Breaking Ranks [Mass Market Paperback]

Ed Ruggero (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1996

Asked by a suspicious uncle to investigate the death of Second Lieutenant Michael Hauck, Major Mark Isen is surprised when his questions invoke hostility, and he fears the case may threaten the reputation of the 82nd Airborne. Reprint. K.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Continuation of the Major Mark Isen series, in which he investigates the mysterious death of a soldier at Fort Bragg.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Maj. Mark Isen spent much time fighting in international combat situations in Ruggero's three previous novels (most recently, Firefall, LJ 4/15/94). No such grand-scale heroics await him here, however, as he departs from his dreaded Pentagon desk job to investigate the apparent suicide of his former mentor's son. The young soldier shot himself outside a strip joint near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Isen must deal with plenty of stonewalling as he seeks information from naked dancers and tight-lipped military brass. Suspicious characters abound, and there's ample sex and violence for spicy effect. Readers will be engrossed by the disparate milieus in this well-crafted escapist fare. For popular collections.
Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671891723
• ISBN-13: 978-0671891725
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,492,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Following graduation from West Point, Ed was commissioned in the United States Army and served as an infantry officer in a variety of positions, including an assignment teaching at West Point. Following his service, Ed pursued a career as an author and public speaker, engaging audiences around the world in discussions on leadership and leader development. He also leads a Gettysburg and a Normandy Leadership Experience, where participants walk the ground of these great struggles to learn battle-tested leadership lessons that will help them meet their own challenges. Ed lives in Wallingford, Pennsylvania with his wife, Marcia Noa and a bunch of dogs. For more information, see www.edruggero.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, especially to those airborne veterans out there., September 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Breaking Ranks (Mass Market Paperback)

An excellent look into the machismo and secrecy of the Army's most famous Airborne Division. As a poor wing wiper (Air Force) assigned to Pope AFB smack dab in the middle of Airborne country, I can sympathize with the problems the main character, Major Isen, has to cope with. His descriptions of the area and its seedy nightlife as well as the conduct of many officers is completely realistic. I am surprised more Army personell weren't offended by this unflinching look into the last bastion of so-called "real" soldiers.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, fast paced and exciting!, December 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Breaking Ranks (Mass Market Paperback)

As an Infantry LT, I really liked the moral problems presented in the book. I enjoyed the realistic view of the 82nd Air Borne (All American) Division. In our day and age of military cutbacks, Breaking Ranks is very realistic. A must read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Took me back to Bragg and the 82nd Airborne Div., December 22, 2011

By 

Alain B. Burrese "Author, Speaker, Mediator, ... (Missoula, MT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Breaking Ranks (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed "Breaking Ranks" by Ed Ruggero. It took me back to Bragg and the 82nd Airborne Division. I spent a couple of years with the All American patch on my shoulder, serving in an infantry battalion with the 82nd, so when Ruggero described Bragg and Fayetteville, it took me right back to my days there. Yes, right there with the attitudes Ruggero writes about.

"Breaking Ranks" is a sharp thriller. It doesn't have a high body count, but rather keeps you guessing as the mystery unravels and the twists and turns continue to wrap around the main character until you wonder if he'll escape the mess he's in with his career or, worse yet, his life.

The book has characters you care about, suspense that keeps you wanting to turn pages, and a military attitude that you'll only find with paratroopers. Highly recommended to anyone who likes military thrillers.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of "Lost Conscience" a thriller to be released in 2012.