Rating: 
Summary: Balance of Power, part deux
Review: James Huston's second effort, `The Price of Power' is a direct sequel to his `Balance of Power'. Both novels put together can easily be read as one novel and I will hazard a guess that the original draft was just that - a work that was split into two parts.
The terrorist from the first book, "George Washington', survives and kidnaps an American mining executive and his wife. He is quickly killed and his wife is held hostage with the demand for the release of the captured terrorist band from the previous novel. It is unclear in the novel if the reader is supposed to believe that the executive's wife is dead or alive.
The second thread of the novel are two courtroom procedures: the impeachment of the President on the grounds that he is a pacifist and cannot fulfill his duties as President of the United States and the court martial of Admiral Billings who led the original assault on the terrorist island. Still another plot thread is the use of another clause in the Constitution to justify further military action without the authority of the executive to rescue the hostage.
`The Price of Power" is better written than the previous novel because there are fewer dangling plot threads and the main characters behave with greater consistency than in the first book. The author also does a good job with his simple but effective courtroom dialogue sequences which are the true heart of the novel.
However, as in his first novel, the author uses his characters and storyline to present a right-wing interpretation to the Constitution and the roles of the President and Congress. The author misreads the Constitution and expects up to believe in some unlikely scenarios. For example, can you imagine a true pacifist getting through the President primary process? How about a President's mother testifying at an impeachment hearing? Or how about a court martial that judges on the constitutionally of an act and not the UCMJ?
As with his first novel, you need to put your brain on hold for this one, but if you do, you will enjoy this well paced fantasy novel for right-wingers. I intend to read his next novel, "Flash Point' which I hope is more military action than right-wing political fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: "A Solid Sequel"
Review: James W. Huston does a terrific job handling the fallout from "The Balance of Power." While the first chapter with the kidnapping of an American corporate exec and his wife is written in a rather choppy style, it improves by leaps and bounds after that. The scenes involving Admiral Billings' court-martial are flat out excellent. Huston presents great arguments on both sides. One moment you think Billings will come out OK, the next it appears he has no chance to win. I do wish the impeachment trial of the President was done better. Those scenes were just not as compelling as the Billings court-martial. Again Congressional aide Jim Dillon is a first rate hero. At times he seems over his head, but that first class mind of his is always working to get out of what appear to be no-win situations. The return of the terrorist who calls himself George Washington is a great monkey in the wrench. He's more ruthless in this book than in "Balance." Even with the two problem areas I mentioned, the book overall is a winner.
Rating:
Summary: "A Solid Sequel"
Review: James W. Huston does a terrific job handling the fallout from "The Balance of Power." While the first chapter with the kidnapping of an American corporate exec and his wife is written in a rather choppy style, it improves by leaps and bounds after that. The scenes involving Admiral Billings' court-martial are flat out excellent. Huston presents great arguments on both sides. One moment you think Billings will come out OK, the next it appears he has no chance to win. I do wish the impeachment trial of the President was done better. Those scenes were just not as compelling as the Billings court-martial. Again Congressional aide Jim Dillon is a first rate hero. At times he seems over his head, but that first class mind of his is always working to get out of what appear to be no-win situations. The return of the terrorist who calls himself George Washington is a great monkey in the wrench. He's more ruthless in this book than in "Balance." Even with the two problem areas I mentioned, the book overall is a winner.
