Strike Masters

This book moves so fast, yet is packed with so much action and intrigue, it's impossible to put down. It reads more like a movie or, better yet, a video game put into words. Can't wait for the next one.

Bill Kellan is a new author to me and his first opus, Strikemasters, is an excellent first offering. The action adventure - military techno writer has a one of two ways to go. One path is describe gear and battles, a written video game or comic book-graphic novel of sorts, that presents an entertaining and often a thought provoking story. The second is to work the ethos of military teams, warriors, the demands of a mission, blend common people as heros and villians, and the emotional highs and lows as the feature and employ the military technology as the vehicle. Mr Kellan chose the second path and works the story very well. He paints a picture of the emerging way we will fight the near future battles of the war we are involved in now. The descriptions of aircraft, weapon systems, and employment-order of battles are generally excellent. A few small ommissions will only be noted by the most geeky of readers, i.e. me, the C-17 taking off with the ramp down, even level, would have been a difficult deed. The much greater inclusion of new systems and upgraded additions, say the use of very small-but powerful helicopter, UAS systems; excellent. Featuring the spirit of the warrior thrown into a group of other warriors with extreme demands, capable systems, and internal friction was well executed through the story line. In fact the strongest, best part of this book, is the description of the warrior in the continuous flow of preparation and battle, the decisions that must be made and living with the results, set this apart from most recent books. Mr Kellan captures this as few authors do. His grasp of the technical and military details is obvious, his insights to the warrior spirit a bit rare. His mastery of putting these human events into play and writing the painful precision the joys and sorrows makes the book worth reading. My only draw back were excessive comments to President Bush, from my personal experience they do not wash. We are not a military that did not pursue warriors left behind, but much will not be said to what goes on. I am one of the few folks that agreed with the neccessity of OIF and as illustrated in Strikemasters, the execution was flawed at times by the very people responsible to the military. With this small difference stated, excellent writing with an outstanding theme, well constructed plots, and reflecting heart is rare in any book, but even more in genre. For fans of this venue, read Strikemasters, and hope the next book is on its' way.

AFTER READING THIS BOOK I HOPE WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE THIS PROTECTING US. THERE IS TIMES WE HAVE TO GET DOWN TO THERE LEVEL AND FIGHT THIS WAR TO SURVIVE. THE BOOK STARTED OUT BY BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO FORM A UNIT THAT WOULD BRING THE WAR TO THE TERRORISTS BY ATTACKING THERE SAVE HAVENS. AT SOME POINT THEY REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SET UP TO FAIL. LASTLY THE AUTHOR HAS INTERESTING SUPRISES TIED TOGETHER. READ AND ENJOY!!!