Under Siege

First, the President's helicopter is shot down by two missiles on the way back from Camp David, killing four including the Secretary of State and putting President George H.W. Bush into a coma. Next eight or ten heavily armed terrorists break into the Capitol Building killing or wounding everything in sight in one bold suicide attempt, until they are finally suppressed. Then, acting President Dan Quayle, after viewing the damage at the Capitol Building, while giving a short press conference on the Capitol steps is apparently shot at. He isn't hit but the Attorney General is. But this was just a prelude. Things get so bad that the National Guard and Army is called in and then the riots start. It seemed to start when, in an effort to show that we were winning the War on Drugs, the United States extradited Columbian drug kingpin, Chano Aldana, for trial. Aldana, probably insane but a truly scary and evil individual man gave an interview to two Washington Post reporters saying in essence that he was Satan incarnate and that the streets of Washington were going to be awash in blood if he wasn't released. So begins a story of violence and terror in the streets of Washington that was written fifteen years ago but seems right at home in this age of terrorism and terrorist threats. I never read a book by Stephen Coonts where Navy Captain (in this book) Jake Grafton wasn't in and this is no exception. He, along with his sidekick Toad Tarkington is currently attached to a terrorism unit of the Pentagon, working directly for the Joint Chief of Staff. He and FBI agent Tom Hooper wind up trying to track down Henry Charon, a rancher/hunter/poacher/hunting guide/hit man from New Mexico. The main plot is interesting enough but Coonts adds some subplots involving Post reporter Jack Yocke, Aldana's lawyer Thanis Liarakos, attorney/fixer/lobbyist T. Jefferson Body, smarmy senator Cherry and last but not least, my favorite, undercover agent Harrison Ronald Ford, who was trying to get the goods on Washington's number one drug dealer Freeman McNally. If the main story was engrossing, Coonts' method of weaving these sub-plots made a good book great. Each sub-plot was separate but they all had a thread that tied them together. The story involving Ford was most compelling and almost took away from the main story. The Author I don't read many of Coonts' books even though he's an excellent writer because his subject matter is usually militarily oriented a genre I do not gravitate to but this book was the exception. Although the military is involved, it deals more with law enforcement and government.. Coonts is really a talented writer. His writing is fluid and compelling. It's easy to follow and in the case of this book kept me turning them pages. His character development is just right, making you feel things with the characters but not going overboard. Of course repeat character Jake Grafton is Mr goody two shoes, almost too perfect with no vices and the pe

This was an exciting book by Coonts. This was also a unique concept as a plot. A major drug salesman is arrested and brought back to America to stand trial. Through his wealth the drug salesman hires crack commando squads and an assasin. The assasin wounds President Bush and Dan Quayle has to take over. This is where the action begins. The country is under seige. The government is pushed to the limit trying to deal with the commandos. Vice-President Quayle has his hands full dealing with this crisis. This book also has strong characters. This is a definite read. You will enjoy it.

In this gripping story, Colombian drug barons hire suicide commando squads and a trained assassin to take out President Bush. He is hospitalised after his helicopter is shot down, and Dan Quayle steps in to solve the growing problem . . . is that a worse nightmare than drug barons?! The leaders may be out of date now, but considering when this was written one can let Coonts get away with it. The action scenes, including the terrorists causing massacres in the Capitol and on the Washington Metro are first rate; there is always something interesting happening. Add to that political fumblings in the White House as Quayle can't cope(very true to life for its time) and a corrupt lawyer subplot, and you have a tale to rival the very similar 'Clear and Present Danger' by Tom Clancy. Only this one has less technobabble and Coonts once again relies on pacing and readability. Worth reading.

One of the best books of this type Ive ever read. Everyone at HAII said they enjoyed it.

Unbelievably good. It's not possible to fit this much action into a book. Stephen Coonts has done it again...