille that supposedly was destroyed under the 1987 INF treaty.

10. 1994, Iran turned to Russia after the failed test of the No-Dong/Zelzal 3 mille developed by North Korea.

11. Iran claims development and production of a new missile called the Shahib-3. The Shahib-3 gives Iran the capability to launch an unconventional warhead on Israel. Russia is becoming more active in Iran's nuclear missile program and Iran benefits from Russian advisors and shipment of missile components.

12. Russian missile cooperation has been accelerated by Vevgeny Primakov, the foreign minister in power, in 1996. Primakov believes Russia stands to gain from a stronger Iran as a counter against US influence in the Persian Gulf.

13. Yuri Koptev, a member of the Russian Space Agency is also involved in the transformation of Iran.

14. Russian Federation Security Doctrine states, "the main external force potential capable of creating a threat to Russian Federation military security and to Russian economic and political interest" is the US: conventional Forces in Europe and encroachment in the oil-rich Caspean sea.

15. July 21, 1998, The Shahib-3 prototype flew 620 miles Southeast from Shahroud toward the Persian Gulf and consuming 100 seconds of fuel burnt then is exploded midair. The Shahib-3 has a range of 800 miles and could read targets as far away as Tel Aviv and possibly Cairo.

16. Aug 31, 1998, North Korea test fires a multi stage missile called the Taepo Dong and the missile travels over 1,000 miles and overshoots Japan.

China:
1. July 7, 1991, Li Peng had a 3-day stop over in Iran with the purpose of determining if Iran would pay for Chinese weapons. The culmination of the trip, the two leaders signed $5 billion agreement for military, industrial, and economic packages. Li told the press that China would provide the expertise and technology to complete the Iranian Busheir reactor. China would help Iran build the manufacturing process that would allow Iran to nuclear components for their reactor. China backed off building the 27 megawatt heavy-water reactor under threats they would lose most favored nation status, if the deal went through.
2. China provided Pakistan assistance with its weapons program. China was heavily invested in Pakistan nuclear infrastructure, in some sensitive areas it was easier for China to operate through Pakistan than deal directly with Iran. Iran and Pakistan ancestral hatred was a concern between the two communities; Rafsanjani acknowledge strong ties to fellow Shiites in Pakistan but the commitment only extend through charitable foundations, not meddling in the domestic affairs; Iran was committed to developing strategic cooperation with Pakistan, and was pleased to have China's blessing in this endeavor. Pakistan was producing new weapons with Chinese help in Islamabad and Lahore and eventually Pakistan and Iran concluded a defense treaty. China gave Pakistan bomb designs, equipment, and technical assistance. Pakistan turns around and sells it to Iran.

EPCI
1. 1990, Bush passed the Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative to prevent military technologies from reaching Iran. Under EPCI, U.S. exporters were required to obtain a license to export any goods-even a pencil or screwdriver-to foreign entities or projects of proliferation concern. The regulation called on Commerce to develop a black list of such projects and make it available to exporters. The Commerce never published a blacklist, for fear that identifying projects and entities of concern would jeopardize U.S intelligence sources and methods. New trade restrictions signed into law by President Bush in 1992 prohibited high-technology sales to Iran altogether. Despite this US exports to Iran increased in the ensuing month under G-DEST authority of the commerce department. In 1992, 60 of the $750 million worth of US goods and equipment shipped to Iran were subject to Commerce Department shipping. By Oct 23, 1992, the percentage of licensed goods dropped to mere 2.5 percent of total exports. Among the equipment shipped under G-DEST authority were toxins (medical research or bioterror), microorganisms, turbojet engines, vacuum pumps, centrifuges, machine tools, gas separation equipment, large hydraulic presses for metal formation, gas chromatagraphs, and mass spectrometers; also, a series of high-powered computers, worth close to $1 million each. The commerce department classified these items as "Low-level equipment". Lantos name more than 230 companies that were selling technology and equipment to Iran.

Interesting Polemic Backed by Facts.......2006-12-31

Kenneth Timmerman's 'Countdown to Crisis' was interesting for what it is. He outlines Iran's quest for nuclear weapons and how they have put their clandestine program together. He also draws attention to al-Qaeda's relationship to Iran. He weaves in horrific stories of Iran's hand in terrorism inside and outside of Iran for further effect.

Considering Iran practically admits it desires nuclear weapons this book seems more like history than an expose. Much of his intelligence regarding al-Qaeda is from an Iranian defector named Zakeri who the CIA and others believe is not reliable. Timmerman also seems to elude that the CIA has an interest in sheltering Iran which is difficult to comprehend.

