Protect and Defend (Mitch Rapp) (Mass Market Paperback)

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Key Phrases: protect and defend, Supreme Leader, Director Kennedy, President Amatullah (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After taking care of a loose end from Act of Treason (2006), Mitch Rapp looks into the destruction of Iran's secret nuclear weapons facility in bestseller's Flynn's predictable eighth thriller to feature the counterterrorism agent. Given the absence of any indication of either a U.S. or an Israeli air strike, Rapp takes the opportunity to persuade the U.S. administration to plot an operation to destabilize the fanatical Iranian regime by having an Iranian dissident group claim responsibility for what he suspects was an inside job by an Israeli spy. When the Iranian government sinks one of its own ships and blames the U.S., Rapp and CIA chief Irene Kennedy travel to Iraq to try to defuse the crisis, only to fall victim to an ambush (reminiscent of one in Tom Clancy's A Clear and Present Danger) that results in Kennedy's abduction. Rapp races the clock to rescue his boss before she's tortured into revealing what she knows. Despite a backstory replete with personal loss, Rapp comes across as a one-dimensional killing machine, willing to do whatever needs doing to complete the mission. (Oct. 30)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Flynn didn't invent the post-9/11 thriller, but he might as well have....[He] is the best pure adrenalin-charged action writer out there today."

--Providence Journal

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 403 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; Reprint edition (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416505032
• ISBN-13: 978-1416505037
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (150 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,391 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vince Flynn is back on his game., October 30, 2007

By	JanSobieski (United States of America) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Protect and Defend: A Thriller (Mitch Rapp) (Hardcover)

After "Act of Treason," which I found disappointing, I was concerned that Vince Flynn's newest offering might also fall short of his earlier Mitch Rapp novels. Fortunately, Vince Flynn is back in the saddle and has delivered yet another good book - not up to his best efforts, but good nonetheless.

I just love Mitch Rapp. He's a terrific character unburdened by PC constraints. The remarkable thing about Mitch Rapp is that this outrageously un-PC protagonist was conceived BEFORE 9-11!! Mitch Rapp was killing Islamic terrorists in at least three books before 9-11. While most of us were contentedly sitting back and enjoying our lives oblivious to the extremes to which Islam and its adherents would eventually take us Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp was fighting the good fight. To say that Vince Flynn was prescient would be an understatement.

In Flynn's previous novel, "Act of Treason" there were a few loose ends that needed to be wrapped up. "Protect and Defend" begins with the simultaneous resolution of those loose ends as well the present day conundrum of what to do with the Iranian nuclear capability. Flynn's writing style is engaging as always and draws the reader rapidly into the story line. If you like Jack Bauer from "24" you will love Mitch Rapp.

In "Protect and Defend" the indomitable Mitch Rapp is enlisted by CIA director Irene Kennedy to investigate the destruction of Iran's nuclear production facility. The usual intrigue ensues and Kennedy and Rapp end up traveling to Iran to defuse a geopolitical crisis. Kennedy is abducted, and in Rapp's indomitable manner she is rescued. Rapp, as is usual, is willing to do anything to protect his country and those with whom his loyalties lie.

Again, absolutely no sop to PC aficionados in this book or from this character who Flynn has developed over several books. I guess you could argue that Flynn's books and Rapp are somewhat predictable, but I don't care one iota.

The book is a relatively short read and the story moves at a rapid pace from beginning to end. Due to its brevity, you kind of get the idea that Flynn is once again mining the Rapp franchise for all it is worth, but in this case the book manages to deliver. While not quite as good as his earliest efforts it is a good read.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Top Of The Line, September 30, 2008

By	Gary W. Allison (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vince Flynn delivers a powerful thrill ride once again. Great insight on Middle East politics, espionage, and terrorism. Mitch Rapp is at it again and he's badder than ever. I usually rip through a book in record time; however, Protect And Defend was worthy of a well paced read. I had to soak in every word.

One beef with the book: the ending was abrupt. It was as if Flynn was tired of writing and just wanted to wrap things up so he could move on to other things. This story called for a little more attention to the final chapters. Still, Protect And Defend is a must read.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mitch Rapp Rules!, November 13, 2007

By	Melvin Hunt (Cleveland,, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Protect and Defend: A Thriller (Mitch Rapp) (Hardcover)

This book begins in Iran. The United States and Israel are very concerned about Iran gaining nuclear power. With the crazy leadership in Iran the two countries feel a nuclear attack would be imminent. Israel
has a source working in the Isfahan Nuclear Facility. This inside source
who is also a Mossad agent has a plan to destroy the facility. The agent
sets off an explosion that utterly destroys the facility. There is a
nuclear and enviromental disaster left behind.
The Iranians are screaming bloody murder and blaming Israel and the
United States for the destruction of the nuclear facility. CIA director
Irene Kennedy and Iran's intelligence chief Azad Ashani agree to meet in Mosul Iraq and try to resolve their differences. Mitch Rapp accompanies
Kennedy to the meeting. Iran calls upon Hezbollah master terrorist Imad
Mukhtar to kidnap CIA ditector Irene Kennedy. After the kidnapping Iran sinks an Iranian ship and blames the United States. The two countries are perched on the edge of war. Mitch Rapp holds no barriers in his search
for Irene Kennedy.
This is an exciting book from beginning to end. Once again Vince Flynn
has written an outstanding book. Be sure to read it.