Let me begin by saying that I’m a huge Mitch Rapp fan, so this brief review is written from that mindset. I began reading Vince Flynn about a year ago after hearing Neal Boortz and others sing the praises of Mitch Rapp. So, naturally, I skipped past Term Limits (since it’s not listed as part of the Mitch Rapp series) and jumped right into his other books. I’ve since completed all of that series and turned to Term Limits to get my final Vince Flynn fix (RIP, sir). It did not disappoint.Because Term Limits isn’t part of the Rapp series, I assumed that it wouldn’t share any of the canon of those books. As I read more and more, I couldn’t have been happier to find that this book weaves nicely into the Rapp series and overall Flynn universe. In fact, it provided some background and answers to questions I often had while reading the Rapp series. For example, the whole time I’m reading any of the Rapp books, and Scott Coleman comes into the scene, I found myself wondering about Scott’s past. He seemed every bit the badass that Rapp was and I always knew that his would be a back story worth telling. Another is Michael O'Rourke. An early Rapp novel made many references to him that I couldn’t quite place, so now things make much more sense.Chronologically, I estimate that Term Limits happens somewhere between Kill Shot and Transfer of Power. Even though this isn’t a Rapp novel, it’s pretty cool knowing that he’s still an unknown to the world at that time and is secretly conducting covert ops overseas and killing bad guys. Though indirectly, it’s very nice that this book fits into the overall Rapp story in that way.Overall, and perhaps oddly, this book gave me closure to Vince Flynn’s passing and the end of Mitch Rapp. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all.
It wasn't long before I developed a visceral hatred for this book. If I put its politics aside, at best this is yet another silly, not very well written thriller. With the politics... In one night, United States Senator Daniel Fitzgerald, Senator Robert Down and powerful congressional leader Jack Koslowski are assassinated. From the description of each, it's clear the first is supposed to represent Senator Edward Kennedy (or maybe Daniel Moynihan) the second Robert Dole, and the third Dan Rostenkowski. (The book was published in 1997) The next day the demands of the assassins are delivered to a major television network. Among the demands are a balanced budget with no new or raised taxes and means-testing of medicare and social security. In other words, the Tea Party Agenda--which by the way I'm actually sympathetic to. (Quaint, and scary, that the horror scenario of the book is a national debt of a mere 5 trillion.) If their demands are not met, more will be killed and they promise not even the (very Clintonesque) president will be safe. Apparently neither this group nor Flynn sees any irony that another demand is a new crime bill.So, what's the reaction of our "hero" ex-marine and Freshman Congressman Michael O'Rourke? He considers the murdered men "scum" and calls those that slew them "freedom fighters." I kid you not. Flynn lost me right there. Do I really have to spell it out? Because I could rant for pages. Look, I'm right of center and have been known to enjoy Tom Clancy novels. Flynn according to the wiki was inspired to write the book by The Government Racket: Washington Waste from A to Z, by Martin L. Gross. I'm sympathetic to the cause--really am. But my goodness. I can't enjoy this or take this seriously.
What do You think about Term Limits (1999)?
This is a political/US special forces thriller set in the nation's capital. A certain faction, not pleased with the litany of broken promises and misguided programs made by corrupt politicians (deemed destructive of the nation's national security and continuance), take matters into their own hands and kill two Senators and two Congressmen within a matter of days. This sets in motion a cat-and-mouse intrigue involving the White House, FBI, CIA, Secret Service, Pentagon and the assassins. There are many twists and turns. The plot is well conceived (although significant portions of the plot line are implausible and diminish the viability of the story). Nevertheless, it was an engrossing read. End note: I disagreed with the author's use of profanity and believe a truly great author can tell a story without stooping to profanity. In my estimation, a great writer need not (and will not) use profanity. It is beneath him/her.
—Craig
About the only reason that I finished this book was to see just how ridiculous the plot got before the author put it out of its misery. I'm not sure who the people are who liked this book - and there are many - I just didn't get it.The premise was interesting. A group of assassins targets corrupt politicians and kills several of them, demanding an end to deficit spending, special interests, pork, and partisan politics (keep in mind, the book was written in 1999, so any resemblance to our current
—Wendy
I very much enjoyed Nick Sullivan's reading of the unabridged audio of this book. The Library Journal review makes me wonder if the reviewer did more than a cursory glance at the book. No need to summarize the story here. I found all the characters, from the so-called Marine and Seal heroes who took the law in their own hands to the NSA Director and president's Chief of Staff to be narcissistic and self-aggrandizing individuals who all believed their own view of the world to be the correct one.
—Eric_W
