Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, Page Turner, Could Not put the Book Down
Review: From the prologue detailing the mistaken bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade to the rousing conclusion, CHINA ATTACKS is more than just an excellent read. It is an excursion into the volatile military and political headlines of the day, and more importantly, it serves as an expose of the Chinese government's mindset and possible agenda. This book offers a well detailed analysis regarding Taiwan's future and continuing embarrassment to the government of the Peoples Republic of China, and also serves as a vehicle to outline the horrific policies against freedom of the Chinese people. These government sanctioned policies, of which the most outrageous continues to be the One-Child Policy, are clearly outlined within the text of DeVore's and Mosher's characters, and are appropriately heartwrenching. In addition to well written battle scenes and finely crafted scenarios of political maneuvering, CHINA ATTACKS offers the reader the additional benefit of first rate research and analysis. This ambitious book takes the reader into the lives of five diverse characters whose paths intersect at a moment of extreme political crisis. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a quick course in Chinese Communist history, in the inner mechanisms of our own government's strategic planning, or in simply an exciting story much too close to today's reality. There are few voices in the American press today that attempt to provide an accurate point of view of Chinese politics. Whether pointing out the expediency of political deals for free trade and the former Most Favored Nation Status (now disguised under the name of Normal Trade Relations), the veneer of the most minimal of human rights to cover the outrage of the reality, the ever increasing military might of Communist China, or the theft of all things nuclear, these issues and much more are thinly veiled within the story arcs. Kudos to these writers for the courage to speak the truth based upon their tremendous research effort and the compelling story that displays it for us to read.
Rating: 
Summary: China Exposed
Review: From the prologue detailing the mistaken bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade to the rousing conclusion, CHINA ATTACKS is more than just an excellent read. It is an excursion into the volatile military and political headlines of the day, and more importantly, it serves as an expose of the Chinese government's mindset and possible agenda. This book offers a well detailed analysis regarding Taiwan's future and continuing embarrassment to the government of the Peoples Republic of China, and also serves as a vehicle to outline the horrific policies against freedom of the Chinese people. These government sanctioned policies, of which the most outrageous continues to be the One-Child Policy, are clearly outlined within the text of DeVore's and Mosher's characters, and are appropriately heartwrenching. In addition to well written battle scenes and finely crafted scenarios of political maneuvering, CHINA ATTACKS offers the reader the additional benefit of first rate research and analysis. This ambitious book takes the reader into the lives of five diverse characters whose paths intersect at a moment of extreme political crisis. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a quick course in Chinese Communist history, in the inner mechanisms of our own government's strategic planning, or in simply an exciting story much too close to today's reality. There are few voices in the American press today that attempt to provide an accurate point of view of Chinese politics. Whether pointing out the expediency of political deals for free trade and the former Most Favored Nation Status (now disguised under the name of Normal Trade Relations), the veneer of the most minimal of human rights to cover the outrage of the reality, the ever increasing military might of Communist China, or the theft of all things nuclear, these issues and much more are thinly veiled within the story arcs. Kudos to these writers for the courage to speak the truth based upon their tremendous research effort and the compelling story that displays it for us to read.
