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The Ghost War  By  cover art

The Ghost War

By: Alex Berenson
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Publisher's summary

Another thrilling adventure featuring John Wells, the deep cover CIA operative from the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Faithful Spy and The Deceivers.

John Wells barely survived his homecoming when it was thought he’d become too close to the terrorists. Though his wounds have healed, his mind is far from clear. He needs to get back in the fight. And there is a fight waiting for him.

A power play in China is causing chaos around the globe. And even as Wells does what he does best, a mole within the CIA is preparing to light the final fuse that will propel an unsuspecting world toward open war and annihilation. And this time, there may be nothing John Wells can do to stop it....

©2008 Alex Berenson (P)2008 Penguin

Critic reviews

“A very sophisticated vision...Geopolitically savvy.” (The New York Times)

“A fast-paced story of international intrigue and espionage...Wells is a fine character who will likely propel Berenson’s thrillers to success for some time to come.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

What listeners say about The Ghost War

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,249
  • 4 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • K
  • 05-25-15

I'd listen to George Guidall recite the tax code

Enjoyed the first book but once I saw George Guidall was narrating the rest in the John Wells series I quickly ordered it. Nothing against the narrator in the first book but Guidall really adds a new dimension of pleasure in listening to The Ghost War. The story was great, sort of reminds me of the Mitch Rapp series which is my all-time espionage/thriller series. Looking forward to continuing the series and seeing how the characters evolve.

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The plot keeps you entertained throughout.

As always, George Guidall, is my favorite narrator. Berenson was smart to switch to him as narrator of his John Wells series, since to me, George Guidall, as narrator, is the heart and soul of the success of the George Guidall's Mitch Rapp series by the author Vince Flynn. This is my 2ND in the John Wells series and I will likely "read" the 3RD. Alex Berenson is an excellent writer of the espionage novel. However, I compare all espionage writers to Vince Flynn, who is my favorite. Berenson's protagonist and hero, John Wells is as capable a counter-terrorist as the Vince Flynn's, Mitch Rapp, protagonist and hero. The difference is that Vince Flynn's, Mitch Rapp, character does not suffer the nightmare's or pains of conscious over killing terrorist as does Alex Berenson's character, John Wells. I tire of John Wells nightmares and moments of guilt laden remorse over all the dead he has racked up. Mitch Rapp sleeps soundly at night with no nightmares because he subconsciously knows he has saved so many innocent civilian lives in exchange for the terrorist he has killed. I prefer the Mitch Rapp character. If I find the John Wells character, in book 3 of this series by Berensen, continues to have pains of guilty conscious over killing, albeit, to save innocent lives, I may stop reading the remainder of the John Wells series. I must credit Alex Berensen for writing a fast paced, action packed and entertaining plot. But I just don't like the guilt trip angle he burdens upon the hero....skip the psycho babble mumble jumble. Let me enjoy the illusion that "Lancelot" believes in " The Impossible Dream" without clanging on his armor every night looking to the stars and screaming "Why....Why....Why...!!!"

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

...more of the same

...if you like the NYTimes, you'll appreciate this; condemnation of US practices and confirmation of the correctness of PC thought

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39 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

One of Berenson's best

What made the experience of listening to The Ghost War the most enjoyable?

Half of the experience is the story - and the other half is the supurb performance by George Guidall

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes and no. Yes - great story. No - I listen to all audiobooks while commuting to work - if I pull into the parking lot at the high point of a chapter, I just save it till next time. Not the book's fault.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Absolutely the best audiobook performer I've ever listened to. His ability to play so many different characters, accents, languages, genders - is amazing. I love his voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not exactly

Any additional comments?

If you like Vince Flynn or Brad Thor, you'll like this book. Some reviews were critical of this book - I have no idea why - it's one of his better ones (I've listened to them out-of-order). If you're politically conservative, you'll love this series. If you're a moderate to far left liberal, you probably hate it. In these books, unlike real life, terrorists aren't treated with velvet gloves.

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31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This is my new series...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Ghost War to be better than the print version?

I read the first Berenson in the John Wells series and it was a great read. As always though Guidall is the best and really brings alive the characters. Have to say whenever Guidall is Narrating its always worth the listen!!

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Engaging

This is one of those books you listen too that is a real "page turner" thrilling till the end. It does leave you wanted to down load the sequel book to see what happens to our characters. Enjoy

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

"Had" to shoot the dog?

So he brings along animal tranquilizer darts to disable the house guards, but didn't consider bringing a dart for the guard dog? What's that for - to gain our sympathy for the poor guy having to shoot the dog, which he didn't want to do? Pulllleeeeze. For me, that raises questions about every plan and decision he made, not to mention his motives, from that point on. Based on the first book I thought I'd really enjoy this series, but now I'm sorry I bought the rest on Audible's special sale. Guess I'll go ahead and start the next one, but now my hypercritical switch has been flipped, so it better be really good or they're all going back.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • J
  • 03-21-11

Average pot boiler

Skip this one, but do check out Faithful Spy, which is excellent. Pointless and not believable, even for this genre.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

unrealistic

I really did not think the Chinese characters made any sense. I especially think the turn coat was not believable. I would not recommend this unless you have exhausted this genre.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!

Never a dull moment...excellent descriptions of operators and their thoughts in military & intelligence theaters of operations.

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6 people found this helpful