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Term Limits
What if America's politicians were held accountable for their broken promises -- and made to pay for their corruption? With a unique flair for heart-pounding dramatic tension, meshed with the technical precision of Tom Clancy, author Vince Flynn brings to life a chillingly credible scenario of Washington under siege -- in a provocative, edge-of-your-seat political thriller. In a night of shattering brutality, three of Washington's most powerful and unscrupulous politicians have been executed with surgical precision. Their assassins, vanishing without a trace, have delivered a shocking ultimatum to the leaders of the American set aside petty, partisan politics and restore power to the people, or be held to deadly account. No one, they warn, is out of their reach -- not even the president. A joint FBI-CIA task force reveals that the killers are stealth experts, elite military commandos with the proven capacity to penetrate the tightest security and neutralize any target. But no one knows exactly who they are or when they will strike next. Only Michael O'Rourke, a former U.S. Marine and freshman congressman, holds a clue to the a haunting incident in his own past with explosive implications for his country's future. Compelled by his memories and by his sense of honor, O'Rourke confides in the one woman he trusts, crusading journalist Liz Scarlatti, only to uncover hidden land mines of corruption and murder among the highest ranks of leadership. But as the casualties continue to mount, O'Rourke and Scarlatti make a terrifying discovery -- an appalling truth that the American people can never know if the nation is to survive. Delivered with the dead-on impact of a sniper's bullet, TERM LIMITS is a tour de force of authenticity and suspense, an all-too-realistic and utterly compelling vision in which the ultimate American ideal -- a government of the people -- is taken to a devastating extreme.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1997
1988 people are currently reading
10640 people want to read
About the author
Vince Flynn
47 books6,920 followersThe fifth of seven children, Vince Flynn was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1966. He graduated from the St. Thomas Academy in 1984, and the University of St. Thomas with a degree in economics in 1988.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,539 reviews
June 30, 2008
This was my first Vince Flynn novel and I was thoroughly impressed. The plot was very well constructed. I never felt like there was a major plot twist, but rather the characters were working hard to battle each other and all felt like powerful adversaries. As with many good books, when the end came, I expected the outcome, but was pleased by the way the author got me there.
The book tapped a number of emotions for me with despicable characters facing chiseled heroes. The theme of corruption in Washington politics was easy to identify with and I felt the author had an excellent knowledge of sophisticated weaponry and surveillance / countersurveillance tactics.
I would gladly recommend this book to any thriller fan.
CJ
The book tapped a number of emotions for me with despicable characters facing chiseled heroes. The theme of corruption in Washington politics was easy to identify with and I felt the author had an excellent knowledge of sophisticated weaponry and surveillance / countersurveillance tactics.
I would gladly recommend this book to any thriller fan.
CJ
October 16, 2024
In 2013, I was a smoker. Hated smoke inside the house, so I would smoke on my porch and read. I was mostly reading David Baldacci then, and I was looking for a new writer because I was almost done with his books. My neighbor recommended Vince Flynn, and I read all of his books in a summer. Mitch Rapp was one of my favorite characters. Had hoped this one would become a series too...
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
May 17, 2011
The pace and plot of this political thriller were, well, thrilling. The intricate details of the various reconnaissance and other operations were fascinating and kept me absorbed throughout.
Yet, at the end of the book, I felt saddened that the book so clearly promotes the idea that it is acceptable for a tiny handful of self-righteous and narrow-minded individuals to take a democratically-elected government hostage by murdering congressmen and senators in order to force the government to implement their ideas, then justifies the violence by saying that the politicians were corrupt and pointing out that America was founded in a bloody revolution.
I can accept books with main characters who have different motives, beliefs and values from mine, and who might do things I would consider depraved. After all, literature gives authors and readers the chance to explore the dark side of humanity safely, and I like exploring viewpoints other than my own.
But in genre fiction like this, I expect that the good guys, while flawed, will at least genuinely BE good guys. In this book, neither the good guys or the bad guys are moral - the only difference between the "good guys" and the "bad guys" was that the "good guys" actually convinced themselves they had honor and integrity, when what they really had was megalomania.
Yet, at the end of the book, I felt saddened that the book so clearly promotes the idea that it is acceptable for a tiny handful of self-righteous and narrow-minded individuals to take a democratically-elected government hostage by murdering congressmen and senators in order to force the government to implement their ideas, then justifies the violence by saying that the politicians were corrupt and pointing out that America was founded in a bloody revolution.
I can accept books with main characters who have different motives, beliefs and values from mine, and who might do things I would consider depraved. After all, literature gives authors and readers the chance to explore the dark side of humanity safely, and I like exploring viewpoints other than my own.
But in genre fiction like this, I expect that the good guys, while flawed, will at least genuinely BE good guys. In this book, neither the good guys or the bad guys are moral - the only difference between the "good guys" and the "bad guys" was that the "good guys" actually convinced themselves they had honor and integrity, when what they really had was megalomania.
