This book was one of those ones that you can't put down! Awesome book! Joel Rosenberg is one of the very best authors. I have purchased 2 books so I can share with others. Highly recommended reading is my opinion.

An incredible series that culminates with another wonderful and extremely plausible story. In fact, the authority Mr. Rosenberg uses as he weaves together the past, present, and possible future tensions in the Middle East and abroad is noteworthy. Drawing on the Ultimate History Book, the Bible, he shows beyond a shadow of a doubt the absolute authority its Author has. I look forward to reading anything else written by Mr. Rosenberg.

Maybe I heard wrong. Or maybe there's been a huge error. All I know is that if I had bought Joel C. Rosenberg's new political thriller, Dead Heat, I'd be one unhappy camper.

I first heard of Dead Heat when I was flipping the TV remote one night. I saw Glenn Beck holding a copy so I had to stop. I would have sworn the talk centered around a heated political election that was the premise of this work. It sounded interesting and I immediately check out Dead Heat at my library. Even the back-cover synopsis states about the book that "the battle to succeed (the president) is heating up into the most fiercely contested presidential election in American history."

And that's as far as the similarities go. The text enclosed between the covers of my copy of Dead Heat has nothing to do with a heated presidential election. My copy opens with President James MacPherson getting ready to deliver his out-going address to the Republican National Convention. Then four U.S. cities-Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle, are annihilated by nuclear bombs. Most of the U.S. government is dead, including President MacPherson-and what is left is in chaos. The rest of the story revolves around the re-formation of the government and trying to determine if China or North Korea should receive the retaliatory nukes.

Interspersed with End Times prophecies and the conversion of the non-believers to accept Jesus as their personal savior, the novel is written in a 24 (the television show) format that has little substance. Ninety percent of the characters listed on the character page are dead within the first twenty pages. The characters that do exist are superficial and lack depth. While the storytelling was good, the novel was just one series of events after another.

And there is one thing that really added to my irksome mood. Nowhere on the jacket, inside or out, does Rosenberg or the publisher, Tyndale House, state that this is a fifth book in a series. The only clue I had was that other novels are mentioned in the text. I won't go back and read the previous four novels. But if Rosenberg ever writes the novel that was promised in the back-cover synopsis, I might consider reading it.

Armchair Interviews says: Heed this reviewer's comments.

This was a gift for someone else so I can't rate it myself but I'm sure she will enjoy this book a lot-she has heard very good things about it.

Danelle Reetz

Having never read a Joel Rosenberg novel before, I picked this Audio Book off of the Cracker Barrel BOA rack because of the title and description on the back cover. They make this book sound like a battle for the race to the White House similar to the one we are experiencing in the United States right now. As a political junkie, I could not wait to begin listening to this novel, despite the quote by Rush Limbaugh on the front cover. However, after an exciting attack on the GOP national convention, this book took a turn for the nauseatingly religious. I haven't been this bible-thumped and brow-beaten since Sunday School, and I was not expecting it. If you are looking for a political thriller, this is not it. This is not even thinly-disguised religious jargon. It is repulsive, offensive propaganda.

What was one of the best series out there turned into a flop of a final book to this series.

While I am not against the Christian message, to turn one of the very best dead-on series of todays world into a book I would have expected to be written by Billy Graham himself, was a huge disappointment.

I found myself turn page-after-page-after-page without doing anything but glancing to see if the religious hodgepodge had stopped.

The way this ended ranked up there with one of the worst ends to a book I think I have ever read. Rosenberg pretty much removed the main characters from the middle 90% of this book, and then in the last few pages brought the book around to some of the best and well developed characters out there, and in a matter of pages terminated their life and any future of this series.

Rosenberg's other books in this series are worthy of the comment on them by Rush Limbuagh as one of the best books you can and should read. This one, however, was a huge disappointment to the nature of this style of a book series. Rosenberg had a good thing going here, and either he fulfilled his contract with this series, or just decided to kill one of the best series - either way, it was/is a shame.

Perhaps Rosenberg simply wants to go back to writing Childrens books... and if this last book is any indication to how he deals with his characters, perhaps going back to Childrens books are a good thing.

