Rating: 
Summary: Was this a first novel?
Review: Although this is Huston's third published work, it reads as if it was a first book. There are references to plot lines from the first two works, but still it seems from the awkward pacing that this was a first attempt. If not, it was rushed into print to capitalize on the success of the first two novels. Basically, the plot is the same: congress declares war, with or without the president to avenge a wrong done to the country or citizens of it. In this case, the citizen is a naval aviator, murdered with an Israeli national in a terrorist attack. The story is farfetched to begin with but gets even more fantastic as it goes along. Granted, the flying is good. I have spent enough time in ready rooms to tell you that the dialogue recounted there is right, even to giving reminders about fit reps and evals. But out of the air, the book falters. The fact that a junior officer, even if he is a fourth tour 0-3 and a really hot stick, manages to almost single-handedly propel his battle group into a war is the stuff of B-movies. The terrorist leader is melodramatic in the extreme, secreted in his mountain sanctuary much as the Crimson Ghost was in the movie serials of the '40's. Even the climactic final mission is predictable and astonishingly mundane, given the big build-up. No, this is not great military fiction, but it does have a lot of details, both in the air and on the carrier, that lets you know that Huston knows naval aviation. The novel is, given how it wanders around, about 100 pages too long. I hope that he abandons this "letter of reprisal" war declaration plot device and just does a straightforward book about carrier aviators. That would be exciting enough and give them the dignity of having them be more than comic book heroes.
Rating: 
Summary: This guy is just great.
Review: Buy it and enjoy a great story.
Rating: 
Summary: Huston in his element
Review: Finally in his third book, Huston has hit gold. Being a former F-14 pilot, he is at home in the cockpit, and it shows in the air combat sequences that are well spaced throughout this novel. He also makes the reader feel a part of an F-14 squadron with his knowledge of daily life on board a carrier. The detail with which he illustrates his characters and the experiences of a naval aviator has the intimacy that only someone who has been a member of such a close group of fighting men could express.In total, this third novel has all the best parts of a thriller, the plausable action, the characters, and the suspensful plot, and I would recommend it to any technothriller fan, especially a reader of Stephen Coonts.
Rating:
Summary: An Experience Like No Other
Review: First of all, I own every Gamma Ray cd that there is and I really dig Ralf Scheepers. No matter what my friends say, The Past Is Alive" is the best cd of all time. That said, onto the book review. James W. Houstan is a mentor and personal friend of mine. The guy just all around tears it up. I have read this book 3 times and I am currently on my fourth. As a younger boy I attended Calvin Christian School where I joined in fellowship with Paul, James W. Houstan's first born son. Paul was a brigand, but we served the Lord Jesus Christ together none the less. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read this book because I think back on the time Paul and I shared together. We were best friends until I was forced by my parents to change schools. Back to the book, I dig this motha'. It leaves you with your heart (Not to mention member) Pumpin'. lol, I love this book, if you are into F-14s, you will thouroughly enjoy this death thrilla'.
Rating:
Summary: THRILLING STORY FOR ALL READERS
Review: Flashpoint is a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my chair throughtout the entire book. It made life on an aircraft carrier come alive, and I felt like I was in the F-14 being shot off the catapult. This is not a book just for guys. I have enjoyed ALL of Jim Huston's books and this one did not disappoint. I will look forward eagerly for the next exciting book James Huston will release. Everyone should read this, and the other books, by James Huston.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Have you ever read a novel and had the feeling that you were reading today's news? That is the experience which awaits you in FLASH POINT. Would you like to see how our government might deal effectively with terrorism, and how it might legally declare war on terrorists? Read this book. Full of lively and very real characters, anchored by a plot right out of Sept. 11, yet published over a year ago, this is a fun read and a good message for our leaders.
Rating:
Summary: The line between fiction and fact blurs...
Review: Have you ever read a novel and had the feeling that you were reading today's news? That is the experience which awaits you in FLASH POINT. Would you like to see how our government might deal effectively with terrorism, and how it might legally declare war on terrorists? Read this book. Full of lively and very real characters, anchored by a plot right out of Sept. 11, yet published over a year ago, this is a fun read and a good message for our leaders.
Rating:
Summary: Good read by Mr. Huston
Review: Having read the 2 others by the author, I decided to give this one a whirl. Turned out to be very entertaining. Good work on the carrier stuff with the Navy. Good side stories with the CIA, congressmen, navy chaplain. But the intriguing part was early with the F-14 pilots going ashore, it led to the main story. If you like stuff with fighters and bombers this one is it. The politics surrounding it add a good flavor. The chain of command takes a beating at times but plays a role. Good wins out over evil at all costs.
Rating:
Summary: James W. Huston does it again
Review: He does it again it's an awsome book it shows how intensive dog fighting is. Sean Woods takes the role of a F-14 flying ace. He is one of the best fighter pilot in his squadran. As the novel proggreses Sean Woods discovers the horrible truth. His best friend has been assasinated by terrorist now he is determined to hunt them down one's and for all. It's a must have book...
Rating:
Summary: Too many trips to the well
Review: Huston's first two books were exciting, however, the concept of using the Constitution as a way to justify military action is being over done. The plot line in this third book is so far out that it might be possible. Frankly if I thought that our Navy pilots were as irresponsible & inept as Huston depicts them, I would petition my Senators & Congressmen to have the Commander In Chief recall all our carriers to the US, discharge all the pilots & their direct commanders & start with a fresh batch! The story rambles so that I found myself skimming a lot of the pages. This would probably been a better 'novella' than a novel.
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