Even though it appears that Timmerman is familiar with all sides of the Iranian resistance, it seems he does not understand Iran well. There are a fair amount of 'cheap shots' and sarcasm throughout the book which make it seem more like an editorial than anything scholarly. Timmerman comes across as an idealogue and almost xenophobic, although he is apparently well traveled.

Timmerman assumes that the Iranian government needs to be changed but does not lay out the case for that opinion. In the last chapter he suggests some ways that could be done which are far from complete. He does not care for Reza Pahlavi or the Mujahedin-e Khalk, but suggests that we support pro-democracy groups inside Iran clandestinely. It may be a good idea... if reliable, legitimate ones existed. He also paints a picture of a sea launched nuclear weapon near the East Coast which came across as nothing more than a scare tactic for a knock out punch.

After reading this book you will know that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons and that they may have had a working relationship with al-Qaeda- if Timmerman's sources are to be trusted. You will not understand the internal politics of Iran or the nature or history of the United State's relationship with Iran. A much better and comprehensive book in my opinion is 'The Persian Puzzle' by Kenneth Pollack.

Showdown: Why China Wants War with the United States

Average customer rating:

Keeping our wits about us ... learning from history
The China Question.
Why War With China May be Inevitable
Great If You like Tom Clancy, but comparing this book with Clancy is an insult to him
Showdown: Why China Wants War with the United States

Showdown: Why China Wants War with the United States
Jed Babbin , and Edward Timperlake
Manufacturer: Regnery Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1596980052

Book Description

Will the U.S. go to war with China over Taiwan or oil? Yes--bestselling authors Jed Babbin and Ed Temperlake say Chinese aggression is virtually inevitable and in their new book, Showdown, they address the threat of mainland China and Bush's promise to defend Taiwan--at any cost. Showdown offers indispensable strategies and tactics for the U.S. to respond to the Chinese military threat in this ongoing battle for democracy and freedom.

Customer Reviews:

Keeping our wits about us ... learning from history.......2007-09-04

As a Christian and a theologian, I take quite seriously the teachings of Christ regarding the well-being of others. I look and actively work toward a better world, or so I hope. My area of interest is intercultural, or comparative theology, and so I spend my days advocating dialogue and mutual understanding. But such idealistic leanings must not deter us from looking critically at the world around us, and the web of human relationships with its economic, political, and military implications. Such a critical analysis is exactly what Jed Babbin and Edward Timperlake do in this text with regard to the expansive growth and power of mainland China. If the Beijing regime will violently massacre more than two thousand of its own people in Tiananmen Square, one wonders what risks it will take militarily on the international scene. Babbin and Timperlake suggest several plausible scenarios for a Sino-American war, including battlespace in Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Japan, and that place where experts have long expected it: Tiawan. This text is reasonable, fascinating, and easy to read; it does not ring irresponsible alarms. Instead, it thought-provokingly acknowledges the increasing power of the Chinese, in military, in stealth, in economics, and in computerized mischief. This is a valuable read for anyone who believes that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. In our self-satisfied bliss as Americans who enjoy the gifts of freedom and prosperity, we must always be mindful of the defense of these gifts. And to adopt yet another adage, we must keep close not only to our friends, but to our enemies as well. As Babbin and Timperlake suggest, this can be done with containment, engagement, and deterrence ... and hopefully without bloodshed.

The China Question........2007-07-16

Jed Babbin--an editor of the ultra conservative rag The National Review--has done it again. Conservatives of his ilk always need something to hate--it makes them feel strong and manly. This is the same idiot who stated: "I am willing to kill as many people as necessary to take out Hezbollah."(As stated on CNN's Paula Zahn Now July 28, 2006.)

Now that's sound policy! It ranks up there with condoning military torture.

This is a badly written book with few footnotes to back up criminal-minded opinions. China doesn't want to go to war with us--they want to make bucket loads of money. And who do you think holds our trillion dollars of debt? China. Who is our largest trading partner? China. People like Babbin like to rile the ignorant masses when he should be critically examining why and how China will be the next superpower and how we can work with them rather than preemptively cast doubt upon their intentions.

This proves that limits on free speech should be directed towards those who shout "Fire!" in a crowded buliding when there is no fire.

