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Scot Harvath #10
Full Black
#1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor brings readers his darkest and most intriguing thriller yet—a terrifying story of espionage and betrayal—brilliantly paced with superb nonstop action.
Born in the shadows and kept from heads of state, there are some missions so deadly, so sensitive, that they simply don’t exist.
When one such mission goes horribly wrong, a wave of dramatic terrorist attacks is set in motion. Their the complete and total collapse of the United States.
With the CIA’s intelligence abilities hobbled, former Navy SEAL Team 6 member turned covert counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath launches an audacious plan to infiltrate the terrorists’ network and prevent one of the biggest threats the United States has ever faced.
Simultaneously, a foreign wet work team has been sent to California. Their one of Hollywood’s most famous filmmakers.
While working on a secret documentary project, movie producer Larry Salomon has unknowingly exposed one of the world’s wealthiest and most politically connected powerbrokers—a man with a radical anti-American agenda poised to plunge the nation into deadly, irreversible chaos.
As the plots rocket to their pulse-pounding conclusion and the identities of the perpetrators are laid stunningly bare, Harvath will be left with only one means to save America. Unable to trust anyone, he will be forced to go Full Black.
Intense and frighteningly realistic, FULL BLACK is, hands down, Brad Thor’s most riveting thriller to date.
Born in the shadows and kept from heads of state, there are some missions so deadly, so sensitive, that they simply don’t exist.
When one such mission goes horribly wrong, a wave of dramatic terrorist attacks is set in motion. Their the complete and total collapse of the United States.
With the CIA’s intelligence abilities hobbled, former Navy SEAL Team 6 member turned covert counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath launches an audacious plan to infiltrate the terrorists’ network and prevent one of the biggest threats the United States has ever faced.
Simultaneously, a foreign wet work team has been sent to California. Their one of Hollywood’s most famous filmmakers.
While working on a secret documentary project, movie producer Larry Salomon has unknowingly exposed one of the world’s wealthiest and most politically connected powerbrokers—a man with a radical anti-American agenda poised to plunge the nation into deadly, irreversible chaos.
As the plots rocket to their pulse-pounding conclusion and the identities of the perpetrators are laid stunningly bare, Harvath will be left with only one means to save America. Unable to trust anyone, he will be forced to go Full Black.
Intense and frighteningly realistic, FULL BLACK is, hands down, Brad Thor’s most riveting thriller to date.
402 pages, ebook
First published July 26, 2011
1732 people are currently reading
6253 people want to read
About the author
Brad Thor
46 books7,390 followersBRAD THOR is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five thrillers, including EDGE OF HONOR, SHADOW OF DOUBT, BLACK ICE (ThrillerFix Best Thriller of the Year), NEAR DARK (one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year), BACKLASH (nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller of the Year), SPYMASTER (“One of the all-time best thriller novels” —The Washington Times), THE LAST PATRIOT (nominated Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers Association), and BLOWBACK (one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” —NPR).
EDGE OF HONOR is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.
EDGE OF HONOR is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 905 reviews
August 18, 2017
The story in this book was pretty good – a few recent Thor books I have not cared for the story as much as his earlier books. However, as always, the story serves only as a thin veil for Thor’s soap box. While I do find his approach to certain topics a bit extreme at times, I enjoy political thrillers and his are very readable.
I will say that one of Thor’s most common themes is torturing the bad guys for info. If you don’t like descriptions of torture, than you should probably stay away from this and other Thor books. Another theme that he touches on A LOT is that he is not a fan of religious extremists and his terrorists almost always come from this group. You can probably get what I am hinting at while I stay as politically correct as possible in my review! So, be aware that this is in the content if you decide to try Thor out.
I do like how Thor has carried the story line from book to book. While each story stands alone, he always ends them in a way that is a seamless transition into the next book. I have gotten to know and see the development of his characters throughout the series and it is nice to get back to them every time I pick up the next book.
Action packed but controversial – definitely might make some uncomfortable. But, if you like political thrillers and need an easy read, you can’t go wrong with Thor.
I will say that one of Thor’s most common themes is torturing the bad guys for info. If you don’t like descriptions of torture, than you should probably stay away from this and other Thor books. Another theme that he touches on A LOT is that he is not a fan of religious extremists and his terrorists almost always come from this group. You can probably get what I am hinting at while I stay as politically correct as possible in my review! So, be aware that this is in the content if you decide to try Thor out.
I do like how Thor has carried the story line from book to book. While each story stands alone, he always ends them in a way that is a seamless transition into the next book. I have gotten to know and see the development of his characters throughout the series and it is nice to get back to them every time I pick up the next book.
Action packed but controversial – definitely might make some uncomfortable. But, if you like political thrillers and need an easy read, you can’t go wrong with Thor.
August 11, 2011
I keep forgetting brad thor has gone off the deep end on politicl policy. Use to just write good thrillers but now he writes wacko right wing commentary. Too bad. Couldn't get past first few chapters before he started in on the benefits of torture and those opposed being communists. Then onto the theory that the country is under attack by liberals as if we were inches away from becoming another cuba? No, china? No. France, that's it's. Hard to believe when we have become more conservative than ever before.
September 26, 2024
As always, an extremely detailed and exhaustively researched counter terrorism thriller. Less like Jason Bourne and more like George Smiley crossed with James Bond. Except it’s American and that gives it an American twist of storytelling.
The code “full black” denotes the most extreme form of black ops.
audiobook
The code “full black” denotes the most extreme form of black ops.
audiobook
February 25, 2012
I think I'm done reading books by Brad Thor.
I enjoy espionage and covert ops genre novels, especially because I believe it's a complex world and I respect the patriots who put their lives on the line on our behalf trying to protect our liberties and our community.
But Thor's novels are increasingly filled with not-so-subtle caricatures of liberals and Democrats as teetering on the edge of terrorism and anarchy themselves. If I have to choose a political camp, it is the liberal/Democratic one. I do believe that there are other Americans of good conscience and true patriotism who are conservative/Republican. I also believe that the health of our democracy depends upon holding respectful tensions of our differences. And what fundamentally threatens our democracy is any extreme that can't allow for the differences in Americans' beliefs, including political and economic values. But Thor seems to "get" this less and less.
