Review: Tragically ironic
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 16, 2012
I have family in the States and visit them regularly. Whether because of the higher rate of violence and different gun laws, I'm always more watchful and cautious when travelling there, so this was a topic that intrigued me.I in fact read both parts of this book a month ago, but with the tragic shooting yesterday felt compelled to comment. On the surface this is a thrills and spills action thriller. But beneath there's a lively debate too which got me into the political and lobbying set-up and gave me a better understanding of just why tougher gun laws - a no-brainer to most of us Brits - have been so hard to get implemented in the USA.Out of all this wrangling arises a thesis which does actually have a chance of succeeding with US Congress. Some far right factions panic and events explode as the two sides battle for the hearts and minds of America over gun control.But what struck as ironic is the same panic depicted in this book to bury the proposal can be seen in some of the right-wing review reactions to it. The author appears to have hit a more painfully accurate chord than he realized. A topical subject, sensitively handled. Have recommended to a number of friends and family as a 'must-read'.* Note: this review covers both parts #1 and 2, which I finished last week. My copy was editorially perfect, though it is written in UK English and so the different spelling on some words might throw some US readers. I travel a lot between the UK and USA (where I have family), so it's something I pick up on more than most.