Impact with Intent

Jack H. Jones
Author House (2005)
ISBN 1420862197
Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (4/06)

It is 1979 in Manhattan and John Thomas notices things others don’t. In his first real job out of school with a prestigious company, IBS, he manages to save the day on an expensive lawsuit, get fired and rehired as a consultant by the same company, perform a tracheotomy on a Russian colleague in a restaurant and attract no less than three women at the office. And most of this happens within six weeks of his hire date.

Thomas is almost too good to be true. He’s a doctor, lawyer and has a PhD in Mathematics. Although a novel, the author, Jack H. Jones, was determined that the protagonist’s behavior in “Impact with Intent” should be an example to readers and even to his own children. His goal while writing was that John Thomas would use his brain rather than his brawn to right the wrongs of the world. But John doesn’t have the average brain. In addition to his three advanced degrees, he speaks five languages, including Chinese and Russian.

His obsession with the theory that “nothing happens until someone does something,” permeates the book. The main character is able to maneuver his work situation so that he is paid handsomely to prove his theory works and is marketable. Thomas likes to explain to anyone who will listen that “the equation is simple: Human Intent – Leads to – Action Decision – Modified by – Influencing Factors – Equals – Action Results.” The author obviously uses his scientific background and business experience to make his novel more realistic. The excessive details may slow some readers down a bit, but others will find it worthwhile in setting the scene.

But don’t worry, there is a bit of romance thrown in to keep you from falling asleep in the boardroom! Elizabeth, Lori and Victoria are all entranced by Thomas’ charms. I was curious about how the Intent Theory, as he called it, would be proved, but was even more entranced to find out who got the guy!

The length and weight (both physical and intellectual) of the book keep this one from being a beach read, but it is an interesting premise.

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