The Last Man

By: P. T. Deutermann

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

In a desert wasteland, framed by the shimmering fastness of the Judean Hills, lie the ruins of the fortress called Masada. Overlooking the Dead Sea and the salt mines that were once Sodom and Gomorrah, the stone palaces of Herod brood a thousand feet above the desolate countryside, where the Jewish revolt against Rome of AD 70 ended in the self-immolation of 960 people. According to legend, the defenders of Masada, rather than be taken prisoner by the Roman Tenth Legion, killed themselves, their wives, and their children the night before the Romans took the fortress.

David Hall, an American nuclear engineer, arrives in Israel on a mission of truth. Believing that the defenders killed themselves to protect a great secret, Hall plans to explore the heavily guarded site and, he hopes, discover the real reasons behind the dramatic end of the Roman siege. Hall is shadowed by an Israeli archaeologist, Judith Ressner, an attractive but reserved professor with an agenda of her own. There is more than history hidden within the mountain, and Hall soon finds himself the target of ferocious Israeli security forces bent on defeating his quest, who will stop at nothing to protect Masada from intruders.

Combining dynamic history with a highly charged contemporary story of adventure and espionage, The Last Man is a thought-provoking thriller of the Middle East, past and present.

©2012 P. T. Deutermann (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Excellent

Excellent story and narration. I’ve found a another good author in Mr Deutermann. Continue to grow in respect for Mr Lane’s narration. Overall a great book.

Somewhat of a slow starter

The first part of the book caused me to wonder just how the story could hold my attention long enough to finish. Then the story slowly develops into an engrossing tale that had me wondering how various situations would be resolved. The “happy ending” seemed like it would never occur and even when it did one is still left with the feeling in may only be transitory.

Exciting from beginning to end

Loved it. It held me from beginning to end, one of those books I had to force my self to step away from to sleep.

Disappointed

I'm a fan of P.T. Deutermann, but this book was a disappointment. I couldn't tell if he was trying to write a modern "Taming of the Shrew" or write a adventure novel -- neither worked. The narrator did OK on some voices but he made the Israeli "Shrew" sound like an Indian male. I found it very distracting and irritating.

I'd pass on this book

Masada came alive in this story.

I visited it 15 years ago and the writer painted a great word picture. Recommended as a nice historical novel.