A God in Ruins

Unfortunately, I was gravely disappointed by this book. I have read just about all of Leon Uris' fiction and looked forward to another fascinating piece of good historical fiction. Instead what A God In Ruins delivers is one-dimensional stereotypical characters, predictable events, and easy solutions. I didn't believe the plot or any of the characters. Worse, it was boring!

I've loved just about everything else Uris wrote, but not this one . . . almost did not finish it! . . . the premise of the story was a good one, but there were long passages that were almost painful to read . . . I'm glad I was able to skim through them quickly . . . don't waste your time.

I was shocked at the lack of continuitiy in story-line and generally poor writing. My husband was reading another Uris book concurrently and I kept asking him what he thought of Uris writing style. My husband said A-. I began to think either I was crazy or my husband was, but since I have been reading other reviews of A God In Ruins, I realize we are both right. Something bad happened to Mr Uris at the time he wrote this book...but what? It is not a fair representation of his talent and I am befuddled enough to take time to write this review. God in Ruins is a definite 'don't read.' Read something else like The Haj or Exodus. I think his family should take this one out of circulation. God bless and rest Mr. Uris soul!

From a fascinating launch that promises intriguing plot lines built around the question, "How much anti-Jewish predjudice survives in America?," the novel careens off in other directions only, at the end, to return to its initial anti-Semitism focus. Indeed, most of the book stands as an anti-NRA polemic . . . interesting, but quite different from the theme Uris introduces in the opening section of the book. Main characters are unidimensional at best . . . either incredibly "good" or incredibly "bad." In summary, the book is a series of unconnected threads that float quite apart from any disciplined integration into a meaningful narrative fabric.

I have been reading Leon Uris since, in high school in the 1950s, I picked up Battle Cry. Maybe the writer owes his New York friends so much that he put out this piece of trite pap. The NRA must have really pissed him off! The book is basically about one shallow character's fight for gun control in America. Characters are written in broad generalizations that show Uris spent his time in Ireland researching his books and decided that he can throw off his own country in stereotypes drawn from the shallow New York literary scene. I was lucky. I bought the paperback book on sale. I would be most disappointed had I paid full price.

I have just returned from a long holiday car trip with "God in Ruins" on 10 cassettes. I finished 5 and decided even radio would be better. I have read almost all Uris' other books, several twice, so I expected great things. Was I ever disappointed! The sex scenes were the fantasies of an old man, real bodice rippers--but utterly unbelievable. Then I was subjected to several chapters of Tom Clancyish war scenes with brains dripping off the ceiling, etc. Gratuitous gore! In short, it takes a really bad book for me not to finish it. It saddens me to see someone who has been so great fall so far. Where were his editors?

As a teen, I was captivated by "Exodus' and devoured "Mila 18" and a few other Uris novels in a matter of days. What a disappointment then to read "A God in Ruins." A convoluted story with dialogue that hardly ever sounds real. I'd prefer to remember "Exodus' as being wonderful rather than re-reading it. Uris has the name, the track-record and therefore the ability to to deliver for a publisher. However,I suspect that even Quinn Patrick O'Connell, the central character in this "read-it-on-the-beach-only-if-nothing-else is-available" novel would have had the integrity to have passed on the opportunity to publish this.

Contained within this Leon Uris offering - A God in Ruins - are 2 poems written by a young, talented New York poet. Uris failed, in his responsibility, to copyright credit this gifted writer.In my opinion, these poems were the only redeeming quality of the book.

The reviews on the store for this book are harsh. This was the first Leon Uris book I've read, so I have no preconceived notions with which to compare, but I thought book was pretty good. The characters are somewhat interesting and the story isn't awful. So, there you go. A ringing endorsement.

This book of fiction includes many historical events and facts. It is about politics from WWII (FDR and Truman) to the 2008 presidential campaign. If Uris is a seer, the president won't be female, thank Goodness, but our first Jewish-born man to take over the Oval Office.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in 'Nature' that "man is a god in ruins..." Not just any man but one with an inflated ego who will not allow himself to admit defeat. That describes the current U. S. President. The Democrats candidate is governor of Colorado, Quin O'Connell, who was adopted by Irish-Catholic parents in 1948. America is tired of wars, death and retaliation leading to destruction of this country if it is allowed to continue. We need a peacemaker.

