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    Extreme Measures: A Thriller
    Extreme Measures: A Thriller
    Extreme Measures: A Thriller
    Audiobook12 hours

    Extreme Measures: A Thriller

    Written by Vince Flynn

    Narrated by George Guidall

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon Vince Flynn delivers a white-knuckled rollercoaster ride of a novel featuring “the best hero the thriller genre has to offer” (The Real Book Spy) as Mitch Rapp wages a war against a new enemy with the help of a fellow soldier as dedicated—and as lethal—as they come.

    Counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp and his colleague Mike Nash may have finally met their match. The CIA has intercepted two terrorist cells, but a third—led by a dangerous mastermind determined to become al-Qaeda’s new leader—is believed to be on the loose. With such a terrifyingly deadly enemy out there, Rapp needs the best of the best by his side and he believes he has that with Nash.

    Together, they have made careers out of meeting violence with extreme violence and have never wavered in the top-secret fight against the war on terrorism. Both have been forced to lie to virtually every single person they care about, and both have soldiered on with the knowledge that their lethal tactics have saved thousands of lives. But certain leaders on Capitol Hill are pushing to have men like Rapp and Nash put on a short leash. And then one spring afternoon in Washington, DC, everything changes.

    With nonstop action and ripped-from-the-headlines writing, Extreme Measures is the political thriller of our time and proves once again that, “in the world of black-ops thrillers, Mitch Rapp continues to be among the best of the best” (Booklist, starred review).
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateOct 21, 2008
    ISBN9780743574822
    Author

    Vince Flynn

    #1 New York Times bestselling author Vince Flynn (1966–2013) created one of contemporary fiction’s most popular heroes: CIA counterterrorist agent Mitch Rapp, featured in thirteen of Flynn’s acclaimed political thrillers. All of his novels are New York Times bestsellers, including his stand-alone debut novel, Term Limits.

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    Reviews for Extreme Measures

    4.5/5

    763 ratings29 reviews

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    • 3/5
      I really enjoy the Mitch Rapp books, but this is Not my favorite. Not sure if it was just my download, but it skipped many (key) sections, and would not save my place each time I paused. Very frustrating.
    • 5/5
      It is Well written and read!! Reading is the best quality!!
    • 5/5
      Good Read. Its smart and no nonsense prose with good narration.
    • 5/5
      Edge of your seat thriller. Absolutely loved it.
      One of Vince Flynns best work
    • 3/5
      I usually like the Mitch Rapp series, but this book didn't have as much action as some of Flynn's other books. It centered completely around the bureaucracy of the US government and had a lot of legal maneuvering but not much else.Almost felt like Mr. Flynn ran out of scenarios to write about and forced this one.
    • 4/5

      Over-the-top in a couple places and the sappiest of the series so far, but terrific story!
    • 2/5
      2.5 stars

      This was pretty boring for the first half of the book. There was a ton of plodding setup, including characters who ended up really having nothing to do with main plot. Things got rolling at about 53%, and then it felt more like the Mitch Rapp books I'm used to.
    • 5/5
      This was another Mitch Rapp adventure. And another good one. Cheesy in some parts but I loved it anyway. Gimme more of Mitch and the gang any day.
    • 4/5
      I thoroughly enjoy Vince Flynn's writing style and story lines. The main characters of this series are people that are sooooo good that they squeak when pinched...even the liberal antagonist congresswoman. Another quick read with recurring character Mitch Rapp. This time, there are two enemies: liberal politicians and a terrorist cell. The book touches on important themes. In defending America, or attacking America’s enemies, how far is too far? As a piece of light adventure reading for the airport this is well written, pacey and, overall, worth the effort. I found it difficult to believe that a CIA hit man would testify before Congress, be so erudite that he changes policy, they goes out and kills somebody. That's too many life skills all in one person.
    • 4/5
      In a world full of dime-a-dozen thriller writers who specialize in cardboard characters, cheesy dialogue, over-the-top action and plot choices that are beyond ridiculous, Vince Flynn reminds me once again that it's entirely possible to write (or read) a thriller without turning off one's brain first. There are no shoot-outs here where the hero kills 50 people with five bullets while dodging 100 rounds aimed at him. There are no stupid villains who eschew the easy kill so that they can leave the hero in some convoluted predicament from which he will inevitably escape because no one sticks around and bothers to ensure that he actually, you know, dies. There is no insane person bent on taking over the world with the help of a ridiculously over-engineered master plan. And on and on. Rather, there is Mitch Rapp, perhaps too good to be true, but not overly so, and committed to keeping America safe--even if it means annoying some high-powered types who are too naïve and/or self-absorbed for their own good. This time around, Rapp has to deal with a terrorist cell that is intent on hitting the U.S. He knows that there were three cells out there and that only two have been put out of commission, but he's called off before he can get the critical information needed to ruin the third cell's day. Instead, that cell manages to make its way to Washington, D.C. where ... well, to say more would be a major spoiler. Let's just say that it's a good thing that Mitch Rapp is around. This is a very enjoyable book, and Flynn is a writer I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about dipping a toe in the thriller pool.
    • 4/5
      I thoroughly enjoy Vince Flynn's writing style and storylines.

      The main characters of this series are people that are doing the right thing for the right reason and are not looking to become famous or rich from their actions. They are simply trying to keep the nation safe and are willing to do what needs to be done.
    • 4/5
      Good read, but not up to the level of previous Flynn novels (which set the bar pretty high). This almost felt like a set-up novel, with another character besides Mitch Rapp (Mike Nash) getting a large chunk of time in the novel. The ending was great, but I would have to put this near the bottom of the Flynn novels I've read so far.
    • 4/5
      Very good. Not quite Clancy in his prime, but getting there. I gave up on Flynn for a while because I felt Mitch Rapp was a little too flat as a character. It's nice to see Flynn has grown as a writer since then, without losing his knack for writing nail-biting action. I liked the Mike Nash character very much as well. He seems to be fairly new to the series and definitely has layers to his personality. Ironically, as a political junkie, I enjoyed the senate parts the most. You will want to read the follow up Pursuit of Honor soon after because the plot is not 100% tied up in this one.
    • 3/5
      ok story line outweighed by overwhelming political messaging. Several good moments outweighed by the burden of predictability. two interesting characters (one per side) outweighed by a mass of classic tropes.other than that it was great.
    • 3/5
      With Mitch Rapp away on assignment in Pakistan, CIA Director Irene Kennedy turns to his protege, Mike Nash. Nash has served his government honourably for sixteen years, first as an officer in the Marine Corps, then as an operative in an elite counterterrorism team run by Rapp, never wavering in his fight against the jihadis and their culture of death. Fighting the War on Terror in secret, he has been forced to lie to everyone he cares about, including his wife and children. He has soldiered on secure in the knowledge that his hard work and lethal tactics have saved the lives of thousands. But the one thing he never saw coming was that his own government was about to turn on him ...
    • 4/5
      Only the second Vince Flynn book that I have read and I was again pleasantly surprised by much I enjoyed it.
    • 3/5
      Much grittier than I remembered the previous books to be. Definitely exciting and well written, just too much gore and bad language for me to continue with the series.
    • 4/5
      A surprise ending in this one, didn't see the change of heart coming.
    • 3/5
      Literary fiction this ain’t. This is a book by a man for men. And not just any men. This is squarely aimed at those who are (or want to be) the rootin’st, tootin’st, shootin’st man around. Women and children are just ciphers. Children appear solely to show the soft side of all these tough guys. Women are present for three reasons: more softiness; to be wrong; and, to act like the men, thus validating the tough guy attitude.The story whizzes along and draws on enough American fears to keep the pages turning. I found the characterisation a little weak. The cover blurb implies Mitch Rapp is the central hero, but I found his supposed sidekick Mike Nash to be the more finely drawn character and to be more central to the action. He has a real life, outside interests and a less black-and-white approach to his job.The book touches on important themes. In defending America, or attacking America’s enemies, how far is too far? This book argues that the ‘line’ is way beyond the boundaries set by the Geneva Conventions for the treatment of prisoners and portrays America’s clandestine operators as heroes for being prepared to go so far. In a particularly weak section the book unconvincingly tries to argue that torture is OK if you don’t actually plan to extensively harm or kill the victim. So, simulated drowning is reasonable because the drowner knows that he is not actually going to allow the victim to drown. Maybe drownees are just too soft. This is compared to the Saudi terrorist who actually causes direct physical harm to the CIA agent he tortures.As a piece of light adventure reading for the airport this is well written, pacey and, overall, worth the effort. My concern is it will be read as reportage rather than fiction and reinforce those stereotypical views that might is always right, especially when it is American might. It is clear from the current political situation that Americans hate and want to destroy each other, so how can we stop them doing the same or worse to everyone else?
    • 5/5
      I really liked Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn, as he always keeps you interested and wanting to keep reading. I had a hard time putting this book down, but managed to read it in record time. I would recommend it to everyone that likes thrilling fiction. Looking forward to reading Flynn other books.
    • 4/5
      Rapp and his protégé, Mike Nash, may have met their match. The CIA has detected and intercepted two terrorist cells, but a third is feared to be on the loose. Led by a dangerous mastermind obsessed with becoming the leader of al-Qaeda, this determined and terrifying group is about to descend on America. They move from South America to Washington DC and terrorize the city. Ending up taking over the Antiterrorist agency building before being killed.
    • 5/5
      Vince Flynn's thrillers, featuring counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp, have dominated the imagination of readers everywhere. Time and again, Flynn has captured the secretive world of the fearless men and women, who, bound by duty, risk their lives in a covert war they must hide from even their own political leaders.Now, with Rapp away on assignment in Pakistan, CIA Director Irene Kennedy turns to his protégée Mike Nash. Nash has served his government honorably for sixteen years -- first as an officer in the Marine Corps and then as an operative in an elite counterterrorism team run by none other than Mitch Rapp. He has met violence with extreme violence and has never wavered in his fight against the jihads and their culture of death.Nash has fought the war on terrorism in secret without accolades or acknowledgement of his personal sacrifice. He has been forced to lie to virtually every single person he cares about, including his wife and children, but he has soldiered on with the knowledge that his hard work and lethal tactics has saved thousands of lives. But the one thing he never saw coming was that his own government was about to turn on him.
