American Assassin - Book 1 Project

American Assassin

The Video Game

 

Join Mitch Rapp  in his mission to combat terrorism, leading him through a series of clandestine operations, and rising him to become of the most remarkable assassins. The American Assassin video game allows you to enter his world, while remaining in the safety of your home. Accompany Rapp on his travels around the world, leading him from one dangerous country to another, and leaving behind only what remains of his enemies.

This video game replicates the series of undercover operations CIA agent Mitch Rapp is sent on in order to bring terrorists to justice, and protect the citizens of the United States. After being recruited at the beginning of the novel by CIA director, Irene Kennedy, Rapp endures months of hard training before trading in his normal life. In this game, rules are irrelevant, just as they are to covert agents. Mitch Rapp made his directors aware of this, telling them, “I have a history of disregarding orders (170).” From successful kills to escaping from capture, you get to lead Mitch Rapp through every situation, and learn for yourself how split second decisions impact the future of your life (or in this case, the game). Replicated off of the original missions in American Assassin, you start off in Istanbul and work your way across Europe, battling various terrorist factions at every stop. As you get to take part in the missions, you gain an understanding of how typical moral concerns must be set aside when dealing with terrorist. This game represents the same beliefs as author, Vince Flynn, that America must abandon traditional rules of warfare and employ more aggressive tactics in order to save more lives. Rapp describes this idea by stating, “Retribution is a punishment that is morally right and fully deserved (93).” Readers, having had an understanding for what Rapp is referring to, will maintain a greater appreciation for the dangerous tasks agents like him face. Ohlmeyer, a worker for the CIA tells Rapp that his type is “the hunter,” something that is “imprinted in his genetic code (256).” This quality enables Rapp to become a killer, and a great asset to the United States. This game will allow you to get the opportunity to find out if you have what it takes, and if you are in fact a “hunter” also.

This video game provides the ultimate experience for everyone who can't get enough of Mitch Rapp. Those who find themselves having dreams of taking down enemies are now able to put their skills to the test. This game will provide people the opportunity to follow along on missions they have read about, as well as journey on to more. By creating this interactive virtual world, fans are able to stay connected with the author, characters, and ideas of the book long after finishing it. This game will also broaden the audience to those who are not big readers, but still want to gain the experience of the plot. Not only will fans be able to enjoy this game on their own, but they can also team up and play with friends in a battle mission. The creation of this game will bring the book to life, pull in a greater fan base, and allow Rapp fans to get more of the action they crave.

Post 2: What is a book?

To me, a book is a place. A place that takes you back in time, springs you forward, or simply keeps you grounded in reality. Whether it is bound with a spine, folded into a 3 dimensional shape, or read from the screen of a technological devise, it is a book. Regardless of its outward appearance, and book or unbook like qualities, it is the message inside that makes it a novel. To be a book it must have a collection of words that work together to form a story of sorts, or at least be a multitude of concise statements. Although my interpretation of what defines a book is loose, I’m not to say a bowl of alphabet soup should be classified as a book just because of its letters. But I am also not to say that a story read from a screen is not a book because it lacks the “look, feel and smell” as Nancy Jo Sales does, when it is still, very obviously, a book. Those who classify pieces as a book based off its physicality are confusing their personal reading preferences, with the question they are addressing. The question being what makes a book a book, it is illogical to argue that because a book is copied onto a screen it is no longer a book, when the place it takes you is the same. I agree with Victor LaValle’s statement that, “It’s not the book, but the idea of the book.” There is nothing “magical” about a book, but instead about the place it takes you. The message encompassed within a novel is more important than the form it comes in itself, which makes the discussion of tangible books vs. eBooks strictly on one of preference.  A book is like a time machine, so regardless of the form you are reading it in, allow yourself to travel to a new place.

Why I read

Reading is an activity enjoyed by some, hated by others, and done by all. Whether you choose to read for pure pleasure, or are forced to for the sake of your English grade, everyone has their reasons for reading. It has become a priority in our education system that children learn to read as soon as possible. Besides the fact that it is necessary for means of communication, some people view it as a vital activity that must be practiced routinely. Although this may be true, there is something to be said for the growing numbers of children who have come to despise reading due to the pressure of parents and teachers. I was among those children. Still today you wouldn't find me tucked in the corner of a library with my nose in a book, but I have come to be okay with reading, and even at times enjoy it. When given the option to read something that interests me, it alleviated the pressure, and allowed me to simply read on my own terms.

My primary purpose for reading is for educational purposes, and for the knowledge that can be gained from it. By this I do not mean reading solely for school, nor do I mean picking up a math textbook on the weekends for fun, but rather reading books that mean something to my life, and to our society. Maintaining a strong interest in history and politics, I am drawn to primarily non-fiction books. Through reading from this genre of literature I am able to learn more about history, as well as get the opportunity to see things from a new perspective.