In addition, the caricatures of Muslims are even more disturbing. In a few places, Thor acknowledges that there might be Muslims of good faith. But the overall conclusion seems to be that there aren't enough of these persons of good faith to take on the bullies who have perverted that faith into an excuse for jihad against the West.
Finally, the use of such extreme torture, violence, and killing by a "hero" who works for a subcontractor for the US military is all too disturbing and chilling in its realism. For me, this raises a serious concern we Americans should have about the contractors who are doing this. Unconstrained by military chain of command and accountability, why should they have the authority to take these actions? I "get it" that terrorist cells require a different approach than do nation-based threats. Even so, the question of accountability and ethics looms large.
I enjoy espionage and covert ops genre novels, especially because I believe it's a complex world and I respect the patriots who put their lives on the line on our behalf trying to protect our liberties and our community.
But Thor's novels are increasingly filled with not-so-subtle caricatures of liberals and Democrats as teetering on the edge of terrorism and anarchy themselves. If I have to choose a political camp, it is the liberal/Democratic one. I do believe that there are other Americans of good conscience and true patriotism who are conservative/Republican. I also believe that the health of our democracy depends upon holding respectful tensions of our differences. And what fundamentally threatens our democracy is any extreme that can't allow for the differences in Americans' beliefs, including political and economic values. But Thor seems to "get" this less and less.
In addition, the caricatures of Muslims are even more disturbing. In a few places, Thor acknowledges that there might be Muslims of good faith. But the overall conclusion seems to be that there aren't enough of these persons of good faith to take on the bullies who have perverted that faith into an excuse for jihad against the West.
Finally, the use of such extreme torture, violence, and killing by a "hero" who works for a subcontractor for the US military is all too disturbing and chilling in its realism. For me, this raises a serious concern we Americans should have about the contractors who are doing this. Unconstrained by military chain of command and accountability, why should they have the authority to take these actions? I "get it" that terrorist cells require a different approach than do nation-based threats. Even so, the question of accountability and ethics looms large.
September 22, 2011
Great read. Scott Harvath is battling evil again, this time against a group aiming to systematically dismantle all that is taken for granted in the USA. The background of this effort can be summed up with this excerpt:
"A democracy can only exist until the voters discover they they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From the moment that realization takes hold, history shows that the majority of the people will always vote for the candidate promising the most goodies from the public treasury.
History also shows that once a democracy goes down this road, things never end well. Each and every time, the democracy collapses. It always happens. It collapses over loose fiscal policy, and democracy is always followed by dictatorship.
When democracy collapses, fear, violence, and uncertainty fill the void. In essence it's chaos, and that what the dictator preys upon. The people are so terrified that they will agree to trade anything, even the most precious possession they have -- their liberty -- in exchange for a return to order. But, when order is restored, freedom is never seen by those citizens again."
"A democracy can only exist until the voters discover they they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From the moment that realization takes hold, history shows that the majority of the people will always vote for the candidate promising the most goodies from the public treasury.
History also shows that once a democracy goes down this road, things never end well. Each and every time, the democracy collapses. It always happens. It collapses over loose fiscal policy, and democracy is always followed by dictatorship.
When democracy collapses, fear, violence, and uncertainty fill the void. In essence it's chaos, and that what the dictator preys upon. The people are so terrified that they will agree to trade anything, even the most precious possession they have -- their liberty -- in exchange for a return to order. But, when order is restored, freedom is never seen by those citizens again."
September 7, 2011
I love thrillers, and CIA thrillers especially. And while I enjoyed some of Thor's earlier Scot Harvath books, they've taken a sharp turn for the worse. Yes, Thor's Harvath has always been an ego-laden 'Mary Sue' character, Thor's wish-fullfillment. And, yes, the prose has always been basic. But the action used to be thrilling and, well, action-packed... and not bogged down with Thor's obvious, in-your-face, personal political agenda/propaganda. I know military books tend to have a right-wing bend, but this book went extreme. Thor crams his extreme political (and hypocritical at that) agenda down your throat in this book so hard it suffocates, gags...TORTURES. Being water-boarded would have been more enjoyable. He goes on and on and on...AND ON!... he comes completely out of the story and just rants (much of which is so unbelievably hypocritical and narrow minded it's embarrassing).
Listen, I understand...Brad's frustrated with politics. Dude, many of us are. But fiction isn't where I want to get his agenda force-fed to me. He's lost me as a reader. I'm out.
Listen, I understand...Brad's frustrated with politics. Dude, many of us are. But fiction isn't where I want to get his agenda force-fed to me. He's lost me as a reader. I'm out.
January 18, 2013
Wow. I've been an avid thriller reader for over 45 years and was shocked at the blatant right wing agenda in this book. The action was quite good, and when Thor wasn't preaching right out of the FOX news handbook, very compelling. However, the outright conservative blather was enough to make my stomach clench. Unfortunately, I couldn't even get through it and have a inkling to ask Amazon for a refund.
The main protagonist, a hero who gives his life for our country and "freedoms" over and over again constantly wonders why, when it is so obvious that the liberals hate America and are out to ruin the democracy that our for-fathers created. Urgh. Furthermore, the elements of socialism is so evil that Thor built a villain around the idea, who wants to take over the world to create a utopian socialist state. He commits heinous acts of violence and even funds Muslim terrorists to get what he wants. He secretly hates America even though he earned his billions here. (the bad guys always have to be billionaires) YAWN!
Thor babbles on about how Muslims are so vile, that they even kill their own kind, while Christians (the good guys) strive for a peaceful coexistence with one another and the whole world.
And don't forget about the evil government (our own) who "strong-armed" the poor innocent banks into making questionable loans to people who could not pay their mortgage, thus was the impetuous for the burst in the housing bubble. And the subsequent bad, bad regulation which is now being placed on financial institutions is so awful that even mom and pop are going to lose their business because of it. Is he serious?!
I could go on and on, but I am so bored with the subject that I would rather stick hot needles in my eyes than ever read more of Thor's skewed and twisted ideology.
Bottom line: Government, Regulations, Muslims=BAD
Capitalism, free trade, No oversight, and white Christians=GOOD
How creative.
