The American [Paperback]

Andrew Britton (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio (1980)
• ASIN: B000N65LYQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Andrew Britton was born in Peterborough, England, in 1981. He spent his formative years in the UK and Camlough, County Armagh Ireland, a small village which is home to most of the family on his mother's side. In 1988, his family immigrated to the United States, taking up residence in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Just before his junior year of high school, Britton moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he currently resides.

Britton graduated from Leesville Road High School in 1999 and immediately joined the U.S. Army. He served as a combat engineer for three years. During that time, he was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas. In the summer of 2001, he received orders for Korea, where he served with the 2ID, the famed 2nd Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged as a specialist in 2002.

Less than two months after separating from the armed forces, Britton began taking classes at Wake Technical Community College, transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall of 2004. As an undergraduate at UNC, Britton studied economics and psychology. His education has been on hiatus for the past year, though he intends to return to school as soon as his schedule allows.

Apart from writing, Britton enjoys reading, traveling, and the occasional beer at the local bar.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent thriller from a promising author, March 5, 2006

By 

Craig (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The American (Hardcover)

Young author Britton uses a, "What if the enemy is one of us?" scenario in a somewhat typical, but still enjoyable thriller. And while my 4-star rating may be a little generous, it's still a pretty impressive debut.

The story is pretty simple. Ryan Kealey, a 33-year-old retired former Special Forces op, is drawn back into the national security game when a suspected terrorist is revealed to be a former officer once under Kealey's command. From there, it's typical cat-and-mouse stuff, with a couple of love interest storylines thrown in for good measure.

While not on the level of Tom Clancy's military thrillers, this is a nice debut from Britton. Kealey is a believable hero, even if he seems a little Jack Bauer-ish at times with the threats of torture and unbridled use of violent means. Anyone who likes a fast-moving story, and one that doesn't necessarily command you to be constantly figuring things out, should enjoy this one. Hopefully, Britton's next novel will iron out some of the problems evident in this one, and he'll be able to tell a story in fewer pages.

Overall, a good debut effort. Recommended for fans of the genre.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A taut, fast moving thriller, April 24, 2006

By 

Joesbooks2 (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American (Hardcover)

Britton has delivered adventure and psychological terror in
The American. It came highly recommended by one of my favorite authors Brad Thor. and it has all the right ingredients for the big screen. As Thor said " Fast. Gripping. A page turner" I did not put it down until I was finished. Then I found myself in discussion with friends and the story line. It has been a while since I was this excited about a book. I am and will recommend it. More from this young author please. I do know I will hold a space for him on my book shelf.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A don't-miss novel written by a soon-to-be master of the thriller genre, March 27, 2006

By 

Bookreporter (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American (Hardcover)

Andrew Britton is the surprise of the month and maybe the year. British-born and American-raised Britton served in the Army as a combat engineer and is presently pursuing a double major in psychology and economics. At the tender age of 24, he has penned a riveting and compelling debut novel.

THE AMERICAN introduces Ryan Kealey, who is retired from the military and CIA when he receives the call he's been dreading. Jason March, a former U.S. soldier and Kealey's one-time student, is on an extended mission of terror against the United States. March nurses a pathological hatred against the U.S. and all it stands for. He is also an assassin of the highest order, being a master of explosives, firearms and unarmed combat. He is, in short, Kealey's mirror image. The last time they met, March came to within a hairs breadth of killing Kealey. When March's presence reveals itself in a dramatic and deadly fashion, Kealey is brought back into the service of the CIA.

Teamed with the brilliant and beautiful Naomi Kharmi, Kealey finds himself constantly a step behind March, who has aligned himself with Middle Eastern terrorists whose goal is nothing less than the destruction of western civilization in general and the United States specifically. Britton follows both men on twin tracks as their opposing goals slowly and inexorably head toward a collision. Kealey attempts to balance the newfound peace of his personal life with the horrors of his past and a job that must be done, while March, being followed by Kealey, pursues a mission that is as brilliant in its execution as it is terrifying. Both men, as the book races toward its cataclysmic conclusion, shall find reason for revenge.

Britton writes with true authority --- there were times when I felt as if I was a fly on March's shoulder watching the proceedings --- and within the space of one novel demonstrates that he has the chops to become a master of the thriller genre. And the ending of THE AMERICAN? Whoa. More is coming. In the meantime, don't miss this one. Highly recommended.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub