What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hammer Of Eden
When controversial radio talk host John Truth broadcasts a terrorist threat of a man-made earthquake, few people take it seriously. Crackerjack young FBI agent Judy Maddox is assigned to track down the elusive, sinister group called the "Hammer of Eden."Judy's boss, who has a grudge against her, thinks he has given her a waste-of-time assignment. But Judy's research leads her to maverick seismologist Michael Quercus, who gives her the shocking news that it might just be possible for an earthquake to be deliberately triggered. And when a tremor in a remote California desert shows evidence of being machine-generated, Judy knows the threat is terrifyingly real.
Suddenly in charge of a life-or-death investigation, Judy must pinpoint the terrorists' next target, with the help of the erratic but attractive Michael. Their compelling romantic drama is played out as they race to beat the terrorist deadline and prevent an unthinkable disaster.
Unknown to them, Michael's estranged wife, gorgeous but angry, has fallen under the spell of a clever, sexy cult leader called Priest -- and they have stolen from Michael's computer the key data that enables the Hammer of Eden to carry out their cataclysmic threat. Worse still, Michael's son is with his wife -- and under the control of Priest. All of them are in mortal jeopardy as Judy and Michael fight to save San Francisco from being brought down in ruins.
Ken Follett became a best-selling author in 1978 with the publication of "Eye of the Needle, " which won the Edgar award and became a major motion picture. He has sincewritten numerous other best-selling thrillers and historical novels, including "The Third Twin, " and "A Place Called Freedom."
410 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
1927 people are currently reading
5529 people want to read
About the author
Ken Follett
593 books59.6k followersKen Follett is one of the world’s most successful authors. Over 170 million copies of the 36 books he has written have been sold in over 80 countries and in 33 languages.
Born on June 5th, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector, Ken was educated at state schools and went on to graduate from University College, London, with an Honours degree in Philosophy – later to be made a Fellow of the College in 1995.
He started his career as a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo and then with the London Evening News. Subsequently, he worked for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director.
Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978. A World War II thriller set in England, this book earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It remains one of Ken’s most popular books.
In 1989, Ken’s epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth, was published. It reached number one on best-seller lists everywhere and was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott, which aired in 2010. World Without End, the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, proved equally popular when it was published in 2007.
Ken’s new book, The Evening and the Morning, will be published in September 2020. It is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth and is set around the year 1,000, when Kingsbridge was an Anglo-Saxon settlement threatened by Viking invaders.
Ken has been active in numerous literacy charities and was president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He was chair of the National Year of Reading, a joint initiative between government and businesses. He is also active in many Stevenage charities and is President of the Stevenage Community Trust and Patron of Home-Start Hertfordshire.
Ken, who loves music almost as much as he loves books, is an enthusiastic bass guitar player. He lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, the former Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren and two Labradors.
Born on June 5th, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector, Ken was educated at state schools and went on to graduate from University College, London, with an Honours degree in Philosophy – later to be made a Fellow of the College in 1995.
He started his career as a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo and then with the London Evening News. Subsequently, he worked for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director.
Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978. A World War II thriller set in England, this book earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It remains one of Ken’s most popular books.
In 1989, Ken’s epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth, was published. It reached number one on best-seller lists everywhere and was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott, which aired in 2010. World Without End, the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, proved equally popular when it was published in 2007.
Ken’s new book, The Evening and the Morning, will be published in September 2020. It is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth and is set around the year 1,000, when Kingsbridge was an Anglo-Saxon settlement threatened by Viking invaders.
Ken has been active in numerous literacy charities and was president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He was chair of the National Year of Reading, a joint initiative between government and businesses. He is also active in many Stevenage charities and is President of the Stevenage Community Trust and Patron of Home-Start Hertfordshire.
Ken, who loves music almost as much as he loves books, is an enthusiastic bass guitar player. He lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, the former Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren and two Labradors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 813 reviews
February 5, 2026
A Flexible Borderline
Suppose you’re living in a farm that provides you all the nourishment you need and that you even produce your own brand of wine mainly for selling and using the profits to buy other useful things also relevant for your well being.
This sort of balanced, peaceful life, flows gently, like a slow motion movie, until the day of the explosive warning ⚠️:
Some guys decided to build a dam and, as a result, your farm and all its surroundings will be flooded. In practical terms that means you’ll have to leave your beloved Eden behind unless, of course, you’re in the mood for a dangerous fight, risky to the point of mortal victims!...