Mr. Rosenberg... may I suggest something you to... perhaps at some point in the future you can go back and rewrite 80% of this book. Even if you do have the main characters die off as you have, please, give us something other then what you gave us with this book. I understand your desire to use your fame as an author to get a message out to your readers... but even as a religious person, I found this to be way beyond what I would have expected from you. All your other books deserve to be up there in the likes of Clancy and Flynn, but this one does not. It deserves a place besides Joel Osteen, Kirk Cameron, and Joyce Meyer (not saying these are bad authors, but rather this book series does not belong on the same shelf as these Christian ministers, with the excepting of this final book)

All in all, I walked away from this book feeling like I had been let down by the author. I had waited months for this book to come out. I ordered it the day it was released - and had it shipped overnight. Two days later the book was finished and I felt depressed because of the lack of quality of driving force that this book had compared to the others in this series. I had all my friends reading this series, and when they asked me how this latest book was, I pretty much had to tell them to not even buy it. Better to have Jon and Erin still alive and not have a series completed, then to deal with the flop of this book. Sorry Mr. Rosenberg, you just really failed to keep your series at the top of the charts with this one. I really truly wish I could say something good about this book... but not a single thing in it is worth a positive comment - beyond if you are after a religious book with heavy eschatological slants and a simple "poof, they're gone" of two of the best characters we've had written about over the last few years by any author.

I am a big fan of Rosenberg's work. I thought Last Jihad was brilliant and Copper Scroll not far behind. However, Dead Heat did not come in for a Dead Heat with any of Rosenberg's other books in the series.

Dead Heat begins with the excitement that Rosenberg fans expect. A couple of great terrorist scenes, a nice thesis for how the nuclear attack on the US will occur and one would suspect that we are off to the races. However, 60 pages in, Dead Heat dies! Rosenberg suddenly becomes a Christian missionary of the very boring sort. While he expects us to follow him to the Rapture, instead I found myself falling off to a nap-ture. Boring dialogue, silly action and really unbelieveable plots lead Dead Heat to an early grave.

Read all of Rosenberg's other books in the series. Enjoy a great craftsman at work. Be facinated by his foresight. However, use your own foresight and avoid Dead Heat!

Great book, couldn't put it down. Real s-c-a-r-y! Could it happen? It does seem to follow along with some of the prophecies in the Bible.

Dead Heat (Political Thrillers Series #5)
I loved the other books in this series, which is why this one was such a disappointment. I still give it 4 stars but I get the feeling he was just anxious to wrap up this series. I found the plot a bit contrived and it left me feeling VERY unsatisfied as to quality of writing, character development, plot continuity...Maybe it's me but I felt Rosenberg has other things he is interested in/doing now and just phoned this book in. I really hope he doesn't start a new series because I will then think he shortchanged this book to spend his effort on the next ones.

Joel's book Dead Heat grabs your attention on the first page, and holds it until the last page.
His writing is tomorrow's headlines. He has the background and first-hand knowledge on what he is writing and puts it in story form to convey a very serious message.

I've read it in about (2) days, and will read it again.
Get the book.

This is an exciting book that is hard to put down. It is based on the view that the end times are accurately predicted in the Bible. The story is fictional, but could easily "fit" the prophetic senario found in the scriptures. Joel Rosenberg is not some sort of a religious "nut", but one who holds the views of many Evangelical Christians.

This is one of those books that makes you hope and pray that fact doesn't follow fiction again... Dead Heat by Joel C. Rosenberg. Rosenberg's previous novels have been remarkably accurate in terms of terror acts occurring in ways very similar to what he wrote in a storyline. If that trend follows again, then 9/11 will look like child's play by comparison...

The main action line involves the discovery of a potential plot to kill the president at a political convention where he's giving a speech. There are few details to go on, but security is convinced they've done as much as they could do to protect him. That is, until the nuclear missiles are launched from container ships right off our own shores. And it's not just directed at the president, but at a number of major cities such as Washington DC, Seattle, Manhattan, as well as Los Angeles. Based on saber-rattling that went on right before the attack, the new president is convinced that China is to blame and wants to launch a full-scale retaliation. But if that assessment is wrong, then the world will be plunged into a nuclear nightmare. Obviously every nation in the world has a vested interest in making sure this situation doesn't get out of hand, but there are a few murky players in the background who are all watching this unfold according to a larger plan.

Rosenberg writes novels that examine current day events in light of Biblical prophecy. I personally find them very well written, and he has a frightfully high track record on plots and stories that end up becoming fact all too quickly after the book is published. There are a series of books that use the characters found in Dead Heat, and you'll get more color and flavor if you can start back at the beginning of the series before you read this one. There is a strong evangelical message woven into the story, much like the Left Behind series. But in contract to Left Behind, Rosenberg isn't milking the story for every last drop. This is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and I look forward to the next (final?) installment from him.

