A ridiculously clumsy attempt at a genre Tom Clancy defined all too well. The hero Scott, former Navy Seal and current Secret Service agent, finds himself in situations that only amateurs would be caught. For instance, Scott has a simple tripwire that will indicate to him if someone has been in his apartment. Even though he sees that it has been tripped Scott enters his apartment, is caught by surprise, and is summarily beaten by the intruder. This is only one example in which EVERY case in the book that Scott and his partner have an undeniable element of surprise they are caught unawares. So much for being an expert in covert operations.

As icing on the cake, at the end of the book the President of the U.S. orders an assassination of a wealthy industrialist and we are supposed to be okay with that. It only makes the heroes of the book look no better than the criminals.

Fantastic

This story moves at a break-neck pace. That isn't a good thing. The author doesn't ever stop to really develop the characters and draw me in to the events taking place. It leaves me a bit bored with the entire plot. It does indeed feel like the story will never end.

As a twelve-year old I loved the film. If I had read the book back then I'm sure I'd of enjoyed it too. Reading it for the first time as a thirty-something I'm a bit disappointed with it.

You wouldn't think a book about running would be so enthralling. Christopher McDougall does an excellent job of weaving information about nutrition, body mechanics, and running gear together with a fascinating account of a race between some of the best ultra runners of all time. Born To Run is packed with drug cartels, remote Mexican tribes, and a crazy white horse who may not really exist; what's not to like. This book is worth a read even if you have no interest in running.

The Grapes of Wrath is another one of Steinbeck's greats. His characters are so rich and so detailed you feel like you're looking out at the world through their eyes. Steinbeck writes in a way that both tragic and triumphant events seem like the mundane which is likely more true to life. I particularly like The Grapes of Wrath because it provides a fascinating look into the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and the transition from manual to mechanical labor.