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Mitch Rapp #10
Protect and Defend
The action begins in the heart of Iran, where billions of dollars are being spent on the development of a nuclear program. No longer willing to wait for the international community to stop its neighboring enemy, Israel launches one of the most creative and daring espionage operations ever conceived. The attack leaves a radioactive tomb and environmental disaster in the middle of Iran's second largest city. An outraged Iranian government publicly blames both Israel and the United States for the attack and demands retribution. Privately, Iran's bombastic president wants much more. He wants America and Israel to pay for their aggression with blood.
Enter Mitch Rapp, America's top counterterrorism operative. Used to employing deception, Rapp sees an opportunity where others see only Iranian reprisals that could leave thousands of Americans dead. Rapp convinces President Josh Alexander to sign off on a risky operation that will further embarrass the Iranian government and push their country to the brink of revolution. As part of the plan, CIA director Irene Kennedy is dispatched to the region for a clandestine meeting with Azad Ashani, her Iranian counterpart.
But Rapp isn't the only one hatching plans. Iran's President Amatullah has recruited Hezbollah master terrorist Imad Mukhtar to do his dirty work. For decades Mukhtar has acted as a surrogate for Iran, blazing a trail of death and destruction across the Middle East and beyond. When Kennedy's meeting with Ashani goes disastrously wrong, Rapp and Mukhtar are set on a collision course that threatens to engulf the entire region in war. With the clock ticking, Rapp is given twenty-four hours, no questions asked, to do whatever it takes to stop Mukhtar, and avert an unthinkable catastrophe.
Enter Mitch Rapp, America's top counterterrorism operative. Used to employing deception, Rapp sees an opportunity where others see only Iranian reprisals that could leave thousands of Americans dead. Rapp convinces President Josh Alexander to sign off on a risky operation that will further embarrass the Iranian government and push their country to the brink of revolution. As part of the plan, CIA director Irene Kennedy is dispatched to the region for a clandestine meeting with Azad Ashani, her Iranian counterpart.
But Rapp isn't the only one hatching plans. Iran's President Amatullah has recruited Hezbollah master terrorist Imad Mukhtar to do his dirty work. For decades Mukhtar has acted as a surrogate for Iran, blazing a trail of death and destruction across the Middle East and beyond. When Kennedy's meeting with Ashani goes disastrously wrong, Rapp and Mukhtar are set on a collision course that threatens to engulf the entire region in war. With the clock ticking, Rapp is given twenty-four hours, no questions asked, to do whatever it takes to stop Mukhtar, and avert an unthinkable catastrophe.
Paperback
First published October 30, 2007
About the author
Vince Flynn
47 books7,105 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 1,170 reviews
November 4, 2021
Book 10 in the Mitch Rapp series published 2007.
A thrilling 4 star read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this tense, fast paced thriller.
World peace and security is once again at a tipping point.
Détente is at an all time low between the USA and Iran in fact it’s so bad that war is looming on the horizon.
In an effort to calm the situation Irene Kennedy, the head of the CIA, arranges a meeting with her counterpart, the Iranian Minister of Intelligence, to be held in Mosul, Iraq.
Mitch Rapp goes with Director Kennedy as head of security.
The meeting goes well and Mitch gives himself and the team the thumbs up for a job well done.
The Iranian minister is the first to leave and when deemed safe Director Kennedy also leaves.
But before getting very far the Director’s motorcade is attacked. Most of the agent with her are killed and she is kidnapped and driven off to God knows where.
Mitch is besides himself with rage, mostly at himself. This was done right under his nose and the only thing that matters from this point on is getting Director Kennedy back alive and safe.
Mitch, never known for his sensitivity, is now a man on fire.
Anyone who had anything to do with this will pay, big time.
As the hours pass the tension gets tighter and tighter and the pace is unrelenting.
Great escapist entertainment.
A thrilling 4 star read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this tense, fast paced thriller.
World peace and security is once again at a tipping point.
Détente is at an all time low between the USA and Iran in fact it’s so bad that war is looming on the horizon.
In an effort to calm the situation Irene Kennedy, the head of the CIA, arranges a meeting with her counterpart, the Iranian Minister of Intelligence, to be held in Mosul, Iraq.
Mitch Rapp goes with Director Kennedy as head of security.
The meeting goes well and Mitch gives himself and the team the thumbs up for a job well done.
The Iranian minister is the first to leave and when deemed safe Director Kennedy also leaves.
But before getting very far the Director’s motorcade is attacked. Most of the agent with her are killed and she is kidnapped and driven off to God knows where.
Mitch is besides himself with rage, mostly at himself. This was done right under his nose and the only thing that matters from this point on is getting Director Kennedy back alive and safe.
Mitch, never known for his sensitivity, is now a man on fire.
Anyone who had anything to do with this will pay, big time.
As the hours pass the tension gets tighter and tighter and the pace is unrelenting.
Great escapist entertainment.
November 9, 2008
Mitch Rapp kills a lot of bad guys.
January 2, 2010
In some ways, I'm glad I read this novel with two other Vince Flynn tomes in the same week (Thank you, Christmas Vacation). This novel reminds me of everything that I really like about Vince Flynn books--why I started reading them, why I have bought all his novels, and why, until a few years ago, I would miss any of them.