Why War With China May be Inevitable.......2007-06-08

This book takes an interesting look at the war imperative with China from a military perspective. In my own volume, I focus on the economics underpinnings of that conflict. Put simply, the battle for oil and other natural resources as well as access to markets will intensify as China continues its growth as an emerging superpower. See The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought and How They Can Be Won

Great If You like Tom Clancy, but comparing this book with Clancy is an insult to him.......2007-05-19

How this book passes for non-fiction or even a serious piece of lit on China is beyond me. I should have read more reviews and read some content from the book itself before ordering. Instead I glanced at the TOC and some reviews from this website. My career and education both pertain to China's rapid growth and I am always on the look out for books on the topic. This book insulted my own intelligence. The author never misses a chance to inject his own political views which become evident right away. I don't have a problem with views in a book but this was absolutely drenching with cheap shots. Eluding to Hillary Clinton as a witch leader (pg75 see end note) evoked more laughter than any serious thought. I am by far not a fan of the Senator from NY however there is no place for that in this book. If you would like a fictional account of war scenarios with China then great, get this book, but do not set your expectations too high for even that goal. The authors should stick to writing fiction. As a former JAG and former fighter pilot, the two authors are hardly in a position to provide anything approaching expertice on the issue. All of the war scenarios play out as follow: China incites hostile events in location A, US responds with either a "MOAB" or an "EMP" bomb, end of story. I don't want to discourage anyone from buying the book (I did notice it's price on here did drop several times over the last few weeks so it's a bargain) however, just do not take this book seriously or take it as seriously as the authors did. This book is junk.

Showdown: Why China Wants War with the United States .......2007-01-28

This is a book which tells me the real danger of Communist China.

Devils on the Deep Blue Sea : The Dreams, Schemes and Showdowns That Built America's Cruise-Ship Empires

Average customer rating:

Interesting Perspective on the Cruise Business
Great fun!
War ships/tankers to cruise ships....Oh My!!!
If your cruise reservation is non-refundable...don't read this book
An even treatment with a fascinating storyline...

Devils on the Deep Blue Sea : The Dreams, Schemes and Showdowns That Built America's Cruise-Ship Empires
Kristoffer Garin
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: B000EUKQYG

Book Description

The twelve billion dollar cruise-ship industry caters to 10 million Americans annually on six- hundred million dollar floating cities.

In this terrifically entertaining history, Kristoffer A. Garin chronicles the cruise-ship industry, from its rise in the early sixties, to its explosion in the seventies with the hit show The Love Boat, to the current vicious consolidation wars and brazen tax dodges. Entrepreneurial genius and bare-knuckle capitalism mate with cultural kitsch as the cruise lines dodge U.S. tax, labor, and environmental laws to make unimaginable profits while bringing the world a new form of leisure.

A colorful and compelling behind-the-scenes narrative, Devils on the Deep Blue Sea is a definitive look at the industry and its robber barons who created floating empires.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Perspective on the Cruise Business.......2007-09-17

I found this book to be a very enjoyable read. It takes you beyond the marketing collateral of the cruise lines to the full story behind the industry's birth and development. The book is a wonderful narrative of the industry's short and eventful life. The author is fairly even handed in his treatment but there are times when you can sense when he likes or dislikes his subjects.

The author's assessment of the cruise line labor policies, environmental record and negotiation with Caribbean Governments was slanted. His view comes off as wanting the cruise lines to be vehicles of social change rather than commercial enterprises. I think he fairly criticizes the cruise lines for not living up to their environmental rhetoric but if the labor conditions are so bad onboard the ships, why are the positions so prized? If the Caribbean Governments are being abused so badly in their deals with the cruise lines, why do they continue to build larger piers to accomodate more ships?

The best parts of this book deal with the business deals that created the cruise industry and the characters that were involved. I have cruised for years and reading this book gave me a better perspective on the strategies and coincidences that shaped the industry. A good read!

Great fun!.......2007-05-27

Travel agents and veteran cruisers alike will get a big kick out of this book.

It's a behind the scenes look that pulls no punches but manages to remain affectionate. Garin simply proves that you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. I certainly hope it doesn't discourage any non-cruisers from taking the plunge.

My favorite bit: Carnival's Meshulam Zonis' line, "A passenger is like a wet towel," which he illustrated by hand motions that wordlessly said, "First we squeeze them this way, then we squeeze them that way."

War ships/tankers to cruise ships....Oh My!!!.......2007-04-25

In the first chapter, Garin writes of the last day on a cruise ship which any cruiser knows is every man, woman and child for themselves....no longer are passengers royalty but more like refugees! He captures the irony of the debarking day that has always made my family chuckle as we tell stories of things we see on that last day! E.g. one poor passenger's luggage broke open outside an elevator...not one steward or other crew member offered assistance....they walked right over his strewn belongings. Anyway, Garin knows cruises and gives a wonderful history of the makings/history of the cruise industry from its humble beginnings to the big business it is today (and the two major cruise lines left). I was particularly fascinated with the evolution of the ships themselves! This was an easy read (and if a portion got dry....I skimmed!). I am cruising in 17 days...will do so with even more appreciation for the experience!