February 6, 2020
Some things we're better off not knowing... or are we? This was written in 1997 when the national debt was just over $5 Trillion and American citizens were in an uproar over nothing being done by our elected officials about it. Now, in 2014, when we were promised by the incoming liberal President that he would decrease it, that figure has tripled to over $17 TRILLION, and we see no end in sight to the spiral, it blows the mind and one wonders if desperate measures are the answer, and if so, which ones? This is a fiction novel, of course, but it opens your eyes to a lot of factual information about government policies, agencies, and historical data.
Expertly crafted by Vince Flynn, I had a hard time putting it down. He makes the unbelievable seem believable, and keeps us riveted. This is my 3rd novel of his. As I began the 2nd one, Kill Shot, a Mitch Rapp novel, the author addresses his readers with the announcement of his prostate cancer diagnosis. When I went online to look for how many novels were in the Rapp series I discovered that the author lost his life last year, 2013, at only 47 to this cancer. I felt a personal loss, heartbroken even, after just discovering him this month, and losing him in the same month... such a talent, taken so young. Thankfully there are 13 books in the Rapp series, almost all available at your local library or on kindle. If you’re a fan of political thrillers and espionage, do NOT deprive yourself of the wonderful writings of the late, Vince Flynn. Just Amazing.
This is not a Mitch Rapp novel, but I'd recommend reading this first, before the Rapp series, as you get acquainted with the people who hire and train him in American Assassin. I'm still reeling from the realistic feel to this novel about the trouble we're in as a country. Not a feel-good read, but everybody should read it, regardless of your political or partisan preferences. One of the best books I've read in a long time. Absolutely recommended.
Expertly crafted by Vince Flynn, I had a hard time putting it down. He makes the unbelievable seem believable, and keeps us riveted. This is my 3rd novel of his. As I began the 2nd one, Kill Shot, a Mitch Rapp novel, the author addresses his readers with the announcement of his prostate cancer diagnosis. When I went online to look for how many novels were in the Rapp series I discovered that the author lost his life last year, 2013, at only 47 to this cancer. I felt a personal loss, heartbroken even, after just discovering him this month, and losing him in the same month... such a talent, taken so young. Thankfully there are 13 books in the Rapp series, almost all available at your local library or on kindle. If you’re a fan of political thrillers and espionage, do NOT deprive yourself of the wonderful writings of the late, Vince Flynn. Just Amazing.
This is not a Mitch Rapp novel, but I'd recommend reading this first, before the Rapp series, as you get acquainted with the people who hire and train him in American Assassin. I'm still reeling from the realistic feel to this novel about the trouble we're in as a country. Not a feel-good read, but everybody should read it, regardless of your political or partisan preferences. One of the best books I've read in a long time. Absolutely recommended.
August 8, 2010
I can't think of the last time I enjoyed a fiction books this much. Term Limits is about a solution to what is wrong with Washington: killing politicians. An elite team of former Navy SEALS decides to take out the most entrenched and corrupt politicians in DC, and demands that the President clean up our beloved capital. It sounds like pretty thin soup, but man! Talk about a pager turner! I couldn't put it down. There is much, much more to the story, of course: the FBI, the CIA, NSA, rouge intelligence agents, top secret programs and assault teams, and a tremendously realistic description of a White House in total spin-control. I loved it!
I also thought that the author--a very conservative man (I first heard about this book on Glenn Beck)--did a good job of showing how wrong this 'solution' actually is, even as I acknowledge a certain emotional satisfaction in reading this story about killing the people who are killing our country. Even as the noble SEALS unleash their assassination, the violence they set loose is used by less noble men for ignoble reasons...and that, of course, is the problem. We can all fantasize about politicians who we hate taking a dirt nap...but what if it were a politician who we like or admire? Violence, of course, has no place in our political system...but I admit, it sure was fun to read about!
Highly recommended book. I haven't read a political thriller for years (I think the last one was a Tom Clancy novel in the late 90s), but I am all over this guy.
I also thought that the author--a very conservative man (I first heard about this book on Glenn Beck)--did a good job of showing how wrong this 'solution' actually is, even as I acknowledge a certain emotional satisfaction in reading this story about killing the people who are killing our country. Even as the noble SEALS unleash their assassination, the violence they set loose is used by less noble men for ignoble reasons...and that, of course, is the problem. We can all fantasize about politicians who we hate taking a dirt nap...but what if it were a politician who we like or admire? Violence, of course, has no place in our political system...but I admit, it sure was fun to read about!
Highly recommended book. I haven't read a political thriller for years (I think the last one was a Tom Clancy novel in the late 90s), but I am all over this guy.