Unfortunately, it also dramatically illustrtates how Vince had gotten off course in the last two books.
The novel is a textbook example of what Vince Flynn does best. Multiple characters in multiple settings living out multiple plot lines, all deftly brought together at the end. Good people, operating with a different set of priorities, sometimes getting in the way. Yes, there are real bad guys, but there are a few thoughful, more moderate peple around the bad guys who wonder how the violence will affect their own countries and their own people's chance for a better tomorrow.
Briefly put, the villain in this set piece is the Presdient of Iran, who looks very much like the current "elected' leader of the country formerly known as Persia. The country's premier nuclear power plant, which is really a power plant that is disguised as a site for the fabrication of nuclear weapons, suddenly collapses. Eager to use this disaster to further his own political ends, he leaps to blame the US and Israel, and launches a number of plots that will 'make America pay.'
Given the events of the last few years, Flynn seems prophetic. The real Presdient of Iran has acted much in the way the fictional Pres of the novel has, and thus the novel rings true.
Even more interesting are two smaller characters; the first is the Mossad agent who is actually responsible for the destruction of the nuclear facility. He has penetrated the building as a janitor and has become part of the furniture; he is a bit pained by what he must do--not because he has any illusitons about the nuclear plans of Iran, but in the several years he has worked for the facility, he has been treated with kindness and respect by some of the staff members. He makes sure a couple of the poeple he knows to be good are not in the facility when it collapses.
Also of interest is the head of the Iranian intelligence services, who sees how mad the president is becoming and who counsels moderation, seeking to do what is best for his country and people. Although he is not pro-American, he is not knee-jerk anti-American and insists that actions and plans be based on actual facts rather than on political agendas. Being moderate and thoughtful is a very dangerous stance in the Iran that Flynn creases.
Even more interesting is the historical take on Iran since the '79 revolution. Initially, many different political factions united to overthrought the Shah, who was a pretty bad guy. But in the days since the revolution, the factions have divided and those who were the most religiously extremist have risen to power and have often persecuted their former allies, those who thougth they were building a more just, free, and open country. And, again, other information I have read and heard places Flynn on firm ground, so that his work seems more like current evetns history than a novel. He's done a masterful job.
Mithc Rapp, Flynn's series hero, is more beleiveable and more likeable in ths book than he is in others. He is still headstrong, a wild card, and is totally committed to defending his country regardless of the cost. But in this case, he is also willing to listen to other people's plans, to listen to reason, and there are still lines that he resists crossing (he stops short of castrating a man but uses body parts of a cadaver to make people think he has done so).
Toward the end, Irene Kennedy, the director of The Agency Which Must Not Be Namaed and one of the very few people in the world Mitch considers a friend, is kidnapped. Initially, it looks as if Iraqi insurgents are responsible, but Mitch realizes it is Iran behind the attacks. He saves Kennedy, but there are also some interesting machinations, including by a President who not only supports Rapp but who is willing to shwo the strenght necessary to combat the Iranian president's lies.
This is, to me, Flynn's best book.
At this point in Flynn's career, I am reminded of two authors hundreds of years apart--Daniel Defoe and Tom Clancy. Both created a character (Rodonson Crusoe and Jack Ryan, respectively) that audiences loved and responded to, and demonstrated the ability to send them on enteresting, entertaining adventures that kept readers spellbound.
Yet both didn't seem to realize what had created the magic. Defoe thought it was his moral diatribes rather than Robinson's actions that kept readers coming back, and, although I don't know Tom Clancy's reason, many of his later books are marred by politics getting in the way of the storytelling. I have no problems with novels being political, and my loyalty in readnig both Clandy and Flynn proves, I think very clearly, that I have no problem in reading books by people whose political views differ from my own. But I, and I imaginge most readers, don't buy the books (or check them out from the library) because I want to hear discussions that I could easily hear on AM radio every day. It's because ther author has created characters that engage me and send them on adventures that make me want to turn the page and read more.
I hope that Protect and Defend shows that Flynn is an artist at the height of his powers and that Extreme Measures was a stumble; we can't all be perfect. My fear is that he'll be another Defoe, that he will mistakenly believe that his loyal following (of which I consider myself a member) is built on his politcs rather than on his storytelling ability. If that continues, I fear that his loyal following will be reducecd, not only by one (me), but by a great number. The many readers on Good Reads who've expressed frustration with the way what one authors calls' Flynn's "political pandering" (his words, not mine) slows down the storytelling.
I'm also reminded of authors like the late, great Robert Ludlum and the still living and still great John LeCarre--authors who wrote at a consistently high level throughout their career. The reasons for their success were their ability to creat character and their abilithy to storytell. Although both were quite political at times, both always remembered they were storytellers, not political commentators.
Flynn has the chance tio achieve that stature in the thriller genre--he can become to the current world what LeCarre was to the Cold War Era, the premier writer of thrillers in his time. Or he can become a Defoe--more concerned with his agenda than his reading public. As a real fan, I hope he rises rather than falls.
Unfortunately, it also dramatically illustrtates how Vince had gotten off course in the last two books.
