Last Man Standing

by David Baldacci

Web London was trained to penetrate hostile ground and come out alive. Then ten seconds in a dark alley cost him everything: his friends, his fellow agents, his reputation. Among his super-elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team, Web was the sole survivor of a high-tech, devastating ambush. Now Web is trying to put his life back together and understand what really happened. To get answers, he'll need the help of psychiatrist Claire Daniels and the one other human being who lived through the attack - a ten-year-old boy. But when his search leads him back to that bloodstained alley, Web suddenly realizes he is about to face his assassin again. And this time, one of them will become the Last Man Standing.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

548 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2001

About the author

David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.”)

David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. David has also published seven novels for younger readers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide.

In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.

A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Reviews

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Baldacci never fails to amaze, another solid thriller! A few chapters really seemed to drag and the story seemed to be going nowhere, but it was like connecting the dots, the antagonists are all a mystery until the very end, and they weren't who I was expecting. This is however another book that I wish Baldacci had written a sequel to because it just ended too abruptly, and some things were left unanswered.

But I'm not gonna complain, it was a very enjoyable read, and highly recommended!

[Paul Weiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A blacker, more complex thriller than we've come to expect from Baldacci

One minute, all is quiet. The suspense is electric as the FBI's super-elite Hostage Rescue Team quietly creeps down an alley in the execution of a meticulously planned takedown of a drug dealer's lair. The next minute, the sky caves in, the world implodes and the team is caught in a vicious, blistering cross-fire that obliterates the team. That is, everyone on the team except Web London, the sole survivor, the LAST MAN STANDING! London is at a complete loss to explain where the foul-up occurred and how he managed to survive an obvious ambush. That Web inexplicably froze into complete immobility during the raid saving himself from the bloody fate of the rest of his team members seems beyond explanation. Although London embarks on a critical program of psycho-analysis, hypnosis and self-evaluation, distrust and disbelief rear their ugly heads. Many of London's fellow agents are convinced that Web London survived the slaughter only because he was part of the planned massacre!

Much more psychololgical thriller than suspense thriller, the solution to how London remained the LAST MAN STANDING is revealed fairly early in the novel. But the tactical details of the investigation into the related disappearance of a young boy; the brutal realities of a drug kingpin's ruthless control of his "business" empire; the hateful truth of skinhead, quasi-military and neo-fascist movements in America; and the ever-present danger of undercover police work all make for an absorbing story that is vintage Baldacci.

A great addition to Baldacci's growing body of work and thoroughly enjoyable in ways that are quite different than, for example, his CAMEL CLUB series. Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss

[Suz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too long for me. The plot convoluted in a way, I had problems with connecting with the protagonist that should have been a guy to really like. He was a troubled but highly skilled FBI agent with issues, which were resolved in a way, but still lacking any final resolution. Even a loosely possible romantic situation didn't eventuate. I was disappointed with this, but as always, my audio cd's are limited as I only borrow from the library and never seem to choose anything decent. Disappointing, and all I can really articulate is that it was okay.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stand alone thriller published 2001

Only 3.5 stars marked down to 3 because it was too long.

This could have been a 4 star read but suffered from being overly long.
At nearly 600 pages it was about 150 pages too long. Lots of extraneous information that did nothing to enhance the story or the characters.

The premise of the story was intriguing, although by the time you find out what is really going on it all became a bit too implausible.

Web London is a part of the FBI’s elite HRT division. Over the past few years Web has earned himself a reputation for being fearless and dependable. His other team members like and respect him as someone who can be relied on to always have your back.

But that all changed one afternoon when HRT, acting on very reliable information, walked into an ambush that saw every HRT agent gunned down and killed, all that is, with the exception of Web London.
He just froze. At his debriefing he could not account for why he froze, he just did.
So in the blink of an eye Web London went from a man with hero status to a coward.

So filled with guilt believing that, in part, he was responsible for what happened Web goes to see a shrink hoping to get some answers.
Now on leave from the FBI Web is doing his own investigation which puts him in the path of drug lords and white supremacists. None of these fine upstanding citizens would lose a nights sleep if Web London turned up dead.

So as I said earlier, this has all the hallmarks of being a thrilling thriller but suffered from too much information which slowed the pace down to a crawl at times.
As for the end I felt it trivialised everything that London went through

Final conclusion; by no means a bad read but could have been so much better.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intrigue starts at the opening page when Web London, a highly-trained sniper in the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), proceeds with his team into an ill-fated operation. When the dust (and guns) settle, he's the last man standing in the midst of some very strange circumstances. What follows next is Web's struggle to not only understand what happened but to clear his name.

