Shadows Of War [Paperback]

"Shadows of War" is the fourth book in Robert Gandt's great military action series featuring Sam "Brick" Maxwell, U.S. Navy pilot and squadron commander, flying an F/A-18 Super Hornet off the USS Ronald Reagan.

Here's a quick summary of the four books.

2001: "With Hostile Intent", dogfights over Iraq, spying in Iraq, bad eggs in the U.S. Navy.

2002: "Acts of Vengeance", dogfights over Yemen, ground battle in Yemen, submarine attack in the Gulf of Aden.

2003: "Black Star", dogfights over China and Taiwan, commando raid in China, naval battles around Taiwan.

2004: "Shadows of War", dogfights and dodging missiles over Iran, POW exchange and ground operations in the Iran/Iraq border area.

All four of these books are very exciting, and if you're a fan of military action stories then I'm sure you'll like them.

"Shadows of War" is set in the aftermath of the 2003 war in Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein. There is no mention of Brick having participated in that war, so I guess he missed it because of his tour of duty in the China area. :-)

(It must be difficult to be the author of military action books. The audience wants stories based in real-life situations, but reality sometimes changes too fast to allow the fictitious hero to keep up.)

I liked the first half of this book a lot, and found myself reading page after page with great interest and anticipation. There are several interwoven story lines, including not just conflicts between the "good guys" and the "bad guys", but also serious internal feuding among both the good guys and the bad guys.

Unfortunately, in the last half of the book the plot becomes too contrived. A POW exchange is set up in a situation where the more logical solution would be to send in the special operations guys to rescue the American POW. Even more contrived is the way the POW exchange works out, and the consequences (or lack of consequences) for Brick Maxwell.

A major plus point in Robert Gandt's books is the level of detail and authenticity with which the flying scenes and combat operations are described. Mr. Gandt makes you feel that he really knows what he's talking about, and that makes his books very satisfying.

So here we have the unfortunate contradiction: Great realism in the action descriptions and not-so-great realism in the general story.

Another detraction (and contrived aspect) is the way the husband of Brick's girlfriend had a major role in the story, and especially the way he kept turning up every time Brick and the girlfriend had a date. The entire romance story is unnecessary in my opinion (this is a military action book - who needs romance?), and trying to add excitement to the romance story by having the husband pop up repeatedly struck me as silly.

Still, the pluses outweigh the minuses, and that's why I'm giving four stars to "Shadows of War", along with my recommendation.

Rennie Petersen

In "Shadows of War," Robert Gandt proves he is the top gun of military thriller writers. He is such a skilled storyteller that all elements of his novel writing weave seamlessly together creating characters and scenes that come alive so clearly that readers become locked in Brick Maxwell's world of international crises, combat flying and political betrayal. In this story, Brick's loyalties and integrity are stretched to their maximum, and the deceitfulness of the CIA almost gets him killed on a rescue mission to extract his former squadron mate from behind terrorist lines on the Iraqi-Iran border. Declared missing in action in the first Gulf War and then dead, his friend has been held as a secret prisoner of war for 13 years by the Iraquis, who now offer him up in exchange for a captured terrorist leader as influential as Bin Laden. Why was Brick's flying buddy held back when it was believed all American pilots were released at the end of the Gulf War? How does the POW's remarried wife deal with his return? Brick understands her dilemma because the CIA agent-husband of the woman he loves has also returned from the dead. What will she decide? Gandt draws on the yin-yang of love and war in a plot made even more credible with his panoramic perspective of the war on terror, the Western and Middle East players involved and the U.S. military's delicate role in containing catastrophic conflicts that threaten global stability. Enemies are human, and allies, flawed. It is the nature of warriors and war. It is also part of the terrible tragedy of war, and if readers have never spent a day in combat service, Gandt's characters open your eyes and heart to their unique dedication to service and each other as well as to the few who dishonor them. Above all, his descriptions of flying the various aircraft, but especially the Super Hornet, are so simple yet detailed that I, for one, feel that if I ever find myself in the cockpit of an F-18, I just may be able to land this majestic bird. At least I wouldn't be afraid to try. For me, Robert Gandt is in a class of his own, and readers can expect five-star entertainment from him every time.

As a lifelong student of science and technology, my tastes do not normally run to fiction. And, I am even less likely to sit down and write a book review. Aaargh!

Having discovered Robert Gandt's series of action novels some 5 years ago, however, I actually find myself looking forward to setting aside the likes of Hawkings, Azimov and Bryson and settling down to the pure enjoyment of a great read.

With his impeccable credentials across the entire spectrum of aviation, the author brings a refreshing realism rarely seen in military novels. Through his vast experience as a seasoned carrier pilot, Gandt recounts in vivid detail the ongoing saga of combat navy pilot, Sam "Brick" Maxwell, aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in the war-torn Middle East and the China Sea.

More to the point, perhaps, SHADOWS OF WAR is a well-crafted and compelling story of military and political intrigue, heroics, betrayal and, yes, even just the right touch of behind-the-scenes love and romance on the high seas. Enjoyed it immensely. Had to give it 5 stars. Try reading the first chapter - bet you can't put it down.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 12 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars