State of the Union

Scot Harvath #3

by Brad Thor

State of the Union by Thor, Brad. Published by Pocket Books,2011, Mass Market Paperback Reissue

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Action, Mystery, Spy Thriller, Espionage

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 27, 2004

About the author

BRAD 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.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of sleeper agents and a whole bunch of nuclear devices waiting to be detonated is the central conflict in this story. Once again, Scot Harvarth is on the scene to save the day. The plot follows a series of moves and counter moves by each government in a tightly woven set of interlocking scenes and action sequences. The author is becoming more polished, if sometimes formulaic, and isstarting to truly hone his craft. The creativity and construction of the story as well as the method and stages of delivery of the plot are what sets this author apart from a host of others in this genre. He understands how to keep a story moving, and when to changes locations or minor conflicts to keep interest from flagging. He delivers each new idea in tightly created parcel throughout the plot like the nuclear devices he writes about.
A great story and a talented author.
4.5 stars.

[fleurette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for this story.

I am a little disappointed that it is about the Russian conspiracy again. This book was written a while ago and things like that were still very popular back then. And yet I am a little disappointed that it is once again a conspiracy of Russians who want the return of the Soviet Union and the power of their homeland. And, as usual, they threaten to use nuclear weapons. I find it hardly original. This topic has been used so often in books of this genre that I feel that everything has already been written on this topic. There is no room for originality.

But if we overlook the lack of originality in this story, it is quite a good book. The action is fast, the characters show skill and intelligence. There are no major gaps in the plot, apart from some elements typical for this genre. There is an infodump every now and then, but it is bearable. The author may focus a bit too much on the description of modern technologies, but it is rather a matter of individual preferences and who is looking for what in their books.

Unfortunately, the ending, the final conversation between the American and Russian presidents, is way too much. That's not how you conduct foreign policy! I have a degree in international relations. And I must admit that out of all this incredible story, this is what I found the most absurd. If the president of the United States reacted in this way, it would be extremely irresponsible on his part. The same goes for the reply of the Russian president.

I have already read one of the next books in this series, so I already met Scot Harvath before. I also knew what to expect from this book. Although I think that the book I read earlier was probably a bit better. Maybe it's because there was no Russian conspiracy in it. I guess I'm really tired of this topic. If not Russians, then Chinese or Islamists. I’d like to see something new.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining series, ex SEALs hero.

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series has the same premise as the Vince Flynn books, but lacks in readability. Thor's writing is elementary in nature and I found myself thinking, "I'm not in 1st grade, why are you writing like I am." I was so annoyed with his style that I stopped reading the series. Scot Harvath also isn't nearlly as BA as Mitch Rapp.

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Brad Thor's first two books The Lions of Lucerne and Path of the Assassin, I wasn't quite sure if I was really on board with his writing style. State of the Union has begun to change my mind. Finally, there is a pseudo-believable plot and more realistic dialog along with character interactions that are beginning to feel genuine and not as weird. I was hoping Thor would get better as he continued writing and I genuinely believe he has.

State of the Union once again puts the United States in the cross-hairs of a dastardly plan of annihilation and it's up to the one and only Scot Harvath (former Navy SEAL and Secret Service agent and current anti terrorism specialist) to save the day. But with time running out and the bad guys holding all the cards, will he be able to get the job done?

I was very pleased as I started reading State of the Union because I felt Thor had finally written a mysterious plot that I was going to really get into. And I was right - right up until about a quarter of the way through. Then I stumbled on a couple of extremely exposition heavy chapters that scuttled the wonderful pacing which had been building up until that point. Seriously, I felt like I'd gone from reading an espionage thriller to the Wikipedia page on the history of the Cold War. Just as I was beginning to lose interest and had begun eyeing other books on my reading list, the pacing came back and held me through to the end.

Finally I have begun to see some development of the Scot Harvath character and even a bit of development in some supporting characters as well. There are life lessons taken to heart, decisions made which will affect the character for years to come and relationships which begin to grow and expand while others which appear to be withering and dying. Finally, a little humanity in this series.

Pacing has always been Brad Thor's defining strong point in my opinion and, despite that dull, exposition-heavy segment early on, the pacing is pretty solid in State of the Union too. There is also a great mystery to figure out and Brad wasn't as heavy handed with the reveals as he has been in his other books so I found myself really enjoying the suspense of the unknown. Sure it may not have been as twisty as I might have hoped, but just the fact that it was there was enough for me.

Technically, the novel was pretty well edited and put together, however, I did stumble across a handful of typos which threw me off a bit. Otherwise, good stuff. I'm beginning to come around on the Brad Thor bandwagon and will likely continue this series.

