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Mitch Rapp #3
Transfer of Power
The stately calm of a Washington morning is shattered when a group of terrorists descends, killing dozens and taking nearly one hundred hostages as they massacre their way into the White House. The Secret Service evacuates the president to an underground bunker—and while officials argue over how to negotiate with the enemy, Mitch Rapp, the CIA’s top counterterrorism operative, moves stealthily among the hidden corridors and secret passageways of the executive mansion, to save the hostages before the terrorists reach the president. But another adversary—someone within Washington’s elite—is determined to see Rapp’s rescue mission fail.
641 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1999
6,475 people are currently reading
11.4k people want to read
About the author
Vince Flynn
40 books6,757 followersThe fifth of seven children, Vince Flynn was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1966. He graduated from the St. Thomas Academy in 1984, and the University of St. Thomas with a degree in economics in 1988.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
After college he went to work for Kraft General Foods where he was an account and sales marketing specialist. In 1990 he left Kraft to accept an aviation candidate slot with the United States Marine Corps. One week before leaving for Officers Candidate School, he was medically disqualified from the Marine Aviation Program, due to several concussions and convulsive seizures he suffered growing up. While trying to obtain a medical waiver for his condition, he started thinking about writing a book. This was a very unusual choice for Flynn since he had been diagnosed with dyslexia in grade school and had struggled with reading and writing all his life.
Having been stymied by the Marine Corps, Flynn returned to the nine-to-five grind and took a job with United Properties, a commercial real estate company in the Twin Cities. During his spare time he worked on an idea he had for a book. After two years with United Properties he decided to take a big gamble. He quit his job, moved to Colorado, and began working full time on what would eventually become Term Limits.
Like many struggling artists before him, he bartended at night and wrote during the day. Five years and more than sixty rejection letters later he took the unusual step of self-publishing his first novel. The book went to number one in the Twin Cities, and within a week had a new agent and two-book deal with Pocket Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.
Vince Flynn passed away on June 19, 2013 after a three year battle with prostate cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,480 reviews
August 11, 2020
It's been a long time since I read a political thriller, or any kind of thriller. This book was prophetic, and hence became a trendsetter of a bestseller. Did the author write his debut novel thinking it might be his last? I asked that question while reading, because crazy things happen, and the scope and the stakes are off the charts.
I absolutely loved the pacing of Transfer of Power. The way the late author achieved this monstrous pacing is by involving the bit players in the action and weaving an intelligent relationship between these characters. I was shocked to see how underused the gun-toting hero, Mitch Rapp, was. This decision enhanced the story in a subtle way. Rapp is not your typical thriller star with the mind of 5 oxen and the strength of Einstein. No, I meant the opposite.
Anyway Vince Flynn wrote a story that was smart and simply not cheap. Not gimmicky, stupid, or trivial. At its heart this book has an unoriginal blueprint, but so much happens. I'm flummoxed as to what will happen next. How can the danger of being a shadowy hitman be replicated with such nous without treading trodden ground? You must read this one.
I absolutely loved the pacing of Transfer of Power. The way the late author achieved this monstrous pacing is by involving the bit players in the action and weaving an intelligent relationship between these characters. I was shocked to see how underused the gun-toting hero, Mitch Rapp, was. This decision enhanced the story in a subtle way. Rapp is not your typical thriller star with the mind of 5 oxen and the strength of Einstein. No, I meant the opposite.
Anyway Vince Flynn wrote a story that was smart and simply not cheap. Not gimmicky, stupid, or trivial. At its heart this book has an unoriginal blueprint, but so much happens. I'm flummoxed as to what will happen next. How can the danger of being a shadowy hitman be replicated with such nous without treading trodden ground? You must read this one.
February 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, which is the fourth novel I've read by the author. The other three books I've read are: The Third Option, Kill Shot and his debut; Term Limits.
Bandar Abbas, Iran.
It starts off with Mitch Rapp on a mission with Seal Team Six to (retrieve?) abduct, Sheik Fara Harut, leader of Hezzbollah - a militant Islamic Group, who is believed to have information about an imminent attack that is going to take place somewhere in the United States. Once the mission is accomplished, which doesn't go to plan, Harut' is to be questioned (interrogated) by Jane Hornig, who specialises in getting people to flap their gums; which he does, as he's being conveyed back to the States; and that's when Rapp learns some unsettling information just a little too late.
Back in the States, Rafique Aziz, posing as Prince Kalib; a contributor - is meeting with Russ Piper of the DNC (Democratic National Committee), to set up a meeting with the President of the United States, which is Aziz's way of getting into the White House.
Elsewhere, Muammar Bengazi, is hiding in the back of a white linens truck, with other terrorists, waiting for the moment to strike: their plan is to gain access to the Treasury Tunnel that leads to the basement of the White House.
When Aziz finally gets his chance to meet with the President, he taps a button on his watch to let Abu Hasan, Bengazi and the others know that the time has come to strike. Aziz's initial plan was to grab the President in the Oval Office, but that doesn't go the way he wanted; when a vigilant Secret Service Agent (Jack Warck) finds out about the last minute meeting between Prince Kalib and the Commander-in-Chief. Anyway, before Aziz can make his move, Warck and other agents surround the President and rush him to his new bunker, that's not quite finished. Aziz isn't too worried about the missed opportunity of grabbing the President, as he's got a contingency plan in place - as well as hostages.
Mitch Rapp reminds me of Sam Fisher (Splinter Cell game) and Jack Bauer. There are a number of key players and agencies trying to bring a resolution to the crisis: HRT (Hostage Response Team), Delta Force and Seal Team Six.
There are multiple POV: White House, Pentagon, Langley, Vice President's Residence (Naval Observatory), and the CIA, etc. So it stays interesting throughout. There are quite a few tense moments, as well - as the President may not be as safe, as they originally thought.
In summation: A high-octane political/military thriller, that moves at a fast pace. There's a lot of talking, reconnoitering, briefings, and heated arguments, dissension, etc. It becomes more interesting when Rapp and Milt Adams gain access to the White House, to better assess the situation.
Bandar Abbas, Iran.
It starts off with Mitch Rapp on a mission with Seal Team Six to (retrieve?) abduct, Sheik Fara Harut, leader of Hezzbollah - a militant Islamic Group, who is believed to have information about an imminent attack that is going to take place somewhere in the United States. Once the mission is accomplished, which doesn't go to plan, Harut' is to be questioned (interrogated) by Jane Hornig, who specialises in getting people to flap their gums; which he does, as he's being conveyed back to the States; and that's when Rapp learns some unsettling information just a little too late.
Back in the States, Rafique Aziz, posing as Prince Kalib; a contributor - is meeting with Russ Piper of the DNC (Democratic National Committee), to set up a meeting with the President of the United States, which is Aziz's way of getting into the White House.
Elsewhere, Muammar Bengazi, is hiding in the back of a white linens truck, with other terrorists, waiting for the moment to strike: their plan is to gain access to the Treasury Tunnel that leads to the basement of the White House.