If your cruise reservation is non-refundable...don't read this book.......2007-02-06

I picked this up after enjoying his Harper's article "On the great Ukrainian bride hunt". His writing style and my interest in critical looks at the evolution and externalities of specific industries (a la Fast Food Nation) made this an amusing & informative read. And the long odds that I'd ever go on a cruise got even longer.

An even treatment with a fascinating storyline..........2006-09-03

Being a vacationer who has been on numerous cruises, this book recommendation looked like a certain fit... Devils On The Deep Blue Sea by Kristoffer A. Garin. He does a very good job in revealing how the cruise industry works, and the forces that have shaped it along the way.

The story starts in the late 1950's, when the cruise industry was really nothing more than a way to transport passengers from one location to another. The rich often had a lavish experience, while the "steerage" passengers were cramped and confined to the lower decks with restrictions on where they could go and what they could do. But in both cases, it was still a case of traveling from point A to point B. The airline industry quickly made cruise ships obsolete for rapid travel, and the shipping lines were becoming a footnote in history. But a few people thought that cruising could become a destination in itself, a way to vacation, see other lands, and then return to where you started. But the appeal had to be broad, and the luxuries of first class had to extend to all the passengers. Thru visionaries, financial risks, and mergers, what we have today is a $13 billion dollar industry that is truly global in numerous aspects. But behind the glitter and glamour, there are some less appealing items of interest...

Garin talks about how the cruise industry is largely staffed by impoverished workers from third-world nations who sign on for low base wages and whatever tips come from passengers. To many of us, these base wages wouldn't even support poverty, but they are considerable in the countries where the workers come from. The hours and rules aboard ship are harsh, with 12 to 16 hour days with little time off the norm. The industry also pays little in the way of taxes due to their ship registration being out of country to take advantage of international treaties preventing retaliatory fees. The laws and rights of the United States are not always in play either, as the ship is actually foreign territory. And if that's not enough, many of the tourist destinations are unable to get additional fees from the industry to support their infrastructure, as the industry will threaten to pull out of the port and destroy their tourism. It can be capitalism at its worst...

Personally, this book was better than I expected. I thought it was going to be a muck-raking, "boycott cruises" diatribe, and one that I wouldn't necessarily agree with. But the balance between the story of the cruise lines and the less-savory parts of the industry was just about right. And even the "expose" part wasn't hypercritical. I came away understanding the abuses, but (in many cases) understanding both sides of the issues. And really, it's not much different than what most other industries would do in the same circumstances...

Yes, I'm still going to go on cruises, and I'll still enjoy them. But I'll be even more considerate of the staff that makes it all work, and more in awe of what it takes to pull off the experience, week after week after week...

Showdown at Centerpoint (Star Wars: The Corellian Trilogy)

Average customer rating:

Star Wars Book
a solid end to a solid trilogy
Show up for the Showdown
Good conclusion
Above average conclusion to an above average trilogy

Showdown at Centerpoint (Star Wars: The Corellian Trilogy)
Roger Macbride Allen
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0553298062
Release Date: 1995-09-01

Book Description

In this third and final volume of the Corellian trilogy, Han and Luke lead the Alliance in a mad scramble against the Selonian rebels for control of the planetary technology.

Customer Reviews:

Star Wars Book.......2007-01-11

I think this is the best book in the Corellian Trilogy. Second best is Assualt at Selonia (book #2). If you are thinking of reading the Corellian Trilogy skip the first book (Ambush at Corellia) the opening of Assualt at Selonia has a "What Has Gone Before" that adequately summarizes what was in the first book.

a solid end to a solid trilogy.......2006-09-14

Thus concludes a fairly solid Star Wars Trilogy. Showdown at Centerpoint is the concluding volume in the Corellian Trilogy. The story we have so far is that Leia and Han, along with their children, a Wookiee, and a couple of droids went on a diplomatic mission to Han's homeworld of Corellia and became entangled in the civil unrest where the main faction is led by Thracken Sal-Solo, Han's cousin and a general bad guy. Thracken claims to have a Starbuster, a weapon which nobody has seen but that has already destroyed two planets. Yes, another Super Weapon. The civil unrest encompasses the entire Corellian system and through kidnapping and hiding, the Organa-Solo family, along with Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and Mara Jade, are working separately to stop the Starbuster from destroying the next planet on a list of targets and to restore stability to the region.