The main protagonist, a hero who gives his life for our country and "freedoms" over and over again constantly wonders why, when it is so obvious that the liberals hate America and are out to ruin the democracy that our for-fathers created. Urgh. Furthermore, the elements of socialism is so evil that Thor built a villain around the idea, who wants to take over the world to create a utopian socialist state. He commits heinous acts of violence and even funds Muslim terrorists to get what he wants. He secretly hates America even though he earned his billions here. (the bad guys always have to be billionaires) YAWN!
Thor babbles on about how Muslims are so vile, that they even kill their own kind, while Christians (the good guys) strive for a peaceful coexistence with one another and the whole world.
And don't forget about the evil government (our own) who "strong-armed" the poor innocent banks into making questionable loans to people who could not pay their mortgage, thus was the impetuous for the burst in the housing bubble. And the subsequent bad, bad regulation which is now being placed on financial institutions is so awful that even mom and pop are going to lose their business because of it. Is he serious?!
I could go on and on, but I am so bored with the subject that I would rather stick hot needles in my eyes than ever read more of Thor's skewed and twisted ideology.
Bottom line: Government, Regulations, Muslims=BAD
Capitalism, free trade, No oversight, and white Christians=GOOD
How creative.
December 15, 2011
I’d never read a Brad Thor book, and when I ran across FULL BLACK, I thought, “oh, good, a thriller writer I hadn’t read.” The book started off really well with a chase and capture of a terrorist while substituting an undercover operative into the terrorist cell. But soon I was frowning as Thor’s political viewpoints started emerging. I don’t expect to agree with all of an author’s political thoughts – Michael Crichton, for example, wrote some of the best fiction I’d ever read and he passionately disbelieved in Global Warming. But Crichton’s thoughts were based on what he thought were sound arguments at the time and did not distract from my sheer enjoyment of his novels.
So while I didn’t really agree with the ideology that was emerging from Brad Thor’s book, I read on, expecting him to introduce thoughtful insights into his points of view. So it was utterly disappointing when instead it disintegrated into a plodding, self-absorbed, little-rich-boy-elitist right wing diatribe that that was boring and lacking in fact and originality. It was utter nonsense and I made it only half way through before abandoning the effort in disgust.
So while I didn’t really agree with the ideology that was emerging from Brad Thor’s book, I read on, expecting him to introduce thoughtful insights into his points of view. So it was utterly disappointing when instead it disintegrated into a plodding, self-absorbed, little-rich-boy-elitist right wing diatribe that that was boring and lacking in fact and originality. It was utter nonsense and I made it only half way through before abandoning the effort in disgust.
August 8, 2011
I wanted to start the week off with this; it sizzles. I have been a Brad Thor fan since his first novel and have enjoyed his work ever since. Apparently there are many others like me out there; his popularity just seems to soar with each new novel. “Full Black” is a major political statement and commentary on our way of life. Do I agree with all of it? Hey I was taught not to discuss politics and religion when I am talking to friends so I am staying away from that. The novel was a barnburner and a load of fun. I like the characters; I enjoyed the twists and turns, the speed and velocity of the action, and most of all I enjoyed Scot Harvath. Give me more, now!
Here is the synopsis from Amazon Books:
“#1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor brings readers his darkest and most intriguing thriller yet—a terrifying story of espionage and betrayal—brilliantly paced with superb nonstop action.
Born in the shadows and kept from heads of state, there are some missions so deadly, so sensitive, that they simply don’t exist.
When one such mission goes horribly wrong, a wave of dramatic terrorist attacks is set in motion. Their goal: the complete and total collapse of the United States.
With the CIA’s intelligence abilities hobbled, former Navy SEAL Team 6 member turned covert counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath launches an audacious plan to infiltrate the terrorists’ network and prevent one of the biggest threats the United States has ever faced.
Simultaneously, a foreign wet work team has been sent to California. Their target: one of Hollywood’s most famous filmmakers.
While working on a secret documentary project, movie producer Larry Salomon has unknowingly exposed one of the world’s wealthiest and most politically connected powerbrokers—a man with a radical anti-American agenda poised to plunge the nation into deadly, irreversible chaos.
As the plots rocket to their pulse-pounding conclusion and the identities of the perpetrators are laid stunningly bare, Harvath will be left with only one means to save America. Unable to trust anyone, he will be forced to go Full Black.
Intense and frighteningly realistic, FULL BLACK is, hands down, Brad Thor’s most riveting thriller to date.”
Here is the synopsis from Amazon Books:
“#1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor brings readers his darkest and most intriguing thriller yet—a terrifying story of espionage and betrayal—brilliantly paced with superb nonstop action.
Born in the shadows and kept from heads of state, there are some missions so deadly, so sensitive, that they simply don’t exist.
When one such mission goes horribly wrong, a wave of dramatic terrorist attacks is set in motion. Their goal: the complete and total collapse of the United States.
With the CIA’s intelligence abilities hobbled, former Navy SEAL Team 6 member turned covert counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath launches an audacious plan to infiltrate the terrorists’ network and prevent one of the biggest threats the United States has ever faced.
Simultaneously, a foreign wet work team has been sent to California. Their target: one of Hollywood’s most famous filmmakers.
While working on a secret documentary project, movie producer Larry Salomon has unknowingly exposed one of the world’s wealthiest and most politically connected powerbrokers—a man with a radical anti-American agenda poised to plunge the nation into deadly, irreversible chaos.
As the plots rocket to their pulse-pounding conclusion and the identities of the perpetrators are laid stunningly bare, Harvath will be left with only one means to save America. Unable to trust anyone, he will be forced to go Full Black.
Intense and frighteningly realistic, FULL BLACK is, hands down, Brad Thor’s most riveting thriller to date.”
August 13, 2014
I've read many reviews of this book and am relieved to discover I'm not the only one who's dissatisfied with it. Apparently a lot of people are ticked off with the author's radical right wing agenda and his portrayal of liberals and Democrats as the source of all that is evil in our country. Right....
Aside from that, the book's premise annoyed me. A film director is secretly making a documentary in his house about something EXPLOSIVE enough to have people try to assassinate him. Guess what it's about? It's about well-funded nonprofit organizations who have banded together, infiltrated the school system, are brainwashing our children, all to bring about the total downfall of America. Yeah. How absurd is that? The mastermind behind this is a South American who has spent most of his life in NYC and who has made a cool billion by insider trading. And he's funding and using Muslim terrorist organizations as fronts toward his objectives. I'm not making this up. I wish I were.
