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Summary: I learned something
Review: This is an action packed book that leaves you at the end of every chapter wanting more. This is one of the few action adventure books where I could not guess what was going to happen next. I learned more about military jargon, congress, and the Federal judicial system in this book than I ever did in school. It's a fast paced book that will keep your heart pounding.JFK
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Summary: Clancy has some competition!
Review: This was a book that I had a lot of dificulties putting down. It is very rare to have such a GRIPPING political AND military thriller bundled into one. It was like reading two great stories at the same time. The only down side was that some of the transitional scenes were a little weak but it was not enought to drag down the story. A MUST READ! When is Houston's next book coming out?!?!
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Summary: Watch out Clancy, there a new sheriff in town
Review: This was a fantastic book for the military/techno thriller crowd (of whcih I am one). James Huston's first book is a blockbuster and I have ordered the next two - I admit it I'm hooked. President Manchester is a dead ringer for a certain former president, who has been "former" for far too short a time. In any case there are certainly quite a few parallels - enough to get you cheering on the Admiral and the Speaker of the House. Anyone who like action and adventure, mixed with a liberal (no not that kind of "liberal") does of political intregue couldn't do better than this book. It's obvious that Jim lived the life of a naval aviator. His insights to life aboard the fictional Nimitz class carrier "Constitution" proves that along with his inflight descriptions. Great book - great story. Can't wait till I get the next two. Ordered them from my friends at Amazon yesterday!
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Summary: This book rocks!!
Review: This was a great book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn't wan't to put it down, you never knew what was going to happen!!
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Summary: excellent political and military thriller
Review: Truly fantastic political and military thriller, one of my favorite works of fiction I have read the last few years. Author James W. Huston, drawing skillfully both upon his military background as an F-14 fighter pilot in the US Navy and his legal background as a lawyer, has crafted a tightly woven yarn about terrorism in the South Pacific - Indonesia to be exact - and what the President and the US Congress do about it. When terrorists capture the US flagged merchant ship Pacific Flyer, kill most of the crew, kidnap the captain, and then booby-trap the ship to kill potential rescuers, the world is stunned. Though the world expects President Manchester (a fictional president who serves after the President Clinton of this novel's timeline), to react, he does not order a military strike, instead announcing he is against continuing the "cycle of violence" and that while he will order a carrier battle fleet to help find the terrorist's island hideout, will not act militarily, instead seeing it as an internal Indonesian police matter. Many are outraged as his reaction, none more so than Speaker of the House John Stanbridge. Furous over what he sees as a failure to act and accusing the President of pacifism, he tries to get around the President's orders regarding the terrorists, hidden on a foritified island which the battle group centered around the carrier USS Constitution under Admrial Billings locates. Brash and brilliant aide to Standbridge, Jim Dillon, comes up with a little known provision in the US Constituion in Article I, Secton 8, relating to the power of the Congress to issues Letters of Marque and Reprisal. Researching it, he finds that the power was formerly used to grant legal authority to armed merchantmen in times of war, authorizing private ships to act as war ships. Instead, with Standbrige's support, it is proposed, voted on, and passed, the Letter instead issued to the Constitution battle group! I won't comment much more on the course of the novel, other than to say it is great political thriller to see the constitutional crisis that comes to embroil all three branches of the federal government, and the struggle of Congress and the President to get the battle group to act how they see fit. It is also a great military thriller, to see a US carrier battle group, with fighters, attack craft, helicopters, and Marines operating against terrorists, a true joy to read particularly in the wake of the tragic and horrid attacks of September 11, 2001. Highly recommend this work to all fans of military fiction, technothrillers, political thrillers, and fans of Tom Clancy. Pay close attention to the events in the novel, as there is truly excellent follow up in the riveting sequel, The Price of Power.
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Summary: James Huston is the real next Tom Clancy.
Review: Unlike many other would-be Tom Clancys, Huston really knows what he's writing about. The stuff related to naval aviation is detailed and realistic. So is the description about Washington power plays. Hope this guy can keep up his standard of writing and not start a Clancyesque mini-industry of second-class novels and computer games. Also - if he wants to sell better abroad - he should think about toning down his own political agenda just a bit. Telling a good story is enough. Entertainment can be spoiled by too much between-the-lines-propaganda.
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Summary: Watch out Clancy, there a new sheriff in town
Review: Very good story (followed by The Price Of Power). Wanted a book for my long flight and wasn't sure which one I would take. Then I found those 2 books from Huston and I was kept to my seat while reading BOTH of them in a row. Very fascinating to have a story where the power does not necessarily reside with the Presidency. You will just keep reading and get the next Huston book.
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Summary: Good fight to Clancy's, better than Coontz and the others
Review: Very good story (followed by The Price Of Power). Wanted a book for my long flight and wasn't sure which one I would take. Then I found those 2 books from Huston and I was kept to my seat while reading BOTH of them in a row. Very fascinating to have a story where the power does not necessarily reside with the Presidency. You will just keep reading and get the next Huston book.
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Summary: Huston Outdoes Clancy, Coonts and Grisham!
Review: What if the President of the United States is unwilling to use the military to protect U.S. citizens, and defend the nation 's rights and ideals from attack? What if Congress used a hidden clause in the Constitution to authorize military action without the President's approval? That's the spectacular theme of Balance Of Power, the thrilling debut novel from James W. Huston. For me, Balance Of Power's unique blend of the fascinating world of today's military technology with the intricacies of high-octane politics and legal maneuvering, makes it a new kind of intellectually-challenging, can't-put-it-down thriller. If you like military/political/adventure thrillers, you won't want to miss this book! It's like Tom Clancy and Stephen Coonts meet John Grisham on Patrick O'Brian's high seas. Balance Of Power's only flaw, albeit a minor one, is that it does not develop well enough the character of the bad guy, George Washington. Huston has the potential to be a new master in this genre. I can't wait to read The Price Of Power,the sequel to Balance Of Power, to see if Huston can deliver a solid "one-two punch." Look over your shoulders Clancy, Coonts and Grisham-- there's a new player in town!
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Summary: Great Political Novel
Review: When I was in high school, I read Allen Drury's Advise and Consent and all of its sequels. In reading numerous books since, I had never found a book that compared with its "in depth" detail of the workings of the US government until I read Balance of Power. It excellently illustrates all 3 branches of government and how they balance each other. It also doubles as an entertaining novel that holds your interest throughout the book. I couldn't put it down and immediately started the sequel.
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