Never Look Away: A Thriller Review

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Never Look Away: A Thriller ReviewI have read all of Linwood Barclay's back-list and I must say that this one is better than the last two and I'm relieved that he's pulled back a little with the unbelievable endings and returned to writing a taut mystery thriller that is both fast paced and suspenseful. I found both Fear the Worst: A Thriller and Too Close to Home: A Thriller to be just way too over the top and am glad that Barclay has returned to a style similar to the one used with what I consider to be my favorite of his novels, No Time for Goodbye. Yeah, all his books require a bit of suspension of disbelief at the scenarios, but the main character -- almost consistently a family man with a wife and child -- is usually a sympathetic protagonist and one whom you want to see get to the bottom of the mystery.
In this novel, newspaper reporter David Harwood is investigating what might be corruption with regard to a new privatized prison that is being hawked as the next best thing for the small town of Promise Falls, New York. He's married to Jan and they have a 4 year old son named Ethan. One day, while they're at an amusement park, one of them disappears!! David races from place to place to figure out what is going on and, although several subplots are brewing simultaneously, the energy and the narrative keep the reader glued to the pages. Even though the reader knows what is happening and why, it's a fun romp to the end.
If you like a good mystery thriller, you'll enjoy this one. Recommend.Never Look Away: A Thriller Overview

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A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity Review

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A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity ReviewForgive me if my critique is not "pithy"
I couldn't wait to read this book. I bought it this morning and left work early so I could read it. Why? Because Bill Oreilly fascinates me and I thought his memoir would give some real answers as to how this man, who truly is an American original, thinks.
First off, I actually had the privilege of meeting and briefly working with Bill Oreilly. After graduating college in the early nineties, I wrote to Mr. OReilly and asked him for advice on getting a job in television. I knew nothing about him, only that he was a fellow graduate of my high school (Chaminade High in Long Island) and that he was the anchorman of some show called "Inside Edition" (which I had never even watched)
To my surprise, Mr. OReilly not only responded but invited me to the studio, took me to lunch and offered me a temporary production assistant job for Inside Edition. I began a career on Wall Street shortly after my stint with Inside Edition ended, but I have always been grateful to him for helping out some kid he didn't know. He is a man of character.
And let me tell you, the man is fearless in every way and he is not a phony. He is exactly like he is on screen (albeit more reserved). Which is why I wanted to read this. I wanted to know- what makes this man tick? How did he come to be the person that he is today?
Does this book answer these questions? - Sort of
Not really a complete life memoir(by his own admission),"Bold Piece" is a kind of "Thoughtography"-a collection a remembrances of his early life followed by essays on how they shaped his current actions.
With chapter titles like "Politics" "Fear" "Saving the World" and "Standing for something", Mr. Oreilly intersperses stories of his early life with how they affected his later life dealings and adult philosophies.
Does it shed light on the inner life of the man? To a degree, yes.
The book has many entertaining and insightful highlights including:
1)A story about a grammar school classmate named Norma was especially touching. It will make you understand his sometimes-heated anger at injustice.
2)As a graduate of Chaminade High School, I especially enjoyed his thoughts on class warfare at the school. It is a subject rarely discussed to any effectiveness. His story about the "Levittown Sandlot- Chaminade football game" could be an entertaining Disney Movie
3)It gives a sense of the importance of his life experiences. Unlike Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, who I doubt have EVER sought to expand their horizons, Mr. Oreilly has walked the walk. He has traveled to 70 countries, received 2 graduate degrees, and even taught at an inner city high school. His stories about a student named "Miss Jones" and his exposure to Anti Americanism while studying abroad will help you further understand his self reliance and love of country view point.
4) His stories about friendship are especially touching. An expansion of his "Friendship Factor" chapter in his first book, he gives examples of why his friends are so important to him. The Joe Spencer - Peter Jennings story is especially moving. He really should write an entire book about the importance of friendship. It is his most astute chapter.
But the big question I wanted to know -why is this man so confident and fearless?- Is never quite answered. Having grown up in his native Long Island, I have known many a person like Bill OReilly. You could magically drop them onto the far side of the galaxy and they will always espouse hard work, faith, family, and the goodness of America without the slightest doubt. After reading this book, I've come to the conclusion that Mr. OReilly simply is one of those men and probably always will be. No matter what their experiences in life, some people are just born that way.
A few critiques-
1)I do think Mr. OReilly should fess up and admit that he took a teaching job in the early 70's partially to avoid being drafted (he quits the job in 1973 just as the war ends) . It is clear that that was at least a strong possibility.
2)I also think he should have elaborated on what I think is his greatest dichotomy. Why does he have so a low opinion of the competence of federal government yet sincerely believes their actions in Iraq at the time of invasion were not to be questioned?
3)I think he is a little too hard on Katrina Victims. In one section, he explains that he would have "gotten in his car and left" in the same situation, never once thinking that most of the people couldn't do that because they didn't HAVE cars.
4)I also think he was just a little too hard on the movie "Love Story" (you have to read the book). I loved that movie!
All in all - a good enlightening read but not the "Window into the Soul" that I was hoping for.
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A Rope and a Prayer: A Kidnapping from Two Sides Review