When Aziz finally gets his chance to meet with the President, he taps a button on his watch to let Abu Hasan, Bengazi and the others know that the time has come to strike. Aziz's initial plan was to grab the President in the Oval Office, but that doesn't go the way he wanted; when a vigilant Secret Service Agent (Jack Warck) finds out about the last minute meeting between Prince Kalib and the Commander-in-Chief. Anyway, before Aziz can make his move, Warck and other agents surround the President and rush him to his new bunker, that's not quite finished. Aziz isn't too worried about the missed opportunity of grabbing the President, as he's got a contingency plan in place - as well as hostages.
Mitch Rapp reminds me of Sam Fisher (Splinter Cell game) and Jack Bauer. There are a number of key players and agencies trying to bring a resolution to the crisis: HRT (Hostage Response Team), Delta Force and Seal Team Six.
There are multiple POV: White House, Pentagon, Langley, Vice President's Residence (Naval Observatory), and the CIA, etc. So it stays interesting throughout. There are quite a few tense moments, as well - as the President may not be as safe, as they originally thought.
In summation: A high-octane political/military thriller, that moves at a fast pace. There's a lot of talking, reconnoitering, briefings, and heated arguments, dissension, etc. It becomes more interesting when Rapp and Milt Adams gain access to the White House, to better assess the situation.
November 27, 2017
Action packed anti-terrorist adventure. Lots of bad-assery in the same vein as the original Die Hard. The characters are the basic character types you see in this type of story, but that is just fine with me! This was my first Vince Flynn, but it won't be my last.
If you like Tom Clancy and/or Brad Thor, check this one out!
If you like Tom Clancy and/or Brad Thor, check this one out!
February 27, 2009
This is my third book by Vince Flynn. It is absolutely fantastic. If you like the show 24, you'll love reading these books. Flynn writes like Tom Clancy, but without the lengthy digressions that Clancy puts in about submarines. Replace those with more action. Fantastic!
February 5, 2018
In retrospect, this book bears a lot of resemblance to the films "Olympus Has Fallen" and "White House Down", both of which were made years after this book was published. Of the two films, "WHD" was, in my opinion, the superior, which isn't saying much considering they were both summer popcorn actioners. While I liked "OHF", the film was a lot of right-wing jingoistic bullshit. "WHD" was campier, more leftist in its politics, and the villains were believable: disgruntled Special Forces, white supremacists, and an ex-NSA hacker. Flynn's novel has some of the right-wing nonsense that I found infuriating in "OHF", but for some reason it came across better in print, probably because Flynn is an intelligent writer, regardless of his politics.
Back in the days of the Cold War and the Evil Empire, Tom Clancy was king of the military techno-thriller. I'll be honest, I stopped reading Clancy after "Rainbow Six", which was a lot of right-wing garbage about eco-terrorists who want to release a poisonous gas at the Olympics because they were pissed off people weren't recycling aluminum cans... or something like that.
Nowadays, Clancy doesn't even write his own books. He just puts his name on the cover to sell copies, much like other "franchise" authors: James Patterson and Clive Cussler, to name two.
Don't get me wrong: Clancy wrote some great books. To this day, I still think "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games" are still among the top 20 best books I have ever read.
Thankfully, Vince Flynn has kind of taken over the throne that Clancy once sat in. In 1999, Flynn published his book, "Transfer of Power", in which radical Islamist terrorists take over the White House in an attempt to take the President hostage.
Keep in mind that this was two short years away from September 11. It's a bit creepy when one reads it with a post-9/11 knowledge (obviously unavoidable), but it is a riveting and suspenseful thriller nonetheless. Basically "Die Hard" in the White House, with a little "24" thrown in, "TOP" pits CIA counter-terrorism expert Mitch Rapp against an intelligent, conniving Hezbollah leader named Rafique Aziz.
In one of the most exciting hostile takeover scenes ever written, Aziz and his men infiltrate the White House grounds and proceed to take over the most security-laden building in the country. The ensuing firefight between the Hezbollah warriors and the Secret Service and U.S. Marines stationed in the White House rivals any of the best action scenes Clancy ever wrote, and I say that with the greatest respect for Clancy's skill at creating suspense and writing superb action scenes.
Once in, Aziz takes the survivors hostage. President Hayes, along with an aide and several Secret Service agents, have made it safely to the underground bunker beneath the White House, but communications with the outside world has been cut off. No one outside the White House knows if the President is even alive, although they must operate under the assumption that he is.
Meanwhile, because the President is not around to fulfill his duty, the Vice-President must step in. VP Baxter is an incompetent with a campaign-mentality. He is driven by the polls and not what is necessarily right or the best for the country. With the advice of a conniving and self-aggrandizing aide (I can't help but picture Karl Rove in this role), Baxter takes steps to ensure that President Hayes and the hostages stay in the White House for as long as possible.
I'm not lying when I say that this is one of this books that was incredibly difficult to put down. It is literally non-stop action from beginning to end, and I look forward to reading more books by Flynn.
Back in the days of the Cold War and the Evil Empire, Tom Clancy was king of the military techno-thriller. I'll be honest, I stopped reading Clancy after "Rainbow Six", which was a lot of right-wing garbage about eco-terrorists who want to release a poisonous gas at the Olympics because they were pissed off people weren't recycling aluminum cans... or something like that.
Nowadays, Clancy doesn't even write his own books. He just puts his name on the cover to sell copies, much like other "franchise" authors: James Patterson and Clive Cussler, to name two.
Don't get me wrong: Clancy wrote some great books. To this day, I still think "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games" are still among the top 20 best books I have ever read.
Thankfully, Vince Flynn has kind of taken over the throne that Clancy once sat in. In 1999, Flynn published his book, "Transfer of Power", in which radical Islamist terrorists take over the White House in an attempt to take the President hostage.
Keep in mind that this was two short years away from September 11. It's a bit creepy when one reads it with a post-9/11 knowledge (obviously unavoidable), but it is a riveting and suspenseful thriller nonetheless. Basically "Die Hard" in the White House, with a little "24" thrown in, "TOP" pits CIA counter-terrorism expert Mitch Rapp against an intelligent, conniving Hezbollah leader named Rafique Aziz.
In one of the most exciting hostile takeover scenes ever written, Aziz and his men infiltrate the White House grounds and proceed to take over the most security-laden building in the country. The ensuing firefight between the Hezbollah warriors and the Secret Service and U.S. Marines stationed in the White House rivals any of the best action scenes Clancy ever wrote, and I say that with the greatest respect for Clancy's skill at creating suspense and writing superb action scenes.
Once in, Aziz takes the survivors hostage. President Hayes, along with an aide and several Secret Service agents, have made it safely to the underground bunker beneath the White House, but communications with the outside world has been cut off. No one outside the White House knows if the President is even alive, although they must operate under the assumption that he is.
Meanwhile, because the President is not around to fulfill his duty, the Vice-President must step in. VP Baxter is an incompetent with a campaign-mentality. He is driven by the polls and not what is necessarily right or the best for the country. With the advice of a conniving and self-aggrandizing aide (I can't help but picture Karl Rove in this role), Baxter takes steps to ensure that President Hayes and the hostages stay in the White House for as long as possible.
