which has the best O.Henry's ending that I've ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing, as expected, but should you look elsewhere?
Review: I have never read a Forsyth book I did not like, whether it be the penultimate thriller "The Day Of The Jackal", the quirky tales of "No Comebacks" or the decidedly unusual but immensely enjoyable "The Phantom of Manhattan"."The Veteran" does not disappoint. At 107 pages it is fairly short, which is unfortunate because it is an excellent book. I would not hesitate to reccommend to any Forsyth Fanatic or, for that matter, nearly any reader of the thriller genre to make this your first, or next, e-book purchase.
However, this raises an important question. The second page has the following statement "Readers are welcome to view, save, file and print out single copies of this work for their personal use." Unfortunately, Microsoft Reader is noticeably short such a print feature, and is indeed is reluctant to allow you to do much of anything. A quick investigation of the publisher reveals that this book is available in other formats, including Glassbook and PDF, and I would recommend you look at both these options if you will want to print the book.
That being said, "The Veteran" and the other 2 released books of The Quintet being written by Frederick Forsyth ("The Citizen" and The Miracle") are not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I listened to this on unabridged tape....Great stories...
Rating: 
Summary: A Forsyth Fan Disappointed
Review: I'm a huge Forsyth fan...his writing is usually second to none and his thrillers are real page turners. It had been awhile since he wrote anything so I was elated to see this book hit the stands. Unfortunately it was a big disappointment. The writing was tired and the stories very predictable. It was not at all his usually quality of work. Either he unearthed a selections of short stories from when he was just learning to write or he needed money badly and vomited out this drivel. I pray his next effort is better. I remain a devoted fan but warn the reader that this book is sub-par.
Rating:
Summary: Kinda Bored and quite disappointed
Review: I've tried very hard to finish the first one. I was very impatient to read along and could not help thinking while trying: If a short story would have made me so difficultly to read along with the going-nowhere and bored to death storyline; a short story that after 5 minutes seemed to become longer and longer, what if it's a novel? Two thugs and one old limping guy, with bloody broken nosebridge and coma. flower shop, hospital, wallet.... What's going on? I have to regretfully admit that after failed twice to appreciate "The Fist of God" and "The Icon." and after so many years craving for his upcoming new novels, I finally have to drop this author as I've dropped so many others such as Thomas Harris, Stuart Woods, David Morrell, Lawrence Block, Robert Parker.....and even Robert Ludlum. SIGH...... As to Jeffrey Archer, well, his later stage novels kinda ..., but his collected short stories are still the best and quite eye opening!
Rating: 
Summary: How the mighty have fallen!
Review: If the name Frederick Forsyth evokes fond memories of The Day of the Jackal or Dogs of War keep it like that and do not buy this turkey. It is hard to believe that the same author penned The Veteran and the aforementioned books. The plotting is strictly "by numbers" at a level of creative writing class run at a community centre, the characters are two-dimentional and laughable and the "twists" would pose no intellectual challenge to a first grader of average intelligence. The blurb states "Five breathtaking tales...". Yes, the ineptitude of the writing certainly takes your breath away. Yet another sad decline of a once great writer.
Rating:
Summary: 5 Great Reads
Review: It had been a long time since I read any short stories. After the first of four in this collection (the fifth and last story is listed as a novella) I recalled the surprise ending format of the classic short story. Only one of the five stories rated a "very good." The others were excellent.
The stories are all very different in time, place and subject-matter which makes the collection more interesting and difficult to characterize as a collection.
the stories were so good that when I was finished with one I would immediately start the next even knowing that: a) it was toime to shut off the light; and, B) the next story would be completely different and need a new mindset.
The writing is very strong and the story-lines are intriguing and captivating to say the least.
Rating: 
Summary: The Forsyth saga continues...
Review: It’s difficult to forget the great thrillers “The Day of the Jackal” and “The Odessa File”
when one sees another Frederick Forsyth. Alas, his work following these two leaders of the genre
have not quite lived up to the reputations those exacted, but perhaps that’s not a fair evaluation.
Even Shakespeare had a few “off” works!
In “The Veteran,” Forsyth offers us a collection of five short stories (or “novellas”). His
terse, fast-paced, omniscient author style of writing is clearly demonstrated once more and, devoted
fan or not, readers should find this work worthwhile. Borrowing a wee tad from O. Henry in “The
Veteran” (the first of the stories), Forsyth employs that ironic twist O. Henry perfected, as he shows
us a new “twist on justice.” An unidentified older man is viciously beaten to death and two young
punks are arrested for the murder. The surprise ending makes a disturbing story (and series of
events) end of a satisfactory note.
In “The Art of the Matter,” the author takes us inside the machinations of a prestigious
London art auction house, which we watch unravel into helplessness. Again, the O. Henry influence,
and so on, through the final set. Forsyth shows the influence of Mark Twain, to lean on another
Ameican writer, with his power of description of landscape and episode and not just a little wry
humor. (Or in the case of “Matter”--“rye” humor!)
All the stories are worth a read, as the author gives us a good glimpse into the human
character and some excellent lessons in the humanities and in history, although short stories, it seems to me, are not his forte. (...)
Rating:
Summary: 3 out of 5
Review: NOTE: I'm not actually 1. I just can't be bothered to creat an account.
Normally I'm a huge Forsyth fan, but this I can't say that this was one of his materpieces (in the tardition of Jackal, Odessa, etc). Having said that, "The Veteran" is one of the finest stories I've read in a long time. Ot had me going the entire time. "The Citizen" was riviting, yet mildly predictable. But then again, the prediction I made turned out to be wrong. And "The Art of the Matter" was great for its detective work. The other two didn't do it for me. Despite winning the Edgar for it, "Snakes" let me down - it seemed too easy and rushed. And "Wind" was too implauasible for me. He gets cred for trying, but it just didn't pan out. This is a fabulous airplane book - will get you from North America to the UK. Buy it for cheap at the airport, or get it from you local library for free.
Rating:
Summary: Master storyteller
Review: Published 20 years after "No Comebacks", "The Veteran", a collection of 5 short stories, or mini-novels, is another classic that should not be missed by anyone who loves the mystery short-story genre. I especially like "Whispering Wind", and I am amazed by Mr. Forsyth's ability to portrait the Wild West. All the stories are good, though. This is the perfect "escape" book.