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A Rope and a Prayer: A Kidnapping from Two Sides ReviewOn a morning in November of 2008, David Rohde a NY Times journalist, set out with an Afghan journalist to interview a Taliban commander. This was to be a safe interview, but as it is known, the risks are always there. David was kidnapped. David, the Afghan journalist and the driver were all taken by car over many hours to an unknown place somewhere in Afghanistan. David's wife of two months, Kristen, a photography director, for a well known magazine, was working on a project when she received word from David's brother, Lee, that he had been kidnapped. This is their story from each of their perspectives.
David was treated well. He was never beaten, was fed well, given water and housing but was held hostage. It is believed that the Pashtun tribe wanted to negotiate for money, millions of dollars and exchange for other terrorists. Kristen became involved immediately with the FBI, the NY times administration and owners, the State Department, security companies and various journalists and others who had been involved in previous kidnappings. Their story is one that ended happily, but the seven months that David was kept hostage were filled with woe and fear and extreme times for Kristen and their families. She spoke daily with government officials, kept in touch with family and at one point her mother came to stay with her, to help keep her spirits buoyed. Their experiences are well documented, and they both share their emotional highs and lows and how they kept themselves together.
An important aspect of this story is that David's kidnapping was kept secret. It was felt that would give them a better stance in negotiation. At one point Al Jazeera had a video that had been sent by the kidnappers and showed it on their channel, but once it was found and a request was made to redact the video, they complied. Many people knew about David's kidnapping, but they kept it close. Kristen and David's brother, Lee, became the center of the world that revolved around David. They made decisions after involving family and their close confidents. Kristen particularly felt that Sec Of State Clinton, Richard Holbrooke, their security team and friends were the most helpful throughout the ordeal. Kristen found herself sifting through all of these people and the information they supplied. They were not sure who could be trusted and as time went on, they found their way.
One portion of the book that I found most helpful is the history of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan that David gives us. He keeps us privy to the region with his knowledge, and the history he has shared. The tribes and how they were formed and the history of the regions. It is helpful to be able to put names and tribes together with their regions. Background of the areas, the religions and the day to day tribal rituals was an added piece to try and understand, to give us a piece of how these Pakistani and Taliban live. David Rohde explains some of his beliefs and his knowledge of Pakistan and Afghanistan. David had been kidnapped years before for 10 days in Bosnia, but he found these seven months so very trying. He firmly believes that if he and Asad had not escaped, he would still be there as a hostage. In discussions after David got home, the negotiations seemed to be futile, and no one expected a positive outcome. David was held by the most hardline of the Taliban tribes. They firmly believed that they could control the entire region, they were radical in their beliefs and he is indeed lucky to have escaped.
David's escape is especially telling and forceful. The Pakistani Army received them with open arms after they understood who David was. They were very kind and generous. David was very surprised and pleased, but did not believe he was safe until the US Army flew him to Saudi Arabia. He reunited with Kristen, and they began their lives, anew.
A forceful book, full of factual history and emotionally laden at times. The day to day existence combined with the history of the region and interspersed with Kristins life in New York City. We see and understand the story from both sides, and it gives us great insight into these seven months. I find a renewed interest in the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan. A much more informed person about our war, and the people we are fighting for and with.
Highly Recommended. prisrob 12-16-10
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