4 stars for State of the Union.

[Blake S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. Bits and pieces felt rushed, especially towards the end, but then it proved to be masterful as it established a quick pace that jolted my adrenaline at times. The story line was dramatic yet plausible, which I suppose would be alarming in a way. Scot Harvath from what I've read of the character, he isn't portrayed to be invincible, which I like. Too many times we are given this character who is "unstoppable", they stop feeling like human and relatable. The relationship involving Scot and his girlfriend was used in the beginning of the book but as it went on, it fell flat and out of the picture until the end, which felt off. However, all around, this book was pretty good and fits really well into my interests. I'd recommend.

[John (JC) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am impressed with the amount of research that goes into his writing.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

80s era Russian and US suitcase nukes are the center of a power play by a rogue military officer, aimed at blackmailing the President. Scot, along with allies, tries to save the day.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Harvath adventure. Leave believability at the door!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm new to reading Brad Thor but like his style very much. Russia vs the United States, the Cold War is over or so we thought. The President of the US has eight days until the State of the Union speech is broadcast and the contents of the speech are being dictated by the Russians who would like nothing more than to see the US lose all its power. The main character, Scot Horvath, is called upon to disable the conspiracy. Plans of action are made but changes are necessary at every turn. As each situation unfolds, the reader is not sure if the characters are friends or foe, or both. The chapters countdown the number of days and hours til the State of the Union speech is broadcast. Which speech will the President use (the ones the Russians delivered to him with their ultimatum, or the one he wrote)? Will he deliver it from the Congressional Hall or from the White House? Will it be a taped speech or will he deliver it in person? And what will it say?

I did get lost in some of the highly technical explanations of submarines, bombs, equipment used in espionage, but it did not detract from the story line as it unfolded.

[Michael Connick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my third Brad Thor book and the first that really disappointed me. I gave five stars to both Code of Conduct and The Last Patriot, but this novel barely gets three stars from me. It was written before the other two and I guess Brad Thor has just improved as a writer as he has gained experience. The problem for me is the extraordinary levels of suspension of disbelief that this novel requires of the reader. In the book the Russians have an amazing super weapon available to them that simply makes no sense and whose workings are never reasonably explained. The big attraction to me of the other two novels was the feeling of authenticity they had. Weapons and tactics were for the most part quite true to life. I found the basic premise of this book to be simply absurd and extremely disappointing. The only saving grace to it for me was the fact that Scot Horvath uses a Beretta CX-4 Storm carbine in it, which is a rifle that I happen to own and really like. It's a small thing, but without that I might have given the book only two stars.

[Jeff Brateman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Tom Clancy Wannabe. If I read another line that says "all of a sudden" I will go nuts! The dialog was supposed to inform those less informed, but instead just bugged me at how unrealistically the characters talked. Here's the template: "I have an idea." End of chapter. "Have you heard of ?" "Do you mean the ? What does that have to do with " "Well here it goes..." This book was a lame attempt at an action plot, similar to Dan Brown's action packed, end of chapter hanging, page turners. The style gets old fast, and is only good for a cheap, carnival type thrill.

[SteVen Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review – State of the Union – Brad Thor
Brad Thor’s third book in the Scot Harvath series, “State of the Union” is a great espionage story about a Russian plot to destroy the United States. The story moves fast, the action scenes are noteworthy, and the weapon technology and spy/espionage activities are remarkable. Former Navy SEAL turned US Secret Service agent Scot Harvath is called upon by the president of the United States to disable a brilliantly orchestrated Russian conspiracy against the United States. Harvath is teamed with a beautiful Russian Intelligence agent along with a highly trained CIA paramilitary unit in this highly volatile tale. The plot, storyline, and characters are all adrenaline-fueled, suspense-laden, and stimulatingly appealing. This book is full of action and the imposing conspiracy scenario is very plausible. Just like James Bond, Scot Harvath tends to get into tough situations, and as usual has an uncanny ability to get out of them. I thoroughly enjoyed State of the Union, especially the thrill ride that Thor takes the reader on with his riveting and rousing storytelling. Counter-terrorism is Scot Harvath's niche, and this narrative represents that vocation exponentially. I loved this book!

