Gideon's War: A Novel and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more



or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Start reading Gideon's War: A Novel on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Gideon's War: A Novel [Hardcover]

Howard Gordon
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)

Price: $24.99 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Only 1 left in stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Tuesday, May 28? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $6.83  
Hardcover, Bargain Price $10.00  
Hardcover, January 11, 2011 $24.99  
Paperback --  
Mass Market Paperback $7.19  
Audible Audio Edition, Unabridged $20.95 or Free with Audible 30-day free trial
Summer Reading
Summer Reading
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store.

Book Description

January 11, 2011

Howard Gordon—the longtime executive producer of the hit TV series 24—makes his fiction debut with a tale of political intrigue and international terrorism. Gideon Davis has just 48 hours to bring his rogue agent brother in—before a twisted global conspiracy turns deadly.

GIDEON DAVIS, whose behind-the-scenes negotiating skills have earned him the role of peacemaker in conflicts around the globe, knows more about hush-hush discussions in Capitol corridors than he does about hand-to-hand combat. But his more practical, tactical skills come into play when he’s called on by family friend and government bigwig Earl Parker to chaperone a rogue agent from Southeast Asia to D.C. The agent, Tillman Davis, has promised to turn himself in— but only to his brother, Gideon.

Although the two brothers have been estranged for years, Gideon cannot fathom how his brother could have turned into so ruthless a man. But when the plan for Tillman’s surrender goes awry and Earl Parker is taken hostage, Gideon is forced to embrace his dark side in order to evade hostile locals in war-torn Mohan to make his way to the Obelisk—the multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art oil rig that has been seized by terrorists led by Tillman himself. It is with the help of oil rig manager Kate Murphy that Gideon launches an unlikely one-man rescue.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Frequently Bought Together

Gideon's War: A Novel + Hard Target: A Novel + All Necessary Force (Pike Logan Thriller)
Price for all three: $60.43

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Brad Thor Reviews Gideon's War

Brad Thor, a graduate of the University of Southern California, has served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security's Analytic Red Cell Program and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of many books, including The Athena Project.

Becoming a writer has ruined me as a reader. I have set the bar so high for myself with writing that I can’t read anyone who doesn’t work as hard as I do. I’m very happy to report, though, that I’ve added a new author to my “must-read” list. His name is Howard Gordon and his debut novel, Gideon’s War blew me away.

When I heard the advance buzz going around about Gideon’s War and then learned that Howard was the Exec Producer of the television series 24, I figured his book had to be good. Secretly, though, I wondered if it could be better than “24.” If so, Howard Gordon was going to have another huge hit on his hands.

The question I began reading with was whether or not Howard could take the exciting, edge-of-your-seat, please-don’t let-it-end-yet elements that have worked so well in the television world and apply them to a novel. My question was answered instantly. He has – and he has done it in spades. Gideon’s War is every bit as good as you would expect it to be and a whole hell of a lot more.

While Howard’s debut will undoubtedly (and deservedly) be compared to thriller luminaries like Ludlum, Le Carré, and Forsythe, his rich writing style, pacing and exceptional character development reminded me of another dean of the thriller genre – Michael Crichton.

If it isn’t obvious, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I’m still haunted by the novel’s magnificent juxtaposition of a brother who makes peace vs. a brother who makes war. This was an incredibly compelling and incredibly entertaining story. Simply put, it has been a long time since I have had such a rewarding read.

Howard Gordon might have forever been known as the Executive Producer of 24, but I suspect he will leave that behind as Gideon’s War earns him the honor of being crowned one of America’s hottest new thriller authors.