There are layers and layers of mystery and subterfuge, with a host of characters inside and outside of the Bureau along with some criminal elements and shady people. Understanding them, their connections and possible motivations made this an interesting and exciting experience. I looked forward to listening to this story daily and actually awakened in the middle of one night with the revelation of what happened to Web! And, I was right.

I also enjoyed the narrator who had the tough task of distinguishing so many characters. Jason Culp was excellent and enhanced my listening enjoyment. I'll definitely look for more of his titles.

I enjoyed this story that's classic Baldacci, even though the ending wasn't quite what I needed. But, there was enough there for me to just use my imagination and finish it off. 4.5 stars

(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent for escapist reading, with a hero you can empathize with, some creative ideas for criminal schemes, and engaging plot twists. I had read a recent Baldacci thriller, “The Innocent”, and liked it well enough to try this earlier one (from 2001). Ultimately I was disappointed with too many plot elements, clichés, and implausible components.

Web London is the sole survivor of an FBI hostage rescue squad’s disastrous drug raid in Washington, DC. His survival is the result of “freezing” up, which results in much shame and self-doubt as well as disapprobation on the part of his supervisors. His best lead is a young boy who was a witness on the scene of the raid who has been mysteriously swept away by some fake FBI agents.
He begins to work with a female psychiatrist, who begins to dig painfully into abuse in his childhood and his guilt over a past raid on a religious cult that led to the death of a child hostage. One of the leaders of the cult has escaped from prison and a set of murders suggests he is out for revenge. Was the set-up of the hostage squad related to drug dealer gangs or a targeting of the FBI over the old hostage case? The set-up also points to likely leaks from corrupted members of the FBI itself. Web is not part of the investigation, but he keeps working on it while he assumes duty at a Virginia horse farm guarding the parents of the child killed in the cult raid.

Thus, the tale involves a hero with psychological demons and high motivation to prove himself while in the doghouse. These clichés are compounded by the sentimental additions of a sympathetic psychiatrist and a cute kid in danger. I could have ridden okay with that if the bad guys were not so implausible in their complex and infallible machinations. Am wondering if I should try others, such as "Absolute Power", or instead keep mining either old favorites like Nelson DeMille or newer talent like Kyle Mills.

[Велислав Върбанов · Rating 4 out of 5]

Много добър и вълнуващ трилър! Балдачи е изградил сложен и напрегнат сюжет, изпълнен с интересни обрати...

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Web London is the sole survivor of a deadly ambush of the elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team during a high risk raid against a supposed drug operation... and that's just for openers! As events progress it feels like Web is the number suspect forcing him to go all out after the people or person who is really guilty!

These are the books that I feel James Patterson would like to write if he cared about legacy and storytelling, as this is another masterclass in easy reading high suspense crime thriller writing by my fave writer in the genre! 8 out of 12.

[Graham Stull · Rating 1 out of 5]

I come from that school of stoic readers who feels that if he begins a book, he must see it through until the bitter end. Alas, in this case, the terrible writing, clichéd characters and macho "stercore tauri" defeated me. I gave up after only 100 pages.

One hundred pages was enough for me to grow utterly indifferent to the fate of the book's protagonist, Web London, the FBI superagent who battles mysterious forces in his attempt to unravel the mystery of a disappeared African-American boy and the death by ambush of his elite team of shoot'em up good guys.

It was also enough for me to feel I had experienced every single cliché in the genre: The cop hero being ordered to 'stay the hell away from this investigation', the obligatory weeping widows to whom the hero vows he will 'find those responsible', the tougher than tough macho man who is slowly destroying himself on the inside...

It was also enough for me to cringe, literally cringe, at the racial stereotypes and the contrived dialogue.

No fear of plot spoilers from this reviewer. In plot terms, I didn't get deeper into the story than the back page blurb. And while I feel disappointed in myself for not sticking it through, there are too many good books in the world to waste time on this kind of garbage.

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 4 out of 5]

More profound and "heavy" than any of Baldacci's books. The characters have some depth, the action twists, the hero is not the best from the universe. But the ranch battle is unconvincing and the final scene between Web and Claire is unnecessarily sad. Although, one of Baldacci's best.

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audiobook) was 22 hours long but surprisingly it kept my full attention without much effort. He’s an incredible writer and certainly keeps things flowing. His books are full of interesting characters as well. This one deserves a sequel.

