Balance of Power : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Captivating, Intriguing, astounding, fullflling
Review: A great read for anyone. Explores the delicate balance that our country and the world hangs in. The wars both political and physical are REAL. This book will not dissapoint.

Rating:
Summary: "The Drama and Plot Twists Never Stop!"
Review: A most excellent political/military thriller! When terrorists sieze a U.S. cargo ship and slaughter its crew, the President vows not to continue the "cycle of violence" and calls for no retaliation. This enrages the Speaker of the House, who wants hit back at the terrorist. His top aide, Jim Dillon, finds a section of the Constitution that would let the Congress do just that without the President's approval. Very fast-paced and dramatic story. Tough to put down. The political and legal manovuering was very compelling. Very easy to follow. Good character development. Loved how Dillon saw his idea through to the end by going out to the South Pacific for the climax. The strain this whole situation puts on his relationship with his friend Molly (who's a legal advisor to the Prez) was good. Loved the dilemma the Letter of Marque and Reprisal put the military in. Very interesting to see how they handled it. Drama never stops. Every 5 or 6 pages some new development comes out that heightens the story. A wonderful debut for Mr. Huston.

Rating:
Summary: "The Drama and Plot Twists Never Stop!"
Review: A most excellent political/military thriller! When terrorists sieze a U.S. cargo ship and slaughter its crew, the President vows not to continue the "cycle of violence" and calls for no retaliation. This enrages the Speaker of the House, who wants hit back at the terrorist. His top aide, Jim Dillon, finds a section of the Constitution that would let the Congress do just that without the President's approval. Very fast-paced and dramatic story. Tough to put down. The political and legal manovuering was very compelling. Very easy to follow. Good character development. Loved how Dillon saw his idea through to the end by going out to the South Pacific for the climax. The strain this whole situation puts on his relationship with his friend Molly (who's a legal advisor to the Prez) was good. Loved the dilemma the Letter of Marque and Reprisal put the military in. Very interesting to see how they handled it. Drama never stops. Every 5 or 6 pages some new development comes out that heightens the story. A wonderful debut for Mr. Huston.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting plot, good for a "quickie"
Review: A very interesting plot. More depth to characters needed. At times, Huston's thriller was really edge-of-your-seat-stuff; at other times, "hokey". Still, I recommend for a quick read.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written
Review: After reading the other reviews, I was looking forward to a riveting book. But I was greatly disappointed. The quality of the writing was very uninspiring and basic. There were times I thought I was reading one of my child's fourth grade book. The characters were poorly developed. Finally, the book came to a simple ending, as if the author ran out of interest in the remaining pages. I was hoping to enjoy it like Vince Flynn's recent books, Term Limits and Transfer of Power, But this book palled in comparison. I will not read another book by this author.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent, fun book. Congress should read it.
Review: An excellent, fun book using the facts of our nation's Constitution. Congress should read this book for fun, with a serious reminder.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely an author to watch
Review: Bravo, James Huston! Rush Limbaugh was right. As an avid reader of military fiction, I couldn't put down this debut novel. For those of us who wait for each Clancy novel, Huston has truly become another one to watch. Can't wait for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: The very best of Grisham and Clancy rolled into one.
Review: Clancy used to be my favorite author. This book is better. Huston has written a spellbinding story I was unable to put down. He is obviously very knowledgable about the Navy, its aircraft and pilots, and Washington "insider" politics. In addition to being thoroughly entertained, I learned a lot by reading the book. I have not found that in any book since Clancy's first ones. The story line is plausable and engrossing. I cannot wait for his next book.

Rating:
Summary: Best Law review Article Ever!
Review: Ever read a law review article? Pretty dry and boring stuff. But here, James Huston takes what could be a stuffy topic and wraps it around an action/political thriller story. The result is wonderful.

An American freighter is hijacked by terrorists who proceed to execute the crew members and take the captain hostage. President Manchester(a suspected pacifist) chooses to do nothing about it. As one could imagine, many are aghast at this, including the President's political nemesis, Speaker of the House Stanbridge. It appears there is little hope until Jim Dillon, a lawyer on Stanbridge's staff, discovers a dormant power in the US Constitution known as The Letter of Marque and Reprisal that gives Congress the power to direct military (or at least Naval) forces into action.

Things get complicated after this. After Congress passes the Letter, the President initiates legal action. Also, its uncertain whether the Admiral commanding the Task Force will honor the Letter. For those and more questions, I direct you to read the book!

The legal analysis is overall very good. Some critics note the Letter of Marque and Rerisal provision is just another enhancement to the President's war making capability. This is not correct. There is nothing in the Constitution directly tying the Executive to this power. Traditionally, Presidents did sign these Letters but Huston shows that tradition does not trump the Consitution. He deals crippling blows to other arguments against the Letter too.

The action is also excellent. We get to see the full power of a carrier task force unfold before our eyes. Everything from Special Ops and Marine assaults to air attacks. Huston's naval background only enhances this aspect of the novel.

An excellent work. For the thinking person who enjoys red hot action, you could do worse!



Rating:
Summary: A great read !!!
Review: Eversince I read my first techno-thriller I have been hooked. The author James W. Huston has captured the passion of law and the awesome punch of military action. The book is a fast read and it will leave you begging for more. It took me three days of around a clock reading to finish this tasty book. So my brother and I give this book our greatest praise and we are looking towards more exciting works from Mr. Huston. To me this is the best book for the dog days of summer.