Now a major motion picture
#1 New York Times bestselling author Vince Flynn introduces the young Mitch Rapp as he takes on his first covert assignment.
Mitch Rapp was a gifted college athlete without a care in the world…and then tragedy struck. Terrorists attacked innocent American citizens, and Rapp’s girlfriend was among the murdered. Two hundred and seventy souls perished on that cold December night, and thousands of family and friends were left searching for comfort. Mitch Rapp was one of them, but he was not interested in comfort. Now he wants retribution.
Two decades of cutthroat partisan politics have left the CIA and the country in an increasingly vulnerable position. Cold War veteran CIA Operations Director Thomas Stansfield knows he must prepare his people for the next war. America must confront Islamic terrorism with full force. Stansfield directs his protégée, Irene Kennedy, and his old Cold War colleague, Stan Hurley, to form a new group of clandestine operatives who will work outside the normal chain of command—men who do not exist.
What type of man is willing to kill for his country without putting on a uniform? Six months of intense training have prepared him to take the war to the enemy’s doorstep, and he does so with brutal efficiency. Rapp starts in Istanbul, where he assassinates the Turkish arms dealer who sold the explosives used in the terrorist attack. Rapp then moves on to Hamburg with his team and across Europe, leaving a trail of bodies. All roads lead to Beirut, though, and what Rapp doesn't know is that the enemy is aware of his existence and has prepared a trap. The hunter is about to become the hunted, and Rapp will need every ounce of skill and cunning if he is to survive the war-ravaged city and its various terrorist factions.
Behind the steely gaze of the nation's ultimate hero is a young man primed to become an American assassin.
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"Great book, swift acction flow. It goes back to the when Mitch Rapp started his career in the CIA. Goes over the rough training and preparation. Then the first mission where he made the kill all by himself without waiting for the team to be in place. It almost got him in trouble with his boss. The second mission came quick. The kill was a little more difficult. The finale in the is the rescue he makes of the two operatives that were held prisioners in Lebanon."
— Leo (4 out of 5 stars)
“Captivating.”
— Glenn Beck“Mitch Rapp is still the best CIA-trained human weapon this side of Jason Bourne.”
— Contra Costa Times“Flynn delivers his usual high-octane international thriller, but, in giving Rapp’s backstory, he’s infused it with more depth and heart than usual, and Guidall matches him beat for beat, proving himself a fine choice of storyteller.”
— Publishers Weekly" These books remind me of what we in the USA truly need to do. Take the war to the Radicals. Use their tactics against them. Fight under their Rules or we are bond to lose. After Korea Nam and Afghanistan it is SAD we have not yet learned what it takes to defeat this kind of WAR "
— Gunner1956, 2/10/2022" One of my favorite Rapp books. The way it explains the beginning of Mitch's journey toward the baddest man on the planet is totally satisfying. It helped set up the back and forth camaraderie between Mitch and Hurley which is played out in future novels. It's also a great look into the relationship between Hurley and Irene Kennedy. Since, in my opinion there isn't a bad Mitch Rapp novel this is a five star book in which I highly recommend. "
— Richard, 9/24/2019" This is a great book and the true "first" book in the Mitch Rapp series. The movie seems to be very loosely based on the novel, so even if you've seen the movie, please listen to this audiobook, it's so much better and is way more believable than the movie. The narrator does a very good job and the story is engaging and provides the background on Mitch Rapp and his start. Highly recommended. "
— Vincent, 10/4/2017" Fantastic learning how Mitch Rapp got his start! "
— Alec88, 2/20/2014" It was an excellent read. I enjoy reading Vince Flynn novels very much "
— Hoyee, 2/19/2014" I'm really getting into this book. "
— Kanishka, 2/16/2014" Love Mitch Rapp. "
— Susan, 2/12/2014" Another great Rapp novel. You won't be disappointed. "
— Alex, 2/8/2014" A nice introduction to Mitch Rapp. "
— Peg, 2/3/2014" Great page turner! Kept me awake until 3am for three days. "
— Igor, 1/30/2014" Love the Mitch Rapp series, though this was dug a bit too deep in the back story for my taste! Set in the early-mid 90's, it gives some fleshing out to Rapp's career at the start! "
