From Publishers WeeklyThe use of mass market originals as a farm team for hardcovers has lost popularity, but still works occasionally, as with Rollins, whose three mass markets (Deep Fathom, Excavation and Subterranean) displayed a flair for brawny adventure within an exotic locale a flair put to good use in his hardcover debut. A U.S. Special Forces agent walks out of the jungle and quickly dies of rampant tumors; what's especially bizarre is that this man has two arms, but when he entered the jungle five years before as part of a biopharmaceutical exploratory expedition, which has been lost track of, he had only one. The rest of the novel follows a group of scientists and U.S. military guardians as they trek deep into the jungle in search of the missing expedition and, hopefully, the secret to the regrown arm a secret that takes on vast importance when the dead agent's body, shipped to the States, spreads a disease that threatens to wipe out the American population. Meanwhile, a second, predatory expedition, led by a French psychopath, surreptitiously follows the first, aiming to steal whatever cure the searchers uncover; both expeditions wind up at the isolated home of a legendary tribe and the malignant, giant tree that sustains it. Rollins won't win awards for his prose or characters, though both function smoothly in this boldly drawn entertainment, and there's little here that isn't a variation of some classic adventure trope. His pacing is forceful, however, and his atmospherics rich, with giant caimans and jaguars, mutant amphibians and hungry locusts adding to the mayhem, a high body count and a congenial sense of the ridiculous although Rollins plays it deadpan. This is old-fashioned, rugged adventure in the tradition of Haggard and Crichton, told with energy, excitement and a sense of fun. (Mar.)Forecast: National print ads and California regional author appearances will win Rollins some fans, but the simultaneous release of 12-copy prepacks of his three mass markets manifest this novel's likely fate: respectable hardcover, bestselling paperback.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. "An adventure tale in the grand manner. Rollins takes the reader through the horror and intrigue of the like no one else. The action never relents." -- Clive CusslerThis is old-fashioned, rugged adventure in the tradition of Haggard and Crichton, told with energy, excitement and a sense of fun. -- Publishers Weekly"ia is a nonstop, thrill-a-minute ride. This is just the book for Indiana Jones fans!" -- Tess Gerritsen"ia grabs you by the throat from page one and refuses to let go until the very last page is turned. Rollins is one of the most inventive storytellers writing today...Don't you dare miss this one!" -- Lincoln childFrom the AuthorAbout James RollinsJAMES ROLLINS is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. Known for unveiling unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets, Rollins' knack for breakneck pacing and stunning originality has been hailed by critics and embraced by scores of millions of readers around the world.The Critics RaveThe New York Times says that his "roguish charm comes from his efforts to persuade readers the story is credible [through] real-life sources for his novel's science, history and geography." Rollins' rare blend of action, suspense, and knowledge was also mentioned by the Huffington Post, which stated that "After Crichton passed away in 2008 he clearly passed the baton to James Rollins, who like Crichton, is a renaissance man."NPR calls his work "adventurous and enormously engrossing..." and the New York Journal of Books had this to say: "If you're a fan of smart, entertaining adventure fiction, this is your summer beach read writ large....All the science, all the history, and all the locations are masterfully intertwined. The characters are multi-dimensional. And the story is, well, a corker."The Story Teller's StoryAs a boy immersed in the scientific adventures of Doc Savage, the wonders of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, and pulps such as The Shadow, The Spider, and The Avenger, James Rollins decided he wanted to be a writer. He honed his storytelling skills early, spinning elaborate tales that were often at the heart of pranks played on his brothers and sisters.Before he would set heroes and villains on harrowing adventures, Rollins embarked on a career in veterinary medicine, graduating from the University of Missouri and establishing a successful veterinary practice. This hands-on knowledge of medicine and science helps shape the research and scientific speculation that set James Rollins books apart.Explosive Page-Turning AdventuresThe exotic locales of James Rollins novels have emerged as a hybrid between imagination, research, and his extensive travels throughout the United States and Europe, as well as New Zealand, the South Pacific, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. Recent jaunts include book tours and stops across the country and several European nations to give talks, seminars, and media interviews.In recent years, much of James' travel has involved meeting readers in small and large groups, at writing and fan conferences, and even aboard seagoing "seminars." James' mentoring and coaching skills have made him a sought after writing instructor and guest speaker for workshops, symposia, conventions, and other forums throughout the country.James Rollins is the author of nine thrillers in the bestselling Sigma Force series (Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, The Last Oracle, The Doomsday Key, The Devil Colony, Bloodline, and The Eye of God); six individual adventure thrillers; and the Jake Ransom middle grade series (Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow, Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx.) what is the best used book website Amazonia
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Interesting storyBy KarlaThe preview of the book caught my eye and I admit, it hooked me. I really wanted to know what happened to Gerald Clark, the soldier who wandered out of the after being missing for four years. Not only did he emerge with a strange tattoo, which the natives feared but he also came out with two arms after having gone into the jungle with just one (War injury). Gerald dies the same night he emerged from the jungle and missionary who found him did not heed the warning of the natives to the burn the body. When the missionary discovered that Gerald was American ex special forces, the body is claimed by the US. The problems start when every area that the body is transported through, sickness follows. It's up to Nathan Rand and his colleagues to find out what happened to the other scientists that were on the scientific expedition four years before and find the miraculous cure that caused Gerald's arm to grow back. They are also racing to find a cure for the disease that was quickly spreading.The book was of course, unbelievable but then again, it's fiction. It was enjoyable to read but I guess I was expecting a more practical explanation. The book was captivating and hard to put down. I just kept wondering what to expect next.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy LAThis is one of my all time favorite James Rollins books! I've read it several times over the years and decided to pick it back up again this past weekend. I stayed up half the night reading it from start to finish. The setting in the is amazing with fast paced action throughout the book. The descriptions of what they encounter in the jungle are so real you feel as if you are trekking along with them. I loved all the information on the medicinal properties of jungle plants and the unique tribes that live deep in the . After finishing the book, I did some research on the tribes and medicinal plants in the book. To my surprise, much of what Rollins wrote about is actually factual information. The Yamomama and Shuar headhunter tribe are actual indigenous people groups living in Ecuador and Peru. I found three true stories which relate and have now purchased these books as well. Check out: The Way Around by David Good, Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot, and End of the Spear by Steve Saint.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Breaking my "read it again" ruleBy 38 GunnerRollins is "the" greatest adventure writer of the day and "ia" is his best. Action, adventure, suspense and a little sex make this a pleasure to read....twice. Just as good the second time!!!!!!