Right now, I’m sensing this particular stage of my review, as the perfect timing to drop a quite simple and expectable question:
What would you do in such desperate circunstancies?
Would you stick to the Angels Club, and leave everything behind without a resentful word, or would you slip down (temporarily?!) to hell whilst rising the Hammer of Eden?
Not easy, huh?!...
The Hammer of Eden explores a similar situation, showing how flexible can be the borderline between Angels and Demons — one day Angels, next day Demons!... 😜
Suppose you’re living in a farm that provides you all the nourishment you need and that you even produce your own brand of wine mainly for selling and using the profits to buy other useful things also relevant for your well being.
This sort of balanced, peaceful life, flows gently, like a slow motion movie, until the day of the explosive warning ⚠️:
Some guys decided to build a dam and, as a result, your farm and all its surroundings will be flooded. In practical terms that means you’ll have to leave your beloved Eden behind unless, of course, you’re in the mood for a dangerous fight, risky to the point of mortal victims!...
Right now, I’m sensing this particular stage of my review, as the perfect timing to drop a quite simple and expectable question:
What would you do in such desperate circunstancies?
Would you stick to the Angels Club, and leave everything behind without a resentful word, or would you slip down (temporarily?!) to hell whilst rising the Hammer of Eden?
Not easy, huh?!...
The Hammer of Eden explores a similar situation, showing how flexible can be the borderline between Angels and Demons — one day Angels, next day Demons!... 😜
May 26, 2025
Uma Fronteira Dúctil
Imaginem-se a viver numa fabulosa quinta onde cultivam todos os alimentos necessários à vossa subsistência. E que além disso produzem um vinho magnífico que vendem ao exterior, sendo os lucros obtidos nas vendas utilizados na aquisição doutros bens essenciais.
Em suma... vivem felizes e saudáveis até ao dia fatídico da má notícia:
Alguém pretende construir uma barragem que irá inundar todo o terreno onde se encontra a vossa idílica quinta, o que, em termos simples e práticos, significa que terão que bazar dali para fora pois o vosso amado Éden está prestes a imergir!
É isso ou ir à luta!
Uma luta feroz... capaz até... de gerar vítimas mortais!
Ora, em face deste quadro de acontecimentos, a questão que vos coloco é elementar e expectável:
Que fariam vocês?
Permaneceriam no Clube dos Anjos, partindo triste e placidamente?
Ou optariam por uma escapadela (temporária?!) aos Infernos para batalhar por um Paraíso que doutra forma vos seria extorquido?
....
Não é fácil,, hein?!...
É, pois, um problema deste tipo que Os Filhos de Eden se propõe explorar, revelando a flexibilidade da fronteira que demarca os Anjos dos Demónios!
Afinal o Demónio até iniciou carreira no Paraíso! 😉
Mais uma leitura imperdível do incomparável Ken Follett🥰
Imaginem-se a viver numa fabulosa quinta onde cultivam todos os alimentos necessários à vossa subsistência. E que além disso produzem um vinho magnífico que vendem ao exterior, sendo os lucros obtidos nas vendas utilizados na aquisição doutros bens essenciais.
Em suma... vivem felizes e saudáveis até ao dia fatídico da má notícia:
Alguém pretende construir uma barragem que irá inundar todo o terreno onde se encontra a vossa idílica quinta, o que, em termos simples e práticos, significa que terão que bazar dali para fora pois o vosso amado Éden está prestes a imergir!
É isso ou ir à luta!
Uma luta feroz... capaz até... de gerar vítimas mortais!
Ora, em face deste quadro de acontecimentos, a questão que vos coloco é elementar e expectável:
Que fariam vocês?
Permaneceriam no Clube dos Anjos, partindo triste e placidamente?
Ou optariam por uma escapadela (temporária?!) aos Infernos para batalhar por um Paraíso que doutra forma vos seria extorquido?
....
Não é fácil,, hein?!...
É, pois, um problema deste tipo que Os Filhos de Eden se propõe explorar, revelando a flexibilidade da fronteira que demarca os Anjos dos Demónios!
Afinal o Demónio até iniciou carreira no Paraíso! 😉
Mais uma leitura imperdível do incomparável Ken Follett🥰
December 4, 2012
Ken Follett used to write good stuff: The Key to Rebecca, Triple, Pillars of the Earth. He has also written a lot of junk. This one definitely falls into the latter category. It revolves around an ecoterrorist group that discovers how to cause earthquakes and uses the threat to try to stop dams and nuclear generating plants. The head terrorist is a con artist and cult leader who became a millionaire operating liquor stores even though he is illiterate and can't even read numbers, then dropped out and started a commune. Right. More equally believable stuff follows. I can't believe I read the whole thing.