— Jenna, 1/7/2014" Great background of Mitch Rapp, where it all began! Exciting, quick read. "
— MJ, 12/9/2013" The start of the saga of Mitch Rapp....this book provides the background surrounding Rapp's initiation into the CIA before he became the superagent described in all of Flynn's other books in the Mitch Rapp series. "
— Al, 11/14/2013" Lousy. Dropped it after the first few pages. "
— Sesh, 11/8/2013" At first I was apprehensive about going back in the timeline within the Rapp books, but damn if that wasn't the best Vince Flynn yet. Can't wait to read Kill Shot! "
— Mitch, 10/31/2013" A good prequel to the Mitch Rapp series. It shows a young Rapp learning his trade and beginning to get revenge for the Pan Am Lockerbie bombing. "
— Mark, 10/30/2013" Excellent reading and action packed story line. As said before this is like the TV series '24' in book form. So if you liked 24 you will surely enjoy this series. "
— Carsten, 10/22/2013" My first Vince Flynn book. To be honest I was underwhelmed. I kind of went in thinking this would be like the Jack Reacher series, but just a tick better. I'll definitely read a second book, but I want to roll right into the second because this first one was so great. Not so much. "
— Bryan, 9/5/2013" Really enjoyed this book!Mitch Rapp is bigger than life, but makes for a fun read. "
— Eggm710, 5/21/2013" As a Rapp fan it was nice to finally find out how he was trained and where it all started. Flynn does and excellent job of setting the scene and developing the character. An excellent thriller. "
— J.W., 12/19/2012" Loved meeting Mitch Rapp in this book! "
— Joyce, 11/30/2012" Even though this is like number nine in the series, I read it first....totally by chance b/c it was the only one available at the library. That worked out pretty good sine I learned it was 1st chronologically! Loved the book. I am now going to read through all of them. "
— Scott, 8/15/2012" Good, quick read. Spy novel that kept the pages turning! "
— Stephanie, 6/27/2012" Thoroughly enjoyed Mitch Rapp's backstory. Four and a half stars for this one. "
— Anne, 5/19/2012" Loved getting the background on Rapp. I could read these forever! "
— Julie, 4/7/2012" Enjoyed the book very much. Great characters and interesting spy novel in the mid-nineties just at the start of the problem with the jihadists (sp?). Great listen as the reader was very good. "
— Edward, 3/6/2012" Mitch Rapp is amazing. He could give Superman a run for his money. Entertaining book. Hard to put down. I think I'll back up and read some of the earlier books. "
— Pam, 5/19/2011" Fantastic learning how Mitch Rapp got his start! "
— Alec88, 5/13/2011" I was hoping for more in-depth character development since this was billed as the novel that told us "where Mitch Rapp came from," but in the end it was just more terrorist-killing ass-kicking freedom-loving Vince Flynn, and that's ok too. "
— Scott, 5/11/2011" I wanted to like American Assassin. It's gotten great buzz and I usually like a nice spy thriller but this one left me flat. I jus thad trouble getting into it and I still can't put my finger on why. "
— Mark, 5/8/2011" Awesome book! I listened to it on Spring Break! Faron & Joe listened too! They all loved it! I'm reading the Mitch Rapp Series! GREAT BOOK! "
— Sheri, 5/7/2011" excellent and you gotta love Mitch Rapp "
— Murray, 5/5/2011" Started slow but picked up towards the end "
— Pete, 5/2/2011" Great read; fun to see Mitch Rapp in action again! 5 Stars...just good easy fun reading.<br/><br/>These are like American James Bond novels...great reads!<br/> "
— Brendan, 5/1/2011" Mitch Rapp is a true American hero - and this is where we find out how it all started. If you haven't read any of the others, you can start with this one. "
— Di, 4/26/2011" This Vince Flynn book takes us back to Mitch Rapp's beginning -- back to when he first starting training to work for the CIA in covert operations (VERY covert). "
— Missmath144, 4/22/2011" Interesting but I hope it improves "
— Darren, 4/21/2011" Unbelievable. Soooo good. It goes back into how Mitch started his journey as an Orion team assassin. Loved it. I'm a little sad because I think this is the last Rapp book. "
— Sarah, 4/19/2011Vince Flynn (1966–2013) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. After struggling for years to get published, his first novel, Term Limits, hit the New York Times bestseller list and started a trend for all of his novels, which have become perennial bestsellers. He earned a sterling reputation for his research and prescient warnings about the rise of radical Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism.
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.