The Persian Gamble: A Marcus Ryker Series Political and Military Action Thriller: (Book 2) (A Marcus Ryker Thriller) Paperback – October 1, 2019

I’m one of those people that is usually 10 to 15 years behind the latest fads. I’ve heard about Rosenberg’s books for years but this is my first venture with one of his books. There where five reasons why this book kept me riveted from beginning to end:One, Rosenberg tells a great story. I’ll never understand how writers can keep several characters, places, events, going and bring them all together in the plot. Rosenberg does this as well as anyone I’ve ever read.Second, the characters in the book are very different, unique, interesting, and draw one into the story.Third, Rosenberg is able to write a contemporary and relevant novel without the immorality and harsh language that too often accompanies such a work of the action-thriller genre.Fourth, you learn a lot about history, geography, weapons, warfare, etc. Rosenberg has a good handle on geopolitics and the inner and outer workings of organizations like the Mossad, C.I.A., etc.Fifth, His book was so good - that I’m excited he’s written 14 more books with another coming out next month called Jerusalem Countdown.In a day and age where so much of media is graphically immoral, and over the top with foul language - I am grateful for writers like Rosenberg who write well, tell a great story, and entertain without corrupting your mind at the same time. I’m looking forward to his first book and reading them in order from here on out - By the Way his first novel was the Last Jihad - which I’m starting tonight!

If you haven’t read the first book in the series, The Kremlin Conspiracy, you might be missing a thriller that continues in book two, The Persian Gamble. The action begins right where the first book left off, basically Marcus Ryker free falling out of plane in order to avoid being killed. Oh, there is more to it, but you have to read The Kremlin Conspiracy to catch up on what occurred before that moment aforementioned!Marcus is a man who is in international airspace, running for his life while trying to save two people. The problem is that he has a host of people from more than one nation wanting to capture him, including the United States. Joel Rosenberg has again written a suspense-filled novel that pits many leaders from a host of different nations that are trying to dominate all other world powers.Marcus Ryker is fighting time and government bureaucracy as he tries to thwart Iran from getting nuclear missiles from Russia. Plus, he has a man from Russia who knows who all the players are including North Korea, and where the nuclear warheads are heading. As I read, it seemed that there was someone from the United States who was leaking information that caused the demise of good men fighting evil.There is tension throughout the book, and it would take pages just to fill you in while trying not to spoil your enjoyment of the story if you haven’t read the books. The story includes spies, armies, nuclear warheads, characters that are fighting evil and those who are perpetuating it! I mean it is thrills from beginning to end. I wondered often how, and if, Joel was going to save Marcus Ryker from demise in some of the most gripping conflicts in the book.I hope you read The Kremlin Conspiracy and The Persian Gamble before the third book comes out in March 2020 titled, The Jerusalem Assassin.

This novel, really part two of this author’s first novel, has its strength and weakness from the same source- reality. The characters seem real. They make errors in judgment that come back to haunt them. There are no supermen who run into a gaggle of enemies and clean them out. Like real geopolitical drama, the focus of events switches from one to another related theater.Both the penultimate and final acts are exciting and depressingly realistic both in the action and outcomes. At the same time, the protagonist’s view of the outcome of the first of these acts is bizarrely off kilter and tough to believe. Worse, in the final act, there are at least three events I counted that simply could not occur in the world we live in. In the first of these, the author doesn’t even try to explain the outcome but instead just says a team goes in and does this or that leaving the reader to go, “Huh?”Still, like part one, this is an exciting read that for the most part rings true even if you have to believe several impossible events before you’re done.

This author knows how to write an intense action book, informed by current world events. This series has been excellent, and I can’t wait to get the next book. My new favorite author!

Awesome book with a character with not only morals, but with God as the center of his life. Will certainly read the rest of the series!

Another excellent Rosenberg book. I already bought the next in the series to continue. I loved his Imán series - I learned so much. Thank you Joel!

Joel Rosenberg is one of the greatest authors around. I have everyone one his books and they are all 5 Star rated. I can't put his books down and no one compares to his writing.

Buen libro con mucho drama.

Rosenberg has the ability to make you want to read without any doubt. You will fascinate.

Joel C. Rosenberg’s thrillingly gripping novel “The Persian Gamble” opens with the murder of Russian President Luganov and FSB Chief Dimitri Nimkov by Russian double agent Oleg Kraskin. Wanting to defect and on the run with former Secret Agent Marcus Ryker and the CIA Chief of the Moscow Station Jenny Morris, the three are hunted not only by the Russians but the American government.Fearing that being rescued by American forces could mean his imprisonment or death Ryker is determined to cut a deal with U.S. officials after finding out that the North Koreans are planning to use the chaos in Russia to sell nuclear weapons to Iran where the Ayatollah, dying of cancer is scheming to ignite a Third World War.Fast-paced and action-packed with a life or death parachute jump and explosions that rock the landscape, intensity and suspense build not only as Ryker is betrayed by his government while trying to broker a deal for a Presidential pardon, but when Iran orchestrates the shipment of warheads. Terrifyingly realistic in this modern age, the emotion tension sparks as Rosenberg weaves in a strong sense of faith with Ryker's struggle to face the demons that have stalked him since the death of his wife and son, and as he tries to bring his close friends to faith before they face possible death on a critical mission. Even a mystery is born but never resolved when the Russian Prime Minister is murdered in this electrifying plot that progresses smoothly to a deadly confrontation near the end.Well-written this page-turner is filled with complex and compelling characters like strong-willed and resourceful patriot Marcus Ryker and the morally conscious Oleg Kraskin (aka Raven). Yet it’s the cold brutality of Alireza al-Zanjani, the deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the selfish fatalism of the Grand Ayatollah that add an icy chill to the plot.Always a fan of this talented and politically knowledgeable writer, I thoroughly enjoyed and rate “The Persian Gamble” highly

I particularly like the relevance of the narrative to current events

2019年の作品ですがロシアの東欧侵攻、核弾頭をめぐるロシア、北朝鮮、イランの動き等現在の世界情勢と重なる部分も多いです。この著者の事は今まで知らず、何故巡り合わなかったのだろうとの思いです。