Choosers of the Slain [Hardcover]

James H. Cobb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 1996

In the fall of 2006, the Argentines invade a scientific outpost in Antarctica and begin stripping the continent's precious minerals, and only the USS Cunningham, commanded by Amanda Lee Garrett, is in a position to stop them. A first novel. 35,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's 2006, and Commander Amanda Lee Garrett has just taken charge of a top-secret Stealth-type U.S. Navy warship. She's never been in action, but her learning curve--and our own level of reading excitement--rapidly accelerates when Argentina decides to take back some territory it used to own in Antarctica. Commander Garrett is a wonderfully rich character dropped into a totally plausible dilemma, and James H. Cobb is good at making the intricate details of high-tech weaponry both fascinating and accessible. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Cobb brings feminism and environmentalism to the naval thriller?and does it remarkably well in this lightning-paced and well-informed tale of a lone U.S. destroyer holding off an Argentine incursion into Antarctica. Amanda Garrett captains the USS Cunningham, a stealthy, well-armed vessel with the best technology available in the year 2006. The ship is on patrol off Antarctica when a surprise invasion by Argentina (seeking mineral wealth and prepared to abrogate existing international treaties) leaves her as the only defense for treaty partners and for the ecologically fragile continent itself. As captain, Amanda uses her seamanship and her knowledge of the talents of her staff in a breathtaking sea battle fought in one of the most challenging environments on earth. Cobb not only demonstrates his control of action and plot but also incorporates intriguing military and political topics that couldn't be more timely. Best of all, he allows Amanda to command her ship as a woman?not as a manly soul in a woman's body. Her strengths are a willingness to listen to all points of view, respect for each participant, evenhanded consideration of proposals and, finally, firm and objective decision-making. This is the rare military thriller whose message is gender-blind and leading-edge.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 339 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult; 1St Edition edition (August 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399141979
• ISBN-13: 978-0399141973
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #691,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exciting military fiction, November 11, 2000

By 

Chapulina R (Tovarischi Imports, USA/RUS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Choosers of the Slain (Paperback)

The title of this novel comes from the poem by Rudyard Kipling, but the name "Choosers of the Slain" comes originally from ancient Norse theology. The Valkyries were the women warriors who escorted the valiantly slain from the battlefield to Valhalla. Appropriately enough, the commander of author Cobb's state-of-the art Stealth warship is a woman, the classy and competent Amanda Garrett. The ship, the USS Cunningham, is named in honor of Randy ("Duke") Cunningham, America's real-life sole Vietnam fighter-ACE. Captain Garrett, her likable crew, and the high-tech "Duke" have their as-yet unproven skills and equipment put to the test when the Argentine navy attempts to repossess former Antarctic territory. The fast-paced action, cutting-edge yet credible technology, and personal drama make this book a real page-turner. James Cobb has written three highly acclaimed naval adventures featuring the marvelous USS Cunningham and its plucky female Captain. A rather amusing little irony is that California Congressman Randy ("Duke")Cunningham is himself a very outspoken opponant of women in the military!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slam bang action with believeable characters, July 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Choosers of the Slain (Paperback)

Cobb does fine work here. Amanda Garrett and her crew are heroic, but human. The author wasted no time getting to the action and never let the pace slow down. A worthy read. NOTE: This book was the perfect length for military fiction, as most military fiction authors (Attn T. Clancy) seem to be so in love with themselves, they can't seem to edit their over-long tomes to a reasonable length.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great near future naval thriller, July 11, 2000

By 

A. Neilll (Goochland, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Choosers of the Slain (Paperback)

Cobb does a very good job at writing a near future thriller but making it all seem a natural extension of present day technology. Cobb kept the details beleivable when dealing with the capabilities of the ship. The ship is a truly impressive peice of technology, but certainly was not invincible. Cobb throws plenty of twists at his characters without it seeming contrived.

The action was fast paced, detailed without bogging down at with techincal digressions.

The book left me wanting to read more about the heroine Amanda Garrett and her fine crew. In a genre dominated by action, the action was truly outstanding, head and shoulders above the average fare.