Rating: 
Summary: Huston lets us down
Review: James W. Huston has succeeded where most writers of sequels do not. He has managed to craft a well thought-out and entertaining sequel that makes the reader ask those famous "what if?" type questions. In The Price of Power, Huston reprises all of the characters from his debut novel. In the process he gives them more life, more personality and more detail to hold the reader's attention. In this installment, the author has the President of the United States serve as the convening authority for the Court Martial of the Admiral who led a task force to rescue Americans held hostage by Indonesian pirate/terrorists. The President, a weak leader with plummeting ratings faces the prospect of impeachment when he orders the Navy brass to court-martial its latest hero, an Admiral who followed the orders of Congress (rather than his or the Pentagon's) when they issued a heretofore little known of Letter of Reprisal that authorized the Navy to go after the enemy in his own lair. Throughout this book, Huston asks very interesting moral and legal questions. He raises interesting constituional issues as well, especially for those Americans in uniform, whose very service oath is not to the nation, its people or the President, but to the Constitution itself. As those of us who have worn the uniform (or are still wearing it) know, the oath of enlistment or commissioning opens with "I _______do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.." The oaths we take are a serious matter to most of us. Our loyalty is not to a leader, the people we defend or to the nation itself; it is to the Constitution. The reason for that is simple; it is the Constitution, that genius of a document that defines who we are as a people and a nation. And in this novel, Huston does a masterful job of giving us very real examples of how the Constitution exists in all of our daily lives. True, the author sets these serious questions in the arena of foreign, military, legislative and political affairs and yet, these are questions that could in fact happen in real life. After all, the United States, as the last superpower faces a multitude of challenges on a daily basis and unlike other countries, where dictators rule or the people have no real say, our system, with it executive, legislative and judicial balances must take into consideration public opinion and the desires of a very diverse population. Mr. Huston covers all the areas of political and military intrigue with a surprising level of knowledge and a grasp for how Washington really works. This is a fast paced thriller with a highly developed plot that asks all the important questions. If you are at all interested in how the Congress, the White House and the armed forces operate within an ever changing world arena, then read this book. And unlike what one reviewer said about this being right-wing trash, read this novel with an open mind for the real possibilities. The author asks (and answers) some very provocative questions. Paul Connors
Rating:
Summary: Well Done and Thoughtful Sequel
Review: James W. Huston has succeeded where most writers of sequels do not. He has managed to craft a well thought-out and entertaining sequel that makes the reader ask those famous "what if?" type questions. In The Price of Power, Huston reprises all of the characters from his debut novel. In the process he gives them more life, more personality and more detail to hold the reader's attention. In this installment, the author has the President of the United States serve as the convening authority for the Court Martial of the Admiral who led a task force to rescue Americans held hostage by Indonesian pirate/terrorists. The President, a weak leader with plummeting ratings faces the prospect of impeachment when he orders the Navy brass to court-martial its latest hero, an Admiral who followed the orders of Congress (rather than his or the Pentagon's) when they issued a heretofore little known of Letter of Reprisal that authorized the Navy to go after the enemy in his own lair. Throughout this book, Huston asks very interesting moral and legal questions. He raises interesting constituional issues as well, especially for those Americans in uniform, whose very service oath is not to the nation, its people or the President, but to the Constitution itself. As those of us who have worn the uniform (or are still wearing it) know, the oath of enlistment or commissioning opens with "I _______do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.." The oaths we take are a serious matter to most of us. Our loyalty is not to a leader, the people we defend or to the nation itself; it is to the Constitution. The reason for that is simple; it is the Constitution, that genius of a document that defines who we are as a people and a nation. And in this novel, Huston does a masterful job of giving us very real examples of how the Constitution exists in all of our daily lives. True, the author sets these serious questions in the arena of foreign, military, legislative and political affairs and yet, these are questions that could in fact happen in real life. After all, the United States, as the last superpower faces a multitude of challenges on a daily basis and unlike other countries, where dictators rule or the people have no real say, our system, with it executive, legislative and judicial balances must take into consideration public opinion and the desires of a very diverse population. Mr. Huston covers all the areas of political and military intrigue with a surprising level of knowledge and a grasp for how Washington really works. This is a fast paced thriller with a highly developed plot that asks all the important questions. If you are at all interested in how the Congress, the White House and the armed forces operate within an ever changing world arena, then read this book. And unlike what one reviewer said about this being right-wing trash, read this novel with an open mind for the real possibilities. The author asks (and answers) some very provocative questions. Paul Connors
