Silver Star

It's hard to believe I purchased this novel over 14 years ago and that I continue to read and greatly enjoy it almost every year but such was Stirling Silliphant's writing skills.What makes this story and the two that came before so appealing is the main character's use of first person narrative to explain what happens as he,John Locke, learns he has a half-Vietnamese son living in Hanoi who Locke feels must be rescued from the "Workers' Paradise".Silver Star's strength and attraction come from the way the author combines this primary cause with several other reasons for Locke to sail his beloved vessel Steel Tiger from Indonesia to Thailand and then,with the help of many unusual and colorful individuals you can only find living in the "weird" spots of Southeast Asia,penetrate into Laos and Vietnam to get his son away from Hanoi.If you want action,adventure and messy violence,this is an excellent literary path to trend.On the other hand,this manuscript will give you emotional concepts well worth contemplating,humor and the kind of understanding and love for a part of the world that can only be fully displayed by those who have spent time there as more than two-week tourists.Many things have changed since this story was written all those years ago but what remains is the author's unique skills with plot,geography,culture and the most endearing of characterization.Purchase this masterpiece, read and enter the thinking man's nirvanna that will also make you dream of thick jungles and sailing ships skimming the waters of the Third World.