The Last Phoenix [Import] [Hardcover]

RICHARD HERMAN (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: HODDER & STOUGHTON LTD (2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340819170
• ISBN-13: 978-0340819173
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,109,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A good book handicapped by lazy (no?) research, April 3, 2003

By 

"armydude73" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Phoenix (Hardcover)

I have always enjoyed Mr Herman's books and believed he had a good grasp of what he writes about.

However, being a Malaysian who currently resides in Singapore, I'm apalled at what I've read so far. Yes I'm only halfway through the book but am already wondering about whether to continue reading.

While it is a work of fiction, the factual errors in the book coupled with a poor understanding of Malaysia and Singapore has greatly reduced my opinion of Mr Herman.

He may be an ex fighter pilot and writes well enough about aerial conflict and the workings of the American political and military machine, Herman should have at least put some effort into making the bits about Malaysia and Singapore beliveable.

The Malaysian Army for example is one of the few forces in the world to have successfully put down a communist insurgency. The way he portrayed Malaysian troops makes them sound more like the Iraqi Republican Guards.

US Marines and Rangers regularly train in Malaysia and have acknowledged their professionalism. The Malaysian Armed Forces may not be quite ready to fight a major conventional war, but in the context of this book, they would undoubtedly more than hold their own.

It's fine if you're only catering to the American market who still think Malaysia is a country somewhere in the Carribean but for those of us here who appreciate good fiction, this is a poor effort.

Let's hope he puts more effort into his next book. And no, watching Ben Stiller's Zoolander is not enough if you want to know about Malaysia.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Herman Returns to Top Form, September 20, 2002

By 

John R. Linnell (New Gloucester, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Last Phoenix (Hardcover)

I was very disappointed in the book that preceeded this one (The Trojan Sea) and bought this one with my fingers crossed. They did not stay crossed for long as they were too busy turning pages. This book is somewhat topical for those who are keeping an eye on the Middle East and also the Far East, but topical or not it spins a tale that grabs the reader at once and returns many old characters or their progeny into action. Detailing the story lines takes unnecessary space, If you have been a fan of this author - welcome back on board. If he is new to you, not to worry - this book stands alone and will probably send you into looking into other books he has written. the only one I would avoid is the one I mentioned at the outset. The World According to Richard Herman rolls on!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, but not entirely accurate, January 6, 2003

By 

Sofian bin Abdul Rahman (Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Phoenix (Hardcover)

The author's treatment of power politics and aerial warfare is both insightful and exciting. The scenario is plausible and the action fast-paced. I find this this is one of those books that is entertaining to read while at the same time is informative as well.

However, it gives a poor account of Malaysia, the Malaysian army and the Malays. Of course, this is a work of fiction but there are some cultural misconceptions too glaring to ignore. For example, there is a part where a man who speaks Malay (presumably a Malay), tries to kill and eat Sgt Rockne's dog, Boyca. Malays do not eat dogs. Never have and never will.

In all, Last Phoenix is a satisfying read. It's a shame that it had to portray Malaysia and Malays in such a dim light.