Indiana Jones and the Sky Pirates

This book doesn't revolve around secret cults or lost treasures but Professor Jones still does a great job of pulling in the reader. Mysterious aircraft are wreaking havoc around the world. Can Indy stop them?

This is the last of the Indiana Jones Books I have read( I have now read all the books by MacGregor, McCoy, and Caidin. I have also read the Media books "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Temple of Doom", and "Last Crusade") This is a very exciting adventure novel, I enjoyed it very much. Too many people think of Indiana Jones Strictly as a movie character, instead of an adventure character, who may have many different types of exciting escapades. I too see Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, (he embodies the character so well) but unlike others I have no trouble seeing him and actually hearing him in my head as I read all these excitng adventure stories. Of course everyone is different and sees things differently. I have enjoyed all of the Great Indiana Jones stories. As for myself, I have let the unfavorable reviews sway me and put off reading Caidin until last. I'm really glad I finally decided to read them to see for myself, because I found both the "White Witch" and "Sky Pirates" to be extremely exciting . However I should have read Caidin's "Sky Pirates" right after MacGregor's "Seven Veils" for it follows that novel and then read "White Witch" in that order for it is in "White Witch" that Ms. Parker's character is fully developed. I will again re-read the novels in the future and will finally read them in true order

This book had great chracters for example: Tarkiz Belem- Indy's bodyguard, William Cromwell- pilot and ace war hero, Rene Foulis- another ace fighter in world war I, and Gale Parker- Indy's friend. This book was extrodanerily smart and action packed! The only complaint was that Indy just isn't Indy in this book. But I give it a 5!

I must say, Martin Caidin is a pretty good author. His characters are interesting, his plot is fast-paced, and his story is well developed. However, the book has one small flaw: The main character does not fit in with the type of story being told. While Caidin is ambitious by changing the genre in which Indy operates, and writes a pretty darn good book in the process, putting Indy in the middle of an international spy story just doesn't work.

A change from the famous 1930s archaeologist/adventurer's modus operandi. Instead of hunting down ancient artifacts, Dr. Jones teams up with a colorful (but deadly) array of aquaintances to investigate UFO sightings and attacks. It starts off with an "extra terrestrial" artifact, and soon twists and turns with politcal intrigue and military operations that would make Tom Clancy proud. Our intrepid "Indy" Jones is in the heart of the entire affair, bringing the story's many mini-climax sequences to a suprising and exciting finale. I really enjoyed this book (my personal favorite of the entire IJ series - so far). I liked the way Mr. Caidin took me in one direction, then would suddenly turn me in another. I also really liked the fact that Indiana was given a totally different type of role. Instead of chasing down artifacts and tearing through his opposition in the fashion we all know and love, Indy uses his strategic talents and world-encompassing knowledge and contacts to bring the problems to safe conclusions. The only time he uses his hard-core fighting abilities and accessories (.455 Webley & 10 ft. bullwhip), is when he is forced to defend himself and the members of his crack team from moments of death. The end of the book features true historic and mechanical facts that were used as the foundation for different events & people in the story. That in itself had some pretty interesting information. All-in-all, a great book - even for those not usually into Indiana Jones adventures. I definately recommend this one.:)