9/11 to Global Jihad: The Grand Plan

by Don Gould

A masterfully complex story of Islamic Terrorism and Espionage beginning with an unnerving, catastrophic global assault called 9/12.

As CIA Deputy Director Richard Armstrong leads a global hunt for the 9/12 perpetrators, the US President attempts to limit the search to terrorist organizations and individuals while excluding nation states that helped plan, finance and support the terrorist attacks. Richard, a former Special Forces and CIA Field Operative leads his multi-national Operation Archangel team in a global search to identify, locate and capture key 9/12 planners, financiers and executors. As the search intensifies, Richard supported by his US Senator wife, her congressional colleagues and allied heads of state, goes head to head with the President on the objective of identifying and retaliating against nation states that participated in 9/12.

As the 9/12 perpetrator chase unfolds, a new Islamic initiative called the Grand Plan, a grandiose plan to establish a Global Islamic Caliphate moves forward. Amir ad-Laden and his Iranian Grand Plan team place a mole at the highest level of the US intelligence hierarchy. The mole determines that three Islamic countries are at risk from a devastating attack by the US and global allies. Amir scrambles to make a deal to forestall the 9/12 retaliatory attacks. As Amir concludes a peaceful arrangement for his Islamic alliance to rejoin the community of nations, his team continues to implement the Grand Plan as the story rushes to an explosively chilling conclusion.

504 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2012

Reviews

[Cheryl Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in First Reads. I entered this giveaway because I had read Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy and Joel C. Rosenberg (The Last Jihad) and had enjoyed them.

This subject matter certainly is timely. Sadly, it probably will be for some time to come, considering the world situation.

The book opens with a multi-national assault by jihadis that dwarfs the historical 9/11.

Don Gould obviously has a vast knowledge base and a deep love of country that helped him to sustain this amibious and complex narrative. In fact, he displays such a vast amount of knowledge that, I felt, it at times got in the way of the story.

It seems to me that the author struggles a bit with the artful side of storytelling. I think he could have written a very powerful non-fiction book with the same information.

And then, there's the formal side of storytelling. In our school days, we all learned certain formal rules about writing, for example, dialogue. We start a new paragraph when another character is speaking. It helps with clarity. In this area, Don Gould dances to the beat of a different drum, confining all speakers in - say - a meeting or conference call, to the same paragraph. We are left to wade through the quote marks, which sometimes hug the name of the speaker rather than the quote.

Although I want to support Gould's intent in writing this book, I do feel that some readers will have trouble staying with it, as it often reads more like a report than a novel. Anyway, I was glad to have the chance to read 9/11 to Global Jihad: The Grand Plan. 3 stars.

[Barbara Huskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

I could not get into this book and since my to-read book list is huge I am afraid I cannot continue reading a book that I am not that in to. The subject matter is intriguing and I think this could have been a terrific political thriller with the right editor. As others have mentioned there is a wealth of knowledge on display here, but it's just too much for the type of book I was expecting. I applaud the author for the obvious dedication and effort that went into this very ambitious first novel. It's just too dry and repetitive for my tastes.

[JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book as a giveaway and I'm a fan of these types of books. This book was no exception in terms of delivering on an intense thriller with some interesting plot twists. The story focuses on terrorists attacks around the world that are directed primarily at the US.

My biggest issue with this book is the amount of information. This book is packed with all kinds of details about every little thing and at times I was just lost and hoping for some more action more than anything. This book reminded me more of the Bourne books after the first 3 that are written by Eric Van Lustbader. Those books also get lost at times in too much information and not enough action.

All that being said, I wouldn't say don't read this if you want to and especially if you're a fan of these type of thriller/action novels. I have a copy of this to pass along to a friend if interested.

[Jennifer Toliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not well into the book at this point (pg 101) but I'm a little relieved to see that other reviewers can see why. Like they also mentioned, I'm enjoying the subject matter and the way the story is progressing. However, I'm also struggling with the format of paragraphs, quotes and a severe repetition with certain words and phrases. I'm very thankful to have received this book as a first reads giveaway and hope that I'm able to finish reading so that I can give a fair review.

I'm sorry, I just couldn't finish this. I hate giving up on a book but I simply didn't have the brain power to muddle through it. In the end, I think Gould has a wealth of information at his disposal to make a great novel. Next time, a little restraint and a LOT of editing will make him extremely successful.