I'm not lying when I say that this is one of this books that was incredibly difficult to put down. It is literally non-stop action from beginning to end, and I look forward to reading more books by Flynn.
October 16, 2024
In 2013, I was a smoker. Hated smoke inside the house, so I would smoke on my porch and read. I was mostly reading David Baldacci then, and I was looking for a new writer because I was almost done with his books. My neighbor recommended Vince Flynn, and I read all of his books in a summer. Mitch Rapp was one of my favorite characters.
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
I was so saddened to learn when he died. I have no idea who has been keeping up his series after he passed away. Not sure I'd want to continue them. Kind of like Steig Larsson's series, I suspect it will fall short of the author's original vision.
Because I read all these books in 2013, I'll be copying/pasting this review into all of the 13 Mitch Rapp books I read.
April 1, 2021
First published in July 1999, Transfer of Power is the third in the Mitch Rapp, private contractor / hired assassin for the CIA series, pre-dating 9/11 which changed the face of international terrorism. And yet it reads well – a plot to seize the White House, using the POTUS as a lever to deliver changes to Middle Eastern politics.
The brains behind the audacious plan is Rafique Aziz, who played a minor role in Kill Shot where he was in Paris with other terrorists. Funded by Saddam Hussein, Aziz has had men in place in auxiliary roles for months, checking out the White House and its security, himself posing as a Saudi prince to pony up to the chairman of the DNC, Russ Piper, for an invitation to meet the president.
But the story opens with another audacious plan: Mitch Rapp, supported by SEAL commander Harris and his team, abduct cleric Sheik Fara Harut – Rafique Aziz’ mentor – from Bandar Abbas, Iran. During interrogation (we won’t go there) the plot is slowly revealed, though not before the White House is taken and hostages held, with the Secret Service spiriting POTUS Hayes to the bunker at the last moment. With POTUS out of action, there is a transfer of power to VP Sherman Baxter, assuming the role of Commander in Chief, encouraged by his sleazebag Chief-of-Staff, Dallas King and Attorney-General, Margaret Tutweiler, who takes it upon herself to negotiate with Aziz on his demands, against CIA advice – a recipe for disaster.
For the first half there is gender politics, and the politics of greed and indecision, with mistrust on all sides, playing neatly into Aziz’ hands. He too has his problems, commanding a small group with their own personal agendas and weaknesses. The story really takes off when Rapp and retired civil engineer, Milt Adams, with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the building’s many tunnels, secret rooms and passages, gain access to gather intelligence on the whereabouts of the hostages, explosive devices and jamming equipment, ahead of an assault by SEALS and Delta Force to retake the White House.
Taken in context of when it was written, this was a real page-turner, with plenty of derring-do (SEALS parachuting in HALO) and details of weaponry and the use of MD-539 Little Bird helicopters to insert Delta Force. Certainly better (less domestic drama) than later books in the series. My only quibble is that we learn so little of the terrorists – when did they eat/sleep/pray while all this was going on?
Recommended for fans of action thrillers.
The brains behind the audacious plan is Rafique Aziz, who played a minor role in Kill Shot where he was in Paris with other terrorists. Funded by Saddam Hussein, Aziz has had men in place in auxiliary roles for months, checking out the White House and its security, himself posing as a Saudi prince to pony up to the chairman of the DNC, Russ Piper, for an invitation to meet the president.
But the story opens with another audacious plan: Mitch Rapp, supported by SEAL commander Harris and his team, abduct cleric Sheik Fara Harut – Rafique Aziz’ mentor – from Bandar Abbas, Iran. During interrogation (we won’t go there) the plot is slowly revealed, though not before the White House is taken and hostages held, with the Secret Service spiriting POTUS Hayes to the bunker at the last moment. With POTUS out of action, there is a transfer of power to VP Sherman Baxter, assuming the role of Commander in Chief, encouraged by his sleazebag Chief-of-Staff, Dallas King and Attorney-General, Margaret Tutweiler, who takes it upon herself to negotiate with Aziz on his demands, against CIA advice – a recipe for disaster.
For the first half there is gender politics, and the politics of greed and indecision, with mistrust on all sides, playing neatly into Aziz’ hands. He too has his problems, commanding a small group with their own personal agendas and weaknesses. The story really takes off when Rapp and retired civil engineer, Milt Adams, with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the building’s many tunnels, secret rooms and passages, gain access to gather intelligence on the whereabouts of the hostages, explosive devices and jamming equipment, ahead of an assault by SEALS and Delta Force to retake the White House.
Taken in context of when it was written, this was a real page-turner, with plenty of derring-do (SEALS parachuting in HALO) and details of weaponry and the use of MD-539 Little Bird helicopters to insert Delta Force. Certainly better (less domestic drama) than later books in the series. My only quibble is that we learn so little of the terrorists – when did they eat/sleep/pray while all this was going on?
Recommended for fans of action thrillers.
November 5, 2016
Some very fun and tense action scenes, but they were really bookends to 500 pages of boring governmental bureaucracy and Rapp fucking around with camera systems in the White House. At a certain point it became obvious that Flynn was beating me over the head with the whole “bleeding-heart liberals are impotent when it comes to life and death situations and a lot of the time people are more focused on their own careers than serving the greater good.” I wasn’t offended by this stuff, nor do I disagree with some of it, but good reading it does not make. A good 200 pages could have been cut from the novel and it would have been a lot more fun and well-paced.
March 21, 2016
This novel -- which despite being listed as the third Mitch Rapp book is actually the first that Flynn wrote (he later wrote two prequels) -- may be the perfect military thriller. I'd highly recommend this book, and the whole series, for anyone that likes or has any interest in the genre. Vince Flynn truly was a master, and he will be missed. Fuck cancer.
December 12, 2015
If you loved 24, you'll love this. This was written before 9/11 which I found really interesting. I'll be reading the next book very soon. This is the first book that was published and although it's marked #3, this is the best place to start.
May 10, 2016
Another good action packed novel, although I had to keep gritting my teeth at all the silent gun shots. Bomb time seemed pretty convenient, too. Oh well, it was fun. Definitely a lot of tension. I'm not sure if I'll read another soon or not, though. 3 in a row might be enough.
September 30, 2023
3.5 Stars
I would assume that this has everything one would want in a military-spy-action-drama story. It has a step by step, detailed look from all players involved, from the terrorists to the hostages to the heroes - and everything in between as politics, press, and multiple governments do battle for their cause.
For some reason, this type of story can always hold my attention, because I can’t resist a hardened bad ass alpha who takes charge and saves the world, and Mitch Rapp epitomizes that and more. This garnered extra points for there was an unexpected romance brewing in and amongst life threatening situations, and I’ll never say no to that. Ever.
So though this is the first book per publishing order, not chronological, I felt I had to read this before the others since this was how Mitch Rapp was introduced. I can’t wait to read his origin story (shout out to DoB in American Assassin!!) and I look forward to him saving the world again and again and again.