This book is stupid, the protagonist is stupid, the extreme right wing politics are offensive, and I'll never read another book by this insipid author again. Certainly not recommended!
Aside from that, the book's premise annoyed me. A film director is secretly making a documentary in his house about something EXPLOSIVE enough to have people try to assassinate him. Guess what it's about? It's about well-funded nonprofit organizations who have banded together, infiltrated the school system, are brainwashing our children, all to bring about the total downfall of America. Yeah. How absurd is that? The mastermind behind this is a South American who has spent most of his life in NYC and who has made a cool billion by insider trading. And he's funding and using Muslim terrorist organizations as fronts toward his objectives. I'm not making this up. I wish I were.
This book is stupid, the protagonist is stupid, the extreme right wing politics are offensive, and I'll never read another book by this insipid author again. Certainly not recommended!
July 19, 2012
Looks like I have to go back and start this Scot Harvath series from the beginning. There is a certain Jack Ryan --> Jack Bauer feel here ... While it is easy to "run with" contemporary terrorist plot books to an extreme, I don't think that I will ever walk through an airport again without being more situationally aware that I am now .. Not due to a renewed fear of every Arab-looking person I see ... but, just proactive .. awareness.
I especially found the concept of hitting the "Big 30" companies and then turning the American harvest season into a modern day version of Soviet-era "crops rotting due to inability of getting them to market" at least mentally provocative if not one of those "of course .. this is how we are going to hit next" moments.
I especially found the concept of hitting the "Big 30" companies and then turning the American harvest season into a modern day version of Soviet-era "crops rotting due to inability of getting them to market" at least mentally provocative if not one of those "of course .. this is how we are going to hit next" moments.
December 8, 2011
I almost did not read this book at all. I have always enjoyed this series but the last two books, were good but full of the author bashing liberals/ Democrats. Having been a life long Democrat myself, I was extremely annoyed and even angered by his message. There is a reason why I don't watch Fox News. Then when I read that the author had been on Glenn Beck and other Fox News talking heads, I REALLY questioned if I should read this latest installment.
This book lacked any of the usual excitement and suspense that the previous books had. I always wanted Harveth to catch the bad guys and silently cheered when he did. This time I just wanted the bad guys to shut up and stop yaking so freaking much. Enough with the talking!!! If I want a treatise on economics, I'd read that.
I am still not sure if I will continue with the series. While the liberal bashing was kept to a minimum, I doubt that will last.
This book lacked any of the usual excitement and suspense that the previous books had. I always wanted Harveth to catch the bad guys and silently cheered when he did. This time I just wanted the bad guys to shut up and stop yaking so freaking much. Enough with the talking!!! If I want a treatise on economics, I'd read that.
I am still not sure if I will continue with the series. While the liberal bashing was kept to a minimum, I doubt that will last.
October 26, 2020
Another terrific Scott Harvath book by Brad Thor. This novel is a welcome return to Scott after the digression Thor took in "The Athena Project" which was not anywhere near as good as the Harvath books.
June 9, 2012
In my first read of a Brad Thor book, Full Black grabbed my attention and held it as the pages flew by.
The plot was interesting with numerous twists that kept my mind racing along with the characters trying to figure out what would happen next. Across continents and in many venues, the action kept moving and I wondered whether the protagonists would succeed in unraveling the plot against the US...and, if so, how much damage would occur before they could do that. I will not ruin the story but will say it is well worth the read. Characters like Scott Horvath come to life and one can imagine the real Horvaths out there who, because of the nature of what they do, we will probably never know. If you like intrigue...espionage...mystery...this is a book you will enjoy.
As I did many years ago upon reading my first Robert Ludlum book (The Materese Circle), I will be doubling back to read Brad Thor's earlier novels. This book is marked as Horvath Number 10...1-9 are on my reading list now. Off to the bookstore!
The plot was interesting with numerous twists that kept my mind racing along with the characters trying to figure out what would happen next. Across continents and in many venues, the action kept moving and I wondered whether the protagonists would succeed in unraveling the plot against the US...and, if so, how much damage would occur before they could do that. I will not ruin the story but will say it is well worth the read. Characters like Scott Horvath come to life and one can imagine the real Horvaths out there who, because of the nature of what they do, we will probably never know. If you like intrigue...espionage...mystery...this is a book you will enjoy.
As I did many years ago upon reading my first Robert Ludlum book (The Materese Circle), I will be doubling back to read Brad Thor's earlier novels. This book is marked as Horvath Number 10...1-9 are on my reading list now. Off to the bookstore!
June 17, 2012
This was my first Brad Thor book. I was looking for something along the lines of Vince Flynn, and Thor did not disappoint.
Fast paced, good character development and believable plot - imo.
Extremely conservative (if you like Flynn or even Nelson DeMille, you should enjoy it).
As a writer of Amish mysteries ... I find it helps me to read grittier books, especially those written by men. It's a good change of pace and highlights some interesting writing techniques!
Thor is definitely a writer I'll try again.
(Note: some mild language and violence only as pertains to plot)
Fast paced, good character development and believable plot - imo.
Extremely conservative (if you like Flynn or even Nelson DeMille, you should enjoy it).
As a writer of Amish mysteries ... I find it helps me to read grittier books, especially those written by men. It's a good change of pace and highlights some interesting writing techniques!
Thor is definitely a writer I'll try again.
(Note: some mild language and violence only as pertains to plot)
July 9, 2022
This is the 10th book in the Scott Horvath series. The 21st entry in this series arrived in my mailbox today, two signed FE/FPs. I have two signed books because I'm an idiot that forgot he had already preordered the latest book. I don't know how I missed this book in the series but I did. I think it may have been during a period when I was thinking ending my interest in Brad Thor and his books. Thor is the first author I started to follow and whose books I collect. All of my Thor books are signed FE/FPs and on occasion I have even put myself in the position of having duplicate and even triplicate signed copies. Don't ask. Without question Thor writes an excellent thriller and if that is what you are looking for then you can't go wrong picking one of the books in this series. However, my reason for ending my relationship was because of an unfortunate choice Thor made in his books about the time that this one came out which was in 2011. This book employs some of the questionable conduct and the reader should consider this a caution. Some of the violence depicted is a bit more graphic than is necessary and some of Thor's personal political views seem to seep into the speeches of his protagonist. When an author uses his fiction as a platform for his politics then he ceases to be an author and becomes a propagandist. I buy these books for entertainment and not for their politics and that is why I seriously thought about not buying anymore of these books. I have posted these criticisms in other Thor reviews and maybe that had an effect because the problem has abated and the more recent books are back to being fun though the violence does go beyond what is needed.
