Dead Heat (Political Thrillers Series #5) [Hardcover]

Joel C. Rosenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2008

2009 Retailer's Choice Award winner!
For Jon and Erin Bennett, the world seems to be spinning dangerously out of control. A new dictator is rising in Iraq. China is making threatening new moves toward Taiwan. North Korean forces appear ready to strike south. Israel is feverishly trying to complete the Third Temple. Oil prices are surging. And in the wake of an horrific war in the Middle East, President James MacPherson's second term is coming to an end. Now the battle to succeed him is heating up into one of the most fiercely contested presidential elections in American history, and the Bennetts realize the stakes could not be higher. Who will lead a bitterly divided country over the next four years? What can the U.S. do to shape the new world order? And just what role—if any—does the U.S. play in the last days? As the presidential campaign narrows into a dead heat, the Secret Service learns of a catastrophic plot to assassinate one of the candidates—but which one, and can the terrorists be stopped in time?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In the latest Jon Bennett and Erin McCoy thriller—billed as the finale of the series—terrorists attack the U.S., vaporizing a large chunk of Washington, D.C.; destroying CIA headquarters; and turning Times Square into rubble. The president is presumed dead, and the shaken vice president is trying to restore order. Naturally, he calls on one man: Jon Bennett, the presidential advisor who’s already seen more than his fair share of life-threatening danger. Only Jon can stop the terrorists before things get even worse, but Jon’s a little preoccupied right now: his wife of only eight months, Erin, is in a refugee camp in Jordan, stricken with a potentially fatal illness. As usual, Rosenberg piles on the action and political commentary, and, also as usual, his right-wing politics are perhaps too overtly evident, threatening to interfere with the story. On the other hand, the story itself is exciting, the characters are more than cardboard, and the pace is frenetic (except for the times when a neon sign flashing author’s message interrupts the flow). --David Pitt

From the Back Cover

The stage is set for war.

• Oil prices are surging to record highs.
• A new dictator is rising in Iraq.
• China is threatening Taiwan.
• North Korean forces are ready to strike south.
• Israel is feverishly trying to complete the Third Temple.

And in the midst of a world ready to explode, American president James MacPherson’s second term is ending.

The battle to succeed him is heating up into the most fiercely contested presidential election in American history. Who will lead a bitterly divided country over the next four years? And just what role—if any—does the U.S. play in history’s last days?

As the presidential campaign narrows into a dead heat, the Secret Service learns of a catastrophic terrorist plot to assassinate one of the candidates—but which one? Who do they want dead? And can U.S. forces stop the terrorists before millions lose their lives? --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; 1 edition (March 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414311613
• ISBN-13: 978-1414311616
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (214 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joel C. Rosenberg is the New York Times best-selling author of The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, The Copper Scroll, and Epicenter, with more than one million copies in print. A communications strategist based in Washington, D.C., for over fifteen years, he has worked with some of the worlds most influential and provocative leaders, including Steve Forbes, Rush Limbaugh, former Israeli deputy prime minister Natan Sharansky, and former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Once a political columnist for World magazine, he now writes commentaries for National Review as well as a weekly e-mail update known as Flash Traffic for business and political leaders. A front-page Sunday New York Times profile called him a force in the capital. He has also been profiled by the Washington Times and the Jerusalem Post and has been interviewed on ABCs Nightline, CNN Headline News, Fox News Channel, The History Channel, MSNBC, The Rush Limbaugh Show, and The Sean Hannity Show.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!!!!!, April 11, 2008

By 

Richard D. Cappetto "RickDC" (Moodus, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Dead Heat (Political Thrillers Series #5) (Audio CD)

All I can say is WOW!!!! Well I will say a little more. This is the fifth and final book in the Last Jihad series and it both brought much to an end, but also leaves one feeling there will be a tribulation based series to follow. Joel C. Rosenberg has had an uncanny knack to predict feature events (such as Terrorists using Airplanes to attack ground targets-buildings etc, the death of specific leaders and much more), he does this using Scripture based prophecy's and also uses extrapolation from world events (in the news everyday). Let's HOPE TO GOD that most of not all of Dead Heat does not come true (terrible terrorists attacks on the USA etc.,), but I feel that much of what he has written is inevitable. Joel's books have many subtexts, with the most important one, being, to bring the reader to make a choice to follow the LORD Jesus Christ, and that is very very worthwhile; be that as it may, Joel's book's are very fast paced, action filled, with a love story included as well (John and Erin); all in all Dead Heat, is very entertaining, and though provoking read for the believer and unbeliever alike.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A biblical thriller of huge proportions, March 28, 2008

By 

Lee Boyland "Author: The Rings of Allah, Amer... (Melbourne, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Heat (Political Thrillers Series #5) (Hardcover)

Several authors have written novels based upon a nuclear attack on the U.S. by terrorists. Most allow the hero to save the day in the last chapter. Only two authors have allowed the attack to succeed and then tell the story of the consequences. Joel Rosenberg is one of them, and he has written a tremendous book, the best of his series. Four American cities are destroyed with nuclear armed short range missiles launched from ships. Something that is entirely possible. I am impressed by the fact that the weapons are depicted correctly. No glaring technical errors that degrade may otherwise good books.

DEAD HEAT is an excellent thriller based on biblical prophecy. Like his other novels, the characters are religious, and much scripture is quoted, however, it is done in a manner that does not offend. The story certainly make one think about the future and religion.

Rosenberg skillfully weaves historical facts and biblical prophecy into a page turning thriller.

I am the other author I mention above. It appears that Rosenberg and I wrote our books concurrently, telling a two different kind of stories based on similar premises. In both books: an Islamic Empire with a dictator arises; North Korea looks south for conquest; the government is decapitated; China is a major player with entirely different roles in each book; a whodunit story (who attacked and where did they get the weapons); America, reeling from the attack and needs a strong leader. Both books are stories of American survival.

I have one advantage over Rosenberg--I have first hand experience with weapons of mass destruction--while he has more direct experience in the Middle East. I can attest that DEAD HEAT is an excellent novel.

I highly recommend DEAD HEAT. It is a page turning must read.

43 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing ending to an amazing series, March 23, 2008

By 

ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dead Heat (Political Thrillers Series #5) (Hardcover)

The Jon and Erin Bennett series has been not only an excellent story, but has made us aware of Biblical prophecies and our part in them.
Rosenberg's previous books have also seemed 'prophetic' - in that many of the actions of his book, have happened - some months before his books have come out, but in the publishing process - so it is with a deep breath you should start reading Dead Heat.
I read about half of it in one night - finished it the next.
Is it a happy read? No. Well, maybe for some, but it is one of the most frightening and graphic reads of the violence that has been written of what will occur before The Rapture and afterwards. I think Rosenberg must have been channeling John - because it is Revelations in present day situations.
The situations in the world are turbulent - if you have studied the past years of this world's history, and read these books, you will be scratching your head and saying - No - couldn't happen...
But Rosenberg is making us think - and we better start thinking really hard how we want our world to be, and how it will be when our children's children are on the earth.
Really makes us want to make some major changes - and in every aspects - religion, politics, the whole package.
I will miss the Bennetts, as I have missed Mordechai, who was so instrumental in the previous books.
I cannot imagine what Rosenberg will do next.
I know he is involved in Joshuafund, but certainly hope he keeps writing.
This offering is red hot and intense and will keep you up at night thinking about how did we get in this mess?
It's a WOW