[Alex Gherzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Baldacci's Last Man Standing has elements of a good novel, but a couple of flaws -- and one in particular -- keep it from transcending mediocrity. Web London, a member of the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, freezes during a mission and watches as his team is gunned down. While seeing a psychiatrist in an attempt to understand what made him hold back, he investigates the shooting and uncovers a conspiracy involving drug dealers, white supremacists, undercover feds and a horse ranch.

Spoilers follow...

The biggest problem the book has is its hero. Web London isn't likeable at all. He's selfish, stubborn, refuses to listen to anyone, insults people who try to help him and bullies his own colleagues into giving him what he wants. And this is our hero? At one point, he all but forces the head of another HRT team to let him come along on a mission (while he's supposed to be on leave), even implying he'll hurt him if the guy doesn't comply, and it leads to the man almost getting fired. When the inevitable scene where the superior threatens to fire Web comes, I was on the bureaucrat's side. When he questions Jerome, the uncle of a missing boy who figures into the shooting, he mocks him and belittles the idea that Jerome could have a job, which frankly makes him seem racist. When he heads off to Billy Canfield's ranch, he goads Romano into going with him, knowing he's ruining the man's vacation and causing trouble with Romano's wife, but he shrugs this off and makes her out to be unreasonable. Finally, toward the end, he has in his sniper sights a man who helped his investigation -- not to mention the guy was as much a victim of the conspiracy as Web -- and he threatens to kill him. Right in front of his son. When he ends up letting him go, he wonders what's wrong with him. The man has zero honor. There's an undercover agent names Randall Cove who would've made a much better protagonist. He's tough, but honorable, has a dark past that makes some of the real assholes at the FBI -- like Web! -- suspect him of being part of the conspiracy, he's driven to seek justice at any cost and he's one of the people set up by the bad guys. They could've had Web die in the shootout and had Cove be the hero trying to figure out what happened. They'd need to get rid of the psychiatrist subplot and the title of the book, but it would've made for a better reading experience.

Some of the writing is a bit subpar as well. Baldacci repeats himself a lot, often in the same paragraph. The dialogue is often very corny, especially when he's trying to be witty. The expository dialogue is particularly rough as well. It doesn't even attempt to come off naturally. They may as well break the fourth wall and talk directly to the reader. It's a problem I don't recall having with The Camel Club or The Collectors, but they were written later so maybe he's just grown as a writer.

One more thing that bothered me was a particular setup that never got a payoff. Nemo Straight, who is revealed to be the architect of the HRT murder and the takeover of the drug business on the Eastern seaboard, shoots Randall Cove, but has to run before he can make sure the undercover agent is dead. Turns out that was a big mistake because Cove was wearing a bullet proof vest. One would think he'd pop up in the final shootout and help Web and Romano, right? Well, he doesn't. We find out in one of the final chapters that he made it to a hospital. That's really lazy plotting. Baldacci might as well have had Cove die. He also sets up a reunion between Web and his father, but that happens after the book is over. Very disappointing.

The book isn't all bad, however. The conspiracy, with all its different players -- each with their own motives -- is well thought-out and parts of it are very original. Having Dr. O'Bannon be the traitor, who not only sold the secrets agents and their wives told him to his paymasters but also hypnotized Web into freezing during the ill-fated mission, is more interesting than just another crooked agent. It was foreshadowed well, with Web learning that many of the agents' wives visit psychiatrists as well. I also enjoyed the subplot where Web sees Claire Daniels and she attempts to help him figure out why he froze up. I liked how calm she was, particularly since Web is so nasty to her.

I went back and forth between two and three stars for this one. Ultimately, I think there's enough that's good about the book to make it worth reading. I'd never read it again, though. And I'm glad Baldacci never used Web London as a hero again.

[David Freas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read several Baldacci novels and enjoyed them, but this one disappointed me.

Cover blurbs call this book a ‘killer thriller’ and the action nearly nonstop.

I disagree. A ‘killer thriller’ should have me on the edge of my seat from page one. This one didn’t. Yes, it had sections that had my heart racing and my breath rushing. But those sections were separated by pages galore of exposition, long internal musings by the main character, and side trips into unnecessary info including a detailed tours of a horse farm, one character’s taxidermy hobby, and horse trailers. In the end, Baldacci tied most of these into the main story line, but dumping all that information in when he did almost brought this novel to a halt.

I wonder if sometimes authors (I’m not singling out Baldacci here) pad books this way to either meet some predetermined word count or show off their research efforts or just because they’re in love with their own words. Or they had all this neat stuff they couldn’t use elsewhere but couldn’t resist sharing.