Rating:
Summary: A Pretty Good Book
Review: I was looking forward to this book as I had not read many simulations showing a war between China and Taiwan. The scenario is fascinating and daring and is a generally fluid read. The beginning of the book moves quickly and pulls you effortlessly along. Of course events of the last two years have made this scenario a bit more unlikely but these guys don't claim to be seers, they're writing a story that among other things gives a good idea of how alot of military equipment works.Yet, the book contains several flaws that grate. First, the characters are generally bland, one dimensional people that are hard to relate to. The "good guys" are pure good, they do everything right all the time and always seem to know what is actually happening. The "bad" guys are pure evil, always plotting and schemeing. The good characters are almost flawless while the bad have absolutely no redeeming virtue whatsoever. Not only is this fairly unrealistic but it gets tedious. Many people are not black and white and to have a book full of them gets old fast. When you start a scene with Character X, you pretty much know what they're going to be up to and what they're going to be about. The dialogue coming from their mouths was also quite predictable. Second, the book seems to have been written by a pair of Clinton-haters. While never calling him out by name, the author spends no little time doing everything possible to show that Bill Clinton was an utter traitor and despicable human being on all levels. Say what you want, think what you want, but this book went way over the top on that angle to the point of silliness and yes, tediousness. I began to think that if Clinton were really this bad then the military was run by fools for continuing to obey him. The book skipped around in time in a rather herky-jerky fashion. For instance, the first few chapters focused on a meeting that lasted a few days. Then all of a sudden months pass but you're not told this immediately, you have to figure it out from the reading! Then the Chinese invade Taiwan and it almost gets down to a minute by minute play by play, and then speeds up again and the authors skip over a few days in the space of a paragraph! While wasting time on a boring & tepid romance (between a 27 year old CIA analyst and a 51 year old father figure general) the Taiwanese were marshalling a counterattack and the Cinese nuked them with neutron devices. That however got a small mention as there was "love" in the air. C'mon! I didn't read this for a poorly worded, implausible, and boring romance! The authors would focus on the nitty gritty of certain things (like the love story) that offered little but then offhandedly refer to major events happening in the background. The Marine Unit that fought to defend Taiwan for several days gets evacuated, but we don't get the details, we just happen to hear about it. No word on how (since the authors told us there were no US Navy surface assets nearby) or why or anything like that, just that one day, they were gone! They started an interesting thread about an LA class sub sinking some shipping in the straits between Taiwan and China but then stopped mentioning it. Did it get sunk? Was it recalled? Where did it go? One minute the sub has half the Chinese navy after it and then they just stop discussing it. What about the XO of the Marine unit (a stereotypical "bad" guy who was given no redeeming qualities)? He started out as a regular character but then vanishes halfway through. Did he die? Did he do something right? Was he relieved? What happened? I did finish the book and in spite of the flaws I did enjoy much of it. But the flaws are major and the writing is generally poor. If you can look past that or aren't looking for much complexity this is fine but you're not getting Tom Clancy here, nowhere close.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting premise but flawed
Review: I was looking forward to this book as I had not read many simulations showing a war between China and Taiwan. The scenario is fascinating and daring and is a generally fluid read. The beginning of the book moves quickly and pulls you effortlessly along. Of course events of the last two years have made this scenario a bit more unlikely but these guys don't claim to be seers, they're writing a story that among other things gives a good idea of how alot of military equipment works. Yet, the book contains several flaws that grate. First, the characters are generally bland, one dimensional people that are hard to relate to. The "good guys" are pure good, they do everything right all the time and always seem to know what is actually happening. The "bad" guys are pure evil, always plotting and schemeing. The good characters are almost flawless while the bad have absolutely no redeeming virtue whatsoever. Not only is this fairly unrealistic but it gets tedious. Many people are not black and white and to have a book full of them gets old fast. When you start a scene with Character X, you pretty much know what they're going to be up to and what they're going to be about. The dialogue coming from their mouths was also quite predictable. Second, the book seems to have been written by a pair of Clinton-haters. While never calling him out by name, the author spends no little time doing everything possible to show that Bill Clinton was an utter traitor and despicable human being on all levels. Say what you want, think what you want, but this book went way over the top on that angle to the point of silliness and yes, tediousness. I began to think that if Clinton were really this bad then the military was run by fools for continuing to obey him. The book skipped around in time in a rather herky-jerky fashion. For instance, the first few chapters focused on a meeting that lasted a few days. Then all of a sudden months pass but you're not told this immediately, you have to figure it out from the reading! Then the Chinese invade Taiwan and it almost gets down to a minute by minute play by play, and then speeds up again and the authors skip over a few days in the space of a paragraph! While wasting time on a boring & tepid romance (between a 27 year old CIA analyst and a 51 year old father figure general) the Taiwanese were marshalling a counterattack and the Cinese nuked them with neutron devices. That however got a small mention as there was "love" in the air. C'mon! I didn't read this for a poorly worded, implausible, and boring romance! The authors would focus on the nitty gritty of certain things (like the love story) that offered little but then offhandedly refer to major events happening in the background. The Marine Unit that fought to defend Taiwan for several days gets evacuated, but we don't get the details, we just happen to hear about it. No word on how (since the authors told us there were no US Navy surface assets nearby) or why or anything like that, just that one day, they were gone! They started an interesting thread about an LA class sub sinking some shipping in the straits between Taiwan and China but then stopped mentioning it. Did it get sunk? Was it recalled? Where did it go? One minute the sub has half the Chinese navy after it and then they just stop discussing it. What about the XO of the Marine unit (a stereotypical "bad" guy who was given no redeeming qualities)? He started out as a regular character but then vanishes halfway through. Did he die? Did he do something right? Was he relieved? What happened? I did finish the book and in spite of the flaws I did enjoy much of it. But the flaws are major and the writing is generally poor. If you can look past that or aren't looking for much complexity this is fine but you're not getting Tom Clancy here, nowhere close.