There are two reasons why I am not happy with "Dead Heat." The first is that one can not completely follow the plot, because it keeps referring to characters and activities occurring in prior stories, by this author. Thus one is forced to purchase those books, which shouldn't make Rosenberg too unhappy.

Secondly the author is trying to convince his Jewish readers to join the "Jews for Jesus" bunch. On almost every page there are paragraphs from the New Testament quoting how wonderful it would be for Jews to come to Jesus. (If Rosenberg gets paid per word, there's a lot of easy money in there for him.) I happen to feel that Jews for Jesus is an oxymoron; one can't be a Jew and believe that Jesus is the son of God. Anyhow I do not like my adventure stories to be filled with preachings.

Clancy fans do not read this. It's full of annoying, preachy evangelical banter and it's ideas are NOT biblical. For example, the book ends with the Rapture, which is not biblical, and is found nowhere is the scripture cannon. The Rapture teaching starting with a minister in the Church of Scotland, Edward Irving, in the 1830s. It is NOT biblical.

The book's plot is sloppy and it's pacing is terrible. I can't believe Glen Beck had this author on his program. And Rush Limbaugh endorsed it on the cover! How could so many people give this book a good review? God help us.

This is a great book - couldn't put it down. It is today's world situation so it is very relevant.

bewarned! This is a book of Evangelical rhetoric with brief moments of action. Redundant in its one sided exploration of characters and coflict Rosenberg only fleshes out the perspectives of characters that are christians.

If you're a Joel Rosenberg fan, then I'm sure you'll love this book as I did.

Regardless if you believe in Rosenberg's worldview, you still should take his stuff seriously. He does a great job at taking our current affairs and speculating with how things could end up.

I gave it four stars, since I don't think that it was his best novel - and doesn't entirely measure up to other political thrillers (from a writing standpoint).

I would encourage anyone to sit down and go through Dead Heat just for the heck of it. It's a great page-turner, and will keep you guessing through the whole thing!

I couldn't put this book down! Joel C. Rosenberg has done such extensive research, and most importantly, connects Scripture to the facts and the "what ifs". I now "see" and understand much more about the future based on Scripture than I did before reading Dead Heat even though I've been reading the Bible daily. If you are already a Christian, you can "connect the dots", and if you aren't, this is great "food" for thought.

Joel Rosenberg has done it again with a very engaging thriller that I truly hope never comes true (as some of his other realistic fiction). Great read.

Dead Heat will have you sit up straight and pay attention. The attack on the US is an effective one, done with a devastating, primarily low tech approach. Without the right leadership in office, this country will surely collapse if this scenario or something close to it is ever played out. Rest assured our enemies and those who hate us, and there are many, are reading this book with a possible script/plan or approach to our demise. But then this book plays out an apocolytic drama where good loses for the moment and of course the rapture occurs and many of us will not make the first cut. Tribulation, if true, will be very discomforting and perhaps painful and we as a country will play a very low profile role.

I highly recommend this book and if you started out reading Rosenberg's series of plausable and timely occurrences of World events, this book will leave wishing for hope and redemption.

Great ending to the series. Very hard to put down. Fast paced and readable. Chilling and realistic. Tough, and at times, almost heartbreaking, to see so many "good guys/gals" we have come to know and pull for get taken out, as well as the attack on the four United States cities killing millions, and the almost impossible task of rebuilding a chain of command. Good job, Mr. Rosenberg. I hope you continue the story line with a post rapture sequel.

I have not read or listened to the previous books in this series, simply because of a lack of reading time, though I am well aware of them and their general focus. I decided that I would listen to Dead Heat which is most applicable to world events right now (June 2008).

First, the reader and production are excellent. While a book is nice to hold and read, this reader, who uses a plethera of different voices and accents based on the characters from around the world, totally brings this story to vivid life without confusing the reader. Great job!

Second, as a Christian, I found Dead Heat to be very realistic...not a prophecy in and of itself, but there is no doubt that much in this book could happen very much as described, or similarly. I already feel a great sense of urgency with regard to the upcoming rapture. I know where I'm going, and I have no fear for myself, but I do worry for those who are not saved - those who are indifferent, or like at least one other reviewer of this title, scoff at the truth. So, whether you find this story sensational or realistic, if you are a Christian, truly consider what we know is to come and be a bold witness for the Gospel. If you aren't a Christian, try to listen to or read this book with an open heart and be willing to give unbiased consideration to the Bible as truth. After all, it is your eternal soul that is at stake.

