The Global War on Morris: A Novel

Now, just imagine, you're in the dentist's waiting room and you lean over to move a magazine off a hardcover book lying there. It turns out to be a hilarious, sarcastic mashup of Walter Mitty and the Dept. of Homeland Security with a dollop of NSA Tech smeared across the cover. The receptionist calls you. What do you do?Well, if the book is titled The Global War on Morris by Steve Israel, you pick up the book and make up an excuse on the fly, as to why you must reschedule the appointment. It's that good. Who could have known that my former Congressman had the storytelling chops and sense of dry, dark humor to rival the writing cast of The Daily Show? The story concerns a mild-mannered pharma rep from Great Neck, LI who is drawn into a Bush II -era NSA surveillance operation that somehow makes him the chief target. It is unforgettable and set so perfectly in the Long Island milieu that anyone reading this who has never visited New York's eastern suburbs will be able to cross it off the "to be visited" list confidently. Government can get ponderous in huge helpings, and the author's sideways glance into the workings of the post 9-11 Security mentality will leave you steamrolled and in stitches. Having lived on Long Island for more than half of my life, and seeing as I know these people pretty well, I'll keep mum on the rest. You'll just have to pick up a copy and find out the truth for yourself.

Heard about this book on "Hardball". Chris Matthews had a hard time interviewing the author without laughing. I had to read this book and I'm glad I did! Bless the inventors of the Kindle! With a click of my finger, I entered the world of Morris Feldstein! Yes I laughed out loud through out the book, beginning with the dedication: "To former vice president Dick Cheney. And to my dad, who didn't particularly care for him." I know the feeling. It's a funny, thought provoking and yes, scary book and sooooo entertaining! Couldn't put it down and a little sad that it's over.

I love this book. So entertaining. It really makes me laugh. Israel does a superb job of defining his characters, it's as if I have actually met them in person. The story and characters alone are sufficiently funny but Israel's unique descriptions are equally entertaining. This isn't a literary masterpiece but it is, indeed, a very fun and worthy read. Lighten up a bit and enjoy a fun book. ok. there are political overtones and if you are a hard core Republican without a sense of humor, you won't like it. If you are a hard core democrat trying to make a statement about overreach, you are overreaching. Let's all try to enjoy the humor and understand without overstating its implications and trying to stretch this into reality. Let's all enlighten ourselves and imagine how things can and do go awry without alienating people whose perspective could be expanded by an enjoyable and humorous read. It's unfortunate that some people want to take this to the nth mile in a political message for a partisan purpose instead of actually appreciating this book's entertainment value and realize that the Obama Administration continued the practices of the Bush administration. So tell me who is right - the Republicans who started the efforts at surveillance or the Democrats who continued them with gusto once the threat could be put into clarified perspective? Really, this shouldn't be a partisan issue, it's a real challenge of democracy vs technical capability and the the balance between the two, the debate on which should transcend party lines - unless you simply are so closed minded you cannot possibility engage in a rational debate on the trade-offs. This is a good and funny read if all would stop some deep political discourse on it. I suspect this will be voted the most unhelpful review - as all dems and all republicans will rate it so - so I will have to depend on all the true independents to rate this review - please speak up!

...and may be better!! With characters and situations both real and imagined Cong. Israel has written a comic novel that strikes so close to home in often hysterical ways. Between the fabulous Feldsteins and the inept terrorists come the real world idiots in our own government and the labyrinth of agencies that, during the Bush years, became obsessed with conspiracies real and, at least in this book, imagined.A great read!!

The Global War on Morris is absolutely brilliant...and pee-your-pants funny! I read it out on my deck while smoking a cigar over the course of a few sunny afternoons...and I'm sure my neighbors were ready to have me committed to a mental institution because I couldn't stop laughing. There is much rollicking partisan satire, but the story (and the underlying message) truly transcends party politics. Readers of any and every persuasion will enjoy this book immensely. It is going on my shelf alongside Vonnegut, Hiaasen, Dorsey, Pratchett, and Adams. I'd love to see "Morris" made into a movie someday...but in the meantime, I am eagerly awaiting Israel's next book.

The Global War on Morris is a hoot of a book, written by Congressmen Steve Israel. It is about a poor schmuck who gets caught up in the Bush War on Terror after 9/11 events. Poor Morris gets blind sided just living his life going on trying to be below the radar of anyone around him.I believe we could have all ended up like Morris if events were to have continued from the National Security Surveillance Program . An enjoyable rump through the Cheney admin that targeted anyone and everyone.

I also heard Chris Mathews interview Steve Israel about this book. I seldom read novels, but oh my, am I glad I read this one. I dissolved in tears of laughter throughout the book. Mr. Israel's description of Dick Cheney is priceless. But, of course underneath the humor and satire, is the truth of era of 9/11. I hope Mr. Israel writes more books.

Steve Israel is hilarious as a writer. I believe he is no longer in the U.S. Congress, which is another plus with many. His humor is contagious. I never express emotions when reading, but found myself chuckling and finally had to start sharing some passages with my spouse. I would love to see more by Israel.