December 31, 2008
this guy is AMAZING - term limits was published in 1997 and it talks about the budget and how the failure to balance the fed budget will lead to crisis and chaos - which is happening - I believe I will go out and buy all of his books after the holidays - if anyone knows the order in which they were written I would love to get a list
I have finished this book and LOVED IT - had everything I like - power struggle - "insider info" on how DC works - great characters and great story - I cannot wait to read the next one
thanks and happy holidays
I have finished this book and LOVED IT - had everything I like - power struggle - "insider info" on how DC works - great characters and great story - I cannot wait to read the next one
thanks and happy holidays
February 13, 2015
About the only reason that I finished this book was to see just how ridiculous the plot got before the author put it out of its misery. I'm not sure who the people are who liked this book - and there are many - I just didn't get it.
The premise was interesting. A group of assassins targets corrupt politicians and kills several of them, demanding an end to deficit spending, special interests, pork, and partisan politics (keep in mind, the book was written in 1999, so any resemblance to our current political situation sadly just means that some things never change).
From there, things went downhill in a big way. The main character, Congressman Michael O'Rourke, was about as bad as the murdered "bad guys". The problem was that he was portrayed as the noble good guy. He actually said numerous times that the other men deserved to die. Nice. Further, he knew who the assassins were and told no one, just let them go on murdering people. Really nice.
Aside from an unlikeable protagonist, the characters were as thin as smoke to such a degree that it was hard to remember who was who. Weak characters are combined with horrendous dialogue resulting in a special treat for readers. The author also apparently never heard the old adage "show don't tell" as much of the book was just a recapping of who said and did what. Further, the plot was at times a stretch (somewhat to be expected in a thriller/action novel) but many times, it was just flat-out unbelievable. For example, a congressman who participates in covert operations with a group of political assassins to kidnap a former CIA honcho? Participates, as in staking out the guy's house and busting in with automatic weapons. Give me a break. Here's another - an audio tape with enough damning information that it would "literally destroy the CIA, the office of the presidency and our political system" ends up in the hands of Congressman O'Rourke and his journalist girlfriend. The CIA director asks them if they give their word that they won't tell anyone else about what's on the tape. They do and he says "your word is good enough for me". WHAT???
Add to all of this misery the author's annoying tendency to interchange character first and last names in a single paragraph ("O'Rourke looked at Scarletti and then Michael handed Liz a drink"), his tendency to repeat entire passages of the book (for example, a phone conversation between 2 characters may be retold verbatim between one of those characters and a third - the reader doesn't need to reread the whole thing!!), his insistence on referring to cell phones as digital phones, and stupid statements like "he blinked away the drop of sweat forming on his brow" - and Geez Louise, there's not much here to like.
This one is a big stinker. Unless you want to check your brain and logic at the door, you would be better off skipping this one entirely.
The premise was interesting. A group of assassins targets corrupt politicians and kills several of them, demanding an end to deficit spending, special interests, pork, and partisan politics (keep in mind, the book was written in 1999, so any resemblance to our current political situation sadly just means that some things never change).
From there, things went downhill in a big way. The main character, Congressman Michael O'Rourke, was about as bad as the murdered "bad guys". The problem was that he was portrayed as the noble good guy. He actually said numerous times that the other men deserved to die. Nice. Further, he knew who the assassins were and told no one, just let them go on murdering people. Really nice.
Aside from an unlikeable protagonist, the characters were as thin as smoke to such a degree that it was hard to remember who was who. Weak characters are combined with horrendous dialogue resulting in a special treat for readers. The author also apparently never heard the old adage "show don't tell" as much of the book was just a recapping of who said and did what. Further, the plot was at times a stretch (somewhat to be expected in a thriller/action novel) but many times, it was just flat-out unbelievable. For example, a congressman who participates in covert operations with a group of political assassins to kidnap a former CIA honcho? Participates, as in staking out the guy's house and busting in with automatic weapons. Give me a break. Here's another - an audio tape with enough damning information that it would "literally destroy the CIA, the office of the presidency and our political system" ends up in the hands of Congressman O'Rourke and his journalist girlfriend. The CIA director asks them if they give their word that they won't tell anyone else about what's on the tape. They do and he says "your word is good enough for me". WHAT???
Add to all of this misery the author's annoying tendency to interchange character first and last names in a single paragraph ("O'Rourke looked at Scarletti and then Michael handed Liz a drink"), his tendency to repeat entire passages of the book (for example, a phone conversation between 2 characters may be retold verbatim between one of those characters and a third - the reader doesn't need to reread the whole thing!!), his insistence on referring to cell phones as digital phones, and stupid statements like "he blinked away the drop of sweat forming on his brow" - and Geez Louise, there's not much here to like.
This one is a big stinker. Unless you want to check your brain and logic at the door, you would be better off skipping this one entirely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2013
Let me begin by saying that I’m a huge Mitch Rapp fan, so this brief review is written from that mindset. I began reading Vince Flynn about a year ago after hearing Neal Boortz and others sing the praises of Mitch Rapp. So, naturally, I skipped past Term Limits (since it’s not listed as part of the Mitch Rapp series) and jumped right into his other books. I’ve since completed all of that series and turned to Term Limits to get my final Vince Flynn fix (RIP, sir). It did not disappoint.