June 9, 2017
“Parte de los integrantes de una comuna hippie anclada en el pasado y dedicada a la producción ecológica de vino trata de hacer chantaje al Gobernador de California para evitar que el valle en el que viven se vea inundado por la construcción de una presa. Para ello idean un método para provocar terremotos por medio del conocimiento geológico y de un camión utilizado para prospecciones petrolíferas”.
Y esto es la novela. Está narrada desde el punto de vista-fundamentalmente- del líder de la comuna hippie, por lo que se encuadra en las novelas de Follet que toman el punto de vista del “malo”.
Inevitablemente se empatiza menos con el personaje que si fuese el bueno o la buena de la novela (que en este caso es una agente del FBI, guapa y lista of course).
No es la novela que yo recomendaría de Follet, pero si ya te has leído casi todo de él y te gusta el autor bueno, no está mal. Consigue, como siempre, que te enganches a la trama y estructura unos personajes atractivos que te ayudan a seguir avanzando.
Todo un poco previsible pero aceptable.
Y esto es la novela. Está narrada desde el punto de vista-fundamentalmente- del líder de la comuna hippie, por lo que se encuadra en las novelas de Follet que toman el punto de vista del “malo”.
Inevitablemente se empatiza menos con el personaje que si fuese el bueno o la buena de la novela (que en este caso es una agente del FBI, guapa y lista of course).
No es la novela que yo recomendaría de Follet, pero si ya te has leído casi todo de él y te gusta el autor bueno, no está mal. Consigue, como siempre, que te enganches a la trama y estructura unos personajes atractivos que te ayudan a seguir avanzando.
Todo un poco previsible pero aceptable.
August 20, 2017
This is probably the first and I hope the last Ken Follett novel that I found absolutely amateurish. For someone who has mesmerised the world with master pieces like 'Pillars of the Earth' and 'The Century Trilogy', this is an extremely poor novel. Had he not been one of my favourite authors and this year's go-to author, I would have probably abandoned this book midway.
So, what annoyed me the most? The extremely silly action scenes, not just once, but every time there was a confrontation between a junkie against the entire might of the FBI complemented with elements of SWAT and all the other shizz that is required to stop a man from causing an earthquake. The climax was hilarious with the bad guy surviving a couple of shots through his face from a distance of zero metres while the Special Agent who's fighting him survives despite banging her head on the road, tossed all over the place, and a Gun shot.
The plot becomes irrelevant when such unrealistic descriptions just spoil the entire thing.
Highly avoidable book, and it's a shock that Ken Follett published something like this. Maybe he was high on some hippie stuff (which he keeps mentioning in the story) when he wrote this.
2/5.
So, what annoyed me the most? The extremely silly action scenes, not just once, but every time there was a confrontation between a junkie against the entire might of the FBI complemented with elements of SWAT and all the other shizz that is required to stop a man from causing an earthquake. The climax was hilarious with the bad guy surviving a couple of shots through his face from a distance of zero metres while the Special Agent who's fighting him survives despite banging her head on the road, tossed all over the place, and a Gun shot.
The plot becomes irrelevant when such unrealistic descriptions just spoil the entire thing.
Highly avoidable book, and it's a shock that Ken Follett published something like this. Maybe he was high on some hippie stuff (which he keeps mentioning in the story) when he wrote this.
2/5.
dnf
August 1, 2017Listened to around thirty minutes
If I try to finish this book, I may literally die of laughter. I'm in no way mature enough to listen to a book about a "seismic vibrator" -not what it sounds like- especially when coupled with the title THE HAMMER OF EDEN. I was snorting so hard it hurt.
If I try to finish this book, I may literally die of laughter. I'm in no way mature enough to listen to a book about a "seismic vibrator" -not what it sounds like- especially when coupled with the title THE HAMMER OF EDEN. I was snorting so hard it hurt.
December 21, 2024
Este libro realmente me impresionó de lo bueno que es y el poco reconocimiento que tiene, me pareció además una trama muy original. Disfruté mucho que estuviera narrado desde las dos perspectivas (el FBI y los protestantes).
Una historia que conecta bastante con la realidad, como una simple decisión de personas ignorantes o negligentes en este caso el gobierno, puede afectar a la naturaleza, un territorio o a las personas que lo consideran su hogar, tanto así, que les hace caer en cuenta de lo que pueden llegar a hacer y provocar con tal de la protección de aquello que atesoran, incluso hasta el punto de perder la cordura.