I would assume that this has everything one would want in a military-spy-action-drama story. It has a step by step, detailed look from all players involved, from the terrorists to the hostages to the heroes - and everything in between as politics, press, and multiple governments do battle for their cause.
For some reason, this type of story can always hold my attention, because I can’t resist a hardened bad ass alpha who takes charge and saves the world, and Mitch Rapp epitomizes that and more. This garnered extra points for there was an unexpected romance brewing in and amongst life threatening situations, and I’ll never say no to that. Ever.
So though this is the first book per publishing order, not chronological, I felt I had to read this before the others since this was how Mitch Rapp was introduced. I can’t wait to read his origin story (shout out to DoB in American Assassin!!) and I look forward to him saving the world again and again and again.
September 18, 2017
I struggled to get through this book, seriously why is this novel so popular? I have no idea... it's not well written, it's boring, way too long and Mitch Rapp has absolutely nothing going for him. Bland and zero depth as a character. Not recommended. Glad this one is finished, no more Mitch Rapp for me after this. Reading Lee Child in stead!
May 27, 2013
The first half is barely 3 stars, but the second half is exciting, engaging, and felt good at the end.
A lot of the story is cliched characters - done too many times before and predictable. The Vice President had no brains and followed whatever his smarmy chief of staff (Dallas King) told him to do. Dallas made all decisions based on polls, public opinion, and future election possibilities rather than something intelligent. Those parts pulled the story down - made it drag.
The bad guy was evil in all ways - and then lucky when things went wrong. I was annoyed with how easily he got away. His actions have been done before, nothing special or different.
But, the parts with Mitch Rapp were excellent fun. The last half was best, when Mitch was making decisions and taking action. Mitch is the smart, effective, undercover guy. His physical description - he won the triathlete Ironman competition.
A few times the author annoyed me with too much jumping around in the middle of crisis scenes. I’d prefer some of them completed rather than interrupted. For example, a good guy is secretly doing something near a bad guy. Then the scene switches to military leaders elsewhere discussing what to do. The author was artificially drawing out suspense. Not all of this was bad, but when I get mad at the author and think about the author in the middle of a story, then it’s not good.
The ending was rushed. I wanted more development of things.
I had trouble deciding between 3 and 4 stars. I finally went with 3 because I don’t have any desire to read more in the series. This was a tough call, because the last half was clearly 4 stars.
The narrator Nick Sullivan was good.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 16 hrs and 43 mins. Swearing language: none that I recall. Sexual content: the beginning of one rape scene. Setting: current day mostly Washington, D.C. with a few other places outside the U.S. Book copyright: 1999. Genre: action suspense thriller, terrorist.
A lot of the story is cliched characters - done too many times before and predictable. The Vice President had no brains and followed whatever his smarmy chief of staff (Dallas King) told him to do. Dallas made all decisions based on polls, public opinion, and future election possibilities rather than something intelligent. Those parts pulled the story down - made it drag.
The bad guy was evil in all ways - and then lucky when things went wrong. I was annoyed with how easily he got away. His actions have been done before, nothing special or different.
But, the parts with Mitch Rapp were excellent fun. The last half was best, when Mitch was making decisions and taking action. Mitch is the smart, effective, undercover guy. His physical description - he won the triathlete Ironman competition.
A few times the author annoyed me with too much jumping around in the middle of crisis scenes. I’d prefer some of them completed rather than interrupted. For example, a good guy is secretly doing something near a bad guy. Then the scene switches to military leaders elsewhere discussing what to do. The author was artificially drawing out suspense. Not all of this was bad, but when I get mad at the author and think about the author in the middle of a story, then it’s not good.
The ending was rushed. I wanted more development of things.
I had trouble deciding between 3 and 4 stars. I finally went with 3 because I don’t have any desire to read more in the series. This was a tough call, because the last half was clearly 4 stars.
The narrator Nick Sullivan was good.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 16 hrs and 43 mins. Swearing language: none that I recall. Sexual content: the beginning of one rape scene. Setting: current day mostly Washington, D.C. with a few other places outside the U.S. Book copyright: 1999. Genre: action suspense thriller, terrorist.
December 29, 2023
This is the book I was hoping Kill Shot would be, although Transfer of Power felt overlong.
Terrorists infiltrate the White House, set off a bomb, and separate President Hayes and the Joint Chiefs from the VP and various cabinet members. Quick-thinking heroes shuffle POTUS & friends into a safe room before the terrorists can get them. With contact cut off and no knowledge of whether the President is conscious (much less alive), a constitutional emergency transfer of power is triggered, and badda-bing badda-boom, VP Baxter is suddenly in charge of the USA.
Meanwhile, Mitch Rapp, CIA superspy, happened to be on the WH grounds when the incident occurred. He teams up with the immensely likeable Milt Adams, a retiree and veteran of Iwo Jima who literally has the key to the kingdom. The two sneak through the WH using secret passages, hidden doors and tunnels, gaining intel and reporting back to higher-ups who both thwart and aid the effort to take out the bad guys and save the good guys.
This book was totally action-packed and steadily paced, although it really needed a good trimming. I feel much more excited about sticking with this series and will consider the dud that was Kill Shot to be a one-off. Hopefully not to be repeated. Next up: Separation of Power.
Terrorists infiltrate the White House, set off a bomb, and separate President Hayes and the Joint Chiefs from the VP and various cabinet members. Quick-thinking heroes shuffle POTUS & friends into a safe room before the terrorists can get them. With contact cut off and no knowledge of whether the President is conscious (much less alive), a constitutional emergency transfer of power is triggered, and badda-bing badda-boom, VP Baxter is suddenly in charge of the USA.
Meanwhile, Mitch Rapp, CIA superspy, happened to be on the WH grounds when the incident occurred. He teams up with the immensely likeable Milt Adams, a retiree and veteran of Iwo Jima who literally has the key to the kingdom. The two sneak through the WH using secret passages, hidden doors and tunnels, gaining intel and reporting back to higher-ups who both thwart and aid the effort to take out the bad guys and save the good guys.
This book was totally action-packed and steadily paced, although it really needed a good trimming. I feel much more excited about sticking with this series and will consider the dud that was Kill Shot to be a one-off. Hopefully not to be repeated. Next up: Separation of Power.
November 15, 2022
This was my first Vince Flynn book and it was a great, anti-terrorist thriller about a takeover of the White House. Originally published in 1999, the book moved along and surprisingly had moments which would resonate years later regarding terrorist activity and SEAL Team 6.
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I was looking for a highly rated, long running book series, strong character depth and some action and definitely seemed to find it in Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series. Also recommended for fans of Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and David Baldacci.
🇺🇸
I was looking for a highly rated, long running book series, strong character depth and some action and definitely seemed to find it in Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series. Also recommended for fans of Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and David Baldacci.
August 8, 2019
“Series are seldom read in order. By the time the average reader discovers a continuing character the chronicle is usually well advanced, and except in the case of those dreary series whose titles are numbered prominently on the covers, he has no way of knowing at what point in the saga the book he has just acquired takes place. This can cause confusion, particularly if the next book he reads is an earlier entry in which the hero he knows as widowed appears with his wife, or having quit smoking and drinking is seen puffing and guzzling happily away with no explanation for his relapse.” —Introduction by Loren D. Estleman in Rex Stout’s Fer-De-Lance
That's what I was feeling, and compared to the first two, this one was dull.
