On This Page
Description
When American doctor Julia Gallo is kidnapped in Afghanistan, the terms of her ransom leave the president with only one course of action: send covert counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath to free the man the kidnappers demand as ransom--al-Qaeda mastermind, Mustafa Khan.Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Surprisingly good for a full-fledged action "manly" book since I'm not used to them. A friend gave me boxes of books from her husband's library when he was downsizing, so I now possess a decent supply of "man" books to get into. By man books I mean the action adventure stuff where there is a bad-ass type who is able to be top CIA or top military and is chosen to complete top secret and top notch missions, similar to James Bond type stuff.
Thankfully the main character wasn't as wooden as James Bond - he was likable enough with his insight and personality for the most part. The story is fast moving and Brad Thor uses a simple writing style to keep things smooth. Action scenes are present but it's not a constant battle fest. There's plenty show more of planning, dialogue and down moments that work to make it an actual story instead of just a long fighting show-off deal. It's not even fully unrealistic compared to other action stories.
The base plot was good - go in and get the girl, free the big bad terrorist for exchange, but the book is sadly weighed down with the subplot of the president's secret and the people who come out of the woodwork for page time while they carry on about uncovering the dirt. I ended up starting to skim those scenes since it was unnecessary. I couldn't care less about the president's secret other than that it was a driving force in the first place that got him to agree to send the special op against national security's benefit.
The story isn't without holes and isn't fully plausible, but that an be excused with its genre. The side story buried the rating a bit since it took over so much later on, but overall it's a decent read if you're warning a thriller such as this. In my case it was bumped up on my reading list because I had to find a book set in Afghanistan which is surprisingly difficult to do if you're not in the mood for a downer drama, human rights nonfiction memoir, or straight-out war piece. show less
Thankfully the main character wasn't as wooden as James Bond - he was likable enough with his insight and personality for the most part. The story is fast moving and Brad Thor uses a simple writing style to keep things smooth. Action scenes are present but it's not a constant battle fest. There's plenty show more of planning, dialogue and down moments that work to make it an actual story instead of just a long fighting show-off deal. It's not even fully unrealistic compared to other action stories.
The base plot was good - go in and get the girl, free the big bad terrorist for exchange, but the book is sadly weighed down with the subplot of the president's secret and the people who come out of the woodwork for page time while they carry on about uncovering the dirt. I ended up starting to skim those scenes since it was unnecessary. I couldn't care less about the president's secret other than that it was a driving force in the first place that got him to agree to send the special op against national security's benefit.
The story isn't without holes and isn't fully plausible, but that an be excused with its genre. The side story buried the rating a bit since it took over so much later on, but overall it's a decent read if you're warning a thriller such as this. In my case it was bumped up on my reading list because I had to find a book set in Afghanistan which is surprisingly difficult to do if you're not in the mood for a downer drama, human rights nonfiction memoir, or straight-out war piece. show less
A woman doctor is kidnapped in Afghanistan. Scot Harvath, a covert conterterrorism operative is called by the President to find her and free her, but without the backing of the US government. His assignment is to trade her for al-Qaeda master mind Mustafa Khan who is imprisoned in Afghanistan. This is an intense, fast moving read with stories within stories. I enjoyed the way Brad Thor interjected humor into a serious situation, which is the way soldiers banter with each other inbetween combat situations. He also gave me more insight into this war then any news program.
Scot Harvath is called by the new President to rescue the kidnapped daughter/doctor of one of his main fundraisers on a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan. The action part of the book is good, presenting a favorable view of the Afghani people, who like neither Al-Qaeda nor the Taliban. A side story involving a cover-up by the President is utterly unnecessary, and should have been omitted.
Scot Harvath was an American operative who lost his job with the down sizing done by the new president. However, the president has a job for him. One of the president’s big money supporters had her daughter kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Harvath accepts the job and heads for Kabul. Meanwhile, one of the president’s Secret Service agents overhears a secret which could put the president out of office. Harvath assembles a security team that must first take a Taliban mastermind from the Afghans to trade for the kidnapped young CARE doctor. A daunting task, at best, which could unravel at any time. I enjoyed the characters, the mild humor and the extreme action in this adventure. Lots of local Afgan color added to the realism. show more This is the first book I’ve read by Brad Thor, but I will be seeking more. show less
Dr. Julia Gallo is kidnapped in Afghanistan where she was volunteering her services.
The president, Robert Alden, is grateful to Stephanie Gallo who helped orchestrate his campaign but now she's asking for a favor about her daughter. The ransom for her daughter's release is the freedom of a terrorist, Mustafa Kahn.
When the president hesitates to help, Stephanie reminds him that she has info on the president's accessory in the death of four innocent people and the conspiracy to cover it up.
They summon Scot Horvath who is a counterterrorist that the president caused to be out of a job because the president felt he had a new way of dealing with the terrorists.
When Scot meets with the president and Mrs. Gallo they tell him that they want show more him to deliver Kahn to the terrorists as payment for them letting Dr. Gallo go.
Scot arrives in Kabul and looks up an old friend, former recon Marine Greg Gallagher. They also see Greg's partner, Tom Hoyt and the compound's majordomo, Flower, a thirty year old Afghan. By bribing the police they find where Kabul is being held.
Meanwhile, the head of the Taliban, Mullah Massoud, is holding Julia. An Afghan, boy gets in trouble for touching Jane inappropriately. Mullah's brother breaks the boy's jaw. When the boy's father complains, Mullah has Serge Simonov kill the man and make it look accidental. He does but there are witnesses and that makes the man's village want revenge against the Taliban.