As for this book, well it's another darn good thriller. We have our mega-rich mastermind villain who is manipulating Arab terrorists into implementing a stolen Chinese war plan to inflict catastrophic harm to the U.S. Thor, now working as an agent of a private international security company is at the center of the whirlwind of action. This action involves a Hollywood movie producer, ex-Russian special forces operatives, an ex-U.S special forces officer, an intelligence agency leak, a former KGB/FSB officer, and multiple Arab terrorist pawns. There is violence and, as I have said, it some times goes overboard. Thor attempts to mitigate Horvath's words but there is ranting that can have the affect of painting all Muslims with the ugly brush of terrorism so caution and judgment are necessary in the reading. The bottomline on the book however is that it is a page-turner. Now I have to put Horvath #21 on my TBR shelf. Enjoy.
As for this book, well it's another darn good thriller. We have our mega-rich mastermind villain who is manipulating Arab terrorists into implementing a stolen Chinese war plan to inflict catastrophic harm to the U.S. Thor, now working as an agent of a private international security company is at the center of the whirlwind of action. This action involves a Hollywood movie producer, ex-Russian special forces operatives, an ex-U.S special forces officer, an intelligence agency leak, a former KGB/FSB officer, and multiple Arab terrorist pawns. There is violence and, as I have said, it some times goes overboard. Thor attempts to mitigate Horvath's words but there is ranting that can have the affect of painting all Muslims with the ugly brush of terrorism so caution and judgment are necessary in the reading. The bottomline on the book however is that it is a page-turner. Now I have to put Horvath #21 on my TBR shelf. Enjoy.
August 14, 2011
I would have given this 4 or 5 stars if it wasn't for frequent use of the F-word. Maybe terrorists and government interrogators talk like that all the time. I don't know. I do know I don't like it or want to read it.
This is actually my husband's book that I pick up and started reading while we were camping. I read faster then him and for longer periods of time so I passed him and finished the book long before he did.
Apparently, this is Book #10 of the main character---Scot--who is an ex government agent who now works for a private company getting taking out terrorists, keeping the USA safe, etc. employing methods that the CIA can't or won't do and without all the government paper work, bureaucraticy, etc. Parts of this book was very reminiscent of the TV show "24", where men did "what they needed to" to keep America safe....ie. torture, killings, etc. A bit too brutal for me sometimes but I'm sure my husband had no problem with it. : (
The premise of the book is based on the idea of someone setting up America to fail and collapse so we can become a world wide government instead. The conversations in the book about the way history has been altered, teachers given new curriculum to teach, a steady invasion taking place while Americans sit by unaware, read "real life" to me. A quote from Marion G. Romney that I used in a Family Home Evening lesson recently was eerily echoed in Full Black regarding how Americans now vote for the politician that promises them the most, instead of the politician who is going to do the "right thing".
There was lots in the book that gives you things to think about. Sobering. Chilling, in places. I enjoyed Scot and other characters also. Apparently, there will be more stories of his escapades in the future. The ending didn't tie everything up neatly at all. I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't latched on to this series of books for great "Bang em up" movies. Maybe the agenda isn't liberal enough for them.
This is actually my husband's book that I pick up and started reading while we were camping. I read faster then him and for longer periods of time so I passed him and finished the book long before he did.
Apparently, this is Book #10 of the main character---Scot--who is an ex government agent who now works for a private company getting taking out terrorists, keeping the USA safe, etc. employing methods that the CIA can't or won't do and without all the government paper work, bureaucraticy, etc. Parts of this book was very reminiscent of the TV show "24", where men did "what they needed to" to keep America safe....ie. torture, killings, etc. A bit too brutal for me sometimes but I'm sure my husband had no problem with it. : (
The premise of the book is based on the idea of someone setting up America to fail and collapse so we can become a world wide government instead. The conversations in the book about the way history has been altered, teachers given new curriculum to teach, a steady invasion taking place while Americans sit by unaware, read "real life" to me. A quote from Marion G. Romney that I used in a Family Home Evening lesson recently was eerily echoed in Full Black regarding how Americans now vote for the politician that promises them the most, instead of the politician who is going to do the "right thing".
There was lots in the book that gives you things to think about. Sobering. Chilling, in places. I enjoyed Scot and other characters also. Apparently, there will be more stories of his escapades in the future. The ending didn't tie everything up neatly at all. I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't latched on to this series of books for great "Bang em up" movies. Maybe the agenda isn't liberal enough for them.
February 9, 2019
I know that there's still quite a few Brad Thor books I have yet to read, plenty more adventures of Mr. Scot Harvath, but I have to say that so far, Full Black is my favorite entry in the series!
The story picks up right after the aftermath in Foreign Influence, Scot Harvath is on the trail of a terrorist group that is unleashing numerous attacks across the globe, one attack after another. Harvath is determined to bring an end to the attacks and find out who is behind them.
As it turns out, one man has an idea who is behind it, after a failed assassination attempt on his life, movie producer Larry Salomon is investigating ruthless billionaire tyrant James Standing, who is secretly attempting to create a new world order by bringing the complete annihilation of the United States.
So far I've enjoyed all the books in the series, haven't disliked any of them, yes some I've liked better than others, but so far I'm ranking Full Black as #1 in the series!
Tomorrow jumping into
, can't wait!
The story picks up right after the aftermath in Foreign Influence, Scot Harvath is on the trail of a terrorist group that is unleashing numerous attacks across the globe, one attack after another. Harvath is determined to bring an end to the attacks and find out who is behind them.
As it turns out, one man has an idea who is behind it, after a failed assassination attempt on his life, movie producer Larry Salomon is investigating ruthless billionaire tyrant James Standing, who is secretly attempting to create a new world order by bringing the complete annihilation of the United States.
So far I've enjoyed all the books in the series, haven't disliked any of them, yes some I've liked better than others, but so far I'm ranking Full Black as #1 in the series!