A thriller should run fast all the way. This one starts that way with the sudden brutal slaughter of an HRT team. But then that race morphs into a strange marathon, sprinting a ways then strolling then trotting then jogging then walking then sprinting then jogging then… You get the picture. The nonstop action claimed on the cover slows to a walk (and sometimes stands on the sidewalk) too often.

I expect a thriller to be a page turner. This one wasn’t until I waded through five hundred pages of this 638 page novel. Then things started happening at the break-neck pace a thriller should have. That’s way too late in a thriller for the action to burst into a flat-out run.

Sorry, Mr. Baldacci, you'll have to do better if you want me to read more of your work.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Baldacci's books are highly recommended for road trips! They are long enough to take you to Ohio and back from KC and then some.

When you start reading/listening to a Baldacci book, there are so many loose threads and lots of characters involved in the plot -- some seemingly totally unrelated to the crisis that is driving the main character of the book. Stay with it and you will find at the end that it all ties together in a plausible way, all the questions are answered and good has triumphed over evil.

This book was no exception. As we follow Agent London through this book we see him battling his own demons, especially a failed op in the past and then yet another one at the beginning of the book. There is many a plot twist thrown in for good measure and a character or two that you soon realize are not what they seem. In the end, there is a measure of closure. . .unless that character is going to be part of a series.

[Sharon Beers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first Baldacci book I didn't enjoy.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intricately plotted thriller with many twists and turns. However, it is at least 200 pages too long. There are enough plot deviations here for at least three books. The body count becomes so large as to lose a lot of believability. Baldacci does know how to write action and there is plenty of that. Recommended to Baldacci fans.

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read – enjoyed the audio as this is a fast paced thriller! Action packed with suspense, plot twists and the main character Wed, a member of FBI HRT—leaving him the last man standing after a wipeout of the team. Taking you from the past to the present as you learn more – as he unravels the mystery with colorful characters along the way --- great job from Baldacci!

[Eadie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Web London, member of a Hostage Rescue Team, was the last man standing after a raid on a drug dealer‘s lair. Full of guilt, Web needs to discover why. Vivid characters. Fast-paced. Another spellbinding novel from Baldacci, a great storyteller. Looking forward to reading another Baldacci book. Recommended highly for those who love psychological thrillers.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It started off fast paced and exciting and slammed you with questions, and then kept you going the whole way through. One thing I really liked was it let you in on one secret at a time, one bad guy at a time, one betrayal at a time. You think you have it, but then realize it’s so much more complicated the further into the plot you go.

I'd say this book was about 75-100 pages too many. It is SOOO long. There were a lot of different characters, and there were a few parts where all the different FBI agents started running together. It sorted itself out though. Some characters I felt like I didn’t know very well, or I would have liked to get to know them more, but in the end you knew everything you needed in order for the book to be successful.

Like, straight up classic “how does that make you feel,” and “Let’s talk about your daddy issues.” At one point it felt like a parody it was so bad. Look, I know some shrinks pull that stuff, but for the most part, that’s not what h Pick their brains. pretend to be your character and role-play with them. Clearly there was a lot of research done for this book what with all the locations and guns and FBI stuff. Why a psychiatrist-study didn’t make the list I’ll never know.

The book was exciting and fulfilling at the end. the good guys won, the bad guys died, and the people who were hurt got their revenge. It was narrated by Jason Culp who did a great job of everyone but Dr. Daniels (who sounded annoying only because she was annoying, so in a way I guess that was perfect).

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

A run of the mill thriller story which was overly bloated with some interesting ideas which never really took off.

The overall plot is quite a good idea with a SWAT team like leader taking his team into a situation which ends badly leaving him the "Last Man Standing". This all happened relatively quickly in the book to say it is just over 550 pages and then teased out things that happened after which made the pace slow and ponderous.

The pacing of the book, because of the above, was very slow and didn't move on and found itself trying to develop conspiracy theories that weren't interesting. If there were 100 pages or so less and a bit more action then it would have been more enjoyable.

On the flip side of this though, the therapy sessions were pretty much the highlight with quick firing dialogue and a glimpse into the main characters back history with a good back and forth relationship between the main character and therapist.

This is the first time I've read a David Baldacci book and whilst I wasn't overly impressed it hasn't put me off trying some more of his work. I have this as part of an omnibus edition and will try the next book, "Saving Faith", and get a better idea of his style.

