BookOpinion

BOOKOPINION REVIEW: The question often arises…is Joel Rosenberg, author of the popular “Jihad” series, a modern day prophet? He says not. However, the uncanny resemblance between fiction and world events that explode ‘after’ the publication of his books, tends to make one consider the issue fairly seriously. If not a prophet, then certainly he has remarkable insight into world affairs that make you take his work much more seriously than most contemporary fiction.

“Dead Heat”, his final book in the Jihad series, is one that you literally cannot put down. It opens with President James MacPherson arriving in Los Angeles to attend the Republican National Convention. Tensions in the Middle East, North Korea, China and Russia are high. The world seems to be taking an enormous roller coaster ride into an unknown future.

Out of nowhere and with no warning, the United States is hit by four atomic missiles…Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. The cities and their environs are completely wiped out. Vice President Oaks now has the task of determining who has attacked America and why. But with limited resources left in the government to assist him, the circumstances are monumentally staggering. Oaks is quickly evacuated to NORAD Operations Center along with a limited military staff to assist him in sorting out this tragedy.

At the same time, Jonathan Bennett, the primary character throughout the Jihad series, is in a refugee camp in Northern Jordan with his wife Erin who has become extremely ill and is near death. When Jon receives word of the horrific disaster that struck his country, he is devastated. Jon is immediately contacted by the newly sworn-in President Oaks who requests his presence at NORAD immediately.

“I’d like to see you as soon as possible – you and Erin,” the President explained. “Most of our top people are dead. Nearly all the White House and NSC staff are gone. State is gone. Most of the team at the Pentagon. And I’m sure you’ve heard about Langley.”

Jon attempts to explain about Erin’s medical condition, but the President is insistent that both of them return to the United States. After promising to make arrangements to have them relocated to NORAD, President Oaks is satisfied that Jon will arrive home to assist him in determining the government behind this annihilation and how to best retaliate.

But again, events take an unexpected twist in this new world. What follows will have you glued to your seat, trying to comprehend such a scenario. Who bombed America? And why? And against whom will the new president retaliate? And is there even time? All leads point to China…but is that exactly what the real enemy wants the U.S. to believe? And how were the bombs delivered and should more be expected? Chaos, terror and tragedy follow this devastation.

“Dead Heat” is not jolly fun to read…it feels real and with the world in its current politically unstable condition, this work of fiction could easily become a horrible reality. Not for the faint of heart or those who would prefer to hide their head in the sand, “Dead Heat” is a book that may very well give you nightmares. It may also force you to restructure your life into one that is a bit more meaningful and see things in a different perspective.

Joel Rosenberg isn’t just another fiction writer. He once was a political columnist for World magazine and has worked with such notables as former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli deputy prime minister Natan Sharansky. Currently, he writes commentaries for National Review and manages a weekly e-mail update known as “Flash Traffic” for business and political leaders. For further information, you can visit www.joelrosenberg.com.

I’ve always loved political thrillers in the manner of Tom Clancy and the late Robert Ludlum. But Joel Rosenberg comes under a different category. I recommend “Dead Heat’ unreservedly. Prior to reading this book, however, be sure to pick up the other books in the Jihad series…otherwise, you will be somewhat lost as to who the characters are. Perhaps “Dead Heat” is just fiction, perhaps it is something more…either way, you will not be able to put it down!

- Elizabeth Channery