Details emerged that we had no explanation for:
Did I miss a novella where certain things took place? Did I read these books in the wrong order...?
Rapp just didn't do it for me in this book and I don't think I'm going to read any more of him. I kept imagining what Mark Greaney's Gray Man would do in such a situation!
That's what I was feeling, and compared to the first two, this one was dull.
Details emerged that we had no explanation for:
Did I miss a novella where certain things took place? Did I read these books in the wrong order...?
Rapp just didn't do it for me in this book and I don't think I'm going to read any more of him. I kept imagining what Mark Greaney's Gray Man would do in such a situation!
September 27, 2015
Terrorists take over executive mansion, slaughter dozens, hold nearly 100 hostages before U.S. president is evacuated to an underground bunker. Mitch Rapp, CIA's top counterterrorism operative, learns that someone in their own government wants his rescue to fail.
Taking over the White House makes any novel look good but when it is coupled with great characters and Mitch Rapp, I'm all over it. This book was written away from the real secrets in the layout of the White House and the strategic responses of our counterterrorism forces but was still a great fictional of a hostile takeover. I've always wanted a house with secrets tunnels, hiddy holes and bunkers. Would have made for a fun slumber party or a game of hide and seek with my siblings. Knowing that there might be hidden panic rooms for the First Family, I now wonder if any of the children of past First Families have ever accidentally found hidden doors or secret hidey holes inside the real one. Children are curious and like me, I'd have wandered around knocking on walls and looking for secret buttons *chuckling*. Fast paced, edge of your seat, great read.
Taking over the White House makes any novel look good but when it is coupled with great characters and Mitch Rapp, I'm all over it. This book was written away from the real secrets in the layout of the White House and the strategic responses of our counterterrorism forces but was still a great fictional of a hostile takeover. I've always wanted a house with secrets tunnels, hiddy holes and bunkers. Would have made for a fun slumber party or a game of hide and seek with my siblings. Knowing that there might be hidden panic rooms for the First Family, I now wonder if any of the children of past First Families have ever accidentally found hidden doors or secret hidey holes inside the real one. Children are curious and like me, I'd have wandered around knocking on walls and looking for secret buttons *chuckling*. Fast paced, edge of your seat, great read.
November 26, 2017
Sometimes you want a break; just a good read, a page turner.
Transfer of Power gets great reviews and it fills the bill. But once I started reading I was surprised to find a full throated jihadi terrorist attack on the White House written in 1999, before 9/11.
I hope Flynn got royalties from the TV show "24".
I have a few minor quibbles with the writing which flirts at times with descent into "Aw Shucks!!!" cliches.
Also, Vince, as a lifelong resident of Ohio, I must point out that there is no Democrat that could fill the role of President Hayes. A sensitive conservative public servant who goes into the bunker as Hamlet and comes out as Rambo. You are at least a generation too late - probably two generations. And a venal, corrupt white power politician Democrat from Texas as Vice President - please!!!
But if you like you like your secret agents rugged, dark and brooding, and wounded from lost love, and your hostage reporters HOT! then turn off your brain and take the ride.
It was fun!
Transfer of Power gets great reviews and it fills the bill. But once I started reading I was surprised to find a full throated jihadi terrorist attack on the White House written in 1999, before 9/11.
I hope Flynn got royalties from the TV show "24".
I have a few minor quibbles with the writing which flirts at times with descent into "Aw Shucks!!!" cliches.
Also, Vince, as a lifelong resident of Ohio, I must point out that there is no Democrat that could fill the role of President Hayes. A sensitive conservative public servant who goes into the bunker as Hamlet and comes out as Rambo. You are at least a generation too late - probably two generations. And a venal, corrupt white power politician Democrat from Texas as Vice President - please!!!
But if you like you like your secret agents rugged, dark and brooding, and wounded from lost love, and your hostage reporters HOT! then turn off your brain and take the ride.
It was fun!
April 10, 2018
I've recently discovered Vince Flynn and his Mitch Rapp character. This is my third Mitch Rapp novel and my conclusion is that Vince Flynn is the leader of the pack when it comes to political thrillers. He has no close competition.
I found Transfer of Power to be just as entertaining as Flynn's first two novel. In my opinion, both books have been well researched. The operations of the military's special forces units and also domestic law enforcement seem extremely realistic. I believe this is evidence that Flynn has really put time into researching the operations of these groups.
The characters in this book are all interesting and realistic. Just like his first two book, the good vs. evil plot makes the pages just fly by. The only criticism I have of the book is that the ending came a little fast. Other than that, it was an excellent book.
I found Transfer of Power to be just as entertaining as Flynn's first two novel. In my opinion, both books have been well researched. The operations of the military's special forces units and also domestic law enforcement seem extremely realistic. I believe this is evidence that Flynn has really put time into researching the operations of these groups.
The characters in this book are all interesting and realistic. Just like his first two book, the good vs. evil plot makes the pages just fly by. The only criticism I have of the book is that the ending came a little fast. Other than that, it was an excellent book.
February 2, 2009
Rafique Aziz, a notorious Arab terrorist finds a weak point in American politics. By posing as a wealthy campaign contributors he gains access to the White House. At the same time his group of thugs infiltrate the executive mansion, slaughtering dozens of innocent bystanders, taking numerous hostages, thus sealing off and taking control of the White House. President Hayes manages to escape to his underground bunker before the bloodbath.
Top CIA counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp is sent in to take control of the crisis. With Milt Adams, a retired secret service agent, they sneak into the Mansion through an air duct to collect intelligence and evaluate the situation. When an attempt to smuggle more agents in fails, Rapp must act on his own to save the President and hostages.
Transfer of Power is a great introduction to the series as it lays the groundwork for the interactions between Flynn's characters and their respective roles in the government. The characters are deeply drawn and the villains particularly detestable. The plot was captivating and well thought out. The very idea of terrorists taking over the White House is almost unthinkable. The whole political scene with the interdepartmental clashes and wounded egos is easy to relate to. Fortunately, for us, this is merely a work of fiction and a good political thriller.
Top CIA counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp is sent in to take control of the crisis. With Milt Adams, a retired secret service agent, they sneak into the Mansion through an air duct to collect intelligence and evaluate the situation. When an attempt to smuggle more agents in fails, Rapp must act on his own to save the President and hostages.
Transfer of Power is a great introduction to the series as it lays the groundwork for the interactions between Flynn's characters and their respective roles in the government. The characters are deeply drawn and the villains particularly detestable. The plot was captivating and well thought out. The very idea of terrorists taking over the White House is almost unthinkable. The whole political scene with the interdepartmental clashes and wounded egos is easy to relate to. Fortunately, for us, this is merely a work of fiction and a good political thriller.
