The Last Imam by Joel Rosenberg

As the apocalyptic leaders of Iran call for the annihilation of Israel and the U.S., CIA operative David Shirazi is sent into Tehran with one objective: use all means necessary to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons program, without leaving American fingerprints and without triggering a regional war. At extreme personal risk, Shirazi executes his plan.


A native Farsi speaker whose family escaped from Iran in 1979, he couldn’t be better prepared for the mission. But none of his training has prepared Shirazi for what will happen next. An obscure religious cleric is suddenly hailed throughout the region as the Islamic messiah known as the Mahdi or the Twelfth Imam. News of his miracles, healings, signs, and wonders spreads like wildfire, as do rumors of a new and horrific war.


With the prophecy of the Twelfth Imam seemingly fulfilled, Iran’s military prepares to strike Israel and bring about the End of Days. Shirazi must take action to save his country and the world, but the clock is ticking.
 
My review:Excellent book. Joel Rosenberg really knows his stuff, and it comes through in this book. This isn't a light "fluff" novel... if you read this book, you will actually learn something - maybe a lot. I was pulled into the story as soon as I started reading it, and pretty much read it in one sitting. It is a very enjoyable read, but I also learned a lot about Islam and even about the CIA.
 
It is scary to realize how much Muslims hate us and the Jews, and although this book isn't a book to bash Islam, the reader can clearly see what is wrong with that religion.
 
This may be Rosenberg's best book yet. My only problem with the book is the ending is way too abrupt, but as I understand, there will be more to follow.
 
About the author:

Joel C. Rosenberg is the New York Times best-selling author of five novels—The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, The Copper Scroll, and Dead Heat—and two nonfiction books, Epicenter and Inside the Revolution, with some 2 million total copies in print. The Ezekiel Option received the Gold Medallion award as the "Best Novel of 2006" from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Joel is the producer of two documentary films based on his nonfiction books. He is also the founder of The Joshua Fund, a nonprofit educational and charitable organization to mobilize Christians to "bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus" with food, clothing, medical supplies, and other humanitarian relief.


The Last Imam is availble from Tyndale Publishers.

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.