Because Term Limits isn’t part of the Rapp series, I assumed that it wouldn’t share any of the canon of those books. As I read more and more, I couldn’t have been happier to find that this book weaves nicely into the Rapp series and overall Flynn universe. In fact, it provided some background and answers to questions I often had while reading the Rapp series. For example, the whole time I’m reading any of the Rapp books, and Scott Coleman comes into the scene, I found myself wondering about Scott’s past. He seemed every bit the badass that Rapp was and I always knew that his would be a back story worth telling. Another is Michael O'Rourke. An early Rapp novel made many references to him that I couldn’t quite place, so now things make much more sense.
Chronologically, I estimate that Term Limits happens somewhere between Kill Shot and Transfer of Power. Even though this isn’t a Rapp novel, it’s pretty cool knowing that he’s still an unknown to the world at that time and is secretly conducting covert ops overseas and killing bad guys. Though indirectly, it’s very nice that this book fits into the overall Rapp story in that way.
Overall, and perhaps oddly, this book gave me closure to Vince Flynn’s passing and the end of Mitch Rapp. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all.
Because Term Limits isn’t part of the Rapp series, I assumed that it wouldn’t share any of the canon of those books. As I read more and more, I couldn’t have been happier to find that this book weaves nicely into the Rapp series and overall Flynn universe. In fact, it provided some background and answers to questions I often had while reading the Rapp series. For example, the whole time I’m reading any of the Rapp books, and Scott Coleman comes into the scene, I found myself wondering about Scott’s past. He seemed every bit the badass that Rapp was and I always knew that his would be a back story worth telling. Another is Michael O'Rourke. An early Rapp novel made many references to him that I couldn’t quite place, so now things make much more sense.
Chronologically, I estimate that Term Limits happens somewhere between Kill Shot and Transfer of Power. Even though this isn’t a Rapp novel, it’s pretty cool knowing that he’s still an unknown to the world at that time and is secretly conducting covert ops overseas and killing bad guys. Though indirectly, it’s very nice that this book fits into the overall Rapp story in that way.
Overall, and perhaps oddly, this book gave me closure to Vince Flynn’s passing and the end of Mitch Rapp. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all.
July 7, 2008
“What if America's politicians were held accountable for their broken promises -- and made to pay for their corruption?”
Oh, if only… oops, I was lost for a moment in the sweet, sweet fantasy of having corrupt, immoral, and self-serving politicians systematically eliminated by a thoughtful group of elite, patriotic American assassins…
After reading Vince Flynn’s rather disappointing, often sophomoric Consent to Kill, I was reluctant to give him another try. However, at the encouragement of my Flynn acolyte friends, I read Term Limits and was pleasantly surprised.
Term Limits is an exciting story of a group of former American commandos who recognize that, in many cases, corrupt and immoral politicians threaten the security and welfare of the country they love far more than the foreign terrorists, dictators, and extremists they have fought and killed in the name of national security. In an attempt to bring attention to, and eliminate the corruption and greed that have come to dominate much of government, they target the worst of these politicians for assassination. Term limits presents a real moral and ethical paradox and will likely have you questioning your notions of ‘justifiable’ violence in pursuit of the ‘greater good’. The story is exciting and fast paced, and may just leave you wondering “what if…”
Term limits contains significant military/combat style violence, profanity, and deals with philosophically complex themes making it appropriate for mature late teens.
Oh, if only… oops, I was lost for a moment in the sweet, sweet fantasy of having corrupt, immoral, and self-serving politicians systematically eliminated by a thoughtful group of elite, patriotic American assassins…
After reading Vince Flynn’s rather disappointing, often sophomoric Consent to Kill, I was reluctant to give him another try. However, at the encouragement of my Flynn acolyte friends, I read Term Limits and was pleasantly surprised.
Term Limits is an exciting story of a group of former American commandos who recognize that, in many cases, corrupt and immoral politicians threaten the security and welfare of the country they love far more than the foreign terrorists, dictators, and extremists they have fought and killed in the name of national security. In an attempt to bring attention to, and eliminate the corruption and greed that have come to dominate much of government, they target the worst of these politicians for assassination. Term limits presents a real moral and ethical paradox and will likely have you questioning your notions of ‘justifiable’ violence in pursuit of the ‘greater good’. The story is exciting and fast paced, and may just leave you wondering “what if…”
Term limits contains significant military/combat style violence, profanity, and deals with philosophically complex themes making it appropriate for mature late teens.
