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When Russia's richest oil baron is killed, Moscow suddenly teeters on the verge of political chaos. Tehran races to complete its nuclear arsenal. Washington finds herself dangerously divided from her European allies. A new evil looms on the horizon. A dictator is rising in Russia. Iran is feverishly building nuclear weapons. A new axis of evil is emerging, led by Moscow and Tehran. And Jon Bennett and Erin McCoy, two senior White House advisors, find themselves facing the most chilling question of their lives: is the world rushing to the brink of an apocalypse prophesied more than 2,500 years ago?

"If you only read one book this year . . . this is it!" --Rush Limbaugh, New York Times best-selling author

Customer Reviews:

• Foul! 10 Yard Penalty!
  Joel Rosenberg's third political thriller has me crying, "foul".
  
  Let's back up a bit; I really enjoyed his first two novels, The Last Jihad and The Last Days. These earlier books had a great story to them and were very engaging. However, by the end of The Last Days, Rosenberg added a little conversation that was a sneak-peak at what was to come.
  
  And what came was The Ezekiel Option.
  
  The story is about Rosenberg's main character, Jon Bennett, a senior White House adviser and his fiancee trying to stop a massive war in the middle east.
  
  There's a new czar in Russia and he knows how to play the political game. He calls on Israel to dismantle all of her nuclear weapons and help create a peaceful Middle East or face dire consequences. Remember America saying the same thing to Iraq? That is the plan for Israel. In this case, will America step up to protect Israel? Will there be a volley of nuclear warheads?
  
  The long and short of the book is right there.
  
  Now comes the part that I despised: This book has become another series in the Left Behind theology. There are pages upon pages of theology preaching by two characters. They even mention LaHaye and his books. Unbelievable.
  
  Can we please just have a cool political thriller without the religious gab? ...more info
• It was a dark and stormy night.
  No, seriously, Joel's writing style often strikes me that way. He's no Roald Dahl or Kishon. But style is not his strength. Story is. And the story is pretty good. He's done a pretty fair job of researching these things, too, but I was disappointed that he dropped the ending. I'm Christian, too, and I very much enjoyed the way he kept the story all about Christ, because, after all, for those of us who believe, that's exactly what the apocalypse is all about. But, it doesn't end with the destruction of Gog/Magog. That's just the opening act. What comes next is what it's really all about. And that's precisely what's missing here. I'd like to see Joel take another crack at this sometime, going beyond what he's done here.
  
  The theme is obviously personal to Joel, being, I believe, a Christian Jew. And this is an excellent way for him to spread the word, as well as (his take on) the prophecies (and not just Ezekiel's). As such, his passion pays off in an intense story, but a largely unmoving story. I didn't really feel that strongly for the characters. I didn't really feel the impact of global disaster and universal social upheaval. This in spite of the fact that Joel tries to use that almost ubiquitous tactic of multiple story lines (all tied together by the hero), and international settings (by virtue of the hero's high station, as well as the fact that the apocalypse is global in nature), and even brings us in close to the characters, putting them in harrowing circumstances, reflecting on their lives, etc. I dunno. Maybe It's just me.
  
  As for the audio book's features, I'm delighted that publishers are finally delivering audio books on a single, mp3 encoded disc rather than on numerous audio CDs (which I just rip to my PC anyway), or, worse still, cassettes (which are too bothersome to rip, so I just don't buy them). The reader does a fair job of `performing', although his interpretation of female roles (especially Erin's) borders on the comical. And his accent and timbre aren't exactly James Earl Jones. Or even Morgan Freeman. But he's pretty good, nonetheless. His energetic rendition conveyed the intensity of the story quite well, and was almost as entertaining as the story itself. Still, I would love to hear an audio book delivered like the radio-plays of old: with different actors with unique voices, like Kathleen Turner and Chris Rock, for each of the parts, and a separate narrator for the rest, someone like Peter Coyote or ... OH YEAH... Denzel Washington.
  ...more info
• Hard to Put It Down!
  I started Joel's series because I'd read Epicenter. This entire series rocks with focus, twists and turns, and incredible insight ~ both real from study, and imaginative "what if" scenarios. No matter what your belief system is ~ consider keeping up with Joel....more info
• Ezekiel Option
  Mr. Rosenberg is good. I could not put this or any of his other books down. The characters are so real and I felt like he was taking behind the scenes to the middle east. Incredible journey. I just recently read the Last Days and the Last Jihad. Again, I don't think anybody can do what Mr. Rosenberg has done with the first three. Can't wait until I can purchase the Copper Scroll. I hope it doesn't end there though. I hate when that happens. I felt like I was right there. Thanks,...more info
• The Ezekiel Option
  While this book will keep you on the edge of your seat it also does the best job I have ever read to explain the Old Testament book of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. I have given this book as a witness to Jewish and Non Jewish friends as a foretelling of what is coming and what God is going to do in Israel. It is both an outstanding novel and a tremendous witness containing a great layout on God's plan of salvation. I can not recommend this book enough....more info
• Disappointed
  My family enjoyed the plot lines and the Biblical connections that came about from time to time. I originally bought all of Joel's books (5) on audio cds so we could listen to during drive times in the car. I wanted my family to hear some background and achieve another level of understanding with regards to Iraq, Iran, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, the European Union, Israel, and the prophetic possibilties in the Holy Scriptures we call the Bible. We want them to understand why things are happening/playing out the way they are, and why which parties are involved.
  