Scott, Gallagher and their team free Kahn and plan their next move in freeing Julia.
In Washington, Secret Service Agent, Elsie Campbell has overheard the talk between Mrs. Gallo and the president. Elsie researches the facts around Nikki Hale's death and the president's involvement.
This is an excellent thriller. The author knows how to pack a wallop in his story. The suspense was nicely directed and I couldn't put the book down.
Recommended. show less
The president, Robert Alden, is grateful to Stephanie Gallo who helped orchestrate his campaign but now she's asking for a favor about her daughter. The ransom for her daughter's release is the freedom of a terrorist, Mustafa Kahn.
When the president hesitates to help, Stephanie reminds him that she has info on the president's accessory in the death of four innocent people and the conspiracy to cover it up.
They summon Scot Horvath who is a counterterrorist that the president caused to be out of a job because the president felt he had a new way of dealing with the terrorists.
When Scot meets with the president and Mrs. Gallo they tell him that they want show more him to deliver Kahn to the terrorists as payment for them letting Dr. Gallo go.
Scot arrives in Kabul and looks up an old friend, former recon Marine Greg Gallagher. They also see Greg's partner, Tom Hoyt and the compound's majordomo, Flower, a thirty year old Afghan. By bribing the police they find where Kabul is being held.
Meanwhile, the head of the Taliban, Mullah Massoud, is holding Julia. An Afghan, boy gets in trouble for touching Jane inappropriately. Mullah's brother breaks the boy's jaw. When the boy's father complains, Mullah has Serge Simonov kill the man and make it look accidental. He does but there are witnesses and that makes the man's village want revenge against the Taliban.
Scott, Gallagher and their team free Kahn and plan their next move in freeing Julia.
In Washington, Secret Service Agent, Elsie Campbell has overheard the talk between Mrs. Gallo and the president. Elsie researches the facts around Nikki Hale's death and the president's involvement.
This is an excellent thriller. The author knows how to pack a wallop in his story. The suspense was nicely directed and I couldn't put the book down.
Recommended. show less
The book opens with a quote by George Orwell - "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." This book might seem like just another thriller about character Scot Harvath but it is so much more. It's a true dedication to the real 'apostle' that you can feel the author is honoring through his craft of literature. I know your name is not Scot or James Ryan. As we progress through our ordinary lives and daily work and sleep peacefully each night may you know that you are America's true hero and we respect you more than these few words could ever express. May God Bless You & Keep You Safe.
I admit to being a huge fan of Brad Thor and the character he has made famous Scot Harvath. So it is no wonder I enjoyed The Apostle.Set in Afghanistan it focuses on a kidnapped American physician who happens to be the daughter of a high profile and monied contributer to the new US president.
The fictional change in administration's moves Harveth to the private sector and also keeps the reader guessing how much is fact real-life behind the scenes White House staffing, policy and presidential authority.
Can Harveth break an AlQueda prisoner out of prison to exchange for the American doctor? Can he let a terrorist go free? Weaving Harveth's latest adventure through the underworld of the Taliban and AlQueda, presidential politics, plus show more assorted murder and mayhem, Thor writes one of his best novels yet and my favorite political thriller of the summer. show less
The fictional change in administration's moves Harveth to the private sector and also keeps the reader guessing how much is fact real-life behind the scenes White House staffing, policy and presidential authority.
Can Harveth break an AlQueda prisoner out of prison to exchange for the American doctor? Can he let a terrorist go free? Weaving Harveth's latest adventure through the underworld of the Taliban and AlQueda, presidential politics, plus show more assorted murder and mayhem, Thor writes one of his best novels yet and my favorite political thriller of the summer. show less
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
44+ Works 22,997 Members
Brad Thor studied Creative Writing at the University of Southern California under renowned author T.C. Boyle. He created and hosts an MTV-style travel series called 'Travelling Lite'. It debuted in 1997, and 23 episodes and two seasons later, the show now appears worldwide, including UK, France, Spain, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Brazil and the US. His show more Emmy Award-winning company, Thor Entertainment, has recently won a Platinum "Best of Show" Aurora Award and a Communicator Broadcast Award of Distinction. Brad Thor lives in Park City, Utah. He is the author of the bestselling Scot Harvath series of books. His title's Black List, Act of War and Foreign Agent made The New York Times Best Seller List. (Publisher Provided) show less
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Distinctions
Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Apostle
- Original title
- Apostlen
- Original publication date
- 2009-06
- People/Characters
- Dr. Julia Gallo; Robert Alden; Scot Harvath; Mullah Mossoud Akhund; Greg Gallagher; Stephanie Gallo (show all 11); Elsie Campbell; Tom Hoyt; Mustafa Kahn; Oz Ozbek; Tracy Hastings
- Important places
- Washington, D.C., USA; Kabul, Afghanistan; Rockwood, Maine, USA; Jalalabad, Afghanistan; Alexandria, Virginia, USA
- Important events
- author signed
- Epigraph
- People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
George Orwell - Dedication
- For James Ryan, Warrior
- First words
- Next to a stream of icy snowmelt from the Hindu Kush, a small caravan unloaded its contraband.
- Quotations
- Stephanie Gallo's threat to the president "...the world is going to quickly find out that the new president was not only an accessory to the death of four innocent American people, but actively conspired to cover it up."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)With that, all the men in the room raised their bottles and in unison said, "To the United States of America."
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 1,341
- Popularity
- 17,772
- Reviews
- 30
- Rating
- (3.71)
- Languages
- Danish, English, Portuguese
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 30
- ASINs
- 16