Well worth a second read 
I just finished reading "Last Flight Out of Oz" for the second time. The first read was very enjoyable, but as I read it for the second time, at a more leisurely pace, I was blown away by the quality of this work!
Not only is the story-line thought-provoking and exciting, but the characters are so developed as individuals, and the dialogue amongst them so crisp, intelligent and cutting edge.
I recommend this work to anyone looking for a compelling novel, based on true events happening in the world today.
Compelling read - check it out!
I read this book in two days because I was intrigued by how it was going to turn out. The novel works on at least three levels - a "coming of age" story, a "cautionary tale," and a good old-fashioned suspense thriller. What makes the novel work on all of these levels is that the authors never forget that their first duty is to tell a good story.
I think the authors mean to inspire reflection on the nature of our tightly-coupled world and the spiritual ramifications of living in that sort of world. If so, they succeed on both of those levels. But they properly subordinate those concerns to telling a compelling story.
"Last Flight out of Oz," first and foremost, is fun to read! I look forward to the next book by these authors.
Last Flight Out of OZ
I picked this book up and finished it in just a few days. It was one of those hard to put down books. I happen to live in the village of Port Alsworth, Alaska and enjoyed the interplay of eccentric characters portrayed in "Last Flight out of OZ" that is so typical of "bush" Alaska.
The character development, the plot and the geography portrayed make this one a "must read".
The OZ book
I am not anyone of any importance. I'm not a president of any company, I am not a genius, I am not a corporate woman, I am just a woman who works as a wife & a mother. But, I do love to read. I devour good books! If you need a good read; I highly recommend the Last Flight Out of OZ! It is filled with suspense, danger, physics, engineering, romance, drama, and relationship challenges. I could not put it down! Pick it up; you'll be glad you did!
A compelling adventure into tight coupling
Tightly coupled story telling throughout. Mind-disturbing exploration of the consequences of tight coupling as science, technology, and global integration move forward at an unrelenting pace. Believable characters. People coming of age, coming to grips with rational, moral, and ethical choices. Maggie, Craig, Weissman, Michael, Cat and Kevin are each worthy characters to follow into the next chapters of their lives and for the reader to discover how their personal and spiritual relationships develop. Compelling dialogue that artfully weaves the several story lines, while deftly exploring how Kevin, Maggie, and Craig risk to believe (in their hero), to hope and act, and, ultimately, to deal ethically and honorably with inevitable choices. A must read for a young adult not put off by intelligent writing coming to terms with the cross-currents of their own intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual relationships with themselves and with others. They might recognize themselves in this novel. It is a guile-free message about the challenging path to spirituality.
A must read
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Last Flight Out of Oz." It is very captivating and difficult to put down once you start reading. The book has a great blend of wonderful characters, who you grow to really like (almost all of them), suspense and romance and a good plot. It presents a serious and profound knowledge of possible futurisic global events. The descriptions of the settings in the book are terrific--I really want to travel to Port Alsworth, AK now. Recommended reading for all!
A fun read :)
This is a well written novel that contains a mix of mystery, romance, and suspense, as well as overarching themes that make the reader ponder some more serious topics about life. It has two things that I enjoy in novels: a captivating plot and good character development. A smart and entertaining read- I recommend it!
Consider carefully the world around you 
We ignore the complexity of the world around us at our own peril. We must encourage ourselves, others and particularly young people to be competent, be confident and keep track of what is going on and don't take yourself too seriously (in that order). This book serves those messages well. And, it was a pretty fun read with way above average character dialog and relationship development, somewhat reminiscent of Neal Stephenson and his "System of the World" writings as regards female protagonist development. The danger is you won't be able to keep the kids down on the farm after reading this book or from doing a little goodhearted breaking and entering. It is a little like Ken Kesey and his merry pranksters meet a misunderstood Dr. Evil, but with nature's awesome beauty and complexity as inspiration instead of magic mushrooms. Though, in my opinion, both approaches have some merit. There is a lot we don't know and much of it should scare you. It is our responsibility to find out what those things are. The authors seem to suggest that responsibility as well.