The novel is a textbook example of what Vince Flynn does best. Multiple characters in multiple settings living out multiple plot lines, all deftly brought together at the end. Good people, operating with a different set of priorities, sometimes getting in the way. Yes, there are real bad guys, but there are a few thoughful, more moderate peple around the bad guys who wonder how the violence will affect their own countries and their own people's chance for a better tomorrow.
Briefly put, the villain in this set piece is the Presdient of Iran, who looks very much like the current "elected' leader of the country formerly known as Persia. The country's premier nuclear power plant, which is really a power plant that is disguised as a site for the fabrication of nuclear weapons, suddenly collapses. Eager to use this disaster to further his own political ends, he leaps to blame the US and Israel, and launches a number of plots that will 'make America pay.'
Given the events of the last few years, Flynn seems prophetic. The real Presdient of Iran has acted much in the way the fictional Pres of the novel has, and thus the novel rings true.
Even more interesting are two smaller characters; the first is the Mossad agent who is actually responsible for the destruction of the nuclear facility. He has penetrated the building as a janitor and has become part of the furniture; he is a bit pained by what he must do--not because he has any illusitons about the nuclear plans of Iran, but in the several years he has worked for the facility, he has been treated with kindness and respect by some of the staff members. He makes sure a couple of the poeple he knows to be good are not in the facility when it collapses.
Also of interest is the head of the Iranian intelligence services, who sees how mad the president is becoming and who counsels moderation, seeking to do what is best for his country and people. Although he is not pro-American, he is not knee-jerk anti-American and insists that actions and plans be based on actual facts rather than on political agendas. Being moderate and thoughtful is a very dangerous stance in the Iran that Flynn creases.
Even more interesting is the historical take on Iran since the '79 revolution. Initially, many different political factions united to overthrought the Shah, who was a pretty bad guy. But in the days since the revolution, the factions have divided and those who were the most religiously extremist have risen to power and have often persecuted their former allies, those who thougth they were building a more just, free, and open country. And, again, other information I have read and heard places Flynn on firm ground, so that his work seems more like current evetns history than a novel. He's done a masterful job.
Mithc Rapp, Flynn's series hero, is more beleiveable and more likeable in ths book than he is in others. He is still headstrong, a wild card, and is totally committed to defending his country regardless of the cost. But in this case, he is also willing to listen to other people's plans, to listen to reason, and there are still lines that he resists crossing (he stops short of castrating a man but uses body parts of a cadaver to make people think he has done so).
Toward the end, Irene Kennedy, the director of The Agency Which Must Not Be Namaed and one of the very few people in the world Mitch considers a friend, is kidnapped. Initially, it looks as if Iraqi insurgents are responsible, but Mitch realizes it is Iran behind the attacks. He saves Kennedy, but there are also some interesting machinations, including by a President who not only supports Rapp but who is willing to shwo the strenght necessary to combat the Iranian president's lies.
This is, to me, Flynn's best book.
At this point in Flynn's career, I am reminded of two authors hundreds of years apart--Daniel Defoe and Tom Clancy. Both created a character (Rodonson Crusoe and Jack Ryan, respectively) that audiences loved and responded to, and demonstrated the ability to send them on enteresting, entertaining adventures that kept readers spellbound.
Yet both didn't seem to realize what had created the magic. Defoe thought it was his moral diatribes rather than Robinson's actions that kept readers coming back, and, although I don't know Tom Clancy's reason, many of his later books are marred by politics getting in the way of the storytelling. I have no problems with novels being political, and my loyalty in readnig both Clandy and Flynn proves, I think very clearly, that I have no problem in reading books by people whose political views differ from my own. But I, and I imaginge most readers, don't buy the books (or check them out from the library) because I want to hear discussions that I could easily hear on AM radio every day. It's because ther author has created characters that engage me and send them on adventures that make me want to turn the page and read more.
I hope that Protect and Defend shows that Flynn is an artist at the height of his powers and that Extreme Measures was a stumble; we can't all be perfect. My fear is that he'll be another Defoe, that he will mistakenly believe that his loyal following (of which I consider myself a member) is built on his politcs rather than on his storytelling ability. If that continues, I fear that his loyal following will be reducecd, not only by one (me), but by a great number. The many readers on Good Reads who've expressed frustration with the way what one authors calls' Flynn's "political pandering" (his words, not mine) slows down the storytelling.
I'm also reminded of authors like the late, great Robert Ludlum and the still living and still great John LeCarre--authors who wrote at a consistently high level throughout their career. The reasons for their success were their ability to creat character and their abilithy to storytell. Although both were quite political at times, both always remembered they were storytellers, not political commentators.
Flynn has the chance tio achieve that stature in the thriller genre--he can become to the current world what LeCarre was to the Cold War Era, the premier writer of thrillers in his time. Or he can become a Defoe--more concerned with his agenda than his reading public. As a real fan, I hope he rises rather than falls.
August 4, 2018
Surprisingly the plot of Iran is still very current and I wouldn't know listening to this that the book was written a decade ago. Mitch Rapp is a bad ass as expected,wouldn't want him as my interrogator. ❤️
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.
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.
July 28, 2016
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn (8th in the Mitch Rapp Series.)
Amazon Description.
With Iran on the brink of developing a nuclear weapon, Israel is forced to react - and triggers an international crisis. An outraged United Nations condemns the attacks, while Iran swears vengeance against Israel and her chief backer: the USA.