  Joel's books do this, giving you ideas of possible scenarios with regards to actual Biblical Prophecy. HOWEVER, as soon as we finish each audiobook, we will throw them away. Why? Brother Joel obviously is using the flawed undertaking that in order to reach the "lost" in the world (i.e. non-Believers), we need to put a little sin into something Biblical in order to make it palatible. Sadly, he ignores the Bible's direct explanations that a little leaven leavens the whole loaf. For years we've watched people fall out of the God of Israel's Holiness and play fake Christianity because they were "brought into the fold" by mixed modes of worldy/secular verions of Christianity. People are brought into the fold with a little leaven, and they live their "faith" out with leaven continually existing in various areas of their lives, having no problem with the sins, having no desire to be set-apart/kadosh/holy. Everybody's a Christian, just as long as they profess to be.... The violent content is a bit too discriptive at times for entertainment, though not unthinkable. FREQUENT use of the "hell" swear-word-fashion is quite uncomfortable. Finally, taking the use of "God" as slang term and in emphasis mode for emotive moments that obviously don't involve talking TO or ABOUT God Himself, is unnerving. "Hell" and "God" are used in completely unBiblical manners. Sometimes you'll "hear" both a professing Believer as WELL AS a non-Believer using these terms. Neither is acceptable in books written by Believers. I was quite embarased when it began happening over and over, and so was my family when we heard these books on audio cds. Un-charateristic for a Godly-man, such as Brother Joel professes to be.
  
  Don't buy...violence and swearing/slang/blasphemy are frequent or inappropriate....more info
• The Second Rise of the Soviets
  Rosenberg nails it. The Soviets, (the Russians) will rise again and will try to destroy the U.S. and Israel. It's not if, it's when.
  
  I love the situation Rosenberg puts Bennett in. I think it's so realistic and exciting. Bennett gets wounded in a coalition fight against rebels and the Kremlin's forces, and ends up in a hospital in Russia. His fiancee, Erin McCoy was with him during the gunfight, and was also wounded and put in a hospital. The newly-named Russian czar releases Bennett and keeps Erin and tortured her. I really enjoyed the climax buildup of how Bennett feels the mad rush to rescue her and get her back to the States.
  
  I strongly say that Joel C. Rosenberg it the ultimate best novelist today. His scenarios throw you into the action and keep you interested in what happens next. If you are a Rosenberg fan, a bookworm, a political guru, or just a plain old American, you need to read The Ezekiel Option. Long live Bennett and Rosenberg!...more info
• The Ezekiel Option by Joel Rosenberg
  I have been reading Joel Rosenberg's series and I am slowly reading them because I don't want it to end.
  That is how good they are.
  Maggie ...more info
• Great book
  This book is a page turner! Rosenberg writes an exciting story using bibilical scripture as a basis. He has a wealth of knowledge of happenings in the Middle East and this shows in his book. Even knowing the book is a work of fiction and the writer's idea of a possible way what is foretold in Ezekiel could play out, it encouraged me to search the scriptures for context and meaning for myself. A novel that can not only entertain but also inspire people to enthusiastically research the scriptures for themselves is a winner in my book! ...more info
• Among the Better Christian End of Days Fiction
  This book is the third in the series beginning with The Last Jihad. It drives me crazy they don't put that on the book cover and you can't figure what you should read when.
  
  In any case, this book is a great pick. Much better than the first two, it is more in-depth and contains so much information that it was a learning experience. There are parts of the book that are rather slow and bogged down so that if you are like me and aren't knowledgeable about international politics or geography, it can become quite tedious to read at times. These parts add to the background if you are interested, but are irrelevant to the story overall and make it difficult to follow. Also, sometimes the plot and the way the characters interact with each other, or the situations they find themselves in, can be a bit unbelievable.
  
  Nonetheless, I found the prophecy of Gog and Magog to be fascinating. Any work of fiction that you can also gain knowledge from is a positive thing to me. This book along with several others I have read lately is helping me to see my Bible, and particularly the Old Testament, as more of a living prophecy rather than a written history. It has also sparked my interest in the prophecy and other books that might give a commentary on it. The research and depth that Rosenberg has put into this book makes it worth reading. There were also a few more intimate moments in the book that made my heart ache and the book gives you a picture of what the end days could really look like. So overall, this book is definitely worth the read....more info
• Great grasp of geography and prophecy
  I actually got a geography and history lesson out of this book.
  Statements Mr. Rosenberg made about geographical locations and history related to Iran I followed up with research and discovered he had a pretty good lock on the subject which made the book all the more fun.
  In fact he inspired me to write a couple of Daily Thoughts for my subscribers out of research his book provoked.
  Dr. Michael L. Ford
  Jonsquill Ministries...more info
• Uncompelling and Unbiblical
  This book left me wondering whether Mr. Rosenberg had actually read the book of Ezekiel, or if he just super-imposed his weak plot over the Biblical prophecy in order to draw in the "left behind" crowd.
  