April 15, 2023
5 Stars. Great, great, GREAT. I am only 4 or 5 books into Flynn’s Rapp series. I never knew this existed until I read a post from one of Jack Carr’s regular email newsletters. Carr wasn’t kidding when he said that this was a remarkable book. It’s from 1997 I think but Flynn nailed it. The book underscores just how desperately broken our government is and probably has been for far longer than we want to think about. The wide array of dirty, incompetent and criminal politicians, bureaucrats and the highest ranking administration officials (in this book, even the president) is enough to boggle the mind. The true problem is that none of it is shocking. We are living it and, thankfully I guess, don’t know just how prevalent it is. This was a book of Good vs Evil. Good prevailed. I wonder if Stephen King has read it. If he has, I wonder if he wishes he wrote it...
October 1, 2011
It wasn't long before I developed a visceral hatred for this book. If I put its politics aside, at best this is yet another silly, not very well written thriller. With the politics...
In one night, United States Senator Daniel Fitzgerald, Senator Robert Down and powerful congressional leader Jack Koslowski are assassinated. From the description of each, it's clear the first is supposed to represent Senator Edward Kennedy (or maybe Daniel Moynihan) the second Robert Dole, and the third Dan Rostenkowski. (The book was published in 1997) The next day the demands of the assassins are delivered to a major television network. Among the demands are a balanced budget with no new or raised taxes and means-testing of medicare and social security. In other words, the Tea Party Agenda--which by the way I'm actually sympathetic to. (Quaint, and scary, that the horror scenario of the book is a national debt of a mere 5 trillion.) If their demands are not met, more will be killed and they promise not even the (very Clintonesque) president will be safe. Apparently neither this group nor Flynn sees any irony that another demand is a new crime bill.
So, what's the reaction of our "hero" ex-marine and Freshman Congressman Michael O'Rourke? He considers the murdered men "scum" and calls those that slew them "freedom fighters." I kid you not. Flynn lost me right there. Do I really have to spell it out? Because I could rant for pages. Look, I'm right of center and have been known to enjoy Tom Clancy novels. Flynn according to the wiki was inspired to write the book by The Government Racket: Washington Waste from A to Z, by Martin L. Gross. I'm sympathetic to the cause--really am. But my goodness. I can't enjoy this or take this seriously.
In one night, United States Senator Daniel Fitzgerald, Senator Robert Down and powerful congressional leader Jack Koslowski are assassinated. From the description of each, it's clear the first is supposed to represent Senator Edward Kennedy (or maybe Daniel Moynihan) the second Robert Dole, and the third Dan Rostenkowski. (The book was published in 1997) The next day the demands of the assassins are delivered to a major television network. Among the demands are a balanced budget with no new or raised taxes and means-testing of medicare and social security. In other words, the Tea Party Agenda--which by the way I'm actually sympathetic to. (Quaint, and scary, that the horror scenario of the book is a national debt of a mere 5 trillion.) If their demands are not met, more will be killed and they promise not even the (very Clintonesque) president will be safe. Apparently neither this group nor Flynn sees any irony that another demand is a new crime bill.
So, what's the reaction of our "hero" ex-marine and Freshman Congressman Michael O'Rourke? He considers the murdered men "scum" and calls those that slew them "freedom fighters." I kid you not. Flynn lost me right there. Do I really have to spell it out? Because I could rant for pages. Look, I'm right of center and have been known to enjoy Tom Clancy novels. Flynn according to the wiki was inspired to write the book by The Government Racket: Washington Waste from A to Z, by Martin L. Gross. I'm sympathetic to the cause--really am. But my goodness. I can't enjoy this or take this seriously.
June 4, 2012
If you love great thrillers, you'll love this stand alone political thriller by Vince Flynn. In Term Limits, Michael O'Rourke, a young congressman, knows a secret. In every page, we watch how Michael's trapped. Due to heated politics in Washington D.C., we watch the fireworks fly between the White House and Michael and potential threats. We see how close he is to his family. We witness the love he has for his girlfriend, Liz Scarpatti, a reporter, and how embroiled he is into the mess. I felt bad for Liz, who has a duty to report the facts for her paper, and how her lies are sealed on keeping his secrets, until something happens that turns up the tables. We're shocked and awed by the actions of this players and how payback is returned with retribution. This would get you hooked into the drama and sucked in, right away. A lot of violent drama, when it deals with politics, then and now, and how it can affect the presidency. To see those executions, it didn't make me sick to my stomach.
January 19, 2009
This book was amazing. It stayed interesting the whole way through. It's a political thriller. It reminds me of Tom Clancy, but with less of the weapons/model # info that makes my eyes glaze over.
January 2, 2014
My sister-in-law introduced me to Vince Flynn after she received his latest novel as a Christmas present. After hearing what his subject matter was, and knowing how hooked on 24 I am, I thought I'd give Flynn a try and decided to start with his first novel. I was definitely not disappointed! While the storyline might be a little far-fetched, as the story unfolds you really start to wonder if something like this could ever happen in America. It's quite a hefty book, but I really had a hard time putting it down when I had to do other things... Flynn's writing is fast-paced and more than once I found my heart pounding as certain key events took place. If taken too seriously, it doesn't make you feel particularly good about our government or its many agencies and politicians, though there are (thankfully) a few exceptions. But in the context of a fictional work, I was really impressed with the level of detail provided, not to mention the fact that it was a fast-paced, attention-grabbing read for a 600+ page book. Oh, and just when you think the story's got to end, it gets interesting in a hurry... But that's all I'll say on that subject!