[William Crosby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your basic action story. Generally easily readable and compelling. Sometimes all the technical weaponry details became overwhelming and slowed the story. Also, the writing occasionally gets extremely jingoistic to the point of annoyance. It does bring up an interesting possibility: will USSR have a resurgence? Russia has had a decline in population and satisfaction since they adopted capitalism and there are many who want to go back to communism. I have seen other books where Stalin is idolized. People seem to forget the millions he killed and his own brand of personal terrorism. That isn't in this book, but this story does make me wonder: is Russia heading for another flip-flop? The book also highlights that potential terrorism is not limited to extreme Muslims (as many other stories seem to highlight these days). Sometimes we get too focused on the most recent threat and forget that enemies can come from many areas. I am waiting for a story about domestic terrorism (homegrown US anarchists) that is not a fantasy (i.e. Hunger Games).

[Scott A. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid story from Thor. They remind me of Clancy. This one, especially so. This was a scary story, given our relationship with Russia today, I hope Thor wasn’t too prescient. I actually like the way Thor tells his stories, not wasting 50 pages on travel time within the timeline of events. Great set of characters, even if Morrell is becoming an okay guy.

[Zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why I keep reading these. I fully expect the line "Scott Harvath is SUPER AWESOME" to creep up in the next book. Then he walks into a dark room to let the bad guy get the drop on him...again.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brad Thor is a better author when he writes on the offensive instead of defensive like this story. Easily my least favorite to date. 3 of 10 stars

[Jane Withers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 for a basic action story , the sort I always enjoy but it does follow a template ... having said that I do still like my action ‘shoot them in the head and or stab them 55 times in 0.5 seconds’ books

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept putting this book down for a week at a time and would pick it up again to find it interesting. But, the fact is, I could put it down and not miss it. And the last hundred pages got too long. An ambitious spy novel with lots of details!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a bit slower than the previous ones I read but still a good suspenseful read.

[Katie McMillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pacing was inconsistent- some sections dragged on without enough tension or excitement, while others raced by too quickly. I also feel that one subplot involving a secondary character could have been fleshed out more, as it seemed a bit rushed compared to the rest of the storyline. That said, it didn’t detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the book. Brad Thor has done an excellent job of combining action with relevant political themes, I am excited to continue the series.

[J.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, sometimes the dialogue's a little unbelievable, and maybe Scot Harvath, world-class skier turned elite anti-terrorist operative, is just a little too perfect to get next to as a character, and yes, sometimes the set-ups for the action scenes sound like a catalog put out by the guys who manufacture military gear (do we really NEED to know who made the gloves?)

But damn it, once the killin' starts, these books are FUN. Brad Thor writes big mean baddies with huge evil plots and then proceeds to let his good guys kick serious ass for 400 or so pages. Sure, it's all been done, but it's enjoyable to watch it be done with panache. I wouldn't suggest a diet of this sort of thing any more than I'd suggest eating every day at McDonald's, but EVERYTHING doesn't have to be Michael Chabon, you know? Relax and enjoy the ride.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still filled with Yankee jingoism, but fast-paced and creative. Descriptions of cutting edge military ordinance used were intriguing. It was refreshing to revisit the last vestiges of the USSR as our enemy in this thriller - driven by a decades old plot cooked up by communist diehards with a fanatical need to re-claim prominence on the world stage.

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 2 out of 5]

During the Cold War, the US and Russia had plans for retaliatory nuclear responses in case a first strike was able to incapacitate leadership, under the names Last Dance and Dead Hand respectively. Now it is 2004 and an aged Russian soldier is rebooting the old Dead Hand gang, hidden former Soviet agents in the US with small nuclear devices, in an attempt to hit the US where it hurts and revive the old Soviet Union.

Meanwhile, Secret Service Agent Scott Harvath has been called in by the FBI to talk about his friend Gary Lawlor's mysterious disappearance. Lawlor had been an Army Intelligence operative during the Cold War and members of Lawlor's former team have been killed, so the Feds suspect Lawler might be up to no good.

Harvath ends up on an international spyhunt and ventures into frozen Russia to stop events that are to happen with a deadline of the President's "State of the Union" (2004) address.

As an international action-thriller, "State of the Union" checks a lot of fun boxes for us Tom Clancy and Jack Bauer fans, for example, but also has some distracting minuses. To its credit, like other Thor thrillers I've read, it appears to be quite lengthy but is sneakily easy to read; this paperback clocks in at 523 pages but only took me about six hours across two evenings.

On the downside, the dialogue sequences that give informational background (and there is a LOT of informational background these guys tell each other) take up way too much real estate and are too repetitive. Agent Harvath has a habit of finishing people's sentences so the author can relay more and more info to us without having multiple-paragraph-length expositions, but he does it so frequently it becomes a lengthier exercise itself and is a bit annoying. If you watch a TV show and the protagonist is just frequently finishing other people's sentences in order to show us how smart he is, because he already knows everything, you'd simply flip to the next channel.