Una historia que conecta bastante con la realidad, como una simple decisión de personas ignorantes o negligentes en este caso el gobierno, puede afectar a la naturaleza, un territorio o a las personas que lo consideran su hogar, tanto así, que les hace caer en cuenta de lo que pueden llegar a hacer y provocar con tal de la protección de aquello que atesoran, incluso hasta el punto de perder la cordura.
May 15, 2018
A few wackos living in a commune in northern California figure out how to cause earthquakes and then use that knowledge to threaten California with more earthqueakes if more power plants are built. I enjoy Ken Follet's stories. He does a good job of setting out the characters of his books and then putting them in situations that are exciting.
As I was reading this book I was thinking yes it is enjoyable story but not too believeable. Then I picked up the newspaper and read how the Swiss had stopped their thermal nuclear program because it was causing earthquakes. Maybe it will be a possiblity for terrorists to threaten earthquakes someday.
As I was reading this book I was thinking yes it is enjoyable story but not too believeable. Then I picked up the newspaper and read how the Swiss had stopped their thermal nuclear program because it was causing earthquakes. Maybe it will be a possiblity for terrorists to threaten earthquakes someday.
September 30, 2010
What I really enjoyed but somewhat hated about this book is that it made me want both Judy and Priest to win. I think Priest truely did have good intentions in the beginning but he went totally haywire, but I liked that character greatly and wanted him to win when I read from his pov, but when I read from Judy's pov I wanted her to win, lol. Anyway Ken Follet has become one of my favourite authors because of the feel he always makes me feel towards the characters of his stories. They always bring about some kind of strong emotion.
February 28, 2023
3,5 Ideea de cutremure provocate de om pare imposibilă, dar dacă cineva ar putea să le provoace...O asemenea amenințare ar stârni panică și haos, iar în mâinile unor demenți ar fi o catastrofă.
December 30, 2016
Das war leider nicht wirklich meins ... viel zu wenig Spannung und für mich total unsympathische Charaktere
Der Klappentext hatte mich neugierig gemacht, vor allem durch die Hippie Kommune, da mich so ein Leben sehr interessiert: fernab von Strom, Stress und unerfüllbaren Erwartungen.
Erzählt wird das ganze aus den Perspektiven von Priest, der schon seit den Anfängen der Kommune dabei war. Als er und seine Leute erfahren, dass das Gebiet bald nicht mehr bewohnbar sein wird und ihr ganzes Leben mehr oder weniger zusammenbricht, fassen sie einen sehr bitteren Entschluss.
Der Gegenpart ist die FBI Agentin Judy Maddox, die zuerst nicht wirklich an eine ernst zu nehmende Drohung glaubt. Sie ist ein ziemlich klischeehaftes Bild einer nicht für voll genommenen Frau, die in der beruflichen Männerwelt unterzugehen scheint.
Ken Follett zeichnet ein sehr gutes und überschaubares Bild der Lebens- und Denkensweise der Charaktere, allerdings waren sie mir alle nicht so wirklich sympathisch, auch wenn ich ihre Motivationen nachvollziehen konnte. Leider wird das auch im Verlauf der Handlung nicht besser und alles dreht sich immer wieder im Kreis, ohne dass viel Spannung aufkommt.
Zusätzlich schweift der Autor immer wieder ein bisschen vom Thema ab, was das ganze unnötig in die Länge zieht.
Den Schreibstil empfand ich leider als relativ einfach und teilweise auch plump, natürlich hab ich bei dem Thema nichts außergewöhnliches erwartet, aber doch etwas anspruchsvolleres.
Besondere Momente in den verschiedensten Situationen wirkten auf mich nicht echt - ich hatte immer eher das Gefühl, ich lese einen Aufsatz oder eine oberflächliche Abhandlung einer Geschichte, die mich nicht wirklich berühren kann. Das Leben in der Kommune hat mich auch teilweise sehr irritiert: die Klischees was Sex und Drogen betrifft wurden erfüllt, aber ansonsten blieb alles sehr flach und ja, irgendwie abstoßend.
Vor allem Priest und sein Machtbedürfnis, alles und jeden unter Kontrolle zu haben und seine berechnende Art haben mir gar nicht gefallen.
Von Ken Follett hab ich bisher nur "Die Säulen der Erde" und "Der Winter der Welt" gelesen, von denen ich absolut begeistert war. Umso mehr war ich enttäuscht, hier nichts von diesem besonderen Gefühl wiedergefunden zu haben.