Rockin' Adventure/Love Story
This book was a natural fit for me, given my love of relationships, engaging my mind with high concept ideas, and my constant craving for a good adventure story. Civil society hangs in the balance in this book, and as the pressure is ratcheted up, we find an increasing connection between Kevin and Maggie.
The intense real life pressure that moved the timeline in the book was also the vehicle for developing the texture in the relationships. We get many chances to view different facets of the characters. Even though Anthony is a very tragic character, the overall feel of the book was uplifting and edifying. I am not a fan of gratuitous violence or dark, creepy elements, and this book managed to be a thriller without taking the easy out.
A rare find - I highly recommend it. You will NOT be disappointed.
Sequel please!
Solid Read, Timely Topics
This book is a solid read that intelligently addresses a number of pertinent topics. Though it is fiction, the themes of unfettered technological advancement and tightly coupled world systems would be at home on CNN as they are in the (digitized) pages of this book. This engaging novel draws on decades of carefully watching trends and analyzing events to tell a tale that hits close to home while demanding that you turn the page (or push the button as the case may be). If you're looking for an educated and well researched take on the current state of affairs, download this book and enjoy the ride.
An insightful read!
Reading a novel that is not only well written and that provides an interesting storyline is great, but to find one that unfolds an understanding of our world is even better. For that reason I have enjoyed reading Michael Crichton's books (insights into the worlds of genetics, nanotechnology, and even medieval history) and John Grisham's books (insights into the legal world). Last Flight Out of Oz does the same -- it gives insight into life. The plot is intriguing and the end surprising. Looking at our world situation I have the feeling that something is not quite right. Last Flight Out of Oz puts definition to that uncertain feeling and opens the door to a better understanding of our world on a global scale.
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Mystery, suspense, revenge, romance, danger, FBI, science, philosophy, mountains, music, poetry, religion, planes, guns, crashes, explosions, humor, a Beatnik poet, Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, Boston, fishing, corruption, love, gold mine, clandestine war room, coffee, secrets, despair, tragedy, grace, faith
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Dr. Weissman’s war-room, clandestinely buried deep in the Rockies near a burned-out mine, is named Oz. From here, he watches the technological world tearing itself apart. Weissman’s choice of Oz comes from Shelley’s 1818 poem “Ozymandias.” The poem speaks of arrogance, over-reaching and the fleeting nature of power—prominent themes in the book.
Ozymandias
Percy Bysshe Shelley
I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
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Five chapters of the book take place in Port Alsworth, Alaska. PA is a tiny fly-in village on Lake Clark, rimmed by mountains and one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Here are a few pictures to illustrate its beauty.
Click here to view the gallery.
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Adam Swenson has been involved in writing fulltime for ten years as a feature writer, magazine editor, book co-author and editor, and founder of Swike Creative. He is a 1998 graduate of Bethel University with degrees in philosophy and theology. He has traveled widely, flying small planes in the Amazon, skinning a bear and picking salmon nets in the Alaskan bush, photographing community development in Nigeria, helping to build a maternal-child health clinic in Zambia, reading Sartre at the Left Bank’s Café Les Deux Magots, jogging up the serpentine path to Masada, and working on this novel 400 miles north of the Arctic Circle along the shores of a Norwegian fjord. He lives in Roseville, Minnesota with his wife and daughter.
Richard Swenson holds degrees in medicine and physics and is a futurist, physician-researcher, educator, and the author of eight books. He has presented to a wide variety of professional, medical, educational, and management groups, most major church denominations and organizations, members of the United Nations, of Congress, of NASA, and of the Pentagon. He was an invited guest participant for the 44th Annual National Security Seminar. In 2003, he was awarded Educator of the Year by Christian Medical and Dental Associations. He and his wife make their home in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
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