Rating: 
Summary: LACKING IN EVERY WAY
Review: I bought this audio book after reading all of the Amazon reviews. At the same time I ordered this book from Amazon I ordered his other 3 books after reading all of the reviews about them. I won't bother to rehash the plot line since so many reviewers have already done that. As suggested by several reviewers I will read them in the order that they were written. Even though the books are not a continuation of each other, it was suggested it was better to read them in order since some of the same characters return. I have to say that at first I thought the book would be boring in that I have absolutely no interest in the military. Turns out it was not the least bit boring and it was a great mystery that just happened to have a military plotline. I can't wait to listen to the second book (Mortal Allies) which I will start on my drive home tonight. I am always happy when I find a new writer to listen to. Since I listen to so many audio books it is imperative to point out that no matter how good the book is if the person reading the book isn't also very good the audio book turns into a dud. As soon as I started listening to John Rubinstein (the reader of this book) I realized I had heard this voice many times before and that he was one of my favorite readers. Then I realized he is the reader of a lot of Jonathan Kellerman's books. If you like audio books, another great "reader" is Joe Mantegna. He has been the "reader" of a lot of different authors including Elmore Leonard. They don't get any better than him.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Enjoyable Audio Book
Review: I bought this audio book after reading all of the Amazon reviews. At the same time I ordered this book from Amazon I ordered his other 3 books after reading all of the reviews about them. I won't bother to rehash the plot line since so many reviewers have already done that. As suggested by several reviewers I will read them in the order that they were written. Even though the books are not a continuation of each other, it was suggested it was better to read them in order since some of the same characters return. I have to say that at first I thought the book would be boring in that I have absolutely no interest in the military. Turns out it was not the least bit boring and it was a great mystery that just happened to have a military plotline. I can't wait to listen to the second book (Mortal Allies) which I will start on my drive home tonight. I am always happy when I find a new writer to listen to. Since I listen to so many audio books it is imperative to point out that no matter how good the book is if the person reading the book isn't also very good the audio book turns into a dud. As soon as I started listening to John Rubinstein (the reader of this book) I realized I had heard this voice many times before and that he was one of my favorite readers. Then I realized he is the reader of a lot of Jonathan Kellerman's books. If you like audio books, another great "reader" is Joe Mantegna. He has been the "reader" of a lot of different authors including Elmore Leonard. They don't get any better than him.
Rating: 
Summary: cannot put down
Review: I do not have any military background but Mr. Haig's writing made it appear interesting and easy to understand. Fast paced, very witty and can't help but admire his lead character. I have grabbed the rest of his books...I am hooked! Can't wait for the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: Secret Sanction
Review: I feel this book shows not only the behind the scene actions and complications that must take place with in an organization like the U.S. Army, but has a real life humor and seriousness to it as well.Mr. Haig/Brian, captured many of my emotions in this book. Not having the honor to haved served this great country as he did, he made me feel that I was right there being told the story from hips lips to my ears... The book is written in the first person; therefore you feel much more a part of the book, especially when he is getting thrown around an interrogation room from a former colleague. Brian clearly has a talent that I wish I had in his story telling abilities; I can't wait for his next book next spring. ...
Rating:
Summary: Great Story
Review: I found this book to be very similar to Nelson DeMille's books, with the wise cracking protaganist, clever plot twist and page turning excitement. I liked the story and the character development. I believe Mr. Haig will only get better.
Rating: 
Summary: (3 1/2) A Good First Effort But THE KINGMAKER Is Five Stars
Review: I read this first novel by Brian Haig after immensely enjoying THE KINGMAKER (five star review of 5/13/03), the third novel with Major Sean Drummond as the central character. I wanted to understand the character development of Drummond and surmised that this book would be a fast paced easy read. If you are interested in the military/legal thriller genre, you will probably enjoy this story by Haig, a West Point graduate and the son of former Secretary of State ("I am in charge") Alexander Haig. The obvious reason is that Drummond's previous experiences are relevant to the later stories in the series, but in addition I would guess my recognition of the flaws in this book was substantially increased (and perhaps my rating influenced negatively) by the progress the author has made as the series has progressed. In my review of THE KINGMAKER, I labeled Drummond "The James Bond of the Legal Profession"; in this book his skills are not nearly as developed, the action is less intense, and his personality is not as appealing. The storyline is straightforward. Drummond is chosen to lead a team investigating an apparent massacre of thirty-five Serbs by an elite Green Beret team in retailiation for the slaughter of a group of Kosovars who they were advising during the Balkan war. His team also includes a beautiful but aloof defense attorney, Lisa Morrow, and a by-the-book prosecutor, Captain James Delbert, both of whom possess more impressive credentials than Drummond. In addition, given the high profile and potentially explosive nature of the incident, they have been given a very tight deadline in which to complete their report. As you might imagine, they are met by a wall of noncooperation if not complete silence. However, the physical evidence certainly calls into question the official version of events. Additional violence and intrigue occurs, and it isn't clear whether it is related to attempts to hinder their invetigation or just misdirection by the author. This is what might be termed a military investigation procedural, and unfortunately I am not an