My review.
Yet again the President of the USA has to turn to the unusual talents of Mitch Rapp, a man who is prepared to push the boundaries to ensure that he gets the results that are needed. His methods are not always for the squeamish, but then neither are the tactics of those he is seeking to prevent wreaking havoc on his country.
Filled with background encompassing political machinations and manoeuvring, the story takes little time for breath. Rapp is not only a fighting machine, but one with a soul, he is also a master tactician. The author's plot line shows an eye for detail, and a carefully worked out scenario. Another excellent read, shame the author is no longer with us.
June 3, 2020
OooooWeeee!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Everytime I read a Vince Flynn book I claim it as my favorite. It's as if he keeps ratcheting up the anxiety and anticipation with every chapter that you hurriedly devour, doing everything you can not to cheat and just jump to the last chapter and end the suspense, so that your pulse and breathing can return to normal.😄😄😄
Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲
Everytime I read a Vince Flynn book I claim it as my favorite. It's as if he keeps ratcheting up the anxiety and anticipation with every chapter that you hurriedly devour, doing everything you can not to cheat and just jump to the last chapter and end the suspense, so that your pulse and breathing can return to normal.😄😄😄
Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲👍🏾🇺🇲
December 1, 2021
Изключително динамична и интригуваща книга от поредицата за Рап.
Със всяка следваща част очаквам романите да изгуби част от оригиналността си, но Винс Флин се е постарал да разглежда различни казуси, на различни места по географската карта и всеки път да изгражда една изключително автентична история.
Със всяка следваща част очаквам романите да изгуби част от оригиналността си, но Винс Флин се е постарал да разглежда различни казуси, на различни места по географската карта и всеки път да изгражда една изключително автентична история.
September 29, 2018
Not my most favorite in the series, but still really well done. Will definitely move on to the next after reading something else.
September 7, 2017
Damn, this book was violent, HAHA! Full of action and suspense, but for a Vince Flynn/Mitch Rapp book, I expected no less! That's why they're so entertaining!
After the destruction of an Iranian Nuclear Weapons Facility, Iranian President Amatullah believes the US to be responsible for the attack, but it was unknowingly to the Iranians, it was Israel who attacked, not the Americans. Seeing this as an opportunity, Mitch Rapp convinces newly elected President Josh Alexander to send him on a secret mission that could push the US and Iran to the brink of revolution. But on the other end, Amatullah has summoned sadistic Iranian Terrorist Imad Muhktar to kidnap the CIA Director, Irene Kennedy, who is sent to Iran to meet with an Iranian Counterpart. When the meeting is compromised and Kennedy is captured by the enemy, Rapp must put all his skills to use in a race against time, clear America's name, and save his mentor!
A great action-thriller, and nail-biter!
After the destruction of an Iranian Nuclear Weapons Facility, Iranian President Amatullah believes the US to be responsible for the attack, but it was unknowingly to the Iranians, it was Israel who attacked, not the Americans. Seeing this as an opportunity, Mitch Rapp convinces newly elected President Josh Alexander to send him on a secret mission that could push the US and Iran to the brink of revolution. But on the other end, Amatullah has summoned sadistic Iranian Terrorist Imad Muhktar to kidnap the CIA Director, Irene Kennedy, who is sent to Iran to meet with an Iranian Counterpart. When the meeting is compromised and Kennedy is captured by the enemy, Rapp must put all his skills to use in a race against time, clear America's name, and save his mentor!
A great action-thriller, and nail-biter!
February 19, 2020
3.5 stars because of the romance subplot, but the end redeemed itself a bit, so 4 stars.
STORY
Hook, line, sinker. Or whatever the phrase is. That's how this book grabbed me. I read it in a day and loved every minute of it--you know, minus the romantic subplot with Mitch and Rivera. But the story itself, the issue with the Iranians and Israelis and Americans, absolutely great.
THEMES
I'm one of the few who honestly agree with the "Rapp Theory"... sometimes, death is the answer, and the justice system isn't the go-to response. Sure, we're a civilized nation. But wicked men need to be dealt with appropriately and I sometimes wonder what life would be like if they were handled accordingly instead of covered up by today's law system and cash.
Anyway, yes, these books always make you think and appreciate the themes and principles America was built on.
CHARACTERS
I was right away disappointed by Mitch and his new love interest, Rivera. It's just annoying to me. Gag worthy. All that jazz. He's got pretty.... "ugh" taste in ladies... I don't like Rivera any more than I liked Anna... and just, ugh. I was hoping we'd get no more romance for a bit and just full throttle action, but nope. Now, the romance wasn't steady throughout the book, so yay! But I don't look forward to it if Rivera continues to be a steady thing. (And I think toward the end of the series, Mitch does find more love, SOOO, who knows, haha)
Irene is one of my favorite female characters ever. I love her. Such a great example of what ladies can do!
The bad guys were all well motivated and interesting to watch. Overall, great cast!
CONTENT
R. Heavy swearing. Sexual content, nothing super duper descriptive, mentions of genitals, rape. Heavy torture.
OVERALL
Cool read. Cannot wait till Stan Hurley comes back... Not that I'm impatient...