September 6, 2012
Not even a mention of Mitch Rapp here, but many other characters that fans of Vince Flynn will recognize. A stand alone story with a lot of good background information on certain characters. Congressman Michael O'Rourke and his Grandfather, Seamus, are introduced. Surprisingly, I have not seen them in other Vince Flynn works as yet.
In the story, dirty Senators and Congressmen are being assassinated for working for themselves rather than being representatives of the people. There's a surprise! No one seems capable of stopping the assassins and 37% of the people seem fully supportive of the assassins rather than the crusty, old crooked politicians. All the President and his Chief of Staff care about are the public opinion polls and their reelection chances. Typical politics in Washington until two honest Senators are killed. Only this time their federal agent bodyguards are killed along with them. Secrets are threatened to be unleashed and no one knows if and when the assassins will strike next. And there is no Mitch Rapp to save the day and even if Rapp wasn't still in college or High School he probably would have opted to help the assassins so that is the tone of the story.
This is my 7th Vince Flynn novel and Term Limits is just as good as his other works even without his star character Mitch Rapp.
In the story, dirty Senators and Congressmen are being assassinated for working for themselves rather than being representatives of the people. There's a surprise! No one seems capable of stopping the assassins and 37% of the people seem fully supportive of the assassins rather than the crusty, old crooked politicians. All the President and his Chief of Staff care about are the public opinion polls and their reelection chances. Typical politics in Washington until two honest Senators are killed. Only this time their federal agent bodyguards are killed along with them. Secrets are threatened to be unleashed and no one knows if and when the assassins will strike next. And there is no Mitch Rapp to save the day and even if Rapp wasn't still in college or High School he probably would have opted to help the assassins so that is the tone of the story.
This is my 7th Vince Flynn novel and Term Limits is just as good as his other works even without his star character Mitch Rapp.
February 18, 2018
This is Vince Flynn's first ever book published, a stand-alone, and not part of the Mitch Rapp series. But it could be considered by some people kind of a prequel and start-up to the series.
3 unknowingly corrupt Washington Politicians are executed by a group of unknown assassins, and their list of demands, that the US Government set aside politics and restore peace and order to the American People, and they claim that nobody is out of their reach, not even the President. With the FBI investigating the deaths of the Politicians, and who the killers are, only former US Marine turned Congressman Michael O'Rourke, holds a clue to the murders. O'Rourke is slowly drawn into a deadly conspiracy, working solo, trying to get to the bottom of it before the FBI does.
A great story from beginning to end, never a dull moment! Has a very different feel to it than the Mitch Rapp series, but as I said up above, some may consider it a prequel to the series, and it has some recurring characters you'll recognize, such as CIA Director Thomas Stansfield, Dr. Irene Kennedy, and Navy SEAL Scott Coleman. Very easy to follow, and it gives you an idea of every day corruption and cover-ups within the Government.
3 unknowingly corrupt Washington Politicians are executed by a group of unknown assassins, and their list of demands, that the US Government set aside politics and restore peace and order to the American People, and they claim that nobody is out of their reach, not even the President. With the FBI investigating the deaths of the Politicians, and who the killers are, only former US Marine turned Congressman Michael O'Rourke, holds a clue to the murders. O'Rourke is slowly drawn into a deadly conspiracy, working solo, trying to get to the bottom of it before the FBI does.
A great story from beginning to end, never a dull moment! Has a very different feel to it than the Mitch Rapp series, but as I said up above, some may consider it a prequel to the series, and it has some recurring characters you'll recognize, such as CIA Director Thomas Stansfield, Dr. Irene Kennedy, and Navy SEAL Scott Coleman. Very easy to follow, and it gives you an idea of every day corruption and cover-ups within the Government.
April 1, 2018
Very good stand alone that, without given credit, turned into the Mitch Rapp series. From the point of view of this site, and others like it, I find no reason that this book was not tagged as a prequel to Rapp series; there are a half dozen characters that will carry on. I've read six Rapp books and Coleman was explained more in "Term Limits" than those six. So, if someone wants to start Rapp I would recommend "Term Limits" first.
December 27, 2017
One of my favourite Vince Flynn books. A definite must read!
September 17, 2016
I found this book to be well-written, fast moving and rather frightening in that it seems all too possible that governments do indeed run the way the American government is described in this novel. It describes what happens when people are fed up with a corrupt government and corrupt politicians and decide to take out some of the bad guys and hold the government to ransom.
