Customer Reviews

Call to Duty

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Call to Duty" was not bad as novels go. The idea of the two parallel plots, one in WW II and the other in the present-day, was an interesting concept, and each of the two plotlines on its own was excellent, however the constant switching between the two in the text did get a bit tiresome. A great insight into the background of Herman's characters, with favorites from The Warbirds, Firebreak, etc. A must-read for Richard Herman fans.

This book had a good theme, but Herman did not play on this...this book was slow and full of more inside lingo than the last ones. i was very disappointed!

There are authors out there who can write good WWII war stories. And there are authors who can write good, modern, military techno-thrillers. I wouldn't have believed you could find someone who could do both, and do it in one book. Herman weaves a taut, suspenseful pair of stories with President Pontowski and his wife "Tosh" serving as the common thread between them. In the present (the 1990s), the President has to make tough choices about saving the daughter of a political rival - a daughter that rival doesn't particularly want saved, but would rather play as a pawn on his way to the White House. In 1942, we meet Pontowski serving in an RAF fighter squadron, only to be shot down over occupied France. In the next year, he meets two women; one will become his wife . . . but which? As the present day events unfold, he finds himself reflecting back to his war years, and pondering the parallels between the two sets of crises he had to resolve.

This is the first book by Herman that I've read, but it won't be the last. This is some great writing, real edge of the seat stuff - not quite on par with Tom Clancy at his best, but far better than Clancy's latest works. Not only is the action compelling, but there's a remarkably touching love story here as well. I'm frankly amazed at some of the negative reviews here; it makes me wonder if we were reading the same book. I'd give this 4.5 stars, so I'll round down to 4 for the Amazon ranking. If you can get this used or in the library, grab it, you'll be glad you did.

I may be the one guy out there that does not like his books. What makes me mad is that I have heard so much good press I was excited about this book. The story sounded like it would be full of interesting stories and the duel plot was new, but it really did not rise to the occasion. I found the writing wooden and he just does not hold my attention. It takes a lot of time (or it seams that way) to get through this book. I do not know what slowed me down more; the disjointed writing or the two plots that seamed to just be thrown together. I did not believe the characters; they just were not well developed. I only made it about half way into the book. This book seams rushed, almost like the author did not want to take the time to really develop either the story or the characters. Because of the light development it does not hold your attention.

Not his best,but don't pass it. Plenty of action & story line!

Not his best,but don't pass it. Plenty of action & story line!

This novel was prehaps the best non-fiction novel i've ever read in my life. the double-plot was amazing and I loved this book. I rebought it for my last copy fell apart. I also bought the two novels that followed this novel.

I have read several of the author's books on the Pontowski family. I enjoyed everyone and this book was great.