STORY
Hook, line, sinker. Or whatever the phrase is. That's how this book grabbed me. I read it in a day and loved every minute of it--you know, minus the romantic subplot with Mitch and Rivera. But the story itself, the issue with the Iranians and Israelis and Americans, absolutely great.
THEMES
I'm one of the few who honestly agree with the "Rapp Theory"... sometimes, death is the answer, and the justice system isn't the go-to response. Sure, we're a civilized nation. But wicked men need to be dealt with appropriately and I sometimes wonder what life would be like if they were handled accordingly instead of covered up by today's law system and cash.
Anyway, yes, these books always make you think and appreciate the themes and principles America was built on.
CHARACTERS
I was right away disappointed by Mitch and his new love interest, Rivera. It's just annoying to me. Gag worthy. All that jazz. He's got pretty.... "ugh" taste in ladies... I don't like Rivera any more than I liked Anna... and just, ugh. I was hoping we'd get no more romance for a bit and just full throttle action, but nope. Now, the romance wasn't steady throughout the book, so yay! But I don't look forward to it if Rivera continues to be a steady thing. (And I think toward the end of the series, Mitch does find more love, SOOO, who knows, haha)
Irene is one of my favorite female characters ever. I love her. Such a great example of what ladies can do!
The bad guys were all well motivated and interesting to watch. Overall, great cast!
CONTENT
R. Heavy swearing. Sexual content, nothing super duper descriptive, mentions of genitals, rape. Heavy torture.
OVERALL
Cool read. Cannot wait till Stan Hurley comes back... Not that I'm impatient...
February 6, 2013
Not at all his best work and I’m a big fan. However, I’m not a fan of torture, kidnapping and weasly political hacks that unfortunately comprise most of this story. Vince Flynn can write better than this as he has in the past. It saddens me to rate this only 4 of 10 stars but thats what it is.
August 7, 2015
Compelling, Intriguing & Intense!! A Fascinating & Exciting Read!!! I Loved It!!!
May 17, 2018
All politicians are snakes. The trick is knowing which ones are venomous. Recently the US Senate held hearings on the nomination of Gina Haspel for CIA director. She was constantly lambasted by the Democrats for the CIA's enhanced interrogation methods. Yet those methods led to the capture of Osama Bin Laden. At that time every Democratic politician claiming a part in those actions.
Today, 5/17/2018, the Senate voted to confirm Dir. Haspel by a 54-45 vote. All 45 no votes were Democrats. Flynn did not write historical fiction, but his novels are coming close to future for casting.
Today, 5/17/2018, the Senate voted to confirm Dir. Haspel by a 54-45 vote. All 45 no votes were Democrats. Flynn did not write historical fiction, but his novels are coming close to future for casting.
February 8, 2022
If you like international political intrigue, non-stop action and larger than life heroes, you'll enjoy Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn, the 10th book in his CIA operative Mitch Rapp thriller series. I've only read one other book in the series so I can't say they have to be read in order, but based on this one, I'd say it's not necessary.
The story starts with black ops agent Rapp in Costa Rica terminating an American political operative. But the main story is the destruction of an Iranian nuclear facility by an Israeli agent. This causes an international incident with the Iranians blaming the Americans and Israelis. There is conflict within the Iranian government with the President Amatullah wanting to strike back immediately (with the assistance of a senior Hezbollah operative) and the head of the Iranian spy agency, Asjani, wanting to proceed more cautiously.
Head of the CIA, Irene Kennedy, heads off to Mosul, Iraq for a face to face meeting with Asjani, with Mitch Rapp as part of the advance party in charge of security arrangements. After the meeting, Kennedy is attacked and kidnapped and the rest of the story deals with other actions by the Iranians and Rapp's efforts to find and save Kennedy.
It's a long story but takes place only over a couple of days and the action is often intense and violent. Spycraft is fascinating and the CIA ops are well-described. The story moves along quickly and easily and you find yourself turning pages quickly to see what will happen next. Flynn knows how to craft a thriller; short chapters, jumping from location to location and incident to incident. Mitch Rapp is an effective, smart, man of action and he is determined to save Kennedy even if it means disobeying orders from on high. The bad guys are well described and very bad and the folks in the middle are also all excellent. It's a pure thriller and if that's what you enjoy, you should out the series and this particular story. (4 stars)
The story starts with black ops agent Rapp in Costa Rica terminating an American political operative. But the main story is the destruction of an Iranian nuclear facility by an Israeli agent. This causes an international incident with the Iranians blaming the Americans and Israelis. There is conflict within the Iranian government with the President Amatullah wanting to strike back immediately (with the assistance of a senior Hezbollah operative) and the head of the Iranian spy agency, Asjani, wanting to proceed more cautiously.
Head of the CIA, Irene Kennedy, heads off to Mosul, Iraq for a face to face meeting with Asjani, with Mitch Rapp as part of the advance party in charge of security arrangements. After the meeting, Kennedy is attacked and kidnapped and the rest of the story deals with other actions by the Iranians and Rapp's efforts to find and save Kennedy.