In 2008, the nation's first black FBI director to complement the first black Secretary of State decides to expose the backgound of the Democrat frontrunner, on orders from his boss. As they orchestrate college riots, like during the Vietnam War, with their infiltrators called claverns to bomb areas, it starts to look like the "Keystone Cops." When to hold and when to fold, executive order to put "Joy Streets" into motion to desecrate synagogues and cemeteries. Anti-semitism in this country resembling that in Germany and Poland during the Holocaust. This time the black muslims and skin heads will be used to put the blame on the clan. IN Memphis, they expect one thousand as a show of force.

It could have been an other Holocaust all over again, but our country is now more civilized and overcame. Perhaps they have not overcome, but we have. It was time for a change, a time to return to our roots.

Like others who have reviewed this book, I expected much more from Mr. Uris, and I'm terribly disappointed that any editor could even find the nerve to publish such a work! I have read dozens of books like this, and I must unfortunately admit that this is the worst one I've ever read. Not only is the plot of the book lame and boring, but his usage of the English language is an embarrassment. I have told all my friends to avoid reading this book. the store won't allow me to rate this book with less than 1 star, but if I could, I'd give it a minus!

Leon Uris has often been a "Gun for Hire." While this poorly crafted anti-gun screed shows occasional sparks of his former skills, it lacks their balance. Handgun Control Incorporated did not get what they paid for.

I did not believe the intitial reviews on this book as I have read all the author's other books and thought they were excellent. A God In Ruins does not even come close to his other works.His story is disjointed, his characters have little depth and lack passion. If the author's intent was to make the reader question the intent of having the second ammendment in the 21st Century, he failed as the story just does not hold up.Try again!!

I don't know what book the other "reviewers" read, but I couldn't put this one down. Having read ALL of Uris' other works, I rank this one among his best. It was a bit reminiscent of Ayn Rands' idealistic stories. Maybe I'm not the cynic that some are, but I'm hopeful a person as idealistic and morally correct as Quinn Patrick O'Connell will come along to lead us out of the miasma of soft money and slimy politics and into the future. I totally agree with Mr. Uris re: the 2nd Amendment, the sorry state of racism, the prurient interests of the media and the public in devouring the escapades of Bill & Monica (yuk!) and the loss of delight of the American school child in taking a family trip to the library. Brave stroke, Mr. Uris. Fear not and write on! I'll read you!! Regards - L. Dale O'Donnell Sease - Denver.

I have always enjoyed Uris' books and his writing style. I can't believe he actually wrote this. I will admit that I'm only two-thirds into it and I have contemplated giving it up but I'm invested now and want to see how it ends. I just don't care about the characters and don't feel any drama in the story. Very disappointed.

In this book, Leon Uris breaks away from his normal authoring style. He shows his true liberal colors, a nice touch i might add, when there is a *cough*dumb*cough conservative in office. The military exploits of the main character are very interesting, and kept me riveted. The story does jump around alot, but that made it interesting, it was like Quinn was having flashbacks of memory, and added to the story line. The differences in time periods also proved to be an added bonus to the plot. I loved the character development as the background of Quinn began to unfold, proving to be a mysterious and breathtaking story. I was not at all dissappointed by the change in Uris' writing style.

Having read literally thousands of books with Leon Uris being one of my favorite authors, I can honestly say that I was extremely disappointed by this book. It is poorly edited with numerous flashbacks that are very confusing. For example, events are referred to that have not yet occurred. The author seems to have as a prime objective the furthering of his own political agenda at the expense of a rational plot. The characters seem to have little depth and their actions do not seem realistic.

I also thought that maybe my tastes had become more sophisticated since reading Exodus and Mr. Uris's other works, which I loved. I'm relieved to see I'm not alone in thinking that this book is really bad. The writing is especially poor. The publishers should really take it off the shelves and let us remember Leon Uris for Exodus, Trinity and his other fine works.

I expected much more than Uris gave. He seemed stuck in the '60's. Everytime a middle-aged man spoke, he ended with "man". The plot was convoluted, very difficult to follow.
It offended me that when the presidential candidate found out that he was Jewish, Uris predicted rioting and anarchy.
There was too much going on in this book, jumping from sub-plot to sub-plot.