Tomorrow jumping into
, can't wait!
August 8, 2024
As someone who grew up in Uppsala, it was a pleasant surprise to find out that the first act takes place in my little hometown.
March 30, 2020
This book was lent to me and WOW I really can't tell you how much I hated this book. You know you're in trouble when the highlighted review in the back of the front cover was from GLENN BECK. Basically this is an espionage thriller somewhat like Jason Bourne and whatnot, like if the TV show 24 got turned into a novel. Then, put a huge dose of American exceptionalism and right-wing spin on it and you'll get this pail of... something. I was gonna use stronger words but you know, I'm CLEARLY not the target audience of books like this so I'll just jot it up as a preference thing rather than a quality thing. Here are some AMAZING quotes from the book, all uttered by the "GOOD GUYS": "America [is] the greatest force of good in the history of the world." "Without America, there is no peace. Without America, there is no propriety." "You have no idea what the world would be like without America." I am NOT making any of these quotes up.
Anyhow, the whole premise of the book is about this covert black ops group that's doing the job of the CIA because the CIA was going "too soft", or something. So they were this private spy organization that the DoD contracted out to do things because, you know, the CIA can't do their dang jobs. So they uncovered this conspiracy that's basically laid out like a Sean Hanitty fever dream: The Chinese had came up with a plan to completely collapse the US by stuff like infiltrating the education system, the media, and other part of US culture to, you know, "portray American history through the lens of imperialism and aggression... children taught studies in social justice with American repeatedly shown as the bad guy" (direct quote again from the good guys in the book), bombing all the theaters to cripple the entertainment industries, bombing airports to cripple the transportation infrastructure, bombing TV and newspaper headquarters to cripple the journalists, hacking the electronic grid to take power off... etc. (basically bomb everything). But then a super rich IMMIGRANT billionaire stole the terrorist network and plans and co-oped them to do his own thing with it, because he believed that capitalism is evil and he wanted to get the US (capitalism personified as a nation) dismantled to usher in a global socialist-communist government.
The whole premise and plot already made me wanted to projectile vomit, but Brad Thor could not resist putting in all these narration and dialogues that were so dang preachy. There was a whole chapter where a Financial Times journalist had a chapter-long argument with the billionaire villain on capitalism and socialism, and literally the journalist was saying stuff like "I shouldn't be responsible for bailing out my neighbor if their house is getting foreclosed on" etc., you know, typical Ayn Rand crap. The spy action-y stuff was disappointing too. The good guys won in the end (good guys lol) not because they were clever or bad-ass, it's because they kept INTERROGATING and TORTURING the bad guys into spilling the beans and/or doing what they threaten them to do! Like, how unimaginative is that? I felt that I would be rude if I didn't finish reading this book because my friend so kindly lent it to me, but I was skimming it by the end. I just wanted the book to be over ASAP so that my eyes don't fall out of their sockets. Negative 10 stars out of 5.
Anyhow, the whole premise of the book is about this covert black ops group that's doing the job of the CIA because the CIA was going "too soft", or something. So they were this private spy organization that the DoD contracted out to do things because, you know, the CIA can't do their dang jobs. So they uncovered this conspiracy that's basically laid out like a Sean Hanitty fever dream: The Chinese had came up with a plan to completely collapse the US by stuff like infiltrating the education system, the media, and other part of US culture to, you know, "portray American history through the lens of imperialism and aggression... children taught studies in social justice with American repeatedly shown as the bad guy" (direct quote again from the good guys in the book), bombing all the theaters to cripple the entertainment industries, bombing airports to cripple the transportation infrastructure, bombing TV and newspaper headquarters to cripple the journalists, hacking the electronic grid to take power off... etc. (basically bomb everything). But then a super rich IMMIGRANT billionaire stole the terrorist network and plans and co-oped them to do his own thing with it, because he believed that capitalism is evil and he wanted to get the US (capitalism personified as a nation) dismantled to usher in a global socialist-communist government.
The whole premise and plot already made me wanted to projectile vomit, but Brad Thor could not resist putting in all these narration and dialogues that were so dang preachy. There was a whole chapter where a Financial Times journalist had a chapter-long argument with the billionaire villain on capitalism and socialism, and literally the journalist was saying stuff like "I shouldn't be responsible for bailing out my neighbor if their house is getting foreclosed on" etc., you know, typical Ayn Rand crap. The spy action-y stuff was disappointing too. The good guys won in the end (good guys lol) not because they were clever or bad-ass, it's because they kept INTERROGATING and TORTURING the bad guys into spilling the beans and/or doing what they threaten them to do! Like, how unimaginative is that? I felt that I would be rude if I didn't finish reading this book because my friend so kindly lent it to me, but I was skimming it by the end. I just wanted the book to be over ASAP so that my eyes don't fall out of their sockets. Negative 10 stars out of 5.
August 27, 2011
I believe Full Black by Brad Thor is officially one of the fastest book I've completed. At about 400 pages, I finished it in about three nights of heavy reading. Surprisingly, Full Black is the tenth book in the Scot Harvath series and if intense action is your genre, you'll do yourself a good favor by looking into this series. Prior to this, I invested a lot, and I mean a whole lot, of time reading the Mitch Rapp series. The Scot Harvath character is very similar to Mitch Rapp in that they are both super secret agents sent out to battle terrorism and help defend the United States. While Full Black is another book about hunting down Muslim terrorist set out to cripple the United States, reading these sort of books doesn't bore me because what makes these books most interesting is how strikingly real the depicted situation can be.
As with many of these counter-terrorism thrillers, you're going to get big a dosage of secret agents, mention of the FBI and CIA, insider betrayals, raids, killings, weapon usages, interrogation and pretty much just a whole lot of ass-kicking. Full Black I don't believe sets any new standards by any means but like I've mentioned in the beginning, these books are awesome to read because you get to ask yourself the big ol' question of "What if?" This is the driving factor in making or breaking a book of this sort.
Since Full Black is my first introduction to the Scot Harvath series, I was afraid I wouldn't be up-to-date with the whole back story of the main character. However, the author does a very good job of bringing new readers like me into the loop. With books like these, you can't have a secret black ops agent who play by the rules. Technically you could but it wouldn't be very fun to read. You need someone who is willing to take the fight to the bad guys, use any means necessary to get the information they need to save lives and one that is quick thinking and witty to deal with anything that gets thrown their way. Scot Harvath is this person.