Rating:
Summary: It could happen
Review: I was surprised and very pleased by this book. The authors present a scenario that is very plausible, and seems closer to reality every day in our current world situation. The story is told in a convincing manner, with suspense and surprises in almost every Chapter. The authors exhibit a convincing command of the technology involved in military conflicts of this nature, from the detailed accounts of the tank battles to those in the air. Furthermore, they present thoroughly believable strategies that might be employed by the opposing forces in exploiting that technology. The story line develops cleanly along a straight-forward path, similar to Tom Clancy's early books, without unnecessary depth or detail. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: A Pretty Good Book
Review: If you can ignore all the right-wing anti-Clinton rants in this book then you will find it enjoyable. This book outlines a possible scenario involving China attacking Taiwan. The battle sequences are breathtaking and makes you feel as if you are actually taking part in the battles. The characters are interesting and it is easy to follow who is doing what. There are a few typographical errors, but not enough to be distracting. About the worse part of the book is it is obvious written by two right-wing Clinton haters. The president in the book is never named, but it is obvious he is Clinton from all the snide remarks throughout the book about the president's personal life and lack of military experience. Also the authors make it painfully obvious that the reason the Chinese were able to field such a strong military is because of all the nuclear secrets they "stole" from the (Clinton) Adminstation and how our supposed "friends" in other countries gave them technology they used against us. There are two unbelievable parts of the book. One is when the Chinese launch a dummy missle at California and millions start to mass evacuate from the cities on the West Coast. Sept 11 proved most Americans arent cowards who will hightail out of there home just because of a threat. The second part is the USA losing its gonads and not doing nothing to stop Communist Chinese aggression in Asia. If China did attack Taiwan during the Clinton Admin I highly doubt he would have sat on his hands and acted like a chicken like the president did in the book. Overall this is a pretty good book and worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Explosive, fast-paced, detailed and scary
Review: Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down! The battle and weapons descriptions are just right, while the character development is deeper than the usual techno-thriller (I love that one of the lead characters is a young, female CIA analyst.) The plot twists are fun too. At every turn the authors insert a bit of real history and current fact, just enough to add credibility, but never too much to be boring. The authors seem to really know what they're talking about, and that's the scary part! Interestingly, the book is on sale in Taiwan and Hong Kong; that's how I first heard about it. Co-author Steven Mosher's most recent non-fiction book on China, "Hegemon" makes a good companion to this book. I read them both in a week.
Rating: 
Summary: Disapointing
Review: The early parts of this book show some real promise, though the characters are not very well developed and the early American involvement in the invasion lacks realism. The real problem, though, is that this book dies quickly at the end and leaves virtually every story line unfinished.
Rating:
Summary: China Attacks illustrates the culminating point
Review: The first three-quarters of this book are as riveting as any Clancy work. The authors introduce bold military strategies for the PRC and weave a backdrop where they could be plausible. They depend only a little on coincidence to align the forces that play out in the book. And, early-on in the book, the view of the Chinese people rings true. In fact, the view of the Chinese rural family may be more accurate than the view of the US defense establishment. A reader could easily come away with the impression that every US military servicemember has a very low impression of both President Clinton and the US State Department. Just as this book depicts a culminating point in the PRC invasion (that point beyond which the attack cannot be sustained), it also seems to hit its own culminating point in the storyline. For some reason, the last quarter of this book is unable to sustain the wonderfully high quality of the first three-quarters. And that's the margin by which China Attacks falls short of five-stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great Summer Read: An Excellent, Interesting Novel
Review: This excellent novel is reminiscent of Tom Clancy's early books. It is technically detailed with an engrossing story. The authors present an extremely plausible scenario, demonstrating their outstanding knowledge of PRC politics and military operations, wrapped into an entertaining tale. A great summer read!
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