Verdict: "State of the Union" missed the mark for this reader, but isn't a wasted read. I just didn't enjoy it that much; not the best-told narrative.

Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R

[Sarah Koehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the Scot Harvath stories, but still a fun read for spring break. It’s fast paced and entertaining. I did think (based on the back cover summary) that Alexandra would enter the story much sooner — it was like 400 pages before she even showed up. To consider her a “main character” seemed a bit disingenuous. The Russian “anti American communication” system also seemed a bit too far fetched for me. I wish Thor would have simply stuck with the idea of sleeper cells on American soil. Perhaps Harvath could have just spent the entirety of the novel chasing bad guys through American cities. Maybe? Finally — I’m not crazy about Harvath and Meg. I like my badass heroes to not be encumbered by love and women. Reacher is single — just how I like him. Rapp married that idiot Anna. Davenport is on like his third wife. I’d like Scot to be unattached as well. The women always just get in the way.

Anyway, I really did enjoy the book — just not nearly as much as the others in this series. I’m certainly still going to read the next books! (I think Path of the Assassin is still my favorite.)

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, page turning thriller. Scot Harvath has had another career change. A new job at the newly created OIIA- Office of International Investigative Assistance (OIIA), working under his mentor, Gary Lawlor. He had come home to California with his current girlfriend, Meg, who he meet in his last adventure, for a 10 year memorial service for his father, when Gary, who also was supposed to be there, disappears and another national emergency calls Scott back to DC. At the time of the collapse of the USSR, a rogue general and a group of his buddies, came up with the idea of planting suitcase nuclear devices in American cities and now he threatens the President of the USA to either withdraw the nation from the international stage in his upcoming State of the Union Address or face annihilation. This doesn't give Scott much time to both find Gary and save the day again.

While I still prefer Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, Scott does play better with others. I'm not sure which is more unbelievable, the globe trotting race against time and terrorists or that there is always a beautiful woman helping him with his mission.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, now I know. I'm just not that into spy thrillers any more. I remember in earlier days loving Dan Brown, Len Deighton and others, and loved them. But recently I attempted to read one and just couldn't get into it. So I tried another and that too failed to interest me.

But State of the Union did grab my interest and kept it until I finished this novel of a U.S. under attack by the Russians. Perhaps its because of all that is happening in the news these days, but I did enjoy reading where a decorated navy seal fights against the clock to stop a nuclear holocaust.

Not great about it, minute detail about the weapons, planes, ships, etc. — just not into it — and the Russians are really bad guys ... except for the beautiful soviet who ends up helping the Americans. Its a little to 70s/80sish. But as a break from other reading, not bad.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another full-throttle thriller by Thor! Non-stop action, and no-nonsense demeanor by Scot Harvath!

In State of the Union, the 3rd entry in the series, Harvath has left the Secret Service and is now part of a Homeland Security agency fighting the War on Terrorism, known as the Office of International Investigative Assistance, (OIIA). Harvath's long-time friend and colleague Gary Lawlor has disappeared without a trace, while on assignment in Berlin, Harvath travels to find his him, only to find himself against a deadly enemy from the past, back from the days of the Soviet Union. Harvath, teamed with a CIA detachment, and the beautiful Alexandra Ivanova, an agent with Russian Intelligence, races to the streets of Berlin, the Coast of Finland, right into the heart of Mother Russia to stop a Russian Madman who plans to set off Nuclear Weapons in the US on the day of the President's State of the Union address.

Entertaining from beginning to end!

[Carole Hardinge · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Scot Harvath adventure the Cold War heats up again full of suspense, intrigue and clandestine operations. Although the fictional twists are a stretch to believe I decided to just accept them and enjoy the ride. This is the stuff of which action adventure movies are made, complete with last second rescues and lives hanging in the balance. I enjoyed every moment of the ride.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these books as they are good entries into the genre. I still prefer Clancy, Flynn and the individual's ghost-writing books for them, but these Scot Harvath books are close to that caliber. I can't quite put my finger on it but there is some reason I just can't "get into" the main character like I can with the other author's books I mentioned. The story lines are good although I found this one to be slightly less believable than some of the others. I sound like I'm bitching about the book but the truth of it is that it is very good! I certainly will keep following the adventures of Scot Harvath and certainly put Brad Thor high on the list of author's whose books I enjoy but simply wasn't moved enough on this book to give it five stars...perhaps the next one? Time will tell!