Payback

Having first read Mr. Pollock's novel "Crossfire" back in the late 1980s, I enjoyed the novel from a college-student's perspective. At that time, I had little world-view, but the novel entertained from a pure action and escapist standpoint. Strangely, the premise of the novel stuck with me and long after forgetting the author and title, I managed to rediscover Mr. Pollock last year and have been reading all his novels. This novel, written in in the late 1980's, has many political observations that, 16 years later, seem to have been strangely clairvoyant. From the fall of the Soviet Union, to Bill Clinton, the novel seems to be written from a historical perspective 10 years' distant from the 1989 publishing date. It is a shame that Mr. Pollock's works seem to be out of print, and he does not seem to be currently writing more novels. I do hope he resumes, because he does have a real talent, and also seems to have a intuitive political perspective to communicate through his works.

I read this book years ago - several times - it was that good!...I would suggest this book to anyone that is into sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, can't-put-it-down-till-it's-done, action/military stories.From the very first opening line Pollock grabs your attention and doesn't let it go till the final line. Buy it - you'll love it!

Pollock is a master story teller who winds his readers into the plot, hovering them beside the bad guy and reasoning out a strategy with the good guy. Since Pollock was once a member of the CIA, and previously a member of the Special Forces, he does not write from book knowledge alone. He has been there, done that. Pollock weaves in tons of action, gun play, and high-tech scenery. From France to Nicaragua, from metropolitan concrete jungles, to the rainforests of Nicaragua, Pollock is never out of his league. The non-stop action is completely captivating, but Pollock does not forget to add sentiment and emotion, and does so by the rape and murder of the protagonist's wife. The tone throughout the book is one of cool professionalism, fueled by a cold hate. Throughout the whole novel, the reader is fully aware of the fact that Gannon will fulfil his goal and be the hero without losing his life. Nevertheless, his invinciblity adds to the novel's tone. His constant setbacks and frustrations though, add a dimension of reality.