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Der Klappentext hatte mich neugierig gemacht, vor allem durch die Hippie Kommune, da mich so ein Leben sehr interessiert: fernab von Strom, Stress und unerfüllbaren Erwartungen.
Erzählt wird das ganze aus den Perspektiven von Priest, der schon seit den Anfängen der Kommune dabei war. Als er und seine Leute erfahren, dass das Gebiet bald nicht mehr bewohnbar sein wird und ihr ganzes Leben mehr oder weniger zusammenbricht, fassen sie einen sehr bitteren Entschluss.
Der Gegenpart ist die FBI Agentin Judy Maddox, die zuerst nicht wirklich an eine ernst zu nehmende Drohung glaubt. Sie ist ein ziemlich klischeehaftes Bild einer nicht für voll genommenen Frau, die in der beruflichen Männerwelt unterzugehen scheint.
Ken Follett zeichnet ein sehr gutes und überschaubares Bild der Lebens- und Denkensweise der Charaktere, allerdings waren sie mir alle nicht so wirklich sympathisch, auch wenn ich ihre Motivationen nachvollziehen konnte. Leider wird das auch im Verlauf der Handlung nicht besser und alles dreht sich immer wieder im Kreis, ohne dass viel Spannung aufkommt.
Zusätzlich schweift der Autor immer wieder ein bisschen vom Thema ab, was das ganze unnötig in die Länge zieht.
Den Schreibstil empfand ich leider als relativ einfach und teilweise auch plump, natürlich hab ich bei dem Thema nichts außergewöhnliches erwartet, aber doch etwas anspruchsvolleres.
Besondere Momente in den verschiedensten Situationen wirkten auf mich nicht echt - ich hatte immer eher das Gefühl, ich lese einen Aufsatz oder eine oberflächliche Abhandlung einer Geschichte, die mich nicht wirklich berühren kann. Das Leben in der Kommune hat mich auch teilweise sehr irritiert: die Klischees was Sex und Drogen betrifft wurden erfüllt, aber ansonsten blieb alles sehr flach und ja, irgendwie abstoßend.
Vor allem Priest und sein Machtbedürfnis, alles und jeden unter Kontrolle zu haben und seine berechnende Art haben mir gar nicht gefallen.
Von Ken Follett hab ich bisher nur "Die Säulen der Erde" und "Der Winter der Welt" gelesen, von denen ich absolut begeistert war. Umso mehr war ich enttäuscht, hier nichts von diesem besonderen Gefühl wiedergefunden zu haben.
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
April 8, 2011
I am a Follett fan, but this one seemed formulaic and just old enough that the technology didn't work well. It wasn't a total waste...I listened while driving, but nothing like some of my favorites. If you want to read Follett at his best, I would suggest: Lie Down With Lions; Pillars of the Earth; World Without End; Eye of the Needle; and Night Over Water.
February 7, 2017
Brilliant. Ken Follett is such a brilliant author.
April 24, 2023
Listened to as a Libby audiobook & was disappointed. Ken Follett is normally a good storyteller but this one is very dated (didn't realize original pub date was 1993 when I started). I almost gave up during the first hour or so but it did get better.
Interesting to reflect on how times have changed while listening.
Interesting to reflect on how times have changed while listening.
May 31, 2016
My first book by this author. I enjoyed reading it. It is a older book of his. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. I hope to read more books by this author.
December 8, 2020
The plot was very interesting but I had a hard time connecting with the characters.
February 6, 2022
dnf - I didn't get very far. Normally, I love Ken Follett, but I guess this one wasn't for me.
I just couldn't go on with all the vulgarity, sex in the street, etc. The time period was so recent and I'd rather be further back. I didn't care about the characters. I usually stick it out to wait for it to get better, but I'd just rather read cleaner material 😐
Goodness, I'm a real negative Nancy! Sorry!
I just couldn't go on with all the vulgarity, sex in the street, etc. The time period was so recent and I'd rather be further back. I didn't care about the characters. I usually stick it out to wait for it to get better, but I'd just rather read cleaner material 😐
Goodness, I'm a real negative Nancy! Sorry!
December 14, 2019
Follet never disappoints and the bad guy got what he deserved in the end .
Read
February 9, 2015Comportamentos desajustados (ou até mesmo doentes) e mentes patológicas são elementos que me atraem sempre numa leitura; gosto das tentativas de os fundamentar e, por vezes, justificar. Ao centrar este livro numa comunidade relativamente excêntrica que vive isolada do resto do mundo e de acordo com as suas próprias regras sociais, Ken Follett acertou em cheio na minha curiosidade.