What makes Full Black so exciting is the frightening and realistic situation of what could happen when someone has too much money, power and time on their hands. Money can't buy you happiness but can it buy you a whole new world order? I don't want to reveal the storyline too much for fear of spoiling it but I can assure you that you will definitely think about the United States in its current state right now and wonder if something like within Full Black can happen one day. It's a bit far fetched but it's definitely within the realm of possibility. The conversation/interview between James Standing and the journalist was brilliant and haunting at the same time. It really makes you reflect on the current affair of the United States. Full Black is just so addicting and it's due mainly to the pace the author sets. Once the action gets going, it rarely lets up and you'll find yourself reading one chapter after another until you realize it's past your bedtime!
As with many of these counter-terrorism thrillers, you're going to get big a dosage of secret agents, mention of the FBI and CIA, insider betrayals, raids, killings, weapon usages, interrogation and pretty much just a whole lot of ass-kicking. Full Black I don't believe sets any new standards by any means but like I've mentioned in the beginning, these books are awesome to read because you get to ask yourself the big ol' question of "What if?" This is the driving factor in making or breaking a book of this sort.
Since Full Black is my first introduction to the Scot Harvath series, I was afraid I wouldn't be up-to-date with the whole back story of the main character. However, the author does a very good job of bringing new readers like me into the loop. With books like these, you can't have a secret black ops agent who play by the rules. Technically you could but it wouldn't be very fun to read. You need someone who is willing to take the fight to the bad guys, use any means necessary to get the information they need to save lives and one that is quick thinking and witty to deal with anything that gets thrown their way. Scot Harvath is this person.
What makes Full Black so exciting is the frightening and realistic situation of what could happen when someone has too much money, power and time on their hands. Money can't buy you happiness but can it buy you a whole new world order? I don't want to reveal the storyline too much for fear of spoiling it but I can assure you that you will definitely think about the United States in its current state right now and wonder if something like within Full Black can happen one day. It's a bit far fetched but it's definitely within the realm of possibility. The conversation/interview between James Standing and the journalist was brilliant and haunting at the same time. It really makes you reflect on the current affair of the United States. Full Black is just so addicting and it's due mainly to the pace the author sets. Once the action gets going, it rarely lets up and you'll find yourself reading one chapter after another until you realize it's past your bedtime!
August 12, 2011
Ive read almost all of Brad Thor's books, and even though I gave it 5 stars its not as good as some of his others. At just under 400 pages, its not as long as some of his books, and the storyline isn't as developed as other books of his. For me, the character James Standing is an interesting addition to the plot. Though there is no shortage of bad guys in the world of Islamic Jihad, in America we have been reluctant to go after people within our borders who bear not obvious resemblance to the typical Jihadi. For those who appreciate modern day global politics there are a lot of similarities between James Standing and billionaire pro one world government George Sorros.
This book is more of a philosophical discussion between the tenants of Marxism, which seeks to even the economic playing field by catering to the needs of the poor by using the police power of government to take private property from people and give it to those government deems needs it. The obvious shortfall of such a policy is evident in the discussions in this book. But this book takes that discussion a step farther and links it to Islamic Jihad, one of the things I have personally wondered about. In Thor's books typically the plot weaves in and about and around in a splendid and riveting fashion leaving the reader satisfied. It was evident to me what the ending of the book was somewhere about 1/3 of the way though. Sometimes that is enough to make me put the book down and move on, but since the book was not too long I was ok with finishing the last 150 pages or so.
The usefulness of Scott Harvath as a main character is coming to an end. I like the idea of a superhero behind enemy lines working for the good of the country, but there are only so many conspiracies and love stories one person can be put though. It will be interesting to see what happens with this returning character.
This book is more of a philosophical discussion between the tenants of Marxism, which seeks to even the economic playing field by catering to the needs of the poor by using the police power of government to take private property from people and give it to those government deems needs it. The obvious shortfall of such a policy is evident in the discussions in this book. But this book takes that discussion a step farther and links it to Islamic Jihad, one of the things I have personally wondered about. In Thor's books typically the plot weaves in and about and around in a splendid and riveting fashion leaving the reader satisfied. It was evident to me what the ending of the book was somewhere about 1/3 of the way though. Sometimes that is enough to make me put the book down and move on, but since the book was not too long I was ok with finishing the last 150 pages or so.
The usefulness of Scott Harvath as a main character is coming to an end. I like the idea of a superhero behind enemy lines working for the good of the country, but there are only so many conspiracies and love stories one person can be put though. It will be interesting to see what happens with this returning character.
September 8, 2011
This is a sit on the edge of your seat read, and do not expect to sleep at night as this is one time I could not put my kindle down. Absolutely love this book and the high stress of Scott Harvath's ability to ferret out the bad guy every time. Would that were true in reality. Though there are some pretty amazing men and women out there on the lines every day trying to get these terrorist rat bags off our soil. The movement of the book was intense. One disappointment was the ending was anticlimactic. It seems that way with most of Brad Thor's books. I do enjoy them and give them high ratings, however, it seems that after all the intensity of the read in Full Black,it had a more disappointing and ineffective conclusion as it related to the events of the book.I personally without giving away for those who are yet to read the book, would have preferred a more severe ending for the two characters at the helm of the story. Well in one's case there was a severe ending, but more that this guy was brought to task more for his crimes, but then, they are an organization that is as the title says, full black, so therefore it would have been next to impossible to put him out there, thus disclosing their organization. So I guess as I write this out I am the one at fault with my thinking. Just trying to piece the ending together so it makes absolute sense to me. Maybe it is just me. Overall though, I totally enjoyed it and can hardly wait to read the next Thor novel.
Read
August 19, 2011Spies, conspiracy, thrills. Brad Thor hooks his reader with the first sentence and ends every paragraph with a lead to the next. Even ends the book so that a sequel can keep the story unfolding. A man's book up and down. Not ordinarily what I'd choose to read but I heard Thor speak---he travels with an armed body guard and speaks in front of a large American flag---found him charming, and thus bought the book.