It's a long story but takes place only over a couple of days and the action is often intense and violent. Spycraft is fascinating and the CIA ops are well-described. The story moves along quickly and easily and you find yourself turning pages quickly to see what will happen next. Flynn knows how to craft a thriller; short chapters, jumping from location to location and incident to incident. Mitch Rapp is an effective, smart, man of action and he is determined to save Kennedy even if it means disobeying orders from on high. The bad guys are well described and very bad and the folks in the middle are also all excellent. It's a pure thriller and if that's what you enjoy, you should out the series and this particular story. (4 stars)
October 1, 2017
Read the full review at my site Digital Amrit
People who think God is on their side are capable of the most inhumane acts.
Introduction
The “Mitch Rapp” series , written by Vince Flynn, is a set of thrillers starring the eponymous ‘Mitch Rapp’. There are 16 books in this series. Thirteen of them are written by Vince Flynn; after his death, Kyle Mills has taken over. This review focuses only on the original thirteen books by Vince Flynn.
I found this series serendipitiously. I was looking at a review of the new movie ‘American Assassin’ where I got to know that this was based off a book series. The character and the story line seemed similar to Jack Reacher (another series which is my guilty pleasure) and thus I got hooked on to Mitch Rapp.
Mitch Rapp is a counter-terrorist agent working for the CIA whose girlfriend gets killed in the Lockerbie explosion. Hence he is driven towards hunting down terrorists and others who prey on the innocent. His specialty is Islamic terrorism and he spends his life uncovering plots, assassinating terrorists and their sponsors and visiting mayhem on the Middle East predominantly. Think of Mitch Rapp as Jason Bourne on steroids except without the whining.
Now, mixing a topic like Islamic Terrorism with an alpha male american character like Mitch Rapp might make you think that these books are going to be one-dimensional where a white man decimates brown skins. Thankfully, there is a lot more subtlety and complexity that elevates this series above the common pulp. This is true, especially in the later half of the series where the motivations of the characters are not black and white.
Read the full review at my site Digital Amrit
People who think God is on their side are capable of the most inhumane acts.
Introduction
The “Mitch Rapp” series , written by Vince Flynn, is a set of thrillers starring the eponymous ‘Mitch Rapp’. There are 16 books in this series. Thirteen of them are written by Vince Flynn; after his death, Kyle Mills has taken over. This review focuses only on the original thirteen books by Vince Flynn.
I found this series serendipitiously. I was looking at a review of the new movie ‘American Assassin’ where I got to know that this was based off a book series. The character and the story line seemed similar to Jack Reacher (another series which is my guilty pleasure) and thus I got hooked on to Mitch Rapp.
Mitch Rapp is a counter-terrorist agent working for the CIA whose girlfriend gets killed in the Lockerbie explosion. Hence he is driven towards hunting down terrorists and others who prey on the innocent. His specialty is Islamic terrorism and he spends his life uncovering plots, assassinating terrorists and their sponsors and visiting mayhem on the Middle East predominantly. Think of Mitch Rapp as Jason Bourne on steroids except without the whining.
Now, mixing a topic like Islamic Terrorism with an alpha male american character like Mitch Rapp might make you think that these books are going to be one-dimensional where a white man decimates brown skins. Thankfully, there is a lot more subtlety and complexity that elevates this series above the common pulp. This is true, especially in the later half of the series where the motivations of the characters are not black and white.
Read the full review at my site Digital Amrit
February 8, 2024
Book Review - Protect and Defend - Vince Flynn
Anyone who enjoys an action-packed counter-terrorism story will enjoy this classic Vince Flynn thriller, “Protect and Defend.” Flynn's protagonist, Mitch Rapp is the best action thriller hero in the genre and it really shows in this story. Every time Rapp takes out his trusty silenced pistol and lets the bad guy have it right between the eyes, one's heart swells with satisfaction at the justice of it all. Those of us who would never sanction such behavior in real life, can rejoice at the "$40 million dollar federal killing machine" just wiping out the terrorists with a ‘steely eye’ and ‘steady hand.’ He ultimately ‘saves the world’ in this exhilarating narrative and we suffer no guilt whatsoever. The good part is that Flynn lets you know what Rapp is thinking and why he does what he does. Readers get to know Rapp the man, as well as Rapp the assassin. One can’t help but to love this story and all the other Mitch Rapp books. Kyle Mills did a wonderful job continuing the Rapp saga and now its author Don Bentley’s turn to carry the torch.
Anyone who enjoys an action-packed counter-terrorism story will enjoy this classic Vince Flynn thriller, “Protect and Defend.” Flynn's protagonist, Mitch Rapp is the best action thriller hero in the genre and it really shows in this story. Every time Rapp takes out his trusty silenced pistol and lets the bad guy have it right between the eyes, one's heart swells with satisfaction at the justice of it all. Those of us who would never sanction such behavior in real life, can rejoice at the "$40 million dollar federal killing machine" just wiping out the terrorists with a ‘steely eye’ and ‘steady hand.’ He ultimately ‘saves the world’ in this exhilarating narrative and we suffer no guilt whatsoever. The good part is that Flynn lets you know what Rapp is thinking and why he does what he does. Readers get to know Rapp the man, as well as Rapp the assassin. One can’t help but to love this story and all the other Mitch Rapp books. Kyle Mills did a wonderful job continuing the Rapp saga and now its author Don Bentley’s turn to carry the torch.