Thanks to Joel Rosenberg for combining his unique skills, talents, and experience into some great books.

Dead Heat (Political Thrillers Series #5) This book is a must read. It is fast paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next page, and what happens next. The fiction is written in a way that lends understanding to possible future facts and events.

Joel Rosenberg's latest end-times thriller is as exciting as his others. I have to admit that I preferred the detailed information about Israel in The Copper Scroll, but Dead Heat paints a clear picture of how history could play out very soon.

This is a book you won't want to miss. I believe it to be spot on, meaning we're definitely in for a ride, therefore, as Americans, we better all wake up soon and stop living in denial. Rosenburg is an awesome author and because what he writes is based on biblical prophesy, the "fiction" he is writing is coming to pass. Stay tuned and take heed!

This book is a rapture rant in disguise as a political thriller premised on 4 major cities being nuked by cruise missles off the shores of the US. Either Bush has told him of his next October suprise or some one who peddles a brand of christianity that says I'm the only one worthy of being with God cooked up this hatchet job of a book. I bought the book, and stupid me I also purchased the audio book dumb me. I can't figure out why I didn't understand many of the scenarios in this book, when a previous commenter mentioned you would have had to read all of his books to get it. Save your money.

While this book tries to be many different things, it fails at most of them. There are several large plot holes that leave the reader wondering what Rosenburg was trying to say.

-Why would the ships that launched the nuclear missles be sunk? Most of the later "hand wringing" about who perpetrated the deed would have answered by interrogating crew members.

-The F/A-18 strafes the launch ship just before it was to launch another missle, but nothing more is said about additional targets.

-The inclusion of the Bennetts in this story seems almost an afterthought. While the overall situation spirals out of control, we are expected to believe the Israelis are dedicating resources to "protecting" the Bennetts. And Israeli commandos into North Korea, based out of Japan...?

-Even the description of the Rapture event is disappointing. Instead of detailing the shocking events that would surround such an event, we get a tepid description centered on an Israeli character. The setup of the next book is so obvious, it hurts.

Read it if you must, but don't be surprised at your disappointment. I sure was.

I read the Copper Scroll prior to this one and really liked the way Mr. Rosenberg weaves in biblical references. The writing is fast paced and very visual. Good read.

The book was an entertaining vision of one possible path on which current events in the world may lead us. The action was well coordinated with accurate descriptions and showed a thorough knowledge of history and geography. As a thriller, it somehow lacked that certain spark that the best writers in the genre can generate. There were a few typos and missing words that somehow escaped editors eyes as happens frequently in newer books but never in older literature. One amusing gaffe was Joel's description of a MiG climbing at 65,000 feet per second. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the commies could build a fighter jet that could top 44,000 miles per hour, we would have lost the battle for democracy a long time ago. I've read worse books and I've read better.

If you enjoy Bible prophecy, you must read this book. Of course it is based on fiction at the present but a very facinating eye opener which will leave you thinking but what if?

Joel Rosenberg does it again with his latest novel, DEAD HEAT, the conclusion of his last days series. Unlike the Left Behind series, Rosenberg gets deep into the geopolitical backdrop of things which makes for a great thriller, rather than another Christian end times novel.

I do have a few things to say that are not as praiseworthy as he might wish. Use of initials! Identifying the PRC army as the PLA when we have Islamic extremists who are center to the story caused me to pause more than once.
Some things you just knew what was going to happen. As a mystery writer and reader of mysteries, I really hate that. The twists he did put in didn't work for me.
I didn't like the "all the good guys are gone now" ending to the book. This is opinion, as is the previous comment. I think maybe it would have been more dramatic if he'd written something like,

"Jon Benett looked at the dead body of Indiri and clutched the flash drive she'd given him moments earlier. As much as he both hated and respected her, he had to get this information to the president. It was crucial in the new war on terrorism. He ran out of the complex and straight into Gabrial. They formed a protective shield around him and moved him to the Black Hawk to complete their mission...to extract Benett from North Korea. As they were pulling him into the chopper the unmistakable conrail of an incoming missile streaked past them. There was a blinding flash and..."

And that's the way I'd end it. Of course that's just me. I understand the feeling of need to get Dmitri's story in, but I personally think he weakened the story for it.

However, all in all, this is one of the greater books about the end times, although I still like his EZEKIEL OPTION best. Rosenberg keeps your attention throughout. And when you put down the book and pick up the newspaper you just have to wonder if this man has some special help with his writing.

