Moynihan's Journey and the Clash of Civilizations by Leo Gher is the story of cultural conflict and how a nation’s desire for change can reflect and affect the whole world. I would really like to commend the author on writing something new and something close to reality about the Islamic and Muslim world. He shows both sides of the coin and I really appreciate him for that. Not all Muslims are terrorists.

The story follows three people; there is Zara Kedar, an ordinary girl who defies her parents when she refuses to marry Jafar Bagirov in an arranged marriage. Her family disappointed and disgraced, the eldest son of the family, Elshan has to restore the honor of the family name and try to make things better. But there is more to Elshan than meets the eye. He is the leader of a Shia resistance movement. What happens next becomes the catalyst for a war that seems to have no end. When personal agendas mix with national interests, the result is catastrophic.

This novel is different and actually shows the good and the bad from both sides of the picture. I liked the thrill and the drama created and I enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the novel. I liked Elshan and I loved to hate him as well. I have similar feelings for Tom as well. Both men forgot what they were fighting for and just started to fight each other and destroy everything else in their path. One person that I absolutely loved was Zara, she is very relatable and I admired her tenacity and her determination to stick to her guns! She was perfect.

Moynihan's Journey and the Clash of Civilizations by Leo Gher is a monumental story set against the backdrop of political and cultural upheaval and raging tensions between strong powers. It’s a story of a love that will defy every law to survive. For years, the Zebeqi nation has been ruled by the Sunni Muslims who are backed by the West, but now, the oppressed people are rising to express their rights and embrace the way of life they have had for years. It is in this context that the author introduces readers to a war between two powerful men that will cause a lot of pain to many — Tom and the secret leader of the Zebeqis, Elshan. It’s a conflict that will involve religion and will have far reaching repercussions.

Leo Gher introduces readers to an Egypt they haven’t yet known and creates characters they’ll love to follow. The conflict reads so real and reflects a lot of what is taking place in today’s political landscapes. The story starts with great dialogue, and the author introduces the key characters immediately. Although the beginning seems slow, it is interesting and the author takes time to give readers a feel for the characters, but the plot picks up immediately and moves pretty fast. I enjoyed the way the conflict is developed, enjoyed the humor, the intense drama, and the stakes. It isn’t easy to write a work with a conflict that reaches international dimensions, but Leo Gher seems to do it so well. Moynihan's Journey and the Clash of Civilizations is an entertaining read that features political intrigue, betrayal, and a people’s struggle for freedom and identity.

Moynihan's Journey and the Clash of Civilizations by Leo Gher is a novel that combines many genres — thriller, contemporary fiction, and crime — to weave a story laced with drama and intrigue, a story of revenge and the cry for freedom from a people who have been ruthlessly handled and subjugated for many years. It features a people who have been ruled by the iron hand for many years, but a people just too eager to exact revenge and return to their old way of life. Only there is a great twist in the story. Readers will follow two powerful characters, Tom and Elshan, both representing two distinct and different cultures that will clash together. The reverberations are far-reaching and catastrophic. It’s interesting to watch the two in a war of intrigue, betrayal, and revenge. But who wins in the end is the big question.

Leo Gher has a gift for plot and character and his work bears the stamp of great imagination. I did care about the characters and the intricate plot and got immersed in the story so much that I didn’t notice when I turned the last page, and then I was pining for more. The plot is fast and woven with a lot of drama; it’s intense, yes, insanely intense. The themes are very relevant and readers can identify trends of terrorism and the role the West plays in fueling conflicts among third world countries. Moynihan's Journey and the Clash of Civilizations tackles real issues, including the struggle between civilizations, the perennial struggle between Christianity and Islam, but it is a story that succinctly depicts the fight of a people to be free.