[Jason Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gould shows extensive knowledge and research of many global terrorism ideals and methods against the world in the book 9/11 to Global Jihad. The story is a tough read though due to conversational sentence structure. One almost loses perspective because of changes of speaker midway through paragraphs at times. The story also has much repetitiveness making the plot feel like it stalls at times. I feel the plot does not pick up and get moving much until midway through the story. Either cropping out repeats of the same scenes or restructuring of the conversational parts will improve the flow of reading the story greatly.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this gives a frightening view of a potential takeover of the globe by Muslim fanatics, it is somewhat believable as our country's leaders seem to be wearing blinders. However, the book was rather thick at 500 pages and there was too much detail (type of wines ordered with dinner and what the characters ate). There were too many characters involved and too much repetition (main character's discussions with the president and then again with his staff). Too much silly names used by senator wife Marian toward her husband (big boy, baboon).

[Mandy Whilden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. I only made it to page 122 before I wanted to throw it out a window. This book has potential but needs MAJOR editing. If I read the word "gents" or "hunk" again I may internally combust. It's not often I DNF books but I cannot finish this.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am thrilled to have won this book! I can't wait to get it and to read it.

[Don Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

review by Outskirts Press...
http://www.dongould.us

Dear Don,

Thank you for submitting your work to Outskirts Press for evaluation. We are honored you have selected Outskirts Press....I want to be the first to congratulate you.

I want to give you my overall impression of your work: You have a terrific writing style. You have obviously done a significant amount planning and preparation in crafting your work. Your prose is nicely written with details that capture the reader. Right from the start your plot was very engaging. You do a nice job of slowly making your way through the story with details and a certain voice that allows your reader to really interact with the characters (who are all round and very nicely developed). The greatest value in fiction, it seems to me, lies in what we can learn about our own lives when we take time to analyze someone else’s — even if that someone else is just a character in a story. Characterization is one of the most important elements of any successful story. I always love it when I leave a story feeling like I know the characters. This is true for your prose. So many authors rush through their stories without really developing them. Not you. Your book read like a movie in my mind. You have crafted a quality piece of writing.

Sincerely,

Lisa Conner

Manuscript Review Team

Outskirts Press, Inc.

[Jean]

I received a copy of this book free through the first reads program on goodreads. I wasn't able to get very far in this book. The premise of the novel really interested me, but it really could've used some major editing. It was very difficult to follow and reading it started to seem like a chore to me. Maybe I will pick it up and try it again sometime in the future.

[Paul]

Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the FirstReads program at Goodreads.com with the promise to review it.

I have begun to read this book and will edit my review upon completion.

[Karry Vanherreweghe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this as a Goodreads, First Reads winner. I liked this book because it's so interesting, but it was hard to keep up with at times. Clearly the author knows his stuff so I really like that, it just took a little more time for me than normal to read it. However, I did enjoy it!

[Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent story, but the writing style was kind of hard to get through. There was a lot of information, the author obviously was knowledgeable on the subject matter. If you can get past the writing style then you'll enjoy the story.

Good Reads giveaway recipient.

[Ilona Mustafin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grand Plan was very well written. Sometimes when reading, I've noticed myself being on the same page with Don Gould on what is going on today in our world. I really enjoyed this book being so well versed, outspoken, fast paced.

[Pamela Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very informative read for the curious.

[Yvonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise but could definitely see his political leanings. It would be helpful to have an editor or at least someone to read out the dialogue to avoid redundancy.

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

RECEIVED FREE FORM GOOD READS FIRST READS. A 21ST CENTURY TECHNO-POLITICAL THRILLER OF GLOBAL ISLAMIC TERRORISAM AND ESPIONAGE.

[Whitney]

I have just received this book and I cannot wait to dive in!
I will add/change this later after I have read the book.

[Ted]

"*** I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads ***
** The Giveaway was Listed By Don **
* I received my copy on Wed Nov 7th, 2012 *

THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRST READS AND Don! "

[Blaise Eby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this on a First Reads, Goodreads giveaway. This book is a wonderful assortment of hypothetical situations and plot.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this from a first reads giveaway. I live in Jersey and 9/11 had a huge effect on me.

It was hard to understand at times and a little too wordy.

Thanks for the giveaway!

[Erdahs]

Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program. Review to come.