Joining together and splitting apart our heroes will travel to the strange Centerpoint Station, which may have everything to do the troubles. They will join with Selonians and the Drall, two non-human races in the Corellian system, and there is love and loss, lots of action, the rising importance of the Solo children, and the chance to save the Republic once again. The ending of Showdown at Centerpoint is a bit rushed, but taken as part of a trilogy this book and the trilogy is a satisfying Star Wars experience. While these books would not stand up with the best of Matthew Stover or Karen Traviss, this trilogy rises above the majority of Star Wars novels. It contains all of the action and fun of the movies and had George Lucas decided to use the stories of Roger MacBride Allen, this Star Wars trilogy would be just as successful as what was already filmed.

-Joe Sherry

Show up for the Showdown.......2006-05-02

`Antone's eyes bugged out, and his jaw dropped open. It was at least a full five seconds before he was able to speak. "He's cranky? He's the - he's the only one who can - who can - " Atone gestured frantically at the control panel. "The starbuster is going to fire in an hour, and you tell me he's cranky?" '

Showdown at Center Point, is sadly the last book of this Star Wars trilogy. Everything is moving to the edge of disaster as the New Republic crew is trying to figure out who, or what, is blowing up stars. Anakin Solo is getting in trouble (once again), Han and Leia have to deal with squabbling Selonians, Dralls and humans. Han's evil cousin is back once again and making really big trouble. Lando Calrissian and Luke Skywalker enter Center Point and are nearly killed but finally figure out what in the heck it really is! Will they be able to save the next star on the list for destruction (along with the twelve million people on the planet next to it). You'll just have to read it to find out.

The beloved Corellian Trilogy is an excellent book for all Sci-fi fans, a must-read continuation of the Star Wars story for its fans and has great action for those who just want to be entertained. The author does a great job of making it clear where everyone is and what is going on, as the action takes you from place to place. He gives a great description of each new area or character you meet or hear about, and there are plenty of really hilarious moments where everything just goes wrong. This trilogy is hardly even boring with great action moments and moments where the character lives hang by a thin thread. It is one of the best action books I've ever read, a little bit better than "Harry Potter" with a sci-fi twist. Those who would really like this book/ trilogy is anyone who likes Star Wars in general, or anyone that likes sci-fi. Even if you don't know all the Star Wars characters and plots, the book does a great job of introducing you to it all. Even young kids can read this book and be entertained; same thing goes for adults. I would recommend this book to almost anyone who is even slightly interesting in reading it.

Good conclusion.......2005-08-08

I really liked this book. It wrapped everything up well. Since I had ready the NJO books already I knew who would make and not, but overall it was good series and did explain some background for events in the NJO. It is definetly worth you time.

Above average conclusion to an above average trilogy.......2003-08-10

The conclusion to the Corellian Trilogy is the best of the trilogy. The story really takes off and the action keeps the reader moving through the story at a good pace. All our heroes are in their prime ready to once again defeat the galaxy's evil. The biggest problem with this book is the ambiguity of the bod guys. Han Solo's cousin is just a front, and tis Triad are the real baddies but not much is really known or said about them. The author just kind of leaves them hangin so to speak. My other criticism deals with Anaking who is way to babyish in the beginnin gof the book and simply too sophisticated in the conclusion. OVerall however, this is a above average trilogy in the Star Wars universe.

Average customer rating:

Vintage Kelton
Two Classic Kelton Paperback Originals Now in Hardcover
Elmer Kelton
Solid western

Texas Showdown: Two Texas Novels
Elmer Kelton
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765311526
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Book Description

Elmer Kelton writes of his beloved home country of West Texas in these two novels of cowmen and cow country. In Pecos Crossing, two young cowboys, Johnny Fristo and Speck Quitman, have been cheated of six months hard-earned salary by their rancher boss Larramore and intend to get what is due to them. In Shotgun, rancher Blair Bishop has to contend with a rival cowman who is turning his herd loose on Bishops land, and with a mean customer named Macy Modock, who Bishop sent to prison ten years past. Modock is out of the hoosegow and has returned to Two Forks, determined to get even with the man who sent him up the river.

