Rating: 
Summary: Time to move on
Review: I eagerly awaited this book, anticipating that Marcinko would give us some insights and wisdom on the new world of terrorism that we face. Instead, we get gratuitous violence, less than credible leaps between events, a silly plot and ending, and a poorly written book. It's time to move on, and if you're a fan in need of a Marcinko fix, go back and read the early classics such as Red Cell, or any of the 'color' team titles...those were great books. This one seems like everyone--the author, the publisher, and maybe even us as fans--want to recreate the past greatness, and, based on this effort, it's not happening.
Rating:
Summary: Demo Dick is Done
Review: I have all of Dick Marcinko's book and I'm finding all the plots are like this....... Navy Seal, blah, blah, blah. Set-up Seal Team Six, blah, blah, blah. Formed Red Cell, blah, blah, blah. Love violence and gore, blah, blah, blah. In this book he loves G.W., even though his old man's administration put him in the clink for a year and didn't finish off Saddam off when could, now G.W. has to go finish the job that will cost the taxpayers millions. Obviously Seals are not hired for their intelligence. My last Marcinko book. The Rogue Warrior is getting Old. Stop living in the past and tells what you've done yesterday - instead of writing this cash cow to death.
Rating:
Summary: What a waste
Review: I have read all of the Rogue warrior series books to date and I was excited to get his latest book. What a disappointment. The plot stinks. The characters are shallow. It dosen't follow along. There are serious leaps of faith required to wade through this pile of dung. Not only that but he completely igored a major knife wound to the arm and kept on as though it never happened. Anyone foolish enough to read this should pick up on that medical error. Did anyone edit this? Do we really have to embellish every religion, ethnic group and gender type to market a book these days? Save your time and money. There's more action and intrigue in the Oprah Magazine.
Rating:
Summary: I want to like it, but it's garbage
Review: I loved Rogue Warrior and Red Cell, but the series has declined since then, with this last book being a massive nose dive. I see that Weismann is no longer contributing (or doing all the work as it may be), and this book definitely had a different feel. It could be Marcinko wrote it and, no offense, isn't a good writer, or more plausibly, it's another writer trying to be like Marcinko and failing miserably. Marcinko is still the man, which is why I'm pissed about this book being crap, it sullies his name.
Rating: 
Summary: Quick read, Interesting thinking
Review: I only put the book down when I <had> to do something else. This is what you're paying for when you read a Marcinko book ... military, special forces, action packed, straight to the point blunt, entertaining and leading you to the finale of blood, guts and "the strongest most prepared win." When it comes to reading military fiction, I'm usually impatient when authors take too much time developing the subordinate characters. Marcinko doesn't waste my time giving me chapters on people and details I don't care about. Give me what I need to know in order to fully appreciate the gaming sequences. I feel like I get that in his books. I read Marcinko to experience his attitude, discipline, gaming, and salty worldview. One of the things I enjoy most is wondering how much of the book is actually fiction. I don't know, and Sept 11 opened my mind to considering surreal movie-like activities as plausible risks.
Rating: 
Summary: John Weisman, where are you?
Review: I was surprised when I found out that there was another Rogue Warrior novel coming out, since John Weisman had replied to an e-mail I had written him, stating that he was not going to write any more novels in the series. Apparently, he had been doing the vast majority, if not all of the work on the previous novels, with Marcinko simply giving feedback and approval, which would explain why Violence of Action is so different than the rest of the series. Although Violence of Action is lacking in plot intricacy and character development, it makes up for it somewhat in the action department - which is literally non-stop and definitely lives up to the book's title. As for the people who complained about the torture that occurs in the book - they need to realize that there are situations where such measures, however distasteful, are absolutely necessary and justified. Especially when you're talking about millions of innocent lives. Consider the fact that the individuals being interrogated were guilty of conspiring to murder hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians for the sake of starting a race war, and that timely intelligence was essential to prevent that from happening. If you had loved ones trapped in a city about to be nuked and their lives depended on you obtaining that information as fast as possible, what would you have done? If you'd have spared a terrorist rather than try to save those people, you need to seriously examine your ethics, because frankly, they're irrational.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Kirby........
Review: I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that someone like Kirby (from WA, no less) had such a problem with this book. Wrong demo, Kirby. While not up to usual Rogue standards, this book is a fun read. Though Weisman is definitely missed and Marcinko a lot darker, this is a good way to spend a few hours. An aside- didn't The Patriot Act pass 99-0 in the Senate, Kirby? Save the complaints for your senator.