October 16, 2014
I am always amazed with Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp character and the plausibility of his story lines. This book had me from the start and I had to finish it, even though it is 5 am, because of my previous invested interest in all the main characters from the previous books.
Love this series and looking forward to the next book!
Love this series and looking forward to the next book!
May 2, 2019
I do like Vince Flynn's books, even ones with a bit of over the top violence, such as this one. However, Flynn makes one think, and he provides a clear insight into the minds of those who condemn the United States for all of the ills they suffer or who hate the U.S and Israel just because these two countries exist.
Read
August 1, 2015Good book, found it exciting to read and again, found it ended on a quick note...
December 4, 2022
A fun novel to read. Good guys win- bad guys lose. Director Irene Kennedy gets kidnapped by the bad guy duo of Iran and Hezbollah. It's up to Mitch Rapp to get her back- using any means possible. Did I mention that an Israeli spy blew up the Iranian nuclear reactor facility to start it all? My bad. It's got all the suspense, intricate plotting, and action that author Vince Flynn is known for.
If you're a little squeamish this may not be for you. You might to skip through the part where Rapp captures the prisoners and gets information out of them. The author gets a little too graphic regarding the methods Rapp uses to interrogate the prisoners.
If you're a little squeamish this may not be for you. You might to skip through the part where Rapp captures the prisoners and gets information out of them. The author gets a little too graphic regarding the methods Rapp uses to interrogate the prisoners.
December 10, 2024
This starts where 'Act of Treason' left off. Definitely addicted to the series now. I'm taking a little break then on to 'Extreme Measures'.
January 23, 2011
I used to read political thrillers when I was younger so I picked up this book. I thought I wanted to see if this kind of genre would still excite me. I did. What makes book like this worth reading is its ability to entertain its readers by keeping them at the edge of their seats enough for them to keep on leafing until the problem of the agent (Mitch Rapp, in this series by Vince Flynn) is solved.
My problem is that everything is pure entertainment. Flynn like other writers in this political thriller genre plays on the world conflicts or well-known personalities and weave almost impossible scenarios or shocking scenes (the castration of a man in this story) to cater to the macho readers. In this book, Flynn uses the conflict between Iran (with its plan to stock on nuclear wars) and Israel (that wants to prevent it). Then US comes in in its role of being the world police. Good that there was no mention of weapon of mass destruction (WMD) which is understandable considering the Vince Flynn is an American writer and neither a politician nor a Democrat.
If I were not into heavy reading, I would have liked this so much that 3 or 4 stars would be the outright rating. However, the entertainment that I got from reading this was something I could get from reading say Bernard Malamud God's Grace but with the added bonus of enjoying Malamud's skillful prose and non-formulaic plot. At this point of my reading, I have already matured into a reader who doesn't only want to be entertained or surprised but gain wisdom from my reading.
That explains the 2 stars (it's okay).
My problem is that everything is pure entertainment. Flynn like other writers in this political thriller genre plays on the world conflicts or well-known personalities and weave almost impossible scenarios or shocking scenes (the castration of a man in this story) to cater to the macho readers. In this book, Flynn uses the conflict between Iran (with its plan to stock on nuclear wars) and Israel (that wants to prevent it). Then US comes in in its role of being the world police. Good that there was no mention of weapon of mass destruction (WMD) which is understandable considering the Vince Flynn is an American writer and neither a politician nor a Democrat.
If I were not into heavy reading, I would have liked this so much that 3 or 4 stars would be the outright rating. However, the entertainment that I got from reading this was something I could get from reading say Bernard Malamud God's Grace but with the added bonus of enjoying Malamud's skillful prose and non-formulaic plot. At this point of my reading, I have already matured into a reader who doesn't only want to be entertained or surprised but gain wisdom from my reading.
That explains the 2 stars (it's okay).
July 31, 2014
I've read other Vince Flynn books in the past and enjoyed them, but I won't be reading any more after this one. On the positive side, there's a lot of action, and if you're the kind of person who likes watching 24 on TV to see Jack Bauer torture "bad guys", well you're in luck because protagonist Mitch Rapp kills a tortures a lot of bad guys here. In fact, he takes out his knife and castrates one man, against orders I should point out, but it's okay because he's doing it all for the good old US of A, right? I got sick of the torture and the pro-torture propaganda in this book.
As for believability, Mitch Rapp turns out to be a virtual one man army, mowing down dozens of enemy commandos without breaking a sweat.
As for likability, Rapp's ethics are highly questionable. I'm not just talking about his eagerness to torture and castrate, but also his being so quick to decide who needs killing, based sometimes on incomplete and possibly false information, other times on assumptions.
I don't want to read another book about protagonist Mitch Rapp unless it's the one where he finally gets what he deserves for all the murders and tortures he's committed based on questionable and probably false information.
As for believability, Mitch Rapp turns out to be a virtual one man army, mowing down dozens of enemy commandos without breaking a sweat.
As for likability, Rapp's ethics are highly questionable. I'm not just talking about his eagerness to torture and castrate, but also his being so quick to decide who needs killing, based sometimes on incomplete and possibly false information, other times on assumptions.
I don't want to read another book about protagonist Mitch Rapp unless it's the one where he finally gets what he deserves for all the murders and tortures he's committed based on questionable and probably false information.
