Three Adventure Novels: One in Thine Hand; Leverage Point; The Alliance, Set

by Gerald N. Lund

1) One In Thine Hand [1984] - Brad Kennison is a returned missionary and a Vietnam vet looking for direction in his life. He makes a journey to Israel in the summer of 1973, at the height of the uneasy days leading up to the Yom Kippur War. Accompanying him through the Holy Land is Miri Shadmi, a fiery Israeli committed to the political survival of her state and scornful of Americans - like Brad. With Miri as his reluctant guide, Brad feels the spiritual impact of the Garden of Gethsemane, relives the tragedies of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, and visits Israel's monument to freedom, Masada. Along the way, the two battle about politics and religion and brave a run-in with Arab terrorists at a remote kibbutz. Rivalry soon gives way to romance, and both are forced to examine their commitment to faith, family and country; 2) The Alliance [2002] - It's 18 years after the nuclear holocaust and the end of civilization, as we know it. Survivors are being relocated to a new society known as the Alliance. It seems like a dream come true for many of the new citizens. Crime, as well as harmful emotions, such as anger and prejudice have been eliminated, because the Alliance has computerized control over it's citizens from a computer chip that has been implanted in everyone. Eric Lloyd discovers the Alliance's corrupt power structure and vows to destroy it. But can one person change the world?; and Leverage Point [1985] - For Mark Jeppson, a professor of Arabic, life has suddenly become dangerously complicated. He's hired by an arms dealer to help cinch a multi-million dollar deal with Saudi Arabia and he's pulled into a world of international politics, fast living and organized crime. Is the deal, the money and the knowledge of horrible crimes, worth the risk of losing his children and fiancée? Mark is faced with a crisis of conscience. Can he survive long enough to save those he loves, close the deal and help convict the criminals without compromising his own integrity?

Genres: Dystopia

875 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Gerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He served for thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, and he served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008. He is a prolific and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction and is best known for his historical novels, including The Work and the Glory series, Fire of the Covenant, The Kingdom and the Crown series, and The Undaunted. He and his late wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read The Alliance as a standalone book way back when and absolutely loved it. I lost my copy and it was out of print as a standalone so I bought this triple novel edition. I haven't yet reread Alliance or red either of the other two. But I will. :)

[Sharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all three of these books. They are a great "sit down by the fire with some popcorn" book - each and every one of them.

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has three complete books by Gerald N. Lund, one of my favorite authors. I had read "Alliance" and believe I have already reviewed it.
"One in Thine Hand" is sort of a romance in Israel between a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a Jewish lady. The man is a recent Vietnam vet, she is a headstrong young woman who thinks independently but loves her family. It is a closer look at the tensions and complicated politics of the Middle East from the ground view. I don't generally like romances, but I enjoyed this one. Lund is such a great writer.
But the last book "Leverage Point" was exciting and I had trouble putting it down. It does start a bit slow, and there are many characters. At first I thought I would have trouble keeping track of them, but it works out. He does provide a page of character references. This is about international arms dealing and what goes on behind the scenes and behind closed doors. Mr. Lund includes a preface that says that the incidents that happen (which are pretty incredible and frightful) really happened, and happened to people, but names/places/etc. were changed for protection. A great book. The ending a bit surprising, but it had me on the edge of my seat once it hit its pace. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense, romance, politics, or CIA/FBI stories. I also highly recommend any of Mr. Lund's books.