Balance of Power : A Novel

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Summary: Excellent action, shallow characters.
Review: John Husten has done an outstanding job of bringing the uninformed reader into the world of U. S. Naval air operations and has succeeded in keeping his discriptions simple and succinct. This book wll make an excellent movie. One can visualize the tensions mounting as the naval battle groups steam toward each other while the court battle continues with the action oscillating between the open oceans and the staid courts. Mr. Husten's inexperience is seen in the shallow development of his characters. Even as the Admiral returns to his unknown fate, one cannot feel empathy with him as one has not become intimate with his personal motivations. Contrast this with Frederick Forsyth, who brings one to love or hate a character after a single paragraph. In summary, an excellent read with a unique plot.

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Summary: What is fiction is becoming true in view East Timor crisis.
Review: Most probably I am the only one in Malaysia who have read his book and lived within 300 miles of his battle zone. I was given this book by an American friend (personally autographed by James himself) which I did not complete reading last year. The latest East Timor Crisis made me frantically finish the reading in one day. If by any chance US gets involved in East Timor, I know what it is going to be like.

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Summary: Top-Notch Political Thriller
Review: Mr. Huston provides a very possible future conflict in bringing to light the little-known clause in the constitution and two powerful government officials who fight over its use. The ending was a bit of a let-down but overall it was a very good book.

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Summary: Compelling story of courage and honor.
Review: One of the top three best novels that I have read. Jim Huston has set a new precedence for great stories. Clean, crisp & ACCURATE.

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Summary: Huston has done it this time!
Review: Politics, terrorists, and military - what more could anyone want? Plus a love interest, for the romantic among you. Huston has combined enough fiction and fact to produce a really good action book. The twist about the identities of the terrorists was a good touch, but what really caught my attention was the Letter of Marque and Reprisal. It sent me scrambling for a copy of the US Constitution. The attitude expressed by the Navy - Don't tread on me - should do one of two things: either the reader will consider the book another bit of hawkish trash, or, as I did, he will be proud of the role America takes as a protector of not only the democracy of other nations, but also the reputation of the United States of America. Wow! I can almost hear the National Anthem! Once again, the author shows history repeating itself - but with enough of a change to both modernize the situation and to make the reader say, "Vive la difference!" I can't wait to get my hands on another book by James Huston - if he can keep up this pace.

Rating:
Summary: Very exciting, intelligent and accurate book!
Review: The book is one of the best books in this Genre that I've read to date. The accuracy in more than just military information is great. The author has great insite into law, the military and human conflict that is rare these days.

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Summary: Fast moving thriller, that you can't put down 10!
Review: The constitution, politics,geography,and the navy all come together in a fast moving thriller. Draws on current world events to make a plausible novel that races around the world.

Rating:
Summary: fast-paced, kept me reading.
Review: This book is outstanding for a first novel. Huston does a great job making you turn pages. I think this book is definitely Tom Clancy material. However I enjoyed it more than Clancy because its more fast paced. Also, unlike Clancy who uses alot of technical jargon that kind of bores you, Huston keeps everything simple by explaining the different military terms for us non-military types. I can't wait to read the sequel "The Price of Power" once it comes out in paperback. Does anyone know when that might be?

Rating:
Summary: One exciting game; Final score Congress 1, President 0.
Review: This book read like a successful meld of Tom Clancy and Keith Douglass("Carrier"). An exciting techno thriller utilizing the American Constitution as the focal point for military action against terrorism. Author Huston, a former Naval aviator, really nails down all the battle components, whether they be with Marines on the ground, Seals all over the place, and fighter pilots eating up the sky. If you don't yet have this book...buy it. One warning...when you are done, you will have a tremendous longing for more. A truly good outing for Huston. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Good reading, good background
Review: This book was based on an interesting premise. I also thought the background to joint military operations was well done-- as good as I've read. When he gets into the actual combat operations, it does become a bit apparent that the author was a pilot, not a ground pounder. As a retired special forces soldier, I found some of the ground operations a bit lacking, but not enough to detract from the overall book. If you want realistic ground special operations, try Bob Mayer's special forces series of books carried by Amazon. He's about as real as I've read-- which he should be considering he was also special forces.