For my part, I found too many information dumps where dialog has no purpose other than explanation; same for long pages of political theory which were good spots to practice speed-reading. Plus there're too many characters not fully developed so that the names begin to run together. Many missed opportunities IMO, such as when terrorists wipe out movie theatres across the country and Thor tells us the nation is devastated. We met one family a few minutes before they were blown away, why not show some of the grief and disruption of what has happened? Instead, Thor skips right on to the next step in catching the bad guys, which his readers probably prefer. Thor knows his trade. The book will appeal to his audience. Having read one, I doubt I'll read another Thor book
September 25, 2011
Full Black is the 10th thriller starring Scot Harvath and is the sequel to last year's Foreign Influences. Carrying the plot forward from last year's story Brad Thor gives the reader a rousing story full of action, intrigue and horrible scenarios. What ruined the plot for me was the fact that the author has made his characters his mouthpieces for his own philosophy. There were several passages decrying things which the author feels are anti-American and unpatriotic. This just ruined the read for me and I can read books by authors with differing thoughts however if they insert their agendas into their books and try to force the reader to accept it, it seriously devalues the book for me. More to come in FBC review...
Overall rating = 2 & 1/2 STARS
February 8, 2012
Brad Thor is an amazing writer, but more than that, he knows what in the world is really taking place in governments, with terrorists and how they work...and the greed of powerful people. I can't put his books down once I start, he is a powerful writer and puts you right in the scene he is creating. He has worked with the people that actually put their lives in danger everday to save the world from terrorists. If Brads books were just fiction, they would be compelling. since they are based on fact, it's makes reading them mandatory. I say start with his first book and have the next one ready. You won't want to stop reading til the end book and even then you'll want more...Virginia, Tx.
February 5, 2013
What a load of rubbish. The author spent quite a bit of time going on about right-wing views. Even when he was citing examples, he got some of them wrong. Got a bit tired of it, to be honest. Only read a third of the book and gave up. Shame really, I read black list by the same author and enjoyed it
March 16, 2020
460 pages of high octane, maniacal marauding stuff where someone is either getting killed or killing someone! Only the method of the murder varies. Cutting the carotid, detonating explosives, and at times even detonating themselves (after all its better to burn out than to fade away!), riddling foes with bullets while friends get sloughed away with shotguns, Full Black is where-Chuck Norris-meets-Salman Khan-meets-Phantom. After a point in time the reader is left exhausted and wondering who else is left to be picked away other than himself/herself.
Ok coming to the story itself – yes there is a story – a covert operation in Uppsala Sweden to infiltrate and expose a terrorist network goes sideways with the gruesome death of many US Secret Service Professionals. The master mind behind the Operation Scot Harvath is a former Navy Seals (of course he has to be a navy seal. The rate at which these novels are proliferating the appearance and disappearance of Navy seals would be enough to cause great affront to real seals) who is the very epitome of ruthlessness. His organisation which works from the very bowels of secrecy is unknown to even the FBI and the CIA. In fact, other than the reader and Harvath’s boss Carlton Reed a.k.a “The Old Man”, no one knows the existence of this elite killing machine. Their secrecy is taken to a different level, even surpassing Victoria’s when to avenge their brothers they go “FULL BLACK”.
Thrown in a megalomaniac multi billionaire who calls himself, “The Sheikh of Qatar”, a dwarf who is a technology wizard with two humongous Russian dogs for company, another Navy Seal – there are multiple seals in this vast pool – with a limp, love life gone awry and the latest killing techniques, a Hollywood film producer who other than working on movies, seems to be busy saving his life as he is chased across the United States by a bunch of ugly looking, ugly acting Russians, (yes there are Russian canines as well as Russian cartel), you have a pot boiler which keeps careening, plummeting and racing through paths made fertile by a roving, roaming imagination that puts even Kurt Cobain on steroids to utter shame!
Full Black – makes you go colour blind!
Ok coming to the story itself – yes there is a story – a covert operation in Uppsala Sweden to infiltrate and expose a terrorist network goes sideways with the gruesome death of many US Secret Service Professionals. The master mind behind the Operation Scot Harvath is a former Navy Seals (of course he has to be a navy seal. The rate at which these novels are proliferating the appearance and disappearance of Navy seals would be enough to cause great affront to real seals) who is the very epitome of ruthlessness. His organisation which works from the very bowels of secrecy is unknown to even the FBI and the CIA. In fact, other than the reader and Harvath’s boss Carlton Reed a.k.a “The Old Man”, no one knows the existence of this elite killing machine. Their secrecy is taken to a different level, even surpassing Victoria’s when to avenge their brothers they go “FULL BLACK”.
Thrown in a megalomaniac multi billionaire who calls himself, “The Sheikh of Qatar”, a dwarf who is a technology wizard with two humongous Russian dogs for company, another Navy Seal – there are multiple seals in this vast pool – with a limp, love life gone awry and the latest killing techniques, a Hollywood film producer who other than working on movies, seems to be busy saving his life as he is chased across the United States by a bunch of ugly looking, ugly acting Russians, (yes there are Russian canines as well as Russian cartel), you have a pot boiler which keeps careening, plummeting and racing through paths made fertile by a roving, roaming imagination that puts even Kurt Cobain on steroids to utter shame!
Full Black – makes you go colour blind!
October 21, 2018
My first Brad Thor book and now he will be added to my go to list of espionage thriller authors! This books has left me wondering how many Full Deepcover Black Ops operations their might be or have been that are so hidden that there isn't a file anywhere to prove they ever existed. This book and its deep black mission will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you wonder if the U.S. has ever been close to a total collapse before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2020
Read as part of the house cup. Thor delivers another solid delivery. As some other reviewers have mentioned, Thor clues us in on his personal politics in this one for sure. He always has, but this time it is blatant. We seem to have another theme of American power brokers using stooges from middle eastern countries to do their dirty work. Scot Harvath continues to find himself in tough situations where he shoots his way out, breaks rules by abusing really bad bad-guys. Did I say they were really bad? Because Scot Harvath makes sure to tell us that this bad guy really goes beyond the pale and deserves everything coming to him. In the end, the president is happy, political opponents are put in their place, and all the people that hate clandestine activities are even madder. Sound familiar? Yeah because this is a prescription. But hey, I enjoy it and Thor can weave a tale that I can listen to over and over again. Oh, and I have because I keep going through the series.
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