Rating:
Summary: Well Done and Thoughtful Sequel
Review: James W. Huston has succeeded where most writers of sequels do not. He has managed to craft a well thought-out and entertaining sequel that makes the reader ask those famous "what if?" type questions. In The Price of Power, Huston reprises all of the characters from his debut novel. In the process he gives them more life, more personality and more detail to hold the reader's attention. In this installment, the author has the President of the United States serve as the convening authority for the Court Martial of the Admiral who led a task force to rescue Americans held hostage by Indonesian pirate/terrorists. The President, a weak leader with plummeting ratings faces the prospect of impeachment when he orders the Navy brass to court-martial its latest hero, an Admiral who followed the orders of Congress (rather than his or the Pentagon's) when they issued a heretofore little known of Letter of Reprisal that authorized the Navy to go after the enemy in his own lair. Throughout this book, Huston asks very interesting moral and legal questions. He raises interesting constituional issues as well, especially for those Americans in uniform, whose very service oath is not to the nation, its people or the President, but to the Constitution itself. As those of us who have worn the uniform (or are still wearing it) know, the oath of enlistment or commissioning opens with "I _______do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.." The oaths we take are a serious matter to most of us. Our loyalty is not to a leader, the people we defend or to the nation itself; it is to the Constitution. The reason for that is simple; it is the Constitution, that genius of a document that defines who we are as a people and a nation. And in this novel, Huston does a masterful job of giving us very real examples of how the Constitution exists in all of our daily lives. True, the author sets these serious questions in the arena of foreign, military, legislative and political affairs and yet, these are questions that could in fact happen in real life. After all, the United States, as the last superpower faces a multitude of challenges on a daily basis and unlike other countries, where dictators rule or the people have no real say, our system, with it executive, legislative and judicial balances must take into consideration public opinion and the desires of a very diverse population. Mr. Huston covers all the areas of political and military intrigue with a surprising level of knowledge and a grasp for how Washington really works. This is a fast paced thriller with a highly developed plot that asks all the important questions. If you are at all interested in how the Congress, the White House and the armed forces operate within an ever changing world arena, then read this book. And unlike what one reviewer said about this being right-wing trash, read this novel with an open mind for the real possibilities. The author asks (and answers) some very provocative questions. Paul Connors
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining - Should make a good movie!!!!!
Review: Kirkus reviews are way to analitical, they have lost the perspective of "Just for Fun". This is an entaining novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story keeps your interest with, intertwined actions taking place in the US and Pacific theater. You are not sure of the outcome until the end. Just the way I like it! The story line of the political arena being a cesspool, rings true for me. Our politicans are about power, ego and little of service to the common citizen. The novel projects our military as professional, dedicated and willing to make sacrifices for all of us who enjoy the priviledge of living in the United States.
Rating:
Summary: Begs to be a mini-series on TV, preferably with JAG actors.
Review: Plot, action and love stories intermingled at a fast pace. Writing skills accelerated, so that Mr. Huston grew as an author before our eyes, developing into Wouk-Michener proportions. Characters came alive and the dialog sang, so that the absence of explicit sex and four letter words only became noticeable as an afterthought at the conclusion and redigesting of the two books... James W. Huston will be a writing irresistable force. Can't wait for his next efforts.
Rating:
Summary: "Thrilling Page Turner !"
Review: Politics, terrorism, and freedom of religion, is the backdrop for this action-packed, page turner by James W. Huston. I enjoyed "The Price of Power" very much. The characters were believable which kept the court room scenes exciting.
Rating:
Summary: "Thrilling Page Turner !"
Review: Politics, terrorism, and freedom of religion, is the backdrop for this action-packed, page turner by James W. Huston. I enjoyed "The Price of Power" very much. The characters were believable which kept the court room scenes exciting.
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