Customer Reviews:

Vintage Kelton.......2007-07-29

There is a reason why Elmer Kelton has won so many major awards as a Western book author, and this book, composed of two previously told stories, demonstate why. As is stated below, the first story is rerun of Horsehead Crossing, which lest anyone doubt, is an actual place on the Pecos River in West Texas (My family and I have been there)that is very infamous or famous----depending on what point of history one uses---and is a good old fashion Western, as is the second story. I have read everything Mr. Kelton has written over the years, and can recommend this book without reservations

Two Classic Kelton Paperback Originals Now in Hardcover.......2007-05-16

The essential thing for you to know, whether you're a new or established Kelton fan, is that this volume is an essential book in the Kelton Catalog, unlike most of the other "twofer" offerings which are readily available in hardcover singles. "PECOS CROSSING" is actually "HORSEHEAD CROSSING," a Ballantine Paperback Original which came out in 1963 and has NEVER been available in hardcover. But the real gem here is "SHOTGUN," which is the rarest (I didn't say the best!) of all Kelton's fiction. It was published under the "house name" of "Alex Hawk" in July of 1969 for Paperback Library (Coronet) with an absolutely hideous bare-chested Clint Eastwood-gone-zombie cover. This book is extremely hard to come by, and not a bad read. Of the two, I think PECOS (HORSEHEAD) the better novel, but both typify 1960s Kelton--good action, believable characters, and a wonderful sense of period Texas. (While you're picking up essential Kelton in hardcover don't miss out on the Tom Early / SONS OF TEXAS trilogy (arguably better than his most recent extended saga), two of which are now available, with the final installment coming out in November.

Elmer Kelton.......2007-05-13

Elmer Kelton is the finest western writer ever. His stories are down to earth versions of the real west. I read everything that he writes. This is two of his older stories reissued and well worth reading. This is a great format and I hope that he does more of these older reissues.

Solid western.......2007-04-14

It's easy to see why Elmer Kelton continues to win awards for his writing. In these two novels that are set in Texas, Kelton gives readers fast paced action stories.
Pecos Crossing and Shotgun are classic stories of right and wrong, good and bad. Like most novels of the Western genre, these are morality stories. And that's not bad, especially when they're a good read.
In Pecos Crossing, young cowboys Johnny Fristo and Speck Quitman have come off a six month cattle herding job and are eager for their pay. But cow trader Larramore wasn't honest in his dealings with the young cowboys. He didn't pay them.
During a scuffle with Larramore, who was hoping to leave town before the cowboys reached him, a shoot-out results in the accidental death of Cora Haggard. She and former Texas Ranger Milam Haggard had just married and were leaving to start a new life.
Haggard's dogged vengeance keeps him trailing Fristo and Quitman with a few close calls including Haggard being wounded. They eventually meet at Pecos Crossing.
How it plays out tests the characters' mettle and keeps the reader guessing.
In Shotgun, a story of retribution is woven. Macy Modock spent 10 years in jail for rustling Blair Bishop's cattle. A free man, Modock plots a scheme to pay Bishop back and end up with his and a neighbor's land and cattle. The neighbor, Clarence Cass is no friend of Blair, who has stored water in a land suffering from drought. Complicating the struggle is the developing love story between Jessie Cass and Blair Bishop's oldest son Allan.
Modock and Cass join forces to ruin Bishop. They begin by laying claim to land where Bishop grazes cattle. It is the beginning of what boils into an unstoppable confrontation.
Modock plays each of the characters against one another to develop his scheme. As events play out Modock's plans begin to fall apart when innocent men are killed and Clarence Cass realizes he's been used. More men will die before things are set aright.
With lifelike characters and situations, Kelton remains in top form as a Western writer who tells a good story. Readers of Western novels, and especially those by Elmer Kelton, will be rewarded with Texas Showdown.

Showdown: Confronting Bias, Lies, and the Special Interests that Divide America

Average customer rating:

"10 Things" was better
not as good as his other books
Sweet Sounds of the Sage from South Central
Shows the true side of government as well as himself!
Larry Elder's Solutions to the Problems Facing America

Showdown: Confronting Bias, Lies, and the Special Interests that Divide America
Larry Elder
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Ten Things You Can't Say In America, Revised Edition
The New Thought Police: Inside the Left's Assault on Free Speech and Free Minds
The Death of Right and Wrong: Exposing the Left's Assault on Our Culture and Values
Michael & Me
What Color is a Conservative?

ASIN: 0312301790

Book Description

The Ten Things You Cant Say in America struck a chord with eager readers across the country, exposing truths others have been too afraid to address. In his new book, Elder is out to slay entrenched and enmeshed special interest groups, government agencies with the capacity to meddle in Amerians lives and businesses, lawmakers who continue a pattern of outrageous overtaxation, and those who would hamstring this country with good intentions. Showdown demonstrates how the nation would be better, stronger, and safer with less government intervention and how individuals would not only cope but thrive without the so-called social safety net. Showdown is a call to arms for a truly free society. Elder discusses: What a Republican-led government means for progress Where a responsible government would put its citizens tax dollars Why racial and sex discrimination are non-issues in the 21st century.Larry Elders straight talk and common-sense solutions spare no one and will inspire his passionate and growing audience.

Customer Reviews:

"10 Things" was better.......2007-09-04

I'm a huge fan of Larry Elder and have listened to his program daily during my commute in Los Angeles for years. I actually listened to an audio version of this book a few years ago before reading it recently, and it's kind of like night and day.

The audio version is like listening to a radio program or a monologue, but when I actually read the book I was amazed with the extended passages and quotes from other authors and experts - sometimes a page or more. Regardless of the topic, gun control, ending the welfare state, criticizing Republican leadership or pointing out media bias, Elder tacks on his on thoughts to the end of these extended quotes instead of making his own case in his own words. There isn't enough Larry in this book for me!

My impression reading this book was that is was put together quickly. "The 10 Things..." felt very well thought out instead of rushed to the shelves. I'm not saying I disagree with the points Elder is trying to make, just that they could have been presented in a more compelling read than this one.

not as good as his other books.......2006-12-21

It's not bad by any stretch, but it's not nearly as good as Elder's the 10 things you can't say in America.

Sweet Sounds of the Sage from South Central.......2006-04-23

Larry Elder's book, Showdown, is an excellent look at the shortcomings of many policymakers, educators and journalists in America.

One particular chapter of Showdown that I enjoyed discusses the importance of having a father present in a son's life. He provides some great statistical data to back up his claims, but also points out that it's common sense: A boy's chances of succeeding in life are much higher when they have a father present in their life. So often, we hear about how racism or poverty cause young, inner-city black men to commit crimes. However, Larry Elder points out the obvious and tells the truth.

Shows the true side of government as well as himself!.......2006-01-21

I find Larry's thoughts are honest whether you like them or not. I have a problem with his thoughts on Medicare and Social Security. I am thirty-eight and have epilepsy. I'm unable to work or drive due to the harm I could do to myself or others. Perhaps Mr. Elder will give me a job. I'll take it! Do you think he will send his limo to pick me up for and take me home from work?

Larry Elder's Solutions to the Problems Facing America.......2005-07-20

Larry Elder hosts a popular radio talk show in the Los Angeles, California area and he is known for his outspoken yet respectable commentary on the social and political issues of the day. Elder caused quite a stir a few years back when he published a book titled "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America". In that book, he spoke plainly and directly about many controversial subjects such as racism, family, media bias, the welfare state, and gun control. In "Showdown", he basically talks about the same topics with some more facts and additional commentary on each.

Elder feels that much is wrong with the political and social state we live in. He proposes several steps to remedy the negative situations and they all involve a return to personal freedom and the personal responsibility that goes with it. Elder feels we should rollback the welfare state and return to a nation where people are self- sufficient. He feels we should reject those individuals like Jesse Jackson who extort money from corporations using exaggerated and/or false claims of racism. He feels that a traditional two- parent family is important to the well- being of children. To sum it up, Elder takes a Libertarian stand on political and social issues and if you think in terms of liberty and personal responsibility, you should have no problem figuring out his positions on important issues without even opening this book.

Much of this same material was covered in Elder's last book. But there is one thing that makes this book a little different and Elder mentions it throughout: The attacks of September 11, 2001. Elder feels that fighting terrorists is paramount to our survival as a nation and he feels we should fight with all our power to defeat those who commit these heinous acts. He doesn't specifically say what should be done; how to pay for it; or how to reconcile this "war" with his own principled stand on personal liberty. But you can tell that this event had had a profound impact on Elder, much like it did with other political commentators, because he makes mention of it many times as you read.

Elder spends most of this book rehashing what he talked about in his last book, and this made the book a little less enjoyable than it otherwise would have been. I got a copy of Showdown and opened it up hoping for some new, fresh material complete with Elder's own pro- freedom diagnosis. Instead, the book touched on the same subjects that were discussed last time around, including racism, affirmative action, illegitimacy, gun rights, liberal media bias, etc. The only thing that was really different was the inclusion of the "war on terror" and how it has impacted the way we, as Americans, must now look at the world.

Elder is libertarian, but in this book, his approach seems slightly different from that of a few years ago. Now, Elder's political stands seem more conservative- like he has moved in a southeasterly direction on the political Nolan chart and has found a new home bordering on right- conservative. He still criticizes Bush and other Republicans and he doesn't accept the socially conservative agendas of these and other political figures completely. But it's obvious that he is moving closer to the Republican Party and this has been confirmed by Elder's "after word" section in later releases of Showdown where he refers to himself as a Republican. I'm a little surprised that Elder would do this, considering the harsh words he has leveled against Republicans over the years. But I assume he felt that since he is more of a Republican than a Democrat, he might as well give in and choose one of the two major parties to call his home.