If you like this try: "The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Baldacci catch me if you can read and of course, not a disappointment. Our protagonist FBI agent Webb is just too damn sharp for his criminal counterparts. This novel encompasses the usual settings......drugs, however not the ones one would typically expect, loose women, yes the kind one would expect, a taste of the Mob, and last but least, porn. In so many words, good shrinks bad shrinks, good kids bad kids, good agents bad agents, nice pretty ladies yet not so nice conniving cunning slutty skanky beyotches. Shocking no, thrilling yes.
Moving on to the latest Amos Decker piece, you know, the guy who can never forget because of an NFL head injury back in the day (Synesthesia)......'The Fix'.

Even better the 2nd time around....

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last Man Standing

Not one of my favorites. This is my second read through after several years, and still not liking the story much. It doesn't flow well, and didn't keep my interest, maybe to many permutations. Didn't really dig the ending either, but will not state further to avoid spoiler.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A FBI hostage rescue team is traveling down an alley when they are ambushed. The team leader is the sole survivor. As he tries to solve what happened, those around him are silenced with violence.

[Jeff P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early in the book, I was thinking "Seriously?!?!" but it got better. There were a couple of good twists that I didn't expect.

[Rudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Birthday Present that turned into a Sour Read!

I received this book as a birthday present and the gift brought a grateful smile to my face since I have enjoyed many of David Baldacci's novels, i.e., Absolute Power, A Simple Truth and others and within a few days I was reading Last Man Standing. Overall, I thought the Web London character was boring and shallow. As an FBI hostage team assaulter he seemed more like a loose cannon rather than a team player which I suspect is the SOP for the FBI. The story is plastered with police that have nothing to fill their time with except to shoot bazookas like guns and love every minute of their destruction. Sometimes I had to laugh because some of the author's scenarios were so bizarre and far-fetched. I won't go into the constant splattering of foul, almost detestable language, which I didn't feel added much to the plot. There were few surprises and I felt I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what would happen next.

Anyway, in my opinion Last Man Standing doesn't seem to fit Mr. Baldacci's style of a thrilling mystery novel that is at least realistic to a degree and his intensive research into the subject matter that he noted for. One last thought I think the book could have been shorten by at least 50 or 60 pages. It's not a terrible novel, it's a good read and I wouldn't recommend purchasing it.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the plot of this book. It seemed to twist and turn. There was some good character development, but it was another thriller that had me turning the pages. It was an easy read that kept me wanting to read.

I would recommend this book if you like happy endings and you like the FBI/CIA/ATF type of characters.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Can't believe this is from the same author that gave us "Memory Man". Just too much unnecessary detail, 100 words when 10 would have done, and far too long. It redeemed itself in the last 100 pages or so when it all came together and there was lots of action but not enough to deserve more than 2.5 stars.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Baldacci, but this book really needed to be edited down. Too long and too much.

[Hazel Hanford · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a full month to get through this 649 page book, and I normally read a book every 2 weeks. The problems with this book are that it should've been at least 200 pages shorter, the story should've been more believable, and the ending should've been totally different. That alone dragged this down from 3 stars to 2. He couldn't take 2 more pages to resolve the ending? After slogging through so many unfulfilling, boring pages, that's ridiculous to me. He should've cut out 200 pages about all the taxidermy stuff, most of the horse farm education (I love horses, so I'm OK with that), a lot of the psychological stuff with Web and his background. There were so many unnecessary characters in this that it was just bogged down, and all the false leads were ridiculous. I really thought that there should've been a mole in the FBI as well, as that character was so over the top, as to suggest that he was involved. The ultimate "baddy" was a poor choice as well, as was the result of the raid on the other horse farm.

So, in conclusion, I slogged through this very boring and way too long book just to find out "who dun it". It wasn't a "killer thriller" as reviewed on the front. The plot was contrived and unbelievable. The ending stinks. I wish I'd read the reviews of this book first, and skipped it.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback

O,ja, wat een heerlijk boek.

Een schitterende thriller met opbouwende spanning en in vrijwel elk hoofdstuk weer een onverwachte wending. Ik hou van die plot twists. Het houdt me scherp en als ik weer verder lees moet ik even mijn aantekenboekje raadplegen om weer in het verhaal te komen. Ik hou van dat puzzelen.

De manier waarop David het methodisch werken van het HRT team beschrijft geeft je het gevoel alsof je zelf een lid bent van het team.

Mocht je een lange vakantie gaan maken of gewoon een aantal dagen niks te doen hebben dan raad ik je aan om aan dit boek te beginnen. Eenmaal uit hol je naar de winkel meerdere boeken van deze schrijver te kopen