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3.0étoiles sur 5
Slow-Moving, Implausible Antiterrorist Story, Mars 19 2007
The Afghan will be most appealing to people who don't know much about Al Qaeda, antiterrorism, current military technology, and recent Afghan history and want to get a smattering in novel form. For those who are knowledgeable in those areas, this plot is filled with unnecessary details that considerably slow down the story. In addition, the plot is so far-fetched in places that you'll wonder if you are supposed to be reading a fairy tale or a realistic thriller. Strangely, the book contains more than its share of factual errors that hurt the credibility of the story. Above all, I found myself always feeling like I was reading a story rather than being drawn into something that seemed real to me.
Occasionally, the book reminds you of Day of the Jackel for a few paragraphs . . . but mostly the emotional juice has been replaced with artificial sweetener. I think the biggest weakness of The Afghan is that you probably won't identify with the protagonist all that much. In the best of Forsyth's books, someone is trying to save the world and you find yourself rooting strongly for and identifying with them. That identification with the hero simply isn't strong enough here to allow that kind of reading pleasure.
Basically, Mr. Forsyth tried a little too hard. With a slightly different and more plausible plot, fewer details, and a more accessible hero, this could have been a terrific story.
If you don't know the book's basic premise, let me summarize it for you. A senior Al Qaeda operative's computer is captured after a ridiculous security breach. On the computer comes a veiled reference to a new operation. What's going on?
Through a string of coincidences, it occurs to the powers-that-be that they may be able to infiltrate a ringer to find out the plot. Retired SAS colonel Mike Martin is transformed in a few weeks into the Afghan, a legendary Taliban leader, who is now incarcerated at Guantanamo. It turns out that the two men have a shared past which makes the switch more likely to succeed. You'll find yourself wondering what the plot is until very near the end, which is the main element of suspense that keeps the book from being a below-average offering.
My final quibble about the book is that it makes Al Qaeda seem vastly more capable and threatening than it is. People who are afraid of terrorists will find their fear fanned by this book. Statistics suggest that your chance of being harmed by a deer are greater than being injured by a terrorist.
My advice to Mr. Forsyth is that he move on to some more realistic premise in the future such as a possible war between the United States and Iran over the oil fields in the Middle East . . . and keep it simple. In addition, hire someone to check your facts for you.
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4.0étoiles sur 5
Who Dares Wins, Déc 8 2006
A very good read set in today's new world. I compare this book to Gerald Seymour's "Unknown Soldier". Both involve US/UK intelligence and military, Guantanamo, Predator UAV, Afghan, Pakistan, UK based AQ operatives, the West fumbling and guessing on how to fight the new threats. Forsythe does a nice job weaving fact and fiction with linking various new technologies and organizations and writes as a knowledgeable "insider". Question, is the frequent use of "quotations" meant to be ironic? Maybe that's just a style quibble, another could be the F-15 Eagle incident, and too much exposition. On the whole - well done boss!
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5.0étoiles sur 5
A chilling tale by a master craftsman!, Sep 1 2006
This espoinage story is so realistic it left me gasping and quite frightened at the world situation of today.
Author Frederick Forsyth held me hostage from the first page to the last in this thrilling book. It reads like today's headline news story ... It's THAT realistically portrayed.
With plots and counterplots involving al Qaeda, this author's favorite protagonist, Colonel Mike Martin, a resourceful British operative, enters the scenario to save the day. How he does it is a bit of spectacular plotting done with skill and intelligence.
I highly recommend this chilling tale.
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