A revindicação destas pessoas ao governo é até bastante compreensível: pretendem impedir a construção de uma barragem que os obrigará a abandonar o terreno em que se fixaram. Contudo, o que começa com uma simples - e pouco credível - ameaça anónima depressa evolui para graves actividades criminosas.
Em 'Os Filhos do Éden' não andamos à procura dos culpados, sabemos quem eles são desde o início e esta total disponibilidade de informação acaba por funcionar muito bem no livro. Acompanhamos simultaneamente a investigação do FBI pelo ponto de vista de Judy que, por ter a sua competência constantemente questionada e bloqueada por terceiros, acaba por ver os criminosos escapar por um triz uma e outra vez, com consequências catastróficas - este jogo do gato e do rato mantêm-nos interessados no desfecho e saudavelmente enervados com os desenvolvimentos
Achei muito interessante a análise de ameaças através da voz e da caligrafia. O autor conseguiu pôr-me a torcer por Judy, para que triunfasse num caso que lhe foi entregue injustamente e como modo de insulto. Gostei especialmente de ler sobre a comunidade - como funcionava, como os membros interagiam uns com os outros de acordo com uma hierarquia e como eram manipulados sem que de tal se apercebessem a ponto de olharem para o mundo exterior como degenerado, corrompido, hipócrita e ganancioso ao mesmo tempo que seguiam cegamente um homem que exibia estes mesmos defeitos
Este é um livro cheio de acção e movimento. Há sempre qualquer coisa a acontecer e o autor não perde tempo a avançar história adentro. Depois de ter ficado relativamente desiludida com 'O Escândalo Modigliani', fico muito contente com a minha teimosia em ler mais um livro de Ken Follett...e, certamente, não o último!
A revindicação destas pessoas ao governo é até bastante compreensível: pretendem impedir a construção de uma barragem que os obrigará a abandonar o terreno em que se fixaram. Contudo, o que começa com uma simples - e pouco credível - ameaça anónima depressa evolui para graves actividades criminosas.
Em 'Os Filhos do Éden' não andamos à procura dos culpados, sabemos quem eles são desde o início e esta total disponibilidade de informação acaba por funcionar muito bem no livro. Acompanhamos simultaneamente a investigação do FBI pelo ponto de vista de Judy que, por ter a sua competência constantemente questionada e bloqueada por terceiros, acaba por ver os criminosos escapar por um triz uma e outra vez, com consequências catastróficas - este jogo do gato e do rato mantêm-nos interessados no desfecho e saudavelmente enervados com os desenvolvimentos
Achei muito interessante a análise de ameaças através da voz e da caligrafia. O autor conseguiu pôr-me a torcer por Judy, para que triunfasse num caso que lhe foi entregue injustamente e como modo de insulto. Gostei especialmente de ler sobre a comunidade - como funcionava, como os membros interagiam uns com os outros de acordo com uma hierarquia e como eram manipulados sem que de tal se apercebessem a ponto de olharem para o mundo exterior como degenerado, corrompido, hipócrita e ganancioso ao mesmo tempo que seguiam cegamente um homem que exibia estes mesmos defeitos
Este é um livro cheio de acção e movimento. Há sempre qualquer coisa a acontecer e o autor não perde tempo a avançar história adentro. Depois de ter ficado relativamente desiludida com 'O Escândalo Modigliani', fico muito contente com a minha teimosia em ler mais um livro de Ken Follett...e, certamente, não o último!
April 10, 2011
No one can say this novel is just like the author's medieval stories about cathedrals and such! “Hammer” is about a cult left over from the sixties that turns into terrorists (mostly their leader) when a government project threatens to flood the land where they’ve been peacefully settled for three decades, successfully making wine to generate what little monetary income they need. The threat is that the group will cause an earthquake – seemingly a far-fetched idea which the author makes so believable that the suspense builds throughout the entire book with little respite. The gist of it is that a massive truck used in oil field exploration – a seismic vibrator – could indeed incite earth tremors if applied near a fault line.
When the government fails to pay any attention to the group’s threat, they make good on their claim and cause a quake too little to cause damage but too scary to be a coincidence. After that, it’s a race between a determined FBI agent, Judy Maddox, whose career has been thwarted at almost every turn by the “old boy club” surrounding her; and the villain of the cult, “Priest”, who is not above murder and mayhem to accomplish his goals. The detective work is outstanding, but on more than one occasion, we almost found ourselves rooting for the cult to survive – they were basically harmless, with an interesting set of mores, until the earthquake scheme threw everything into chaos.
