Rating: 
Summary: Dull hodgepodge
Review: I don't think I've ever read book where such interesting subject matter was handled in such an uninteresting, colorless and passionless way. I can accept that the background of "Area 51: The Mission" is a dull hodgepodge derived from Graham Hancock, Von Daniken and other writers, but it's all presented like a laundry list of conspiracy theories, with no emotion attached to it. This might have been tolerable if the book didn't feature characters who are such ciphers that any sense of wonder or mystery is completely diluted. The characters have so little personality or individuality that when they come across truly mind-boggling evidence of alien vistations, they react with the same kind of emotion as if they've stumbled over a Howard Johnsons. Most of the dialogue is so flat and lifeless that I "heard" the characters speak as if they had taken elocution lessons from Ben Stein. There are interminable "talking head" scenes, one briefing after another. The author's apparent fascination with acronyms--UNACO, MEDCAP, USAMRID, and those are just a mere sampling--became extremely tedious. This was a contrived and transparent effort to give the proceedings an air of authenticity and didn't work...at least not for me. Other than being sluggishly paced, there is a serious lack of detail in the descriptions of characters, action and locales, almost as if the writer decided it was easier for him to let the reader fill in those blanks. Due to this, the book comes across more like a treatment for a movie than a novel. Also, rather than offer a cogent recap of the events in the first two Area 51 novels, the writer offers only disjointed references to what went on before. If this was a deliberate ploy to motivate a new reader to rush out and buy the other two books, it failed miserably in my case. This is very predictable fare. Axler's "Outlanders" series deals with much the same material, but in no way so implausibly, and the stories are told with intelligence, wit and verve. In fact, the similarities to "Outlanders" are so marked, "Area 51: The Mission" comes off as a pale imitation of several books in the "Outlanders" series--minus the excitement, sharp characterization, colorful attention to detail, passion and rich entertainment value. I really wanted to like this book, but if this one is indicative of what the other novels are like, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass. Sorry to be so harsh, but this book simply didn't cut it--not as a thriller, not as science-fiction and most definitely not as action-adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Ho Hum.....
Review: There are days when I put down a book and feel really happy that I have read it; because in some way it has enriched my knowledge, made me think, or simply been a great source of entertainment. There have been books that drove me on to get to the finish because they were so exciting, and books that I have taken time with and savored right to the last word. Almost all of them had something that stayed with me.I can find nothing that remained with me after reading Area 51: The Mission, except for a sense of guilt that I had taken time out from my life and spent it reading something that gave me nothing at all back....not even enjoyment. The only thing this book did achieve was to help me fully understand the saying "A waste of time". That Robert Doherty is an accomplished writer is obvious. His skill is the only thing that is clear in this book. Unfortunately, he is obviously expending his time milking the earlier novels of this series (which I have not read and am not inclined to) and setting himself up for another sequel to Area 51. The virus idea is apparently the only new idea in this novel. But his "new" twist is one that is generally being overworked, and one that has successfully been used by others with results far more suspensful and thought provoking......not to mention coherent. I generally keep books I like and reread them from time to time. Not so with Area 51: The Mission. In fact, I do not even know anyone I would give it to. Perhaps this is a very harsh review and there are some people who obviously do like the book. However I see it as a waste of time, and also a waste of real talent. I think a writer with the skill that Mr. Doherty obviously possesses should treat, and use their talent much as a gift. In my opinion he has almost abused it and for reasons that are profit motivated. While I am all for the profit motive, I am not in favor of something that cheats me while putting coins in anothers pocket. While no one forced me to read this book, I still object to the fact that there was no "fair exchange" involved in this purchase. In fact there was a loss. While money was added to Mr. Doherty's account, time was withdrawn from mine. We all live and learn, and what I have learned is to perhaps chose my reading material more carefully in purchases that offer a fair exchange.
Rating:
Summary: The Book Lost Me
Review: I agree with the person from North Platte. The first book was good, but then it just becomes more boring. I DON'T RECOMEND THIS BOOK
Rating:
Summary: Terrible Writing and story!
Review: I'm sorry, but I read all the 5 star reviews and thought this must be a great series. BS, not even close. Try anything else on Area 51. Try the bestselling author Jim Marr's new book, 'Alien Agenda.'
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a mixtureof science fiction and science fact
Review: This book kept me reading until the very end. It and it's prequills are some of the best books I have ever read. The combination of science fiction and fact is marvelous. Robert Doherty captures the mystery behind the question "Are we alone?"
Rating: 
Summary: Not another Area 51 book.
Review: I really enjoyed the first book in the series. I probably would have given it 4 stars. The second book was more of the same and a 3 star at best, but the third book, however, is not as good as the first two. The story just goes on and on and gets sillier and siller. The author is talented, but the real mystery is why he's writing all these Area 51 books? Try Alien Agenda for some facts and exceptional research.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent series.
Review: I've enjoyed all three books in the series and want more. I'm not sure where Doherty is going with all of those but the plots keep getting deeper and more diverse. Good technique of weaving history into the stories.
Rating:
Summary: Then are few series that have griped me like Area 51.
Review: This is my first review. I had to say something about this series. Whoever the author is he know how to grip his audience. The books are very well written, and if you like adventure books with a S/F flavor, then get them all and prepare yourself for an experience.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good.
Review: I didn't expect much when I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend as I'm not a big science fiction fan, but this book was more a thriller with a wild premise than bug-eyed aliens running amok. The author seems to know what he's talking about as far as military operations go, which is unusual in most books I've read. Uusually some wanna-be writing about things they don't have a clue about, but Doherty knows his stuff. Good book.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing possibilities.
Review: I find the author's rewriting of traditionally accepted history the most interested aspect of these Area 51 books. Wonder where he's going with it. Also, getting away from American ethnocentrism and having characters who aren't American be players is also good. Good series.
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