After reading about half of the book (I was stuck in an airport and had no choice), I finally did something I've never done. I put the book down with no intentions of ever picking it up again. I couldn't believe that this was the same writer of Mila 18 and Trinity! I, therefore, am greatly relieved to see that I am not alone in my opinion of this extraordinarily trite book. Thank you to all the other reviewers - I wish I'd read your reviews before buying this book!

Terribly slanted and contrived. You can tell he's a liberal! His bashing of conservative values and people is shameful. The only redeeming quality of this book was the section on Quinns military exploits.
Don't bother reading this book if you actually know anything about religion, ethics, or technology. If your a bleeding heart liberal, you'll probably love it.

I pride myself in finishing every book I start. I've only broken that rule once before. Fortunately I've forgotten which book that was, hopefully I'll soon forget this one as well. I recall Leon Uris as being able to write very good books. I don't know what happened with the writing and editing of this book, but it really stinks. Thanks for the laughs, but I think I'll quit reading and retain my last shred of respect for Leon Uris.

I was very disappointed with this book, it is one of the few books I have discarded before finishing.What I originally mistook for a work of literature was in essence a lenthy editorial by the author. Stereotyped characters and poorly developed story line didn't give this opinionated writing sufficent credibility to survive as a novel. What a disappointment from the historical perspectives of his previous works.

If you are looking for the outstanding writing of past Uris' works, pass this one by. His continuity is poor, the characters are either all good or all bad, and the political opinions of the author are shrouded in not so subtle qualities of his characters. The story line is weak and the characters flawed. Don't waste your time or money on this one! I would not even assign one star.

THE FIRST TWO THIRDS OF THIS BOOK DEALING MAINLY WITH POLITICAL MACHINATIONS WAS WELL DONE AND CAREFULLY MANIPULATED. THE LAST THIRD DEALT LARGELY WITH POLEMICS AND LITTLE INFORMATIN. THE END WAS BROADCAST FRON ABOUT PAGE 300.IT IS NOT UP TO HIS USUAL STANDARD.

I was extremely disappointed in this book. Being a big fan of Leon Uris, I expected much more. The characters were so stereotypical, I laughed in disgust. The simplifications of complicated political ideas were equally annonying. No more Leon Uris for me.

I was prepared for the polically correct, ultra liberal slant, but not for the sophomoric writing. Uris must need money. He is either way past his prime or he hired a freshman lit major to write this and put Leon's name on it

Leon Uris usually weaves trmendous epic novels. This is not one of them. The story baically leads up to the presedential election of 20008 and spends most of ts time onthe main characters' backgrounds rather than developing a plot to get excited about.

Since some of the reader reviews seem to be panning this book, I wanted to add my two cents. I found it very good reading with an excellent message. One that many do not want to hear. Of course, Leon Uris has for thirty years been my favorite writer.
I definitely enjoyed this book, and believe it has an important message.

Sorry Leon but your novel was awful! I am utterly disappointed. I actually had to check out the review's to make sure I didn't complain about it already.
Everything was terrible. The characters, plot, etc. I couldn't WAIT to finish it so I could get onto something else.
Uris fans will probably be curious and want buy it anyway - DON'T! Try to borrow it or something.

This book of fiction includes many historical events and facts. It is about politics from WWII (FDR and Truman) to the 2008 presidential campaign. If Uris is a seer, the president won't be female, thank Goodness, but our first Jewish-born man to take over the Oval Office.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in 'Nature' that "man is a god in ruins..." Not just any man but one with an inflated ego who will not allow himself to admit defeat. That describes the current U. S. President. The Democrats candidate is governor of Colorado, Quin O'Connell, who was adopted by Irish-Catholic parents in 1948. America is tired of wars, death and retaliation leading to destruction of this country if it is allowed to continue. We need a peacemaker.

In 2008, the nation's first black FBI director to complement the first black Secretary of State decides to expose the backgound of the Democrat frontrunner, on orders from his boss. As they orchestrate college riots, like during the Vietnam War, with their infiltrators called claverns to bomb areas, it starts to look like the "Keystone Cops." When to hold and when to fold, executive order to put "Joy Streets" into motion to desecrate synagogues and cemeteries. Anti-semitism in this country resembling that in Germany and Poland during the Holocaust. This time the black muslims and skin heads will be used to put the blame on the clan. IN Memphis, they expect one thousand as a show of force.

It could have been an other Holocaust all over again, but our country is now more civilized and overcame. Perhaps they have not overcome, but we have. It was time for a change, a time to return to our roots.