Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #360094 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 496 pages

From Library Journal
In this all-too-predictable tale, a reconfigured B-52 bomber and its doughty crew try to prevent a war between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. Dastardly politicians and greedy military careerists attempt to thwart our friends in the skies, but, aided by hawkish President Martindale, strike-warfare expert Patrick McLanahan and his buddies put their prototype aircraft through its paces while flirting with their own capture or destruction. Unfortunately, Brown here fails to live up to the thought-provoking substance of his previous books, notably Shadows of Steel (LJ 6/15/96). The major characters from those earlier works reappear (accompanied by turgid recapitulations of past escapes) and seize the opportunity to weigh in on the side of the good guys. Despite battle scenes and lots of shouted dialog, the pace is leaden and the characterizations dull. Only for comprehensive Brown or aviation-fiction collections.
-?Elsa Pendleton, Boeing Information Svcs., Inc., China Lake, Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
The People's Republic of China chooses tactical nuclear weapons and strategic scheming to overrun Taiwan and take complete control of Southeast Asia. Part of the ploy includes bombing some of their own ships. Along the way, several military installations, air fields, ships, and even a United States aircraft carrier are vaporized. The only thing that can stop this swath of destruction is a hybrid B-52 bomber and its renegade crew. Reader Edward Lewis's lack of vocal warmth seems to fit right in. His delivery is crisp, with good pace and tempo. However, he works way too hard at the voices of the principal characters. T.J.M. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
The Old Dog (an airplane, as Brown regulars know) learns yet more new tricks in Brown's latest technothriller. The EB-52 Megafortresses (improved descendants of the Old Dog) are about to be scrapped, the rest of the U.S. heavy bomber force radically downsized. Then the Chinese seriously try to conquer Taiwan, and President Martindale wants to defend it equally seriously, despite U.S. military weakness, interservice rivalry, and political opposition. Led by Brad Elliott and Patrick McLanahan, the reunited Old Dog crew flies one official mission against the Chinese--and then is faced with arrest for exceeding orders. The next mission--unofficial--becomes justly compared with the exploits of the Flying Tigers of World War II and precipitates a decisive U.S. bomber counteroffensive that defeats the Chinese. Longer on well-handled action and hardware than on characterization (virtually all the navy personnel in it are caricatures), the yarn is another consistent page-turner from Brown, anyway, and won't disappoint his numerous readers. Roland Green

Customer Reviews

A big blast wind from the east !
Since Sky Masters - when the B2 was on top of South East Asia's Sea, I found another big blast wind from the east. Brown took more serious what happen if China invades Taiwan (I am hoping it's never happen). I read Brown's thriller even more scary this time. All the ballistic missiles ready to aim Taiwan, major scales battle! Hardly to imagine. Definitely Very accurate story and Yes! another best writter from Brown.
Don't ever miss this!

Fun Read
Despite the liberal posters and armchair military experts, I loved this book! Sure, many of the weapons and situations are fictional (as far as I know).
The excessive military jargon was almost humorous and actually fun to read. Brown makes sure you know what all the acronyms mean. The situations and flight duals with jets and missiles were great. The plot had some great twists.
It had me looking up all the different aircraft used. A fun and hard to put down book, I would highly recommend it!

Another Excellent Book from Dale Brown
Fatal Terrain is another excellent book by Dale Brown. In this wonderful book, the Chinese are going to invade Taiwan. When the USA runs to thier side to defend them, they find themselves in a heap load of trouble around the world. Join Patrick McLanahan, Brad Elliot, and Jon Masters in this exciting book to defeat the Chinese War Machine. I recomend you read Sky Masters and Shadows of Steel before you read Fatal Terrain.