The Laughing Wolf

Book Review: Ghost

Well, John Ringo is at it again. You have what appears to be a typical lite read action/adventure story about a former SEAL who breaks up terrorist plots around the world. Lots of action, sexy women, death (it is a Ringo book after all, there is a great battle and everyone dies...), and the testosterone that comes with such books.

Yes, but no.

This is a book that has a surprising (to anyone not familiar with Ringo) number of levels. It deals with the whole "rough men" and sleeping soundly concept, and reminds us of them and why we need them. It deals with the "plaster saint" concept and why trying to perpetrate it is a bad thing. It deals with some of the dark things that drive people to be protectors, to be those rough men. It also deals with how such people cope, and a bit more. This book is anything but a typical "fluffy" action adventure book.

I could tell you more, everything from a description of the flawed but ultimately noble protagonist to how reading opened up some dark places in my soul. I could do all that, but why spoil the book.

I will, however, address some quick points. There will be some that describe the first part of the book (if not all the book) as over the top and unrealistic. Got news for you: go read the jihadists own works, look at what Saddam did to his own people, look at what the Taliban did to girls as young as 5. Don't take my word for it or the government's, go read their own frelling words and records. Go read the reports from the UN, for some of the less-well-known ones will give you more detail than you can stomach. In that regards, the book is a good reminder of why we fight and why we must fight and win.

The book reminds us that no, we are not perfect, but that there is a world of difference between our striving for perfection and failing and what the enemy practices on a daily basis where it can.

Go read it. For many, it will not be an easy lite read. Make the effort and do it. The food for thought is well worth it.

LW