September 14, 2015
The Mitch Rapp series just keeps getting better and better! I found this one to be very different than American Assassin, and Kill Shot, and by the writing style I could tell that it was Flynn's first book written in the series. The plot in Transfer of Power involves a group Arab Terrorists taking over the White House and trying to kidnap the President was has gotten to his underground bunker when they started to take over, and Rapp is sent in to neutralize the threat. This book had a lot of similarities to some of my favorite action films such as Under Siege, Olympus Has Fallen, and White House Down, because all of them except for Under Siege, involve Terrorists taking over the White House, and Under Siege involves Terrorists taking over a Battleship, LOL!
Now I'm looking forward to jumping into Book #4, The Third Option.
Now I'm looking forward to jumping into Book #4, The Third Option.
December 5, 2018
I've read most of the Mitch Rapp books but somehow I missed this one. Taking place in the past (a bit) we get a good set up for where we've gone and a story that is a un-putdownable as any of the Rapp books.
With a move on the President and the White House itself we have a good to great fast moving story and without a long drawn out review I can recommend this one. Enjoy.
With a move on the President and the White House itself we have a good to great fast moving story and without a long drawn out review I can recommend this one. Enjoy.
August 11, 2011
It was a long time coming, but I finally forayed into the renowned (at least in my family) Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn. I figured I might like it because second to books that take place in NYC, I really enjoy reading books that take place in Washington, D.C. There's just something so significant and powerful about stories that take place in our nation's capital, even if they're fiction. But the renowned issue... Mitch Rapp (well, okay, the series in general and of course, author Vince Flynn) are an absolute favorite in my family. Both my parents have read the entire series to date and my husband just finished the seventh (of eleven). And they all RAVE about them. In fact, the four of us just recently returned from a vacation to Washington, D.C. and can I tell you how many times Mitch Rapp came up into conversation? LOL! Flynn's books are an absolute must read for them so I knew I eventually needed to try it out.
The first book in the series is Transfer of Power (not to be confused with Term Limits, Flynn's first book that is a stand alone). In it we are introduced to Mitch Rapp (as well as some ancillary characters who I assume may reappear in later books??) who is essentially a CIA counterterrorism bad ass. A well known terrorist, whom Rapp has been pursuing, physically takes over the White House, while taking over a hundred hostages. His men lace the White House with bombs and began making demands of the United States. President Hayes is evacuated to his bunker in time, leaving the Vice President to take over as Commander in Chief. But bureaucracies are everlasting, even during a time of crisis when on-the-spot decision making is most needed, and the vital decision makers cannot agree on whether they should take the White House by force or negotiate with the terrorists. Either way, they put the hostages and/or the President at risk. Mitch Rapp manages to enter the White House to spy on the terrorists and gain intelligence that can help the Vice President decide what to do next. But with the Vice President worried more about how to appeal to the American public so he can win the next election, Rapp and his cohorts take some matters into their own hands.
Transfer of Power was an absolutely addicting and thrilling read. It was, however, scary considering the experiences our country has had in the last decade which made the fictional scenario seem more real. Besides that, though, the political drama, the tension, all of it was so thrilling. I imagine that to enjoy this book, you'd have to have some interest in the government (or at least the drama of it) because of course it's flooded with governmental terms and titles. In the beginning it seemed to switch from one scene to another fairly quickly in an effort to set the scene regarding all the players. But I caught on quickly and it was fascinating from there. Definitely one of those books that constantly calls to you until you're done reading it. Only problem is the series itself has the same effect. I have so many other books to read but I'm dying to read the next one already! (Good thing I have all 11 books in the series so far waiting on my TBR). If you enjoy the show 24 (at least one season of which the author actually co-wrote) then you are sure to enjoy Transfer of Power.
The first book in the series is Transfer of Power (not to be confused with Term Limits, Flynn's first book that is a stand alone). In it we are introduced to Mitch Rapp (as well as some ancillary characters who I assume may reappear in later books??) who is essentially a CIA counterterrorism bad ass. A well known terrorist, whom Rapp has been pursuing, physically takes over the White House, while taking over a hundred hostages. His men lace the White House with bombs and began making demands of the United States. President Hayes is evacuated to his bunker in time, leaving the Vice President to take over as Commander in Chief. But bureaucracies are everlasting, even during a time of crisis when on-the-spot decision making is most needed, and the vital decision makers cannot agree on whether they should take the White House by force or negotiate with the terrorists. Either way, they put the hostages and/or the President at risk. Mitch Rapp manages to enter the White House to spy on the terrorists and gain intelligence that can help the Vice President decide what to do next. But with the Vice President worried more about how to appeal to the American public so he can win the next election, Rapp and his cohorts take some matters into their own hands.
Transfer of Power was an absolutely addicting and thrilling read. It was, however, scary considering the experiences our country has had in the last decade which made the fictional scenario seem more real. Besides that, though, the political drama, the tension, all of it was so thrilling. I imagine that to enjoy this book, you'd have to have some interest in the government (or at least the drama of it) because of course it's flooded with governmental terms and titles. In the beginning it seemed to switch from one scene to another fairly quickly in an effort to set the scene regarding all the players. But I caught on quickly and it was fascinating from there. Definitely one of those books that constantly calls to you until you're done reading it. Only problem is the series itself has the same effect. I have so many other books to read but I'm dying to read the next one already! (Good thing I have all 11 books in the series so far waiting on my TBR). If you enjoy the show 24 (at least one season of which the author actually co-wrote) then you are sure to enjoy Transfer of Power.
October 30, 2017
”Nothing else mattered, especially not the political operative who had brought this snake into the White House.”
Better than Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down combined is the original, and politically damning, Vince Flynn version, Transfer of Power. These books are my new obsession. It’s 3:30 in the morning and I was suppose to wake up at 4:30 - I blame you for this Flynn!
Damn cowardly Hollywood for not making this version into a movie. Done well, this story could make a better movie than book. I say this because there were so many characters, fifty plus military/politicos/reporters, that strained the limits of my mental casting.
Still, the whole thing was cinematic. I give it four and a half stars, happily rounded up, because it didn’t read as quickly as the previous offerings. Possibly because technically this was the first Mitch Rapp book.
I should have the next book in hand by Thursday and already have requests in for the one after!
May 4, 2012
It has been a long time since I have read a political thriller. I read this book in a weekend - I couldn't put it down! Now I remember why I don't read these type of books - they take over my life. I felt like there was a lot of suspense that kept me turning the pages. There are lots of charachters to keep track of.
June 6, 2019
Mitch is in the middle of a terrorist effort to infiltrate the White House and take the president hostage. Thanks to earlier efforts, the government has kidnapped a high level baddie, giving them some inside info that something will happen, but not specifics.
Good action, and this would have been a five star, if not for a rushed ending.
Good action, and this would have been a five star, if not for a rushed ending.
April 19, 2017
O. M. G. This book. I love it! Sure, it stretches reality a bit, but I love it. Action, suspense, and just a hint of snark.
I listened to the Audible edition, and the narrator was good. He does different voices for each character. I just like the other narrator better.
I listened to the Audible edition, and the narrator was good. He does different voices for each character. I just like the other narrator better.
June 8, 2015
BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE.
"Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn."- Michael Caine.
