The Tehran Initiative: The Twelfth Imam, Book 2

The Tehran Initiative is a continuation of the book The Twelfth Imam. While the first 10 or so pages of Tehran Initiative are spent recapping what was in the prior title, you really need to read both books in order. You might as well know now that Tehran Initiative is continued to the next book, Damascus Countdown. I was actually quite unhappy when I got to the end of Twelfth Imam to find that it wasn't, in my opinion, a complete book. At least with this book, I was more prepared for the fact that the book doesn't have a resolution as *I* have generally come to expect in reading other novels.Tehran Initiative continues the high-octane action begun in Twelfth Imam featuring characters that are well developed and in whom we have an emotional investment. The main protagonist--David Shirazi--is an American born CIA agent of Iranian descent working deep undercover in Iran as that nation prepares to launch nuclear war to destroy the Little Satan (Israel) and then the Big Satan (the US). Certain key characters act through utter incompetence (the American president Jackson being the most infuriating person in the book) while many act through religious convictions. Continuing the narrative begun in Twelfth Imam--though maybe not as blunt--Iranian leaders and many in the Muslim world believe that the end-days are upon them and that the only path to a world of justice and universal Sharia law is by following the person claiming to be the Twelfth Imam and his preaching of hate and destruction. Conversely, we have some within Iran and elsewhere in the world who are approached by Jesus and implored to reject the message of hate.The book is heart-breaking in a way as David scrambles trying to avert a nuclear catastrophe while his CIA-employers withhold the knowledge that his mother has died. When David is able to ascertain the locations of nuclear weapons about to be launched on Israel, the president shrugs his shoulders and goes back to bed. When a fellow agent takes a risk to help David (because her bosses are in a meeting) she is arrested. When a former (current?) girlfriend is accidentally told of David's association with the CIA, she is followed and has her phone calls tapped.In the meantime, Israel learns of at least two nuclear weapons off their coast targeting Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and/or Haifa and are forced to take action or see most of their country wiped out. The US president, of course, condemns Israel when they take preemptive action.The Israeli strike is interesting but perhaps a little shallow in its portrayal. The characters are very well-developed but a little over-the-top in their religious fervor or incompetence. In many ways, this book is comparable to Tom Clancy novels but is perhaps not quite up to the level of Clancy at his best. A Clancy novel would have run 1000-1500 pages to take us from beginning to end; a Joel C Rosenberg novel appears to force you to buy (at least) three 480-page novels to accomplish the same thing.Bottom line: good book, engrossing, quick and easy read, I'll buy the next book but I really don't like this model of taking a single novel and creating three books out of it...it's sort of like an 8-hour mini-series that should have been a 2-hour movie.

In this second of three books regarding the end times for Israel in regards to her struggle with her neighbors in the Middle East Joel Rosenberg again shows that he can combine the headlines from today with scripture from the Holy Bible and predict with uncany accuracy what the headlines will read in the near future.The Tehran Inititative picks up where The Twelfth Iman left off. If you have not read The Twelfth Iman you should really consider reading it first so that you will understand the flow of this middle book in what will be a triology. The Twelfth Iman is making inroads in pulling all of the nations of the Middle East together into one Caliphate that will group together to destroy the Little Satan (Israel) and the Big Satan (the United States).The Twelfth Iman is the Messiah of the Islamic world. He has come to set up a new Kingdom that will control the entire world and bring a one world government that will change the course of the world economy as well as bring the proper religion (Islamic, Shariah Law) into place. The people of the Islamic world are flocking to the Twelfth Iman, but their national leaders are a little more skeptical. But they are turning to him one by one and building the alliance.The Christian community on the other hand sees the Twelfth Iman as the predicessor to End Times Theology. The ushering in of the False Prophet and the Anit-Christ. So, we have a classic conflict of religious authorities that is taking place.On one side is Israel and the U.S. and on the other side is the Islamic world. The question is, will the CIA be able to effectively inflitrate Iran and the Twelfth Iman's ruling group or will they fail and plunge the world into a war that will see nuclear destruction as it has never been seen before.Will the U.S. and Israel remain partners or will the U.S. back away from Israel and leave them to face their fate on their own?As usual to a Rosenberg book it starts out with a policital disaster. The Twelfth Iman's group attempts to assinate the President of the United States, The President of Egypt and the Prime Minister of Israel in one terrorist attack. They are partially successful. This starts the tensions building and the showdown begins between Israel and Iran, between Israel and the United States and also between Iran and the CIA. Who will come out on top? Will the world come to an end?As usual, a second book in a triology brings answers to the first book but then leaves questions unanswered that will be finalized in the third book.But this book is a page turner. Once you start it you won't want to put it down. I guarantee that you will enjoy this read if you enjoy political end times thrillers.Enjoy!

