Book Review: The Samson Effect by Tony Eldridge

Dr. Thomas Hamilton is a biblical scholar who has had a lifelong obsession with the story of Samson. His good friend Michael Sieff, an Israeli biblical linguist, finds a clue suggesting that Samson’s mighty strength could have been the result of a botanical reaction in the human body. This discovery thrusts the two men on a whirlwind journey to find out where the last of this powerful herb was hidden for safekeeping more than 3,000 years ago.

Unfortunately they are not the only people hunting for the Samson Effect. A Muslim mob boss named Azim targets the doctor and his friend, killing anyone in his way. The Israeli government, police, and army also want to secure this find and keep it from the other factions. Thomas and Michael are trapped inside a circle of deceit as gun men, politicians, and a suspicious woman named Delia all vie to keep secret a mystery that is quickly spinning out of control.

The Samson Effect is a quick, easy read that effortlessly guides the reader into the heart of Israel using the plot device of a scientific exploration concerning one of the Bible’s most well known stories. The action develops so rapidly you would swear you were reading a movie script instead of a novel. Much like Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code, this story could indeed translate into a great film.

Author Tony Eldridge knows his Middle Eastern lore, but he doesn’t force it on the reader. The pieces of history are distributed throughout the text, keeping you just hungry enough for the next slice. If the slices were a little bit bigger the subject might have had more impact, but this is a short book. If Tony Eldridge sets out to uncover the truth behind any other biblical lessons, we will be the richer to heed his words, especially if his literary meal has more than one course.

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Article Author: Alex Hutchinson


Writer, adventurer, political activist, Alex Hutchinson has risked his life to deliver great stories for the reading public. He has fought in the now banned club boxing circuit, faced mock opponents in the wrestling ring, trained with the U.S. …

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  • The Samson Effect The Samson Effect

    Since discovering an ancient scroll in a cave in Hebron, Israel, American biblical archeologist Thomas Hamilton and his trusted friend and colleague, Israeli biblical linguist Michael Sieff, have been ...

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  • 1 - Steve

    Mar 09, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    I really liked this review, after reading it i am interested in reading the book and will pick up a copy. Thank you!

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