    • 3/5
      I am having serious difficulty with this book because of the political views expressed. The other book I read in this series allowed for some bits of grey, but this is just way over the top. Everyone and everything is either black or white -- bad or good and the good guys can do what ever they want and remain good guys.
    • 2/5
      Extreme Measures, by Vince Flynn, is another Mitch Rapp book, and unfortunately it was a big disappointment. Rapp and fellow CIA counter-terrorism agent Mike Nash are brought in to interrogate two al-Quaeda suspects. They discover that while two terrorist cells have been captured, there is a third that is planning an imminent attack on the US. However, back in Washington, various Senators are trying to curtail the CIA, especially in the use of torture, and both Rapp and Nash are brought back to testify about their interrogation. Meanwhile, the leader of the terrorist cell makes it into America with plans for a terrible attack that Rapp and Nash know must be stopped.For me, Extreme Measures didn't live up to any of my expectations. Because I've read so many of Flynn's books, I know that they won't be particularly well-written, nor will there be a lot of character development. However, what I do count on is to escape to a parallel (and probably not very real) world full of spies and bad guys, and a novel with a lot of plot-driven action. Extreme Measures fails on both counts. After the initial scenes with Rapp and Nash interrogating the suspects, Flynn spends much of the middle section of the book dealing with Mike Nash's home life and the politics of torture - and it's incredibly boring. When the third cell finally gets moving, things pick up, but about 150 pages in the middle seem to have been wasted on Flynn's thinly-veiled opinions about our government (which seems to be filled with men who are "pussies" and women who are "ball-breakers). I'm just glad I got this book from the library, because I'd be pretty peeved if I had spent any money on it. And I'm not quite sure what the deal was with Irene Kennedy. As one of Flynn's only believable female characters, I like to follow what's going on with her. Flynn made a few comments about how she was "not herself" and not happy, but he never followed up on it. Perhaps, if the next book deals with Kennedy, I may read it, but otherwise I think I'm done with Flynn for awhile.
    • 3/5
      Although he has already written ten novels, I was unfamiliar with Vince Flynn before reading Extreme Measures, but when an author is praised by Dan Brown and ‘Lads Mag’ it’s a fair assumption he’s not quite a Pulitzer contender. Pure Dick Fic – and a sure favourite of those who enjoy Jack Higgins, Tom Clancy et al – the story features the CIA’s Mitch Rapp and his protégé Mike Nash, members of an elite counter-terrorism team who risk their lives gladly to save the innocent.Murderous jihadists have infiltrated the US and are prepared to rain death on thousands: the agency tries desperately to prevent the carnage but they are reigned in by misguided humanitarians and uncaring ambition. A wonderful escapist adventure.
    • 4/5
      Rapp's back! After a couple of lackluster books, Rapp's back to some major ass kicking. I've always liked Flynn, but thought that since Rapp's wife died, the few books that followed just weren't up to par. Rapp's much like Jack Baur of 24 fame. So we need Rapp to always be on the offensive.
    • 4/5
      This story started off well but veered off into a relatively boring description of Mitch Rapp's partner's home life and squabbling among members of Congress. The plot concerning a cell of rogue terrorists and work of the counterterrorist squad to stop them was the best part of the book.
    • 5/5
      I wouldn't recommend this to just anyone, but for those of us who hope there is a Mitch Rapp out there, it's great fun. Recommended for the more conservative.
    • 3/5
      I hate to say it, but I'm worried that Vince Flynn has lost his mojo. Extreme Measures is the second Mitch Rapp book in a row that didn't really make a great impression on me. The first 10% or more of the book was an interrogation of two terrorist suspects that simply ran on too long and was too repetitive. From there, I felt as if Flynn just wasn't sure what story he wanted to write. Was this another Mitch Rapp adventure? Was it about the family and work travails of Mike Nash? Was it a thriller about machinations in Congress? The book wanted to be all of these, but never quite lived up to any of them. Even the action sequences toward the end were a bit of a letdown, almost as if Flynn was bored writing action sequences. Oh, well. He did end it in a way that promises a sequel. Hopefully, it will be more entertaining.One more note: For some time, Flynn has felt a need to preach to readers his views on torture and aggressive actions to combat terrorism and his disdain for those in government who disagree with his views. That's fine. I agree with some of his views and disagree with others (although, I'd like to think that I can see the world with a bit more nuance and more shades of gray). So, to the extent that Rapp wants to talk or think about his own worldview, I understand that as part of the character. Unfortunately, in recent books, the expression of worldview has become a bit too preachy for me and there is simply too much of it. I read Flynn because he has a great character and tells great stories, not to learn his worldview. I'll take a little preaching to get to the story that I enjoy, but when the story becomes an afterthought for the preaching, then I'm not sure how interested I'll remain in the story.