Follett shows off all his terrific writing skills herein; to us, it was a most entertaining, suspenseful thriller that kept us turning pages as rapidly as they would go!
When the government fails to pay any attention to the group’s threat, they make good on their claim and cause a quake too little to cause damage but too scary to be a coincidence. After that, it’s a race between a determined FBI agent, Judy Maddox, whose career has been thwarted at almost every turn by the “old boy club” surrounding her; and the villain of the cult, “Priest”, who is not above murder and mayhem to accomplish his goals. The detective work is outstanding, but on more than one occasion, we almost found ourselves rooting for the cult to survive – they were basically harmless, with an interesting set of mores, until the earthquake scheme threw everything into chaos.
Follett shows off all his terrific writing skills herein; to us, it was a most entertaining, suspenseful thriller that kept us turning pages as rapidly as they would go!
March 20, 2024
Les piliers de la Terre, Un monde sans fin, La chute des géants et une dizaine d'autres titres de Ken Follet m'ont régalé, diverti, passionné.
Et ici, l'incompréhension, ce n'est pas du Ken Follet. Une histoire abracadabrante des pieds nicklés, une secte de vieux hippies bras cassés se déguisent en terroristes de pacotille, mais ils veulent vraiment faire mal. Dans un but dérisoire. Ils ont besoin, pour atteindre leur but, de trimbaler pendant des jours sur les routes du matériel mastodonte, poussif et voyant comme une strip-teaseuse dans le choeur d'une église le jour de Pâques. Pour rendre l'impossible plausible, l'auteur invente des hauts dirigeants californiens, gouverneur inclus, totalement inaptes et il ajoute même des pontes du FBI débiles et incapables, il faut tous ces ingrédients de nullité pour donner une petite chance aux bras cassés. Il y a heureusement une petite agent du FBI, aussi menue que courageuse et intelligente pour compenser un peu. Poussif et pénible.
Pour assommer davantage encore le lecteur incapable de comprendre l'évolution d'une intrigue absconse, l'auteur ajoute sans cesse en italiques les pensées profondes des acteurs.
J'aurais lu cette mauvaise histoire mal racontée, à l'aveugle, sans connaître le nom de l'auteur, comme le goûteur de vins ne connaissant pas l'origine de ses dégustations, je n'aurais jamais imaginé une nanoseconde que c'était du Ken Follet.
Et ici, l'incompréhension, ce n'est pas du Ken Follet. Une histoire abracadabrante des pieds nicklés, une secte de vieux hippies bras cassés se déguisent en terroristes de pacotille, mais ils veulent vraiment faire mal. Dans un but dérisoire. Ils ont besoin, pour atteindre leur but, de trimbaler pendant des jours sur les routes du matériel mastodonte, poussif et voyant comme une strip-teaseuse dans le choeur d'une église le jour de Pâques. Pour rendre l'impossible plausible, l'auteur invente des hauts dirigeants californiens, gouverneur inclus, totalement inaptes et il ajoute même des pontes du FBI débiles et incapables, il faut tous ces ingrédients de nullité pour donner une petite chance aux bras cassés. Il y a heureusement une petite agent du FBI, aussi menue que courageuse et intelligente pour compenser un peu. Poussif et pénible.
Pour assommer davantage encore le lecteur incapable de comprendre l'évolution d'une intrigue absconse, l'auteur ajoute sans cesse en italiques les pensées profondes des acteurs.
J'aurais lu cette mauvaise histoire mal racontée, à l'aveugle, sans connaître le nom de l'auteur, comme le goûteur de vins ne connaissant pas l'origine de ses dégustations, je n'aurais jamais imaginé une nanoseconde que c'était du Ken Follet.
April 28, 2020
I found this to be quite awful when borrowed from my grandfather. They were having sex in the middle of the road for some reason. The main character, Priest, has a son by the name of Smiler. That is when I abandoned all remaining hope this would turn out well. The red hardcover does look rather nice so I will keep it as a display piece for the time being.
July 10, 2014
Oh Mr Follett, you have done so much better than this book. I have to think that everyone needs a loser now and again and unfortunately this book was a loser. It was written in a juvenile manner and the plot while it did have some "earth shattering" moments lacked any wow factor.
June 22, 2014
O primeiro livro de Follett que li.
