Introduction : ” The Punisher ” by D.A. Stern is a novelization of the 2004 vigilante thriller film . I’ve got a paperback which is 308 pages long .

I leave these declarations of intent so no one will be confused . First declaration : Sic vis pacem , para bellum . It’s Latin . The boot camp sergeant made us recite it like a prayer . Sic vis pacem , para bellum . If you want peace , prepare for war .- p.266

Summary : Picture this , you’re a gangster ( Howard Saint ) running for governor in Florida . Just got the biggest endorsement of your life , got a beautiful wife , and your power is pretty much undisputed in the area . Things are good until your son (Bobby) gets himself killed getting involved in an arms deal gone wrong . You find out an undercover F.B.I. agent ( also a former marine and Delta Force member ) named Frank Castle was involved and now you gotta kill him and his family . I mean that’s what gangsters do . You team up with another group of gangsters to do it and the goal is seemingly accomplished . Then a few months later one of your banks gets robbed and Frank Castle’s gravestone is on your golf course with the death date etched out . Then you see the man on television looking like the grim reaper basically challenging you to come get him . Oh boy , if you want to see how this goes then read this book or watch the movie .

Second declaration : Frank Castle is dead . He died with his family . Murdered , as they were , by an act of such brutality , such savagery , that civilization lacks an appropiate response .

p.293

Review : This is a great thriller . I would recommend both the book and the movie . The book is a great expansion on the movie , think it makes Howard Saint more intimidating though the movie has spectacle on its side .

Third declaration : In such extreme circumstances , the law is by definition inadequate . To shame its inadequacy , it is necessary to act outside the law , to pursue natural justice . This is not vengeance . Revenge is not a valid motive-it is an emotional response . Vengeance serves no larger purpose . Society does not benefit from vengeance . Violent men are not deterred by acts of vengeance . The only appropriate response to their actions is the one I have chosen to pursue : a course of purposed , intentional violence . Violence intended to instruct , as much as destruct . A course , in a word , of punishment .

p.293

Recommendations : Books : 1. Death Wish by Brian Garfield 2. The Green Berets by Robin Moore 3. First Blood by David Morrell 4. Blair Witch : The Secret Confessions of Rustin Parr by D.A. Stern 5. The Quick and the Dead by Louis L’Amour

Songs : 1. Mean Man – W.A.S.P. 2. Many Men ( Wish Death) – 50 Cent 3. Vengeance is Mine – Alice Cooper 4. Punish and Enslave – Hammerfall 5. In Time – Mark Collie

Movies : 1. The Punisher (2004) 2. Taxi Driver (1976) 3. The Streetfighter (1974) 4. First Blood (1982) 5. The Delta Force (1986)