Attempted assasination on President Reagan

What provokes planed assassinations on US Presidents? Is it a disagreement with his/her platform? Or is it simply to take out the one in power? That we don't know. So far, 4 United States Presidents have been assassinated, and one has survived an attempt.

Abraham Lincoln (the 16th President), James A. Garfield (the 20th President), William McKinley (the 25th President) and John F. Kennedy (the 35th President), have all been assassinated in office, while Ronald Reagan came very close to being among them. 

On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was open fired on by John Hinckley Jr. while exiting the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. A total of six shots were fired, one of them hitting President Reagan just below his left arm coming with in inches of his heart. Luckily, Reagan survived the attempt and on April 11 was released from the hospital to return to his Presidential duties. Reagan bounced back from this incident, leading our country into some of the best years it has seen. 

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Krista Ramsey

Krista- The very poor case for arming teachers

• http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/02/22/krista-the-very-poor-case-for-arming-teachers/5744065/

In this entry, Krista discusses the controversial issue of arming school teachers for protection against school shootings. This however brings upon many new risks and responsibilities, causing many citizens to go against the proposal. 

A powerful and well constructed line from her column is, "But sending weapons into schools – the vast majority of which have not been and will not be the scene of violence – is the most unwise of solutions." This line takes a clear stand on the issue, persuading the audience of her own beliefs. She makes her point by first addressing her opposing side, then by backing it up with information to support her claim, and lastly by taking a side. By writing her sentence in the opposite order of how we would normally state a claim. She is able to draw readers in and catch there attention, without immediately turning them away to not read on by bluntly stating her opinion at the beginning. Hyphens are used in this sentence to separate her closely related thoughts. 

Ramsey's writing style is professional and includes voice, while incorporating elevated diction and syntax.  She uses varied sent ace structure, placing telegraphic sentences following medium ones. This draws the readers attention to certain lines and topics of importance, as well as keeps the readers interested. Several rhetorical questions are found in this column and help to support her argument. "Does an armed teacher leave his class to respond elsewhere? Will she make the correct split-second call in a situation that would be daunting to the most experienced police officer?" Voice in this piece is presented as interruptions, surrounded by hyphens. "You are clearly about to be lobbied – probably heavily – to vote to give the Protecting Our Students and Teachers plan a six-month trial." 

Questions to ask Ramsey:

1) Do you believe laws will be passed forcing school teachers to be armed? 

2) What topics that you do column writings on are you most interested in? 

3) When writing columns, do you often incorporate your opinions on the topic as you did in this column? 

Important lines

Safe Haven

The most memorable of important line from the pages I have read over the last couple of days was " The last time he'd seen that, he reflected, was when Carly had been alive." This is important because one of the main characters in the novel had just been introduced, Alex. Alex owned the only shop around town where you could find everything, and Katie would be making trips there requently. Alex has a young daughter named Kristen, and a son named Josh. We also found out in that line that he his wife, Carly, has passed away. This line stood out to me becuase it begins the development of Alex and Katie's relationship. It shows that Katie stood out to him, and the way she was with his children reminded him of his wife. For just meeting Katie, he seems to see something in her that he has been unable to find since the passing of Carly. Kristen was immediatly attatched to Katie, and loved talking and being around her. She looked up to Katie, and might end up being the daughter Katie never had.

Katie, Alex, Josh, and Kristen

Setting and Imagery of Safe Haven

Safe Haven by: Nicholas Sparks

Southport, North Carolina

Safe Haven takes place in Southport, North Carolina. Southport is a small costal town on the banks of the Cape Fear River. Its stunning views, breezy air, and small town feel make Southport a perfect get-away. It is the perfect place for the setting of this book as Katie tries to escape from her difficult past and start a new life in a place she can call her "safe haven". The towns calm and welcoming feel contrasts with the dark and fearful life she previously experienced.

 "It was late April, the temperature hovering just around perfect, and blue skies stretched to the horizon. Beyond her, the intercostal was calm despite the breeze and seemed to mirror the color of the sky. A dozen seagulls perched on the railing, waiting to dark beneath the tables if someone dropped a scrap of food."

The imagery found in the book paints a vivid picture of what the town of Southport is like, and makes the reader feel as if they have been there themselves. Through the descriptions you are not only able to envision the scenic environment of the town, but feel the serenity.

The way Southport is described reminds me of a vacation spot in Florida that I have been going to ever since I was young. Palm Beach is a small privet island off Florida separated by the intercostal waterway. secluded from all the tourist, it has the residential feel that Southport is described as having. It has always been our getaway, like Southport is now Katie's.