A section on page 292 really stood out for me. To quote: " General Heaney let his arm drop down on the table. "I have been involved in the Special Forces for over thirty years, and I couldn't begin to count how many times I've heard one of my fellow commandos say that they would love to kill this congressman or that senator. You see, we are not only taught how to kill, but for our own sanity, we are taught to look at killing as a justifiable action in a world where there are good and bad people, where the bad people are not supposed to win.
Think for a minute about what we ask a commando to do. We send them to do some very ugly things, and we tell them they are doing it to protect the United States of America. As commandos, we rationalize that we are ridding the world of a bad person, that we are protecting America. What do you think would happen if one of these highly trained individuals realized that the politicians running his own country pose a bigger threat to the security of America's future than the religious extremist that he just flew halfway around the world to kill?"
A section on page 292 really stood out for me. To quote: " General Heaney let his arm drop down on the table. "I have been involved in the Special Forces for over thirty years, and I couldn't begin to count how many times I've heard one of my fellow commandos say that they would love to kill this congressman or that senator. You see, we are not only taught how to kill, but for our own sanity, we are taught to look at killing as a justifiable action in a world where there are good and bad people, where the bad people are not supposed to win.
Think for a minute about what we ask a commando to do. We send them to do some very ugly things, and we tell them they are doing it to protect the United States of America. As commandos, we rationalize that we are ridding the world of a bad person, that we are protecting America. What do you think would happen if one of these highly trained individuals realized that the politicians running his own country pose a bigger threat to the security of America's future than the religious extremist that he just flew halfway around the world to kill?"
October 20, 2012
SUMMARY: American citizens are shocked—and even pleased—when several corrupt politicians are assassinated. A group of commandos is responsible for the killings. While the president and his administration are justifiably befuddled, a second group who kills more politicians muddies the water even further. An ex-marine Congressman knows more than he’s letting on, and is convinced to reveal some details about the responsible party to his reporter girlfriend.
PROS: The storyline is relevant to today. Because this is the 2nd book I read from Vince Flynn (the first was “Protect and Defend”), I know what’s going to happen to Stu Garret, which makes the story a little more enjoyable.
CONS: Compared to his other books, this is more reading. Because the storyline is relevant to today, it makes the reader wonder, “How much has really changed in American politics?” Unfortunately, from reading this book, not much. (Of course, the latter I can’t hold against the author.)
PROS: The storyline is relevant to today. Because this is the 2nd book I read from Vince Flynn (the first was “Protect and Defend”), I know what’s going to happen to Stu Garret, which makes the story a little more enjoyable.
CONS: Compared to his other books, this is more reading. Because the storyline is relevant to today, it makes the reader wonder, “How much has really changed in American politics?” Unfortunately, from reading this book, not much. (Of course, the latter I can’t hold against the author.)
July 29, 2020
Well, I guess you could say that my review of the book is best summed up in the form of a limerick:
A blond-haired assassin we now love,
knew which politicians to get rid of.
As fatcats in DC play,
Coleman makes sure they pay.
An adventure previously undreamed of.
The first book he self-published;
companies considered it rubbish.
Rejected for years,
he didn't shed tears.
A thriller universe Flynn would establish.
My full review is available in audio format on Ep. 2, 4, and 5 of "No Limits: A Mitch Rapp Podcast".
A blond-haired assassin we now love,
knew which politicians to get rid of.
As fatcats in DC play,
Coleman makes sure they pay.
An adventure previously undreamed of.
The first book he self-published;
companies considered it rubbish.
Rejected for years,
he didn't shed tears.
A thriller universe Flynn would establish.
My full review is available in audio format on Ep. 2, 4, and 5 of "No Limits: A Mitch Rapp Podcast".
July 16, 2020
If you are tired of corrupt politicians this book is for you. This book has a great plot and has a great cast of: bad politicians, a small group of good politicians, and hard working law enforcement. It also has the most annoying character ever in Stu Garret. Sure, there are parts of the book where you have to suspend some belief and take it at face value but all of the turns in this book work in the story's framework.
September 28, 2018
A normal exciting Vince Flynn book. Drags on near the end but all in all, a fun read.
March 15, 2022
Excellent. I couldn't put it down. The kind of book I like. Full of intrigue and were the story/plot is constantly moving forward.
This is more or less the case in all of Mr. Flynn's first books, unfortunately with the later books it was more decriptions and explanations and less plot, a tendency that Mr. Kyle Mills continues now that he has taken over writing the books after Mr. Flynn's unfortunate death.
Resume this one is good, read it
This is more or less the case in all of Mr. Flynn's first books, unfortunately with the later books it was more decriptions and explanations and less plot, a tendency that Mr. Kyle Mills continues now that he has taken over writing the books after Mr. Flynn's unfortunate death.
Resume this one is good, read it
November 13, 2017
Not an easy book to write this, I guess. When just about everyone - certain politicians excepted - would think "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" after reading the set-up on the back. And a brave theme for Vince Flynn to take on in his first outing as a writer. Though, it may not be his very, very first I suspect. Either that, or he sprang into the game from nowhere as a fully-fledged brilliant writer of this sort of thing. Because, this is an absolutely superb book. From the "oh, good lord, how is he going to write that!" of the premise, to the compulsive, plausible and exciting execution.