Hostage situations. They're a mixed blessing and curse for thriller writers. On the one hand, you have a situation that's tailor made for high tension, excitement and suspense. On the other hand, after the rush of the opening shots, there are inevitably lulls in the pacing. So, one must get creative. Vince Flynn, understood this when writing his second book. Sure, the foundation of the basic concept is Die Hard. But Die Hard in the White House? With a gang of insane Islamic Extremists holding dozens hostage, along with the President? Who are using their leverage to barbecue America's foreign policy with the help of an incompetent VPOTUS? Now that's more like it.
"Transfer of Power" is many things. It's the book which launched Flynn on the path to becoming the king of American Spy Fiction. It's a counter-terrorist thriller written before 9/11 which pointed out that Islamic Extremism would be the next great geopolitical threat. But most importantly, it's where the world gets to meet Mitch Rapp. Forget all those wretched, psychologically tortured intelligence officers of John LeCarre, Rapp single-handedly resurrected a part of spy fiction which LeCarre had killed, that of the "blunt instrument", the executor of final solutions targeting the enemies of the state. Now to the review. What happens when the terrorists go for the jugular?
The story kicks off with Irene Kennedy arriving at the White House to get authorization for a extraordinary rendition. We cut to Iran where the operation is commencing. Mitch Rapp meets with a team from DEVGRU. They violently abduct the leader of Hamas who has intelligence about a pending terrorist attack on the United States. Spectacularly escaping with their prisoner, they learn too late that the scheme, a joint venture between Hezbollah, Hamas and a foreign power has been set in motion. However, they're just in time to warn the USSS Presidential Detail who manage get the President down to the White House Bunker. The White House is wired with bombs, the Vice President takes command of the government and Rapp lands just as the terrorists begin to make their demands. With his Agency bosses managing to get a proposal for him to infiltrate the White House accepted, Mitch races against time to end the standoff before the hostage-takers can acquire the ultimate leverage.
In terms of plot, Transfer of Power is solid, but isn't what makes this book stand out. Mr Flynn managed to execute all the tropes efficiently enough, but that's not where the thrills of this book come from. Instead, it's the setting, themes, research and character interaction among a select few stand-outs which are the true stars of this book.
First the setting. Flynn did his best to bring to life the executive mansion and shrewdly utilized it. From the blood soaked hallways, to the underground service corridors and parts outside and in between, Flynn presents Mitch a challenging tactical environment, that the terrorists have rigged to blow if alerted.
Next, the themes. While other thriller writers were panicking with the demise of the USSR robbing them of source material, Flynn was looking towards the horizon. He found it with Islamic Extremism. "Transfer Of Power" is one of the first spy/political thrillers to focus on it and the novel which created the counter-terrorist sub-genre of spy fiction. Flynn managed to portray the growing danger they would become, showing that they were becoming better funded, trained and would go global given the chance, at a time when the world didn't take them seriously. The second theme of Transfer Of Power is that of the modern politician sticking their nose where it doesn't belong. From the so-called expert Attorney General who manages to get two hostages killed, to a Vice President whose fear of failure nearly brings the situation to disaster and a political operative motivated more by polls than doing the right thing, in a way, Transfer of Power acts as a cautionary tale of sorts regarding the danger of politics getting in the way of defending the state from threats foreign and domestic.
Then there's the research. Term Limits was only the tip of the iceberg at what Flynn could do with a well researched narrative. In Transfer of Power, he demonstrated his full potential, striking the balance between peeling back the curtain and bogging down the pacing. Apart from bringing to life the White House, Flynn manages to get the tactics, weapons and kit locked down. From the particulars of skydiving onto the roof of the White House, to suppressing the sound of a .50 BMG in a time when no actual suppressor existed for the round, Transfer Of Power allowed Flynn to snatch Clancy's crown.
As for characters, here and the standouts. Apart from Mitch, we have Milton Adams. A retired USSS agent, he's called upon to pick up a gun and serve as Mr Rapp's guide to the White House. A veteran of Iwo Jima, he's not afraid of the man who would inspire the likes of Jack Bauer, and they hit it off. Their interactions are some of the most enjoyable parts of the book, along with providing the few bits of comedy. Next, we have Vice President Sherman Baxter and Dallas King. Baxter's fatal flaw is his fear of failure and screwing up in handling the terrorist attack. It beautifully progresses from trying to spin the situation, negotiate with a bunch of maniacs who plan to screw him over and near the end, when his political position has taken a critical hit, try to save his own skin. As for King, he's like a modern day Iago. Feeding his master poisonous and harmful advice. Harmful for the hostages in the White House that is. Motivated by his master's approval ratings rather than getting the hell out of the way, he manages to cause several problems for the law enforcement/military leaders trying to actually get everyone out alive. Finally, we have Rafique Aziz, the modern terrorist. Mad, bad and dangerous to know, he's also got guts, brains and knows the technique in trying to outfox America's leaders when things go pear shaped.
Now, there are only two details which Mr Flynn seriously got wrong. Heckler and Koch doesn't make an MP10. They make an MP5/10 and by the time the book came out, I'm sure the law enforcement/special forces units had switched to the MP5. 9mm does the job just as well and is cheaper to operate. Secondly, he was forced to take artistic license in regards to the sponsors of Hezbollah and Hamas. They're run by the Iranians, not Iraq, and would have hated Saddam Hussein's guts. While it was done for plot purposes, making it slightly more understandable, it's a bit glaring nonetheless.
So, despite those two minor problems with the research, should you read Transfer Of Power? Hell yes. While events have meant that it hasn't aged as well as it should have, the plot is executed very well, the issues it focuses on are even more relevant than they were in 1999 and it acts as a brilliant establishing moment for a character which would define an entire decade of spy fiction. Iron Man. The blunt instrument for the war on terror. The character who managed to make the "government assassin" character template respectable when John LeCarre had killed it off. Mitch Rapp.
RECOMMENDED READING.
"Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn."- Michael Caine.
Hostage situations. They're a mixed blessing and curse for thriller writers. On the one hand, you have a situation that's tailor made for high tension, excitement and suspense. On the other hand, after the rush of the opening shots, there are inevitably lulls in the pacing. So, one must get creative. Vince Flynn, understood this when writing his second book. Sure, the foundation of the basic concept is Die Hard. But Die Hard in the White House? With a gang of insane Islamic Extremists holding dozens hostage, along with the President? Who are using their leverage to barbecue America's foreign policy with the help of an incompetent VPOTUS? Now that's more like it.
"Transfer of Power" is many things. It's the book which launched Flynn on the path to becoming the king of American Spy Fiction. It's a counter-terrorist thriller written before 9/11 which pointed out that Islamic Extremism would be the next great geopolitical threat. But most importantly, it's where the world gets to meet Mitch Rapp. Forget all those wretched, psychologically tortured intelligence officers of John LeCarre, Rapp single-handedly resurrected a part of spy fiction which LeCarre had killed, that of the "blunt instrument", the executor of final solutions targeting the enemies of the state. Now to the review. What happens when the terrorists go for the jugular?