June 3, 2024
Mitch has to do hostage rescue
The twist and turn is interesting.
The story is about Iran and how the power struggle in Iran and the disagreement on how to deal with the US.
So the Iran way forward is to kidnap a key figure of the US to hold the country foreign policy as ransom.
Really stupid move. It is not the right thing to kidnap and think they are still in the right.
The plan works only half way, and it pissed off Mitch to the point that he would disregard even more orders from politicians.
Anyway, the setup is okay. The action part is really good.
Enjoy reading this as a distraction.
4.5 stars
Second reading.
Iran has a nuclear power plant incident. Some suspected the Israelis and some the Americans.
So when Mitch Rapp get into this, he is tasked to find out. What to do with this information is left for President and Irene Kennedy.
A clever plan is set and Irene is meeting with the Iranian official.
Then a plot twist. Turned into a kidnapping that Mitch Rapp would not hesitate to kill to get their team back.
Interesting international politics and the simple yet complex relations between Mitch and the rest of the team.
4.5 stars read.
The twist and turn is interesting.
The story is about Iran and how the power struggle in Iran and the disagreement on how to deal with the US.
So the Iran way forward is to kidnap a key figure of the US to hold the country foreign policy as ransom.
Really stupid move. It is not the right thing to kidnap and think they are still in the right.
The plan works only half way, and it pissed off Mitch to the point that he would disregard even more orders from politicians.
Anyway, the setup is okay. The action part is really good.
Enjoy reading this as a distraction.
4.5 stars
Second reading.
Iran has a nuclear power plant incident. Some suspected the Israelis and some the Americans.
So when Mitch Rapp get into this, he is tasked to find out. What to do with this information is left for President and Irene Kennedy.
A clever plan is set and Irene is meeting with the Iranian official.
Then a plot twist. Turned into a kidnapping that Mitch Rapp would not hesitate to kill to get their team back.
Interesting international politics and the simple yet complex relations between Mitch and the rest of the team.
4.5 stars read.
July 4, 2019
The premise of this novel is that Iran is building a nuclear weapons facility, something that reflects our current reality, and Israel bombs the facility, creating major damage. Iran demands retribution on the United States and Israel. CIA director Irene Kennedy goes in a diplomatic mission to Iran, and she is kidnapped. In order to stop Iran from enacting revenge, the United States sends counter-terrorist agent Mitch Rapp, one of the most compelling CIA type character I have come across in my fiction readings, to diffuse the situation, get back Kennedy, and cripple the Iranians.
I always enjoy reading Mitch Rapp novels because of his no-nonsense, take no prisoners, willing to do anything attitude about getting the job done. I’m not sure if real life people like Mitch Rapp exist, but we could certainly use people like this. He’s the furthest thing from a diplomat and has little tact. When CIA director Kennedy is kidnapped, tortured, and raped by the Iranians, then the gloves really come off of Mitch. This novel has a good pace, loads of tension, and a compelling storyline. Definitely a must read.
Carl Alves – author of The Invocation
I always enjoy reading Mitch Rapp novels because of his no-nonsense, take no prisoners, willing to do anything attitude about getting the job done. I’m not sure if real life people like Mitch Rapp exist, but we could certainly use people like this. He’s the furthest thing from a diplomat and has little tact. When CIA director Kennedy is kidnapped, tortured, and raped by the Iranians, then the gloves really come off of Mitch. This novel has a good pace, loads of tension, and a compelling storyline. Definitely a must read.
Carl Alves – author of The Invocation
January 2, 2018
Typical Mitch Rapp novel — but this was exceptionally good. When CIA Director Irene Kennedy’s motorcade is ambushes and she is kidnapped in Iran following a meeting, it is up to Mitch to get her back. And of course, he employs the methods he’s best known for in order to do so. It’s clear that Mitch is getting a little older — Flynn makes it clear by referring to the gray in Rapp’s hair and beard — but it’s also clear that Rapp still isn’t ready to quit. He’s brazen, tough, and aggressive and he’s willing to do anything to save his friend.
This is also where reading the series in order is a good idea. Knowing how he and Irene have developed this relationship and strong friendship over the course of the last 9 books made it easier to see why this particular kidnapping brings out the best (or the worst if you’re a bad guy) in Mitch Rapp. A great read with lots of thrills.
This is also where reading the series in order is a good idea. Knowing how he and Irene have developed this relationship and strong friendship over the course of the last 9 books made it easier to see why this particular kidnapping brings out the best (or the worst if you’re a bad guy) in Mitch Rapp. A great read with lots of thrills.
January 28, 2018
Another amazing Mitch Rapp adventure.
Mitch Rapp never disappoints. He is the character we all want on our side. He certainly does the jobs we don't want to know about. I'm thankful he's on our side. The action was nonstop. If you like action, you will love this book....
Mitch Rapp never disappoints. He is the character we all want on our side. He certainly does the jobs we don't want to know about. I'm thankful he's on our side. The action was nonstop. If you like action, you will love this book....
September 27, 2012
A nail-biter! And I love that....long live Mitch Rapp :)
March 10, 2023
4 stars, murder, mayhem, and vengeance. Flynn's Rapp at his best!
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