Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn (1999)

I wanted to read the early Mitch Rapp books, so I would understand the later ones, especially why President Hayes trusts Rapp and how the relationship started with Anna Rielly. Though this was the first Rapp book written by Flynn, it is the third book chronologically. He later went back and wrote Mitch Rapp's back story.

Since I am just reading On Killing, a non-fiction book about the difficulty of soldiers to actually kill another human being, especially when looking them in the eye, I am reminded of the uniqueness of Rapp being able to kill so efficiently and wonder about myself for liking this character so much. I was planning to reread the first book to remind myself how Rapp became what he was, because there was a very good reason, if I recall correctly.

My other caveat is about the whole Middle East terrorist scenario. I just had dinner with some Arab students and find I am still so ignorant of their culture, their thinking, and can easily understand that they could dislike us Americans, after all we have done to their countries. I could understand the anger of the terrorists in this book - though I do not condone their actions at all. I am wondering if it is PC to even be reading this book, but since the old commie enemies are no longer around, unfortunately these are the new enemies of choice in thrillers.

Rafique Aziz is the ultimate bad-ass terrorist, who has planned for years a way to take over the White House and hold the President of the US hostage to his demands for his people. Most of his plan works out well, but he has not factored in Mitch Rapp, who not only captured Aziz's mentor that provided information in the nick of time to get the President in the safe bunker, but Rapp is able to infiltrate the locked down, explosive rigged White House to get intel out and with the help of various special forces, bring the plan to a halt. So yes, another riveting thriller from Vince Flynn.

There are many aspects of this book that make it fascinating to me, besides just being an exciting story. There was the nuanced Rapp himself, who can come to the rescue of a damsel in distress, though that is against his orders, and the conflicts within him - to be focused, use his anger to react quickly, but reign in with thought when necessary. Then there was the look into all the folks making decisions in our government. There are a lot of chiefs (including my favorite Irene Kennedy and her mentor Thomas Stansfield), so I am no longer surprised that we don't always make the best decisions as a country and I am glad I don't have anything to do with those kinds of decisions, except as far as I can help elect the president that I think will try to make the best choices in my opinion. The scariest part is when a political way of thinking takes precedence over what is best for the nation and the world. The special forces like the SEALS are always an interesting group, and though I still don't have them straight, three different special forces were described and the differences in their responsibilities explained. I am glad they all worked together on this one. I also liked that the White House is full of secret tunnels, elevators, etc. I don't know how much of that is true, but I would like to think of the White House as our castle with its secrets. 

One last comment. Since this was not available in audio, I checked it out from the library in hardcover. I found it languished on my nightstand and book table for quite a while. I can't say that a large hardcover is my favorite format anymore. I think for reading I like the medium sized paperbacks the best. I did like the map of the area from the Pentagon to the Capital, so I could visualize the movements of the action. One thing I miss highly in audio books.