Rating:
Summary: The Rogue is getting tired, still interesting to read.
Review: I've read all of the Rogue Warrior novels and found that as they went along that they appeared to be losing some of their attraction. This one is different in some way, I don't know if John Weisman is still a part of it (he's mentioned inside the cover, just not on the front)or not but the writing seems different somehow. I doubt that Marcinko really ever did much of the writing beyond providing someone with details, even that has changed some here. The weapons, tactics and attitude are the same but practically all of the past characters are gone without much explanation as to why. Even the profanity and boastfulness seems different somehow. I guess somebody's aim is to take the Rogue Warrior series in a new direction with new characters and a new mission (hunting homegrown terrorism perhaps?). I did like the idea of a suitcase nuke being stolen by racists who want a new order in America, and the Marcinko paln is unfortunatley just about what putting a stop to something like that would require. This story does pretty well with that this time but I'm wondering how long they can keep it up. I want the glossary of terms back in the next story too.
Rating:
Summary: Fast, Ghastly, Raw - Uncut Marcinko in the Post 9/11 World
Review: If you're like me, you are a terminal fan of spy thrillers and action flicks. So there is a long list of authors and directors whose works you don't miss. Add Marcinko without Weisman to the top of the list. I've just been reading Red Cell and Violence of Action simultaneously. What Weisman adds is clear and unnecessary at this point in the series. If like me, you dig the intrigue of a Littel or a Ludlum (OK early Ludlum), then you know where to get that flavor. What was so appealing about the Rogue Warrior series in the first place was the unabashed raw energy of it. Here, in Violence of Action is the rawest Marcinko yet. In this way it's a proper evolution to the series. He goes straight to the jugular. Marcinko going solo doesn't dwell on the characters and scenarios as his collaborative work does. Here it's all Marcinko and one or two others. In Red Cell we were introduced to Pinky da Turd, Wynken, Blynken, Nod, Duck Foot, Manny Tanto and whole other galaxy of now forgettable characters. In VOA we get introduced to Leupold scopes, Emerson knives, H&K USP Compacts, the tools of the trade and their deadly effects. Marcinko's writing expresses the tunnel vision of a hunter. Self, Tools, Objective, with a little peripheral vision for allies. There are three golden jewels in this book aside from the very engaging opening chapter. First, it's all post-September 11. You know and I know we've all been waiting to hear what Marcinko has to say about terrorism and our nation's response to it. It's all here. I'll only say one thing on that score. Marcinko gives new meaning to defending the Constitution against all foes, foreign and domestic. Secondly, he goes for the throat in terms of drama. Three days, one suitcase nuke, assassinations, ambushes and in your face confrontation. This has blockbuster action flick written all over it, and it's really about time somebody put a Marcinko novel on film. There is raw action written all over this. (Who should play Marcinko, that's the question.) Thirdly, Marcinko has invented the most memorable and deadly character of all. If you thought Manny Tanto was a monster, wait until you meet Demo Dick's new female squad member. She is completely devastating and the last person on earth you'd want to tangle with. Among other things, she is the, uhm 'interrogator'. This one scene in this book is unforgettable and I have to say, even for one who is jaded by decades of spy and action books and films, there is one place none of those fictions have never gone. Marcinko goes there. Talk about full-on sphincter pucker factor. In about 4 pages, Dick Marcinko delivers text that will make you wince, blink rapidly, hyperventilate and bite your lip in half if not puke up your guts. It's ghastly, thought provoking, shocking and pornographic all at once, and it gives a meaty example of what actually goes on in the cold cruel world, and what a lot of Americans would do considering their feelings about 9/11. Robert DeNiro saying "Don't get caught" has got nothing on this. All in all, the book is a hard rock, fast food, adrenaline rush, with an old Rogue we have come to know and love. It's raw and fresh, and it's about time for a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but worth reading
Review: In many ways, this is Marcinko's most sophisticated novel to date. The language, the wordplay, the tone, all demonstrate a level of intelligence previously unseen in Marcinko's books. I think the thing I found lacking in this book is the sense of authorial maturity that Weisman may have imparted to the earlier Rogue Warrior books. I don't mean that the story is immature or that Marcinko is immature, but that Marcinko seems to lack experience as a sole author -- something that I expect will change as Marcinko continues to author his books by himself. However, that's not to say the book is poorly written or that it's not a good read. In short, if you enjoyed the previous Rogue Warrior novels, odds are you'll enjoy this one, too.
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