Straits of Power (A Jeffrey Fuller Novel, 5)

It took me a few pages to warm up to Joe Buff. The date of this story being told is 2011. Now, I don't know about you, but I have a hard time believeing in the premise of this story, i.e. that the world is going to be confronting Germany and S. Africa as the new Axis powers and that there is a real shooting war brewing over it. OK, a hundred or so pages past that premise I was turning the pages because Mr. Buff can flat out write. I have not read any of the foregoing novels he has written, but I understand this is a story that is based on sequels. This book is stand alone, but may be more interesting if read seriatum. In any event, it is worth your time to read it. Good stuff!

In this 5th book, Joe Buff continues to dazzle the reader with a brilliantly creative story, sharply drawn characters, and fast-paced action in which you never quite know what is happening next. This book is probably represents the greatest departure from the norm in that it is actually a spy thriller in addition to being a submarine novel. Buff has never done this before, but he brings it off superbly. As always, the technical detail and research is amazing, and explains why it takes him a full year to write each book. But that of course is what makes each book worth the wait.

Reading a Joe Buff novel has become like eggnog for me.I only drink it at Christmas with my daughters, so I wait a long time. When we do drink it we savor every drop untill its all gone.When I started reading his newest offering STRAITS of POWER, it was right after Cristmas and I just finished it this April around the 20th.I purposely took my time because I hate to have to wait for the next one to come out.To me his writing is that good. In this instalment we find the good captain Jeffery Fuller on another daring mission but not against Cap.Beck.Fuller has to travel to pick up a man who has information that could turn the tide of the next big battle or he could be a double agent.He also has to work in tangent with another sub whose captain is not happy about being placed under Fuller's command.If that's not enough there is a new high speed enemy sub that the allies know nothing about waiting to destroy allied assets! Joe Buff fills this novel with plots within plots that keep you guessing till the last page.Several times I was saying to the characters, come on come on as if I were seated in a theater.You care what happens to them.To me that is the biggest indication that a story has touched you.So I say Joe Buff has done it again! This is a great read that makes you think with action and suspence a plenty!

Joe Buff continues his reign as the premiere submarine writer with Straits of Power. He continues to incorporate new technology with an understanding of geopolitics that frequently scares the daylights out of you it is so real. With the precision of a surgeon Mr. Buff choreographs the battle sequences in such a way as to let you in on his formidable under standing of tactical nuclear war. I had to slow my reading down so I would'nt finish to quickly. Jeffrey Fuller continues to evolve as a warrior and commander. The stakes for his life and career have never been higher than in Straits of Power. As is the mark of a great writer Mr. Buff leaves you wondering about the fate of at least one of his major characters.