From Publishers Weekly

This loosely plotted thriller, Hollywood screenwriter Gordon's first novel, lurches unpredictably from backstory to frenzied present-day action, employing a 24-hour ticking clock for suspense. The U.S. president dispatches professional peacemaker Gideon Davis, whose career as a special envoy has taken him around the world, to the sultanate of Mohan, a small Pacific island nation, where a rising Islamist insurgency under the leadership of terrorist Abu Nasir threatens to overthrow the local, American-friendly government. That Gideon's beloved brother, Tillman, is caught in the deadly conflict raises the personal stakes. Gideon ends up on a giant deep sea oil rig, the Obelisk, where he must battle insurgents bent on destroying the platform. Frantic action featuring miraculous escapes isn't enough to compensate for a silly plot, grandiose characters, and unbelievable twists, though fans of the TV show 24, of which the author is the executive producer, may be satisfied. (Jan.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Touchstone; First Edition edition (January 11, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1439175810
  • ISBN-13: 978-1439175811
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Howard Gordon was the Showrunner/Executive Producer of the hit series 24. A twenty year industry veteran, he first gained national attention for his award-winning work on Fox's groundbreaking series The X-Files, for which he won multiple Golden Globes. Currently he is producing the pilot HOMELAND for Showtime. His other credits include Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Beauty and the Beast, Spenser: For Hire and Sisters. He was also the creator and executive producer of the innovative 1999 drama Strange World. His first novel, Gideon's War, is being released on January 11, 2011.

Howard graduated from Princeton University, and now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. He is an active member of the Pacific Counsel on International Relations. He is a current board member and former president of the Stroke Association of Southern California. He serves on the Advisory Board of Princeton's Lewis Center for the Performing Arts, and is a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council's Community Resilience Task Force.

Customer Reviews

The book is fast paced and Howard Gordon's plot twists are thrilling and continuous. stuart finkelstein  |  15 reviewers made a similar statement
I look forward to more novels from Howard Gordon. Roslyn Abell  |  13 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 62 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars '24' meets the written word... January 5, 2011
Format:Hardcover
I know I'm probably the only other person in this world other than that Tibetan monk living in Africa to never have seen `24', but I have heard of the show. So when I saw that a producer (executive no doubt) wrote a book... heck, why not check it out? Everyone else seems to be writing a freaking book. Actors, musicians, midgets (oops... little people), athletes, homeless folk, orange-skinned skanks from New Jersey, and prenatal babies. If those Darwin-reject yahoos that crashed the White House dinner can get a book (and TV) deal how hard can it be, REALLY!? Howard Gordon is exec. Producer for one of the baddest shows ON the tube, so what did he have to do? Put on his socks, grab his tall chai latte and say "I feel like writing a book today"? I doubt it but it's a likely enough story and it IS Hollywood right?

My nonchalant tongue-in-cheek attitude was quickly put in check as I started reading. Cutting through all my BS, I was completely taken with this book. This is an ecstasy pill of adrenaline for us thriller readers. The main man, Gideon, couldn't be more flawed and was actually getting on my damn nerves. A top negotiator on the world stage, Gideon is accustomed to using his words to get his meaning across. Usually he's very successful, and because of this the President has him on his team. Unfortunately irony's favorite bed mate is usually chaos, and their love child sprouts into Gideon's life, placenta and all, to bring him some serious hurt.

Gideon's brother is been accused of being a ruthless and severely bloodthirsty terrorist who is slaughtering his way across the Middle East. Gideon has some well placed misgivings but the amount of evidence leaves no room for doubt. His job: track him down and talk. If that fails? Well... Able, meet Cain. Be prepared for a journey as Gideon tracks down the only family he has left. We are taken us on a virtual peyote sit-n-spin of geographic locations, multicultural flavor, and "clinch it up" action. Blood, fighting, technology, villains to loathe, and some slight sexual tension is just some of what puts `Gideon's War' on my list (already) of `Jason's badass novels of 2011'. (Yes I know it's only January 5th, but just go with me here).

I mentioned earlier that Gideon was getting on my nerves. Dammit, that's because he was! This fool was being chased, shot at, set-up, handcuffed, damn near blown up and he was trying to stick by his "I don't use guns anymore" mantra. Lord help this fool! I'm not going to give away the story, but how long do you think he can keep up that ever so sweet motto while nine inch bullets are cutting him new sideburns? Whatever magic Gordon used for `24' translates nicely in `Gideon's War'. Everything about this book was just right. The tempo, the violence, the betrayal, and (of course) the male bravado with that fresh football locker room smell. Because this is a thriller and the main character is a guy who gets out of impossible situations, you'll hear comparisons to past books/characters/movies. Ignore them all. This one totally stands on its own.
Was this review helpful to you?
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Good airport book January 20, 2011
Format:Hardcover
This will sell well at airports. And really, it's not a bad choice for something to read on a plane.

Just like a season of 24, it's addictive, not really all that good, kind of dumbed down, but a dirty pleasure that you allow yourself. And it's really not *that* bad.

My biggest problem was the lacking and just kind of "thrown in" explanations of anything technical, confusing, or non-action. Like "hey, let me get back to writing about action scenes, here's the boring crap that isn't action." Problem is, that's the stuff that actually develops the story and makes it more interesting.

Second biggest problem was the undertone of "I must find my estranged brother at all costs!" It was weakly developed and kind of phony.

Also, it was a bit corny that it was set on an oil rig. Gee, where on earth did the author come up with the idea to have an explosion on an oil rig?

Anyway, it's not an amazing piece of literature, but it was ok. The closest I'll get to watching a new season of 24!
Was this review helpful to you?
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Impossible to Put Down- Adrenaline Rush! January 16, 2011
Format:Hardcover
I read Howard Gordon's Gideon's War knowing that I would not want it to end.

I was an obsessed fan of 24 from it's inception, and am an avid reader of thrillers, mysteries and suspense novels, so I had very high expectations for this debut novel. I was not disappointed.

From the first page I was riveted. The book is fast paced and Howard Gordon's plot twists are thrilling and continuous. The story immediately took me in as if I were there and living the adventure. There were moments when I actually thought I couldn't breathe. The writing is so good I felt like I was inside the heads of the characters. And, despite the suspense and the action, there is humor interspersed through their thoughts. This made them very relatable and likable to me--it was almost as if I knew them.

The setting is splendid and vivid, and extremely believable as I have been to the part of the world where the story takes place. It is so well described. The detail in all areas is extraordinary, from scenes on the oil rig to those depicting the remnants of war, to the portrayals of how much the human body can take under certain conditions.

I found the novel captivating, fascinating, exciting and well writren; it left nothing out. I was invested in the relationships and was overwhelmed emotionally by the reality of the strength of the family bond.

I highly recommend this book--It was excellent. I truly could not put it down! And yes, I am sorry that I finished it, although I am hoping for another! And, not surprisingly, I am hoping for a movie.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read!
Exciting, thrilling, well written. The story kept me guessing what would happen next. I'll read Howard Gordon's other books and hope they are equally as exciting.
Published 1 month ago by M. Worth
5.0 out of 5 stars Don McClanahan
I read Hard Trget first..really like the tv show 24 and Homeland..great writer and looking forward to his next book Gideon's War is the book I am now revewing
Published 3 months ago by Don McClanahan
3.0 out of 5 stars A rough mix.
Several coarse elements were woven together to weave this tale. Some parts worked well while others not so well. The transitions were a little rough. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Robert C. Littlefield
1.0 out of 5 stars Gideon's War: A Novel
Threw it away after not too many pages. I just couldn't wade through all the swearing. You can be a great writer without using a filthy word every third and fourth word.
Published 5 months ago by Robyn D. Elam
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast pace, edgy, exciting
Starts off fast and never slows down. Great cast of characters and interesting and engaging backstory. Highly recomend. Fans of 24 wont be let down.
Published 6 months ago by Darrell Dutton
4.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad for a Debut. Reads Like a TV Script!
First and foremost, I love TV! In my 2-homes I have 2-72 inch DLPS, 7-flat screens (various dimensions), 4-region free DVD players, 2-Blu Rays and over 700-hours of DVR capacity. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Joseph Kohout Jr.
3.0 out of 5 stars 9/11 Truther?
This book was disappointing it was recommended by authors I love so I read it, but it was about (spoiler alert) a government official that was going to blow up an American oil rig... Read more
Published 14 months ago by T. Killian
2.0 out of 5 stars 24 It's Not!
As a fan of Jack Bauer and 24 I saw this blurb and immediately downloaded GIDEON'S WAR and began reading:
Howard Gordon--the longtime executive producer of the hit TV series... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Anne L. Molinarolo
3.0 out of 5 stars Gideons war
I enjoyed it, was not in the league of Flynn, Clancy or Thor. A little slow and had one character doing all the work with out much if any help. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Loren Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting page turner
This book is a fun, fast read. If you're looking for a beach read, this is great. I was expecting a Homeland link because the "bad guy" is Abu Nazir and the writer is the... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Kimberly D. Wells
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category