David Brollier
author of THE 3RD COVENANT
http://freewebs.com/sonburst

This may be in the "can't put it down" category, if political thrillers are your thing. An interesting premise and well developed plot keep things moving. Not as much heavy lifting as the Clancy novels, but technical accuracy seems to be good, if not perfect. I was surprised by the amount of "end times" theology, but still found the story enjoyable. I wouldn't put too much credence in the "predition" element that seems to have carried over from his earlier works.

While I enjoyed this book, I didn't feel like it was as enthralling as his other books in this series. Perhaps that was because the author was more concerned with the love story that was being played out. Far be it from me to put down those who love romantic fiction. It certainly has its place. I just don't think this was it. I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil the story for those who haven't read it, but it definitely wasn't what I expected and the author disappointed me somewhat. I loved his other books and I liked the love story as counterpoint to the main plot but I felt it BECAME the main plot in this book and the mideast crisis was the counterpoint. Surely that was not what Mr Rosenberg intended. Or was it?
At any rate, it was an enjoyable read, just not one that will keep you on the edge of your seat---unless romantic fiction is your thing.

The last in a series Dead Head is just as riveting and on the edge of your seat as the previous books. With the feeling that this could happen tomorrow it is a book that you don't want to put down until you've read the last word. Twists and turns, continuing plot lines, and added dimensions to characters make it well worth your time.

In typical Joel Rosenberg fashion, the author takes the reader on an incredibly suspenseful and emotional tour through a future that is not only possible, but likely to actually happen...and soon. Set aside some quiet place & time to read this one, you'll find yourself contemplating the story even after you've closed the book.

This is an excellent book, found it impossible to put down once I started reading it. It is amazing how Rosenberg draws you into wanting to know the outcome of each character and how he keeps the reader involved in the events of the day. It also opens our eyes as to how very easy it would be for one of our less friendly nations to attack us when we do not expect it and in a manner we would never expect if we continue to use conventional thought.

If you don't read this book you deserve what happens to you in the future.

Great Book! Author cleverly ties in current events with various prophecies such as the Bible.

A real page turner from start to finish!

This book kept my interest at all times....I never wanted to put it down.
I highly recommend it for anyone interested in current events.

Joel gets it right again. This is the best author I've read in quite a while. Many Americans should read this eye opening book.

This is in the usual Rosenberg fashion. Non stop excitement and a great read. Can hardly wait till he comes out with another one!!

When you put together political fiction and biblical facts you get a very good read. It makes you think about the world, politics, bible truths and how they play off each other. Mr.Rosenberg has done an excellent job putting it all together.

This is a great book. I felt like I was holding my breath through most of it. Could this happen here? Absolutely!

Thought provoking book, real page turner. Ended up reviewing a lot of the end times scripture as a result of the book, Great read.

I love to read all of the books that have been written by Joel. He seems to have an insight into the future in the way that God is dealing with our nation and our world. I do not read, fiction or novels, but these books have me spell bound. I feel that Joel has really dedicated his life to help us prepare for our future. I am the pastor of a small country church in Mississippi and I reccomend these books to the members of our church and I reccomend them to all of you. I wish our government leaders would read them and take note. I know it is not politically correct to read after Christian writers, but it would do them all good.

I'v only recently received this book, and so far, its held my attention. This is the second book I have purchased from this author, and he writes well, even tho what he writes, is scary. Seems like what he writes, coincides with whats happening all around us. Our world has turned upside down, thats for sure. Whats in store for our country? Who knows. All we can do, is pray that God delivers us from all the evil men that whats to wipe us off the face of the globe. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good read, and is interested in seeing "what could happen" if if if if ......

very good book, although a little scary wondering what will happen to the U.S. in the "final times" I ordered the Last Jihad, but having trouble getting it. Would like to read all five of the books. You can't wait to see what happens next. I really liked reading the Left Behind series and I know I will like these just as much. Hope someone is thinking of making movies of these books.

Dead Heat is a great politcal thriller. It's accurate with world issues and biblical issues. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

I ordered Dead Heat after seeing the author, Joel Rosenberg, on The Glenn Beck Show (CNN). I could not put this book down until I was finished. And then I ordered Epicenter! I'm sure I'll be ordering all of his books now. They truly make you stop and think about your time on this earth and why we're here. For fans of The Left Behind Series, Dead Heat tells you how we got to the point of the rapture, at the very beginning of Left Behind. This is truly an awesome book.

This is a great book. It could really happen and it really makes you think. The action never stops. I would recommend it to anyone no matter what your political or religious beliefs.