4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some kinks worked out, others arise, Mar 17 2005
By Steven Hildreth, Jr. - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Operation Aces Wild (Mass Market Paperback)
I have always found Charles Sasser's "Detachment Delta" series entertaining, if flawed. Common mistakes are confusing one member of the Kragle clan with another, listing a character as having one rank and changing it halfway through, and sometimes some cliche ideas. The action was enough to keep me coming back, and the strong right-wing theme didn't hurt, either.
"Operation Aces Wild", the fourth installment in the series, is actually a pretty entertaining read. No annoying side-stories that detract from the plot. No slip-ups with the Kragle clan. There was a rank mix-up, but Mr. Sasser has come a far way from "Punitive Strike". The action was crisp, as always, and there was even a stronger political element to it. Very entertaining.
The only major problem I had with it was that the Brandon Kragle storyline was a bit mundane. He didn't express much emotion the entire time, except near the end of his storyline. However, the action was still entertaining enough to keep the book to be a decent rating.
I would have to say this is tied for best book in the Detachment Delta series, holding the spot with the second installment, "Operation Iron Weed". If you're a military enthusiast and want to read something entertaining, pick up "Operation Aces Wild".
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Entertaining Read, Dec 10 2007
By James S. Ford - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Operation Aces Wild (Mass Market Paperback)
Charles W. Sasser is a prolific writer of biography and fiction based upon actually happenings. If you are the type that blames the USA for all the world's problems, you will probably hate his books. If most of his characters seem larger than life to you, unfortunately you have never known people that have demonstrated this kind of courage and dedication. If you have served in combat areas and/or volunteered to be subjected to the threat of deadly force, you will probably enjoy all the books in the Detachment Delta series. If you really want to know what real fighting men endured during the Vietnam War and other conflicts, read the biographical books. He is unapologeticaly pro common sense American and his writing style evidences disdain for politically correct nonsense. I have read a dozen of his works and enjoyed every one even though I could nit pick a few technical errors if I wished to let them distract me from the story line.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
This Book Doesn't Get My Recommendation, Sorry., April 13 2005
By Mike, A Soldier - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Operation Aces Wild (Mass Market Paperback)
This book was a let-down, but I only have myself to blame for buying it. Call me a sucker if you want, because I should have known better. Sasser, a self-styled mercenary, has in his past books (Always a Warrior, etc.) admitted to compulsive thrill-seeking and emotional instability as a motive for his actions. this makes sasser the opposite of a soldier. it makes him a liability to an effective combat force. sasser is a very different type of soldier from those, like my own son, who have been KIA in Iraq. these act from deep convictions, ready to lay down their lives for their country. they are professional fighting troops who don't feel the need to kill and die in the shadows. they are noble, in short. Sasser and his breed are something else again. that's only part of my issues with this writer and his books. there are more, and they include the fact that his books don't cut it as gripping, riveting stories of war. The writing doesn't ring true somehow, and they're full of whining and self-indulgence. every page, or almost every page, is like this, whether it's sasser himself or a made-up character of his doing the talking. When the emotional soul-searching begins to wear thin, count on Sasser to predictably fall back to Plan B, which is to start writing about combat troops engaging in killing and destruction for the pure sadistic joy of it -- not to gain an objective, not to defend against enemy attack, not for any tactical objective or strategic purpose, mind you, but just to shoot things up and let off their inner frustrations. When this wears thin, it's back to the mock self-pity and emotional indulgence of previous chapters. This is a pattern that readers can easily notice in Sasser's books, over and over again. Why do they pay this guy to write this stuff? Can't they find anyone better? One day i would like to show this sasser something about soldiering, or better yet, let sasser take inspiration from the real-life exploits of the fine men and women who are fighting every day in Afghanistan and Iraq. Then maybe he'll find the inspiration to write something worthwhile. don't throw away your money for this pogue's book. Buy anybody else's, you can't lose.