The story kicks off with Irene Kennedy arriving at the White House to get authorization for a extraordinary rendition. We cut to Iran where the operation is commencing. Mitch Rapp meets with a team from DEVGRU. They violently abduct the leader of Hamas who has intelligence about a pending terrorist attack on the United States. Spectacularly escaping with their prisoner, they learn too late that the scheme, a joint venture between Hezbollah, Hamas and a foreign power has been set in motion. However, they're just in time to warn the USSS Presidential Detail who manage get the President down to the White House Bunker. The White House is wired with bombs, the Vice President takes command of the government and Rapp lands just as the terrorists begin to make their demands. With his Agency bosses managing to get a proposal for him to infiltrate the White House accepted, Mitch races against time to end the standoff before the hostage-takers can acquire the ultimate leverage.
In terms of plot, Transfer of Power is solid, but isn't what makes this book stand out. Mr Flynn managed to execute all the tropes efficiently enough, but that's not where the thrills of this book come from. Instead, it's the setting, themes, research and character interaction among a select few stand-outs which are the true stars of this book.
First the setting. Flynn did his best to bring to life the executive mansion and shrewdly utilized it. From the blood soaked hallways, to the underground service corridors and parts outside and in between, Flynn presents Mitch a challenging tactical environment, that the terrorists have rigged to blow if alerted.
Next, the themes. While other thriller writers were panicking with the demise of the USSR robbing them of source material, Flynn was looking towards the horizon. He found it with Islamic Extremism. "Transfer Of Power" is one of the first spy/political thrillers to focus on it and the novel which created the counter-terrorist sub-genre of spy fiction. Flynn managed to portray the growing danger they would become, showing that they were becoming better funded, trained and would go global given the chance, at a time when the world didn't take them seriously. The second theme of Transfer Of Power is that of the modern politician sticking their nose where it doesn't belong. From the so-called expert Attorney General who manages to get two hostages killed, to a Vice President whose fear of failure nearly brings the situation to disaster and a political operative motivated more by polls than doing the right thing, in a way, Transfer of Power acts as a cautionary tale of sorts regarding the danger of politics getting in the way of defending the state from threats foreign and domestic.
Then there's the research. Term Limits was only the tip of the iceberg at what Flynn could do with a well researched narrative. In Transfer of Power, he demonstrated his full potential, striking the balance between peeling back the curtain and bogging down the pacing. Apart from bringing to life the White House, Flynn manages to get the tactics, weapons and kit locked down. From the particulars of skydiving onto the roof of the White House, to suppressing the sound of a .50 BMG in a time when no actual suppressor existed for the round, Transfer Of Power allowed Flynn to snatch Clancy's crown.
As for characters, here and the standouts. Apart from Mitch, we have Milton Adams. A retired USSS agent, he's called upon to pick up a gun and serve as Mr Rapp's guide to the White House. A veteran of Iwo Jima, he's not afraid of the man who would inspire the likes of Jack Bauer, and they hit it off. Their interactions are some of the most enjoyable parts of the book, along with providing the few bits of comedy. Next, we have Vice President Sherman Baxter and Dallas King. Baxter's fatal flaw is his fear of failure and screwing up in handling the terrorist attack. It beautifully progresses from trying to spin the situation, negotiate with a bunch of maniacs who plan to screw him over and near the end, when his political position has taken a critical hit, try to save his own skin. As for King, he's like a modern day Iago. Feeding his master poisonous and harmful advice. Harmful for the hostages in the White House that is. Motivated by his master's approval ratings rather than getting the hell out of the way, he manages to cause several problems for the law enforcement/military leaders trying to actually get everyone out alive. Finally, we have Rafique Aziz, the modern terrorist. Mad, bad and dangerous to know, he's also got guts, brains and knows the technique in trying to outfox America's leaders when things go pear shaped.
Now, there are only two details which Mr Flynn seriously got wrong. Heckler and Koch doesn't make an MP10. They make an MP5/10 and by the time the book came out, I'm sure the law enforcement/special forces units had switched to the MP5. 9mm does the job just as well and is cheaper to operate. Secondly, he was forced to take artistic license in regards to the sponsors of Hezbollah and Hamas. They're run by the Iranians, not Iraq, and would have hated Saddam Hussein's guts. While it was done for plot purposes, making it slightly more understandable, it's a bit glaring nonetheless.
So, despite those two minor problems with the research, should you read Transfer Of Power? Hell yes. While events have meant that it hasn't aged as well as it should have, the plot is executed very well, the issues it focuses on are even more relevant than they were in 1999 and it acts as a brilliant establishing moment for a character which would define an entire decade of spy fiction. Iron Man. The blunt instrument for the war on terror. The character who managed to make the "government assassin" character template respectable when John LeCarre had killed it off. Mitch Rapp.
RECOMMENDED READING.
March 7, 2010
"Transfer of Power" by Vince Flynn is an exceptionally well written, well paced action novel that is literally impossible to put down. "Can't put it down" is one of the most overused cliches in publishing but in this case it happens to be true. I devoured it in a handful of sittings. Rarely have I enjoyed a political thriller more.
The plot, which in a post September 11 world takes on new significance, involves the capture of the White House by a group of Middle Eastern terrorists and the efforts made to take back the presidential mansion. What comes in between is enough political intrigue and special forces action to satisfy even the most jaded of techno thriller fans.
My only criticism is that the character's that populate Flynn's book are a fairly standard lot for his type of novel. The protagonist of "ToP" Mitch Rapp, while a very engaging and likable character, is nearly indistinguishable from Tom Clancy's John Clark or Jack Ryan or any of the other black ops super spy's that are so common in this genre. Other character's suffer from the same sense of familiarity. The exception being the villain. Terrorist mastermind Rafique Aziz is a very well crafted foe for agent Rapp and is one the reasons the novel is so entertaining. I should note that while the characters are fairly standard I still found myself making a significant emotional connection with them
It's minor character flaws aside "Transfer of Power" is an example of the political/techno thriller at it's finest. It moves at lighting speed with not a single wasted page or sentence and packs a number of very satisfying moments. I highly recommend it!
The plot, which in a post September 11 world takes on new significance, involves the capture of the White House by a group of Middle Eastern terrorists and the efforts made to take back the presidential mansion. What comes in between is enough political intrigue and special forces action to satisfy even the most jaded of techno thriller fans.
My only criticism is that the character's that populate Flynn's book are a fairly standard lot for his type of novel. The protagonist of "ToP" Mitch Rapp, while a very engaging and likable character, is nearly indistinguishable from Tom Clancy's John Clark or Jack Ryan or any of the other black ops super spy's that are so common in this genre. Other character's suffer from the same sense of familiarity. The exception being the villain. Terrorist mastermind Rafique Aziz is a very well crafted foe for agent Rapp and is one the reasons the novel is so entertaining. I should note that while the characters are fairly standard I still found myself making a significant emotional connection with them
It's minor character flaws aside "Transfer of Power" is an example of the political/techno thriller at it's finest. It moves at lighting speed with not a single wasted page or sentence and packs a number of very satisfying moments. I highly recommend it!
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