expert in a lot of the areas with which this book deals. (E.g, JAG procedure and rules of evidence, Army ranks, etc.) and thus cannot address the criticisms of some other reviewers about the technical aspects of this story. But it is fast moving and certainly plausibly plotted. The major positives were actually the knowledge imparted by the discussion of some of the history and geography relevant to the Balkan conflict and the examination of the moral ambiguities often highlighted in retrospect by such events as that portrayed in this book. Drummond is conflicted by his role in not only trying to assemble the facts but present his conclusions in a way that balances all the competing interests involved. At the same time, tensions develop within his group and along the chain of command above him. The major negative was the straightforward presentation of the story and the seeming inevitablilty of the eventual conclusion. The plot is neither particularly complex or intrinsically interesting. Thus, the tension involved the interactions among the participants (including Drummond and Morrow's evolving relationship), whether and how the truth could be assembled, and how the "greater good" embodied in the major geopolitical considerations involved would interact with the determination of the details and "small truths" of this particular event. And this is done in a very balanced and thoughtful way. (I imagine such issues as what ends justify what means are of great interest to the author, and they are certainly playing out in the military engagement in Iraq today although in a very different way.) I enjoyed the book enough so that I also plan to read MORTAL ALLIES (the second book in the series) in the hope that the evolution of Drummond's character and the author's skills will have proceeeded meaningfully by that point. In summary, I was satisfied but not excited by this book, while I loved THE KINGMAKER (now available in paperback). So, if part of your enjoyment is finding new authors and following their development and the evolution of their characters, then read this series in order. But if you want to read only the best story and to meet a really intriguing fictional character combined with a fascinating plot, go straight to the third book in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this book!
Review: If you like Nelson Demille (specifically Plum Island and Word of Honor) then you're going to love this tightly written and well honed thriller. Brian Haig combines the vagaries of combat and the quagmire of the NATO Serbian action with the need for justice. This is a keeper and I'm coming back for more.
Rating:
Summary: This was a very good book
Review: In the book Secret Sanction by Brian Haig, he tells the story of a young Army lawyer named Major Sean Drummond. Drummond is assigned to investigate the massacre of thirty- five Bosnian men by American soldiers. Along with two other American Army lawyers, Delbert and Morrow, he is sent to Bosnia to find out the truth of what happened that day. As Drummond tries to figure out this case, he finds out that there is a big conspiracy out to cause him troubles in the investigation. This conspiracy is so big that there is even a murder, a member of his team and people in Washington D.C. that are involved. This book was very easy to stay focused on and had a very interesting plot. The plot had many twists and unexpected events happen. It is interesting to try and figure out the case and all of the other elements right along with the main character, Sean Drummond. Haig does a great job with characterization in the book as he describes the lawyer Morrow and how good- looking she is. There are very real elements such as the way that Drummond feels about Morrow but does not have the courage to tell her. The conspiracy that is made to deter Drummond from solving the case is so real it makes the reader wonder if it is something that is actually going on in the world today. All around this was a very good book that will keep your attention even if you are not big into reading I would highly reccomend this book for all people especially those interested in mysteries or stories about the Army.
Rating:
Summary: This was a very good book
Review: In the book Secret Sanction by Brian Haig, he tells the story of a young Army lawyer named Major Sean Drummond. Drummond is assigned to investigate the massacre of thirty- five Bosnian men by American soldiers. Along with two other American Army lawyers, Delbert and Morrow, he is sent to Bosnia to find out the truth of what happened that day. As Drummond tries to figure out this case, he finds out that there is a big conspiracy out to cause him troubles in the investigation. This conspiracy is so big that there is even a murder, a member of his team and people in Washington D.C. that are involved. This book was very easy to stay focused on and had a very interesting plot. The plot had many twists and unexpected events happen. It is interesting to try and figure out the case and all of the other elements right along with the main character, Sean Drummond. Haig does a great job with characterization in the book as he describes the lawyer Morrow and how good- looking she is. There are very real elements such as the way that Drummond feels about Morrow but does not have the courage to tell her. The conspiracy that is made to deter Drummond from solving the case is so real it makes the reader wonder if it is something that is actually going on in the world today. All around this was a very good book that will keep your attention even if you are not big into reading I would highly reccomend this book for all people especially those interested in mysteries or stories about the Army.
Rating:
Summary: An Original Thriller That Will Captivate You From Page 1!
Review: It's hard to believe that Secret Sanction is Brian Haig's first foray into popular fiction. His multi-dimensional, ascerbic, sarcastic, conflicted, self-depracating, protagonist leaps off the pages and burrows into your imagination, so that you will find yourself smirking and chuckling at his antics as you go about your day. All of the characters are memorable, the dialogue and plot are fast-paced, and the ending will leave you feeling satisfied yet uneasy. The plot is as believable and relevant as it is timely, and for those with a sense of history, it will inevitably cause you to recall the horrific tragedy of My Lai. Mr. Haig is one of the most original and enjoyable story-tellers that I have discovered in a long time. I can only hope he has many more entertaining, thought-provoking works of fiction in store for us.
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