Overall, "Showdown" is a good book, with many sensible solutions to the political and social problems that Americans face in the twenty- first century. It isn't quite as good or as fresh as Elder's "Ten Things you Can't Say in America", but this is still a good book to read for its common sense analysis and its dry, often sarcastic wit. The book places an emphasis on liberty and responsibility, challenging Americans and their political leaders to reexamine they way they view the world and it makes a good choice for intellectual reading.

The Final Showdown (Star Wars Jedi Quest #10)

Average customer rating:

The Final Showdown
The Force is once again with Jude Watson.
a sad book
I really enjoyed the book, but the end was incredibly sad.
One of the best in the series.

The Final Showdown (Star Wars Jedi Quest #10)
Jude Watson
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 043933926X

Book Description

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are closer than ever to capturing their fiercest rival, the mysterious Granta Omega. But in order to do it, Anakin will have to betray one of his fellow apprentices . . . and Obi-Wan will be pushed farther than he's ever gone before in his search for justice - and revenge. This is a book every Star Wars fan will have to own.

Customer Reviews:

The Final Showdown.......2006-03-11

Another great book. I am a new fan of the star wars books, expecially Jude Watson's series. I enjoyed this book, because it gave me a glimpse of what Anakin was like as a teenager, and his relationship to his friends. Even as a teen, it was obvious that Anakin was arrogant, but he was ahead of his peers in so many ways. This story focuses on a group of masters and their padawans being sent on a mission. The Jedi were stretched thin. The Jedi council decide to try an experimental accelerated Jedi Knight program. Of the padawans involved, Ferus Olin is chosen to be promoted first. This of course, sends Anakin into a rage. From that point on Anakin will harass and compete with Ferus on everything. Anakins friends will see how selfish he truly is. The ending is very sad. You feel sorry for all the padawans including Anakin.

The Force is once again with Jude Watson........2005-08-30

Wow! I LOVE this book! I liked how on Korriban you learn a little more about the sith and how it shows the power of "him". (the sith) I felt really bad for Anakin in the end, but I won't tell you what happens. Great book, I recomend it to everyone!

a sad book .......2005-05-19

it is a good book, but very sad. anakin loses his friend, tru.

I really enjoyed the book, but the end was incredibly sad........2004-12-31

The entire book I was tense and on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next, I was surprised around every corner on Korriban. Jude Watson must have researched alot for this one, because it went well with what I saw in Knights of the Old Republic, and Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy. The tu'kata beats, sounded exactly like those in Kotor. The book starts out with Anakin working on Tru's lightsaber, and then they start talking about how much they hope they are on the team together to find Granta Omega. Darra walks in and says that their masters and Ferus are in with the Council, when they are called to join them. It turns out Ferus was chosen to be the first to test out a "Knight acceleration" program. Anakin is furious, of course, because he thinks he is better than Ferus. They are than told they are to capture Omega and Jenna Zan Arbor on the Sith world of Korriban. He becomes angry at Obi-Wan when they start talking and Anakin finds out that, in Anakin's words, Obi-Wan "voted" for Ferus. Once on Korriban, Anakin starts taunting Ferus and they turn the mission into a contest of which one of them acan capture Omega first.

Since it is a showdown, it has to leave to death. But unfortunately, towards the end one of the Padawans dies. In my opinion, this was probably the book with the sadest death, that Jude Watson has writen. The deaths of Tahl and Yaddle, were very sad also, but this one sorta tops those, partially because Anakin keeps repeating things that they said in past books. It was also one of the sadest because they were one of my favorite characters in the entire Star Wars saga. The thing that was really bothersome, was the fact that Anakin but a petty contest, before friendship, and lost everything and yet after a pang of guilt and sadness he didn't care, and was completely power hungery, Korriban had effected him greatly. Many things that caused what he lost was because of his arrogance, and his anger. The book was very well written, and really got into the Sith world. There was brief forshadowing in the beginning of who would die, but its hard to catch, especially when it appears later another will die, because of more forshadowing. It was a very good book to end the series with, though it leaves you wanting another one.

One of the best in the series........2004-12-31

I enjoyed this book a lot. When I heard about a Padawan dying, I had my suspecions, boy was I surprised. It does not turn out to be who you think it will be.
In this book we get to see how Anakin becomes influnced by the dark side. But you can't help feeling sorry for him when his world falls apart at the end.

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