Opinião completa aqui: http://flamesmr.blogspot.pt/2014/06/l...
Opinião completa aqui: http://flamesmr.blogspot.pt/2014/06/l...
May 15, 2018
Great character development and a plot with a fast pace. I like these types of thrillers in which the the cause and effect seem highly possible in a real life situation.
January 12, 2021
You can't create a block buster with every book and this one is not bad it's just not as good as some of Follets others.
As usual you get sucked into the lives of his characters and there is the normal good verses evil. For a change you find yourself almost wanting the bad guy to succeed until you slowly realise he is nothing more than a power hungry psychopath who doesn't really believe what he preaches and just wants to get his own way.
It's a quick read and enjoyable, the story keeps you interested and the action is fast paced at the end.
Get past the first chapter that is not inspiring and things start to improve.
As usual you get sucked into the lives of his characters and there is the normal good verses evil. For a change you find yourself almost wanting the bad guy to succeed until you slowly realise he is nothing more than a power hungry psychopath who doesn't really believe what he preaches and just wants to get his own way.
It's a quick read and enjoyable, the story keeps you interested and the action is fast paced at the end.
Get past the first chapter that is not inspiring and things start to improve.
February 7, 2020
I've never read a bad Ken Follett novel until now. A group of eco terrorists make demands and if not met cause earthquakes with a stolen seismic vibrator. I can't believe I made it through in its entirety! Just awful.
August 31, 2016
This is the first Follett book I have read. It starts a little slow, but as you read on you get that it is intended to be this way. As the action increases the pace follows.
April 10, 2020
In einem kleinen Tal in Kalifornien hat sich seit den 60er Jahren eine Sekte niedergelassen, die Wein anbaut und ihr Leben selbst organisiert. Nun soll aber das Tal einem Stausee weichen, was der Anführer der "Kinder von Eden", genannt "Priest", nicht zulassen kann. Er fasst einen wahnwitzigen Plan: er möchte ein Erdbeben auslösen und so die Regierung erpressen. Beim FBI nimmt zunächst keiner diese Drohung ernst. Als die Agentin Judy Maddox jedoch herausfindet, dass ein menschengemachtes Erdbeben durchaus möglich ist, beginnt eine gefährliche Jagd nach den Terroristen...
Ken Follett wartet einfach immer wieder mit richtig guten Ideen zu Büchern auf. Wer kommt bitte darauf, sich eine Terroristengruppe auszudenken, die damit droht, ein Erdbeben auszulösen? Ich fand die Geschichte sehr abgedreht und cool. Außerdem setzt sich Follett auch damit auseinander, was passiert, wenn der Mensch über die Natur gebieten darf.
Zwischendurch hat sich das Buch etwas gezogen und hatte einige Längen, gegen Ende wurde es aber immer besser und ich hab es mal wieder nicht aus der Hand legen können. Man merkt dem Buch natürlich an, dass es vor über 20 Jahren geschrieben wurde (auch was die Rollen von Männern und Frauen angeht - da musste ich schon öfter mal die Augen verdrehen und hab mich auch das ein oder andere mal geärgert), trotzdem war das Buch sehr spannend und behandelt eine außergewöhnliche Thematik.
Ken Follett hat mich also wieder einmal überrascht und überzeugt. Ich vergebe 4 / 5 ⭐.
Ken Follett wartet einfach immer wieder mit richtig guten Ideen zu Büchern auf. Wer kommt bitte darauf, sich eine Terroristengruppe auszudenken, die damit droht, ein Erdbeben auszulösen? Ich fand die Geschichte sehr abgedreht und cool. Außerdem setzt sich Follett auch damit auseinander, was passiert, wenn der Mensch über die Natur gebieten darf.
Zwischendurch hat sich das Buch etwas gezogen und hatte einige Längen, gegen Ende wurde es aber immer besser und ich hab es mal wieder nicht aus der Hand legen können. Man merkt dem Buch natürlich an, dass es vor über 20 Jahren geschrieben wurde (auch was die Rollen von Männern und Frauen angeht - da musste ich schon öfter mal die Augen verdrehen und hab mich auch das ein oder andere mal geärgert), trotzdem war das Buch sehr spannend und behandelt eine außergewöhnliche Thematik.
Ken Follett hat mich also wieder einmal überrascht und überzeugt. Ich vergebe 4 / 5 ⭐.
May 15, 2024
This book in to be read list finally came out! Aft a long time, this is the English book I completed which was amazing! Still the craze remains same.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 813 reviews