It’s always good to read in novel form the insights that Joel Rosenberg is able to communicate. Get this book.

This is the second in a series of books, the first being The Twelfth Imam. I read these 2 books in a couple of weeks, every chance I got!Most apocalyptic novels assume the popular view that there will be a rapture followed by a 7 year rule by a western, humanist antichrist. Another view is that the anti Christ will be a Muslim, and finds a startling parallel to the biblical antichrist in the Islamic predictions of the coming Mahdi. This series is based around this interpretation of bible prophecy. If you are interested in this view I recommend Joel Richardsons books to you.The story here is set just as the Mahdi comes to power, uniting the Muslim world into a new, modern Caliphate reaching from Morocco to Pakistan. David Sherazi, a CIA agent working out of Iran uncovers a plot to destroy Israel and the USA.This is a fast paced novel, with very believable characters, and it will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next. These are two of the best novels I've read in a while.My only criticism is (and this is true of most American books on end times prophecy) that they are very US focused, which I think limits the story somewhat. European nations are also big global players, and with increasing Muslim populations they would have been interesting to explore (or even include) in the narrative. Coupled with this is the typical American evangelical unwavering support for Israel. It would have been nice to see more on the suffering people of Palestine as well, since families on both sides have the same dreams, hopes and both are hurting in the violence.However this book is still one of the best I've read and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I have enjoyed Joel C. Rosenbergs previous novels and was looking forward to reading this one. The Tehran Initiative certainly did not disappoint. This is a fast paced thriller set in Iran, America and Israel. Iran has developed nuclear missiles, and simultaneously a new world leader emerges in the form of a Muslim known as the 12th Imam. This is an end time novel which you will now be realising takes a premillennial stance. With war in the middle east an almost certainty CIA Agent David Shirazi is sent into Iran under cover to pinpoint the locations of the missiles. Overall this is a fast paced thriller which I reall enjoyed. So why the 4 stars. Initially, there are multiple storylines which seemed a little confusing, although in all fairness to the author he weaves the threads together eventually. However, I felt that this slowed the story down to start with. There is 1 major character, Marseille, who I am never quite sure why she is there or what her part in the storyline is. At one point in he story there is a large question about her life and this is never really answered. a couple of other things are left unanswered too and it left me thinking the author is setting the scene for another book. I hope so as I for one will be disappointed if not. Overall I found this to be a really enjoyable fast paced book and I would defi Italy recommend it.

Another fast paced , compulsive page turner. Highly relevant to contemporary middle east/ Usa policy this book cleverly interweaves themes we all need to address at some point in our lives.; work family balance, work ethics & conscience, issues around life& death. Throw into the mix Christianity, Judaism& Islam& you have an epic.I loved the growth of David s character, the subtle changes brought about as he faces one crisis after another. This is not your usual spy thriller novel, it's pacey relevant and an excellent read for any thinking person who wants to immerse themselves in another reality !

The final part of this story is out in three days' time and I can't wait. I'm very surprised at how fast the pace has been so far; I'm intrigued as to how the story will end. This war IS coming, one day. Joel shows by how he writes as to how enmeshed he really is with how the world works, these days. No plot to give away. You must read this trilogy for yourselves. It'll be well worth your time.

Second book in the Twelfth Imam Trilogy. Excellent Trilogy, however, it's essential you read all 3. Book 1 is the Twelfth Imam. Book 3 is Damascus Countdown! Great author, Relevant for todays world and events. Can be read by Christians and non Christians alike who are concerned about current events in the middle East.