It features several characters who also continue into the Mitch Rapp series proper, including one, I won't say who, who really shouldn't get out of this book either alive, or without having spent a long time in jail, but nothing of what they do here, is ever mentioned in the subsequent series. I did find that a little strange. Read it, see what you think.
It's here that you can see why the political stuff in the later books was so good, so compulsive. He really can write this sort of thing absolutely perfectly. I can't guess his politics, but I'd be pretty sure he sees the world the same was as me, which is very cool. For us both.
I read this after I've read all the Mitch Rapp series, through not really knowing about it, rather than meaning to. I'd say, like me, you could read this wherever you are in the series. Start with it and the rest will make sense. Finish with it and your admiration for Vince Flynn will just increase. What a talent was taken away from us.
The best book blog : Speesh Reads
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It features several characters who also continue into the Mitch Rapp series proper, including one, I won't say who, who really shouldn't get out of this book either alive, or without having spent a long time in jail, but nothing of what they do here, is ever mentioned in the subsequent series. I did find that a little strange. Read it, see what you think.
It's here that you can see why the political stuff in the later books was so good, so compulsive. He really can write this sort of thing absolutely perfectly. I can't guess his politics, but I'd be pretty sure he sees the world the same was as me, which is very cool. For us both.
I read this after I've read all the Mitch Rapp series, through not really knowing about it, rather than meaning to. I'd say, like me, you could read this wherever you are in the series. Start with it and the rest will make sense. Finish with it and your admiration for Vince Flynn will just increase. What a talent was taken away from us.
The best book blog : Speesh Reads
The best Facebook Page : Speesh Reads
January 18, 2011
Fast-paced political intrigue is excellent! Read this on the recommendation of a friend, and wasn't disappointed. Working on the rest of the "Mitch Rapp" books by this author. I know some details of secret service, White House layout, CIA and FBI are changed for protective reasons, but it definitely gives you a glimpse behind the scenes, which is fun/interesting. Makes you realize that Americans and Congress are way too quick to pooh-pooh things that willing and able servicemen/women do in the name of protecting our country and instead of making a stink (Gitmo, anyone?), we should be thankful that these things don't have to be done by us, and that there are people willing to, for us. It also made me think hard about the plot and how that would play out in real-life: a small group of former SEALs taking out a few politicians who are widely known for corruption and running this country into the ground - is it an act of terrorism, or an act of a freedom fighter doing the work of a revolutionary? I'd have to go with the latter, especially since there seems to be no hope of term limits for senate/congress, pay decreases, and wiping the slate clean of lobbyists and special programs. Definitely makes the brain waves work. Awesome book!
January 30, 2019
Most definitely with 'Term Limits' was the late Vince Flynn, way ahead of the game, this one is written in 1997, about balancing the budget, wasteful spending, along with it leading to chaos and crisis and corrupt politicians.
Which is happening now, could so see this happen and especially with the moronic idiot in charge.
Flynn writes a plausible, believable storyline but feel the ending would have been better had he had the CIA, using the Seals, to take out the politicians, verse having former Seals doing it and trying to force the Swamp in DC to cut the waste and balance the budget.
While 'Term Limits' is a standalone, several characters in it, are from the his Mitch Rapp series and definitely the late Vince Flynn's an author whose books should be in every readers library.
Which is happening now, could so see this happen and especially with the moronic idiot in charge.
Flynn writes a plausible, believable storyline but feel the ending would have been better had he had the CIA, using the Seals, to take out the politicians, verse having former Seals doing it and trying to force the Swamp in DC to cut the waste and balance the budget.
While 'Term Limits' is a standalone, several characters in it, are from the his Mitch Rapp series and definitely the late Vince Flynn's an author whose books should be in every readers library.
December 22, 2012
Liked it didn't love it because the viewpoint is so far right wing it borders fascism and that soured me.. Yes, i am angry at some of the crap that goes on in government but not as angry as the novel portrays. The novel could have more likely been set in a third world country when people take the law into their own hands and depose politicians at will. Despite its viewpoint, the novel is imminently readable and very well constructed.
July 23, 2013
This was an amazing thriller that is as relevant in today's world of politics as it was when written in 1997. The plot and characters were so engaging that though this was a long book, I was up many late nights reading on and not wanting to put it down. This book makes you question where the line is between right and wrong and delves into high power politics. When some of the hardware jargon became technical it really didn't detract from the story. Great book!
November 24, 2010
Even without Mitch Rapp, the freshman congressman Michael O'Rourke filled in some of that role, along with Scott Coleman. Some interesting themes came out in the book, including the idea of how corrupt politicians can become. Definitely a good read. I love that Vince Flynn was rejected by over 60 publishers on this book (his first one), so he published it on his own.
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