Customer Reviews

Gideon's Torch

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In the mid-90's, three novels came out that struck me as having a similar theme: "The President", "The Campaign", and "Gideon's Torch". The latter one was the first one I read. I never read "The President", but I have a hunch I'd like it better than this book.

Let me start with the one positive comment I'll make of the book. It painted the pro-choice president as being a Republican. In other words, Colson and Vaughn did not portray abortion as a partisan issue. I thought that was creative.

One more positive comment. The opening chapter was great at getting your interest. However, to me, each chapter introduced characters not connected to the previous chapter, and that made me weary. This may be my subjective comment, and another is that the plot turns did not satisfy me. The conversion in the book to Christianity was almost clinical in its dullness. Additionally, I thought the ending, while focusing on "what comes around goes around", was very weak.

From one comment, I have a hunch that most of the negative reviews came from those who disagreed with the authors' pro-life leanings. This is not the case here. I am pro-life myself. I agree with several of the angles given in the book, such as abortion possibly dividing the Republican party, pro-lifers being subject to persecution, and the risk of our country becoming a police state, as well as pro-lifers being desperate in their sincere concern to protect the unborn. But just because I agree with the authors doesn't mean I enjoyed the book.

This novel is about a group of pro-Life advocates that decide that non-violent means of protest that they have used in the past are ineffective. But after bombing a new facility for harvesting aborted babies, they learn that violence is not the answer either.

This somewhat depressing novel didn't hold my interest and the plot doesn't seem to hold together. The audio quality was poor which made the listening even harder. I can't recommend it

Colson and Vaughn, in typical fashion, create a very eloquent story. While this is fiction, the story is very powerful and is sure to make you think about where you stand on a number of issues. Of course, Colson adds many Oval Office insider insights that are indeed interesting, especially in light of the recent events in the Clinton administration. Watch out for a portion of the book early on that seems to drag - it is worth your patience, as you will find the book capturing your attention. A very worthwhile and enriching read from a fine writing team.

I enjoyed this book immensley, but don't read it if you don't like blood, death, or any type of life's depressing consequences. The governments point of view was very interesting, as most officer's are Democrats, and the Pro-Life movement is very strong. Because this book takes place in the future, it makes you wonder if this really could happen....

I read this book because of the teasers I had seen. Throughout the authors are consistent in portraying characters from a Christian viewpoint, but as a non-Christian (self admitted reprobate), I found the topics here to be presented at a decidedly one-sided viewpoint. Any of the characters that were not pro-life were thin, one-dimensional persons that had never thought about these issues outside of their own personal experience.
As a pro-choice advocate I would love to discuss the topic with Mr. Colson, but probably will not have the opportunity.
He was very typical Christian, in denying the possibility of alternative thoughts since Christianity is the ONLY answer possible. My major complaint boils down to the idea that there is only one TRUTH, that Jesus is Christ is God and thus has all the answers. This is not true and because someone doesn't share his belief system they must be ignorant at the worst and unintelligent or too prejudiced at the best to be different. Preaching Christian concepts to someone that understands them and rejects them is foolishness. But presuming that anyone who is not a Christian with his same beliefs has simply never known the TRUTH is a worse prejudice.
I would advocate that reading this would be followed by thoughtful conversation with others about the topics. But no presumptions should be made as to TRUTH be only one system's tenents.

which is often a scary place to be. Colson is a master at revealing the true side of the world of politics and it shows in this excellently told story of the pro-life movement in america. for anyone who is involved in any 'movement,' this novel gives good advice: two wrongs don't make a right. the book holds your attention throughout, and it is downright scary because something like this could very well happen in the near future. throughout the book, Colson stresses having real morals to back up your views, and not relying solely on the laws of our country - really finding out what our laws were based on, the higher moral law. indirectly, his book is a cry for our nation to turn back to God.

A "happy" ending will not be found in this book. This is a very sobering novel about how it is possible for individuals with evil intentions to manipulate "good" people. Subtly, this book reveals how weak we are when we base our "goodness" in the substance of the world. The only good that will ever prevail is the good that is rooted in Jesus Christ. Gideon's Torch addresses this basic concept extremely well. The story is exciting, pulling the reader through at a reasonable pace, and leaving him to ponder, "Could this happen in my life?"

Gideon's Torch is very well written and a pleasure to read. Charles Colson's experiences in the government lead the reader to believe Mr. Colson knows what he is writing about.

As you go through the chapters, you may wonder if this book is prophetic. It deals with the abortion issue in the United States from the White House perspective. It reminds us that the good guy doesn't always win but good can come out of evil deeds and anyone can change. You will have to finish this book to know the ending. Once you've finished, you may look at the national news in a new light. Good reading for current times.

For all the reviews I read on this fictional book, calling it "Anti-woman", "fantasy" "turner diary for the anti-choice masses"... it is strangely, sadly prophetic.

The "Regeneration Centers" about which much of the discussion revolves - operated by stripping the stem cells from aborted babies. This was seen as fantasy, as it was funded by the government and Hollywood in this book.

CA has just passed Prop 71. Today they announced the start of "The Institute for Regenerative Medicine"... which is, in fact, funded by the government and promoted by Hollywood.

It saddens me, someone who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis since 2001, and will do so until my death, that people would choose fetal stem cell research over living with the cards they've been dealt... How can someone condone ending a life to repair a broken one?

This book is extremely political throughout and although I'm not exactly into politics, if you are then this book is for you. Overall though, it was extremely good. The underlining theme and the most significant quality in this book is that of no matter what happens, stand up for your Lord at all costs. The people in this book are willing to give up everything for their Lord. It also hits abortion pretty hard and makes you realize that it IS MURDER! This book, indeed, does not have an exactly good ending, but it teaches you alot.