Customer Reviews

Edge of Honor

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

 

 

Poland is in crisis. The Russian Mafia want to expand their operations there, and Germany's Chancellor is buying up land in the west of the country. The US, with Madeline Turner as President decides to intervene, which leads to a series of interwoven subplots involving ongoing hero Matt Pontowski training Polish Air Force pilots in air combat in F-16s and becoming almost romantically involved with Turner . . . his son Little Matt at a military academy has adventures of his own, and the President is under siege from tabloid press scandals as well as Russia and Germany. To top that, a super high-tech elite force has been set up in Poland to combat Mafia ops, with aid from the CIA. But does this solve or worsen Mikhail Vashin's ambitions with his prosperous 'Mafiya' and his determination to make cash from drugs? What will be the outcome? Altogether, this is one of Herman's best, up there with FIREBREAK and CALL TO DUTY. After reading the disappointing DARK WING with too much subplots, EDGE OF HONOUR has just about the right emphasis on each character. Very hard to fault, and an interesting read with clever plotting.

The latest book is fast paced but disappointing. A number of the more fleshed out and interesting characters from earlier books are killed. The second most interesting and decisive military leader of prior tomes has become almost cardboard and comical in his stupidity. Maddy, the president, has lost her edge. Herman's earlier books were more realistic, this one leaves you not caring if the left wing/right wing romance blossoms further, the kids survive boarding school, or the presidency is further shamed by idiot advisors. On the bright side -Maddy's feminism is perfect - parroting the claptrap that comes right out of Hollywood movies and network TV. The military, a subject Herman knows well, is well represented in prior books, but is too phoney at times. Regarding the White House machinations - bring back the guillotine. Herman does keep you wondering what stereotype will next pop up and meet a well-deserved end. In spite of the negatives, this book is difficult to put down and isn't a total stinker. You just wish the REAListic people hadn't been killed off. And there are enough patently and smarmy loose ends by the last chapter, you can almost hear the screams of the publisher "sequel coming".

If you're sitting in an airport or on the beach and need a distraction, go ahead and buy this book. But it really is a waste of time. The characters are flat, the plot is far less than thrilling and even the word craft is less than expected from this author (hey - does the President's 11-year-old daughter have to repeatedly 'flounce' out of the room?) Much like Tom Clancy has opted to put his name on second-rate books that he didn't write, Edge Of Honor seems to be a book that was quickly slapped together, relying on character development originated in previous novels.

This is a waste of time & money.

'Could very well be tomorrow's headlines' screams a blurb on the cover of this post-Cold War thriller about an American president foiling the planned partition of Poland between a Russia ruled by criminals and a Germany again surging eastwards. Although the pace is relentless, the characterisation is predictable and insulting. While the Americans are all heroic action figures and the Poles plucky fighters, the Russians are brutal sexual perverts and the Germans untrustworthy plotters. That the author has chosen to make the sadistic Russian leader an epileptic as well is distasteful, to say the least. One for the remainder bin.

Richard Herman is one of my favorite authors...his first several books were page turners...but as he has gone deeper into the Potonski family...he has started to lose his edge...and this book read like it was written in a hurry. It jumps around...has incomplete characters...predictable sub-plots...yet it was still worth reading...but I suggest you borrow it from someone who shelled out the cash...or wait for paperback. Hopefully he will take a deep breath before he starts the next one, which the ending of the book clearly portends.

This is one of the best political thrillers I've read in a long time. I just wish Maddy Turner could really run for President! Herman does a great job weaving the plot together. My only wish would be for a stronger finish.

Well, it could have been a great story, but it still was okay. The characters are a bit two dimensional and, in some ways, unrealistic. You have to make some great leaps in logic to follow the storyline, but once you do, the rest falls into line. Not a bad rainy day read, but not the best either.

The story line was good, but I didn't care for the profanity and crude language.

I have read every book this author has written. He clearly has done his research whether its about infantry tactics, aircraft tactics, political events, historical events, etc. his book almost makes it seem chilling close realism. must have, must read book.

Develops a great number of empathetic characters. Better than Tom Clancy's latest offerings, Herman creates a cast of characters which you can love and hate. In Edge of Honor, the President of the United States is a person of great integrity who is almost betrayed by her closest advisors. You won't put this book down, so save a weekend to curl up with this great political, action thriller.