  If you actually read Ezekial 38, its a pretty different story than the one Mr. Rosenberg lays out. The invading army comes rolling in "all of them riding horses" and brandishing an assortment of primitive weapons, all of which haven't been in service with the Russian army for three or four hundred years.
  
  Symobolic, you say? Horses are actually tanks, and clubs are actually assault rifles? Well, read on. In the aftermath of the battle, Ezekiel 39 says that wild beasts gorge themselves on the flesh of the horses (v20) and the locals use the clubs, bows, arrows, and spears as firewood for the next 7 years (v9)! Sound like real horses and wood weapons to me.
  
  So this leaves 2 possibilities....either the Russians are going to digress to pre-16th century warfare (and ride all the way from Moscow to Tel-Aviv on horseback), or this is actually a past-tense battle. Mr. Rosenberg's story doesn't fit into either....more info
• Suspenseful. Thrilling. Prophetic. Breathless.
  THE EZEKIEL OPTION is #3 in the political thriller series about the last days by Joel Rosenberg.
  
  This book finds our two favorite heroes, Jon Bennet and Erin McCoy working in Russia to move the peace and prosperity process for the Middle East along. Relations between the United States and Russia have been strained to the breaking point by the shooting down of the high-jacked airliner which threatened the White House. Jon and Erin try to help until a series of unexpected developments put them both in grave danger and the world in imminent peril.
  
  THE EZEKIEL OPTION relies much more on Biblical prophecies than the previous two books. As the name implies, this story line focuses on Israel, her friends and her enemies. Gog and Magog make their presence know as the world careens toward the final judgments.
  
  Christians will recognize many of the prophetic twists and turns while those unfamiliar with these future events will find it a fascinating read.
  
  Rosenberg is a skilled writer and keeps the reader on the edge of the seat as they burn through this suspenseful page-turner. I found myself having to remember to breathe during the tense cliff-hanger moments. The pace is truly frenetic and suspenseful.
  ...more info
• Knocked me back in my chair!
  Yesterday I was about 3/4 of the way through this book, put it down & turned on my computer for a quick look at Drudge for my evening news brief before starting dinner, saw Drudge's flashing beacon (reserved for the most major breaking news) and read the huge headline under it.
  
  Stunned, I picked up the book again and turned back to hunt for something I'd read a few minutes earlier. I found it on pps. 271-2.
  
  (The first 2/3 of the book deals mainly with Russia's PR campaign to discredit America and establish itself as the world's premier power and only hope for "world peace". The American president is scheduled to deliver an address to the UN defending his country against the vicious Russian disinformation.)
  
  Hours before he is to speak, the Russian president (who seized power via a coup) holds a preemptive press conference to "make a stunning announcement in the name of world peace", i.e., that:
  
  "Under intense pressure from the Russian government, Iran had publicly announced that she had agreed to completely abandon her nuclear ambitions. Effective immediately, Tehran would begin dismantling all her nuclear reactors and research facilities and would account for--and promptly return to Russia--all of the uranium Iranian officials had been enriching since the late 1990s....[that Russia would] welcome international inspectors to both monitor and assist in the denuclearization of Iran."
  
  That was written in 2005. On the evening of Mar.2, 2009, I see this giant headline on Drudge:
  
  'OBAMA 'READY TO DROP MISSILE SHIELD PLANS FOR RUSSIAN HELP ON IRAN'!
  
  Joel Rosenberg's comprehension of the hidden currents that are shaping today's world events is nothing short of supernatural. (And that's the entire point he's trying to make.)...more info
• Very Good Series
  I have really enjoyed this political series and I would recommend it to anyone with an open mind towards the end times and christianity. I think Mr Rosenberg does a good job with making prophecy come to life. While I don't think any of us know for sure what is really going to happen, he is brave to take an educated stab at it. No, it's not a great peice of literature like, say, The Brothers Karamazov, but it doesn't need to be. I think these books will entertain deeper thoughts into the bible and prophecy, and I think that's one of the reason's why Mr Rosenberg wrote these novels. ...more info
• GREAT book - even though I returned it.
  Bought this as a gift and my husband beat me to it! (it was for him) He loved the book though and I returned the one I got to Amazon....more info
• So realistic, truly amazing!
  This is the first Joel C. Rosenberg book I've read, and now I can't wait to get my hands on the next! The Ezekiel Option is very believable, especially considering the latest events in the Middle East and Russia. If you are interested in Biblical prophecy, and ever wondered how Ezekiel 38 & 39 could be set up and play out, you will love this book.
  
  The Ezekiel Option is exceptionally well-written, gripping, and powerful -- a joy to read....more info