Product Description

A weapon designed to decimate the Roman Empire has just become the No.1 threat to the United States. Caught live on Al Jazeera in an off-the-books operation, Scot Harvath's career has been terminated. But when the tide in the War on Terror suddenly turns against the US, the president has no choice but to secretly enlist the help of the man the administration has just fired. Ducking a congressional subpoena, Harvath travels to the Mediterranean, where he learns of a shadowy organization that has been combing the earth for decades in search of the ultimate weapon to use against the USA and her allies. Now, after three summers of record-breaking heat across Europe, one steadily melting Alpine glacier has given up an ancient secret - one with the potential to thrust civilization back into the Dark Ages. From Cyprus, London and Paris, to Italy, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia, Harvath must race against the clock to stop one of the greatest evils ever to face the western world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97225 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

About the Author
Brad Thor studied Creative Writing at the University of Southern California under renowned author T.C. Boyle. He created and hosts an MTV-style travel series called 'Travelling Lite'. It debuted in 1997, and 23 episodes and two seasons later, the show now appears worldwide, including UK, France, Spain, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Brazil and the US. His Emmy Award-winning company, Thor Entertainment, has recently won a Platinum "Best of Show" Aurora Award and a Communicator Broadcast Award of Distinction and his programs are also part of Quantas Airlines' in-flight entertainment. Visit www.BradThor.com

Customer Reviews

As good as ever
I bought the paperback version of this book on a recent visit to the states, and I am extremely glad I did. From beginning to end the plot is well scripted and you never know what is going to happen next. At every stage I wanted to keep reading and could not put it down. Although Scot Harvarth finds himself in trouble in this book, he somehow manages to keep himself on top. I wont ruin the ending but I have to say it took me by surprise. I would recommend this book to anyone, whether you have read Brar Thor before or otherwise. I am a fan of Brad Thor and this book has confirmed to me once more, the reasons for this.

Far fetched action thriller
Brad Thor's "Blowback" is an action-packed spy thriller about the complex world of international terrorism, biological warfare, religious fanaticism, and political corruption. The macho hero is Scot Harvath, a former SEAL who works for the Office of International Investigative Assistance in the Department of Homeland Security. He has repeatedly sacrificed his personal happiness and peace of mind in order to serve his country. Scott's archenemy is Khalid Sheik Alomari, a high-ranking al-Qaeda operative and ruthless assassin. Alomari has been traveling around the world killing Muslim scientists who may have unlocked the key to a devastating super weapon.

This scenario plays out against the background of a vicious power struggle between an ambitious Democratic senator named Helen Carmichael and Republican President Jack Rutledge. Carmichael will do anything to unseat the popular president, and she has been secretly compiling damaging information about Rutledge in order to turn public opinion against him. Scott Harvath soon becomes Carmichael's pawn in her scheme to destroy President Rutledge.

"Blowback" is timely story that is "ripped from the headlines," with references to people and organizations that we read about in the news every day. Brad Thor provides well-researched and detailed background information about the Muslim world, and he explores the many ways in which the United States is battling the terrorist threat posed by radical fundamentalists. Scot Harvath's courage, knowledge of weaponry, and unerring instincts make him a worthy and appealing hero, and for a change, the author doesn't provide his protagonist with a love interest to distract him from his duties. Although Scot does have a beautiful and brainy partner, a molecular biologist named Dr. Jillian Alcott, his relationship with her is strictly platonic. Jillian provides the scientific expertise that Scot needs in order to fight a terrifying biological weapon that may soon be unleashed against the United States.

At over four hundred pages, this novel is a bit too long. However, Thor keeps the narrative from dragging by shifting rapidly between characters in far-flung locales, such as France, England, Cyprus, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Washington, D. C. You may need a scorecard to keep tabs on who is doing what to whom and why. However, "Blowback" packs an undeniable wallop, especially in light of the very real dangers that we face in today's frightening and unpredictable world.

Great Start to a Chilling Tale
Well after the incredible Lions of Lucerne I always look forward to reading a Brad Thor novel, Path of The Assassin started well and went a bit off the rails as did State of The Union, his trade mark now seems to be wonderful opening chapters but then gets bogged down too much in politics rather than action which hinders this book too much and is rather like some movies where the film builds from a great beginning takes too long with side line stories and then has a rush ending. Still Scott Harvarth is still a great character and Lions of Lucerne in my top 10.