The Scope of Justice

Michael Z. Williamson, better known as Mad Mike the Knife Builder, has produced a great action/adventure series to compliment his outstanding SF writing in Freehold and The Weapon, and his collaboration with John Ringo, Hero. In The Scope of Justice, the world of the sniper and the covert operative is exposed. This is not James Bond, and it is not The Ballad of the Green Berets. This is modern military action, with all its faults and successes, as Kyle Monroe battles his demons and al-Qaeda terrorists. We can all hope that the real Kyle Monroes do as well as the fictional hero does. You should buy this book if you are trying to figure out what it really feels like to be a soldier in the war on terror. Walt Boyes The Bananaslug. at Baen's Bar

Williamson is able to put together something that you don't find much in military fiction anymore... something new. Scope of Justice is a top of the line military novel in all the standard respects. He has done meticulous research on the tactics and weapons of his story, and writes some of the best combat scenes I've ever come across. What sets this book apart from the rest is that the plot is unique and different. Let's just say that not everything goes the way you expect it to. Also refreshing is his deep understanding and portrayal of the society of Afghanistan and Pakistan in which this novel takes place. It's good enough to make you think about your perspectives about the region. Great read!

When I picked up Mike Williamson's latest work, I expected a bit of light reading for my road trip. Little did I know that I wouldn't be able to put it down until I'd finished it from cover to cover. I relate to "Scope" in several ways. I am an Army veteran, so the atmosphere described in the book brought a bit of nostalgia to my life for an environment I miss. I also have the utmost disdain for what we affectionately like to call "airport insecurity" - a mindless jumble of vacuous procedures that make no one safer and inconvenience many. But first and foremost, "Scope" is a gripping action story, with characters who are very real, painfully so at times. Kyle is a sniper - a troubled man with a troubled past and ghosts that vividly haunt him and threaten to affect his mission - to kill a vicious terrorist, before he causes more innocent deaths. Accompanied by a talented partner, the two snipers wind up in the very heart of the Islamic culture - a culture vastly different from the West - a culture rich in history, bloodshed and tradition unfamiliar to the two Army sergeants. Rich in detail, technically accurate and meticulously researched, "Scope" doesn't overwhelm with technicalities, but rather uses them nicely to complement the story and make it more real. The action is quick-paced, but not so fast that it's difficult to follow. Rather, it pulls the reader along to its emotional conclusion. But the real hero of this book is the characterization. We see these soldiers as skilled craftsmen and strong human beings, but not supermen, incapable of love, anger, frustration or fear. It's a terrific read, and I highly recommend it.

This turned out to be a very good book.You are given close up details of the role of a sniper in wartimw activities.You are shown the training that Army snipers go through. In this book SFC Kyle Monroe is given the assignment of killing the number three leader in al-Quaida,Rafiq bin-Quasim.He and his spotter Wade are dispatched into Pakistan to locate the terrorist leader and assassinate him.They have to overcome the various tribal factions that have no loyalty to anyone.They finally find an ally in Nasima,a teacher who serves as their translator.Then you are given the action of the carrying out of their assignment. This is a very good book that you will enjoy.

Mike Williamson did trememdous amount of reasearch when writing this book. His characters are realistic and technical details are almost 100% spot on -- except in a couple of instances where he deliberately used his creative license to make the plot work better. See if you can spot these couple of liberties. "Scope of Justic" is a rousing adventure that would make the reader wish to brush up on languages, landnav and shooting skills!