Customer Reviews

The Mercenary Option

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

 

 

IÕve been a fan of Dick Couch since the beginning. His books are well written, with interesting concepts that are accurate portrayals of what itÕs really like when Special Warfare Warriors are provoked. The Mercenary Option is another excellent example, adapted to current events.

Readers looking for an engaging tale of conquering terrorism, the way it should be done, will enjoy this book. And, they will appreciate the authenticity with it has been written. Dick Couch is one of the few who writes from his experiences in similar situations... and does so in a credible and enjoyable manner.

Couch has written a terrific summer read, whether you are by the pool, on the beach or in an airplane headed for vacation---this is a great first book in what promises to be a series. Couch writes with authority having been a Navy SEAL and one who stays in touch with both his old team contacts, as well as the current crop of spec ops warriors. In the Mercenary Option, he out-Clancys Clancy--this is a tight, fast paced book full of believeable action and details. We could only hope such an option exists when it comes to dealing with our current crop of enemies. I recommend this book as well as Couch's non-fiction books to those who want to understand the special operations team mindset, methods and commitment.

The one thing we know about the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and the other countries in the region is how much we DON'T know. One of the most fascinating things that we don't know is the extent to which private armies, private militias, private security firms are acting both for and against our interests. In THE MERCENARY OPTION, Dick Couch has shown just how far this may be going. His background--both as a Navy SEAL and a CIA operator--makes him eminently qualified to slip us the story behind the headlines. And, the action here--with its sly buildup to a bangup finish--is superb. This is a thinking man's thriller and should be considered a great leap forward from his earlier novels SEAL TEAM ONE, PRESSURE POINT, RISING WIND and SILENT DESCENT. Plus, as the author of WARRIOR ELITE and FINISHING SCHOOL, the two definitive books about Navy SEAL training, the reader can look at this as a short course in unconventional warfare tactics and strategies. A great book.

I read his other books, SEAL Team One, Silent Descent and Pressure Point and this one just doesn't cut it - I couldn't finish reading it because as another reviewer wrote, there just wasn't much action. Lots of buildup but it just didn't carry it for me. If I didn't know it was written by a former SEAL and CIA guy I wouldn't of thought it believeable, ie, that the US govt would secretly enlist a Ross Perot type to take out some terrorists using Ghurkas.

I can say that if you want a good read from Dick Couch, then a must have is The Warrior Elite, about SEAL training. I give that one 6 out of 5 stars!

I bought the book based on reading Mr.Couch's previous works. But this was a bit overly contrived. And to be an "Action-thriller", shouldn't the emphasis be on action, not political drudgery. And "dropping the hammer" on a Glock?!, or placing one on safe?, I suppose minor technical details. An entertaining read for a cold winter night, but not up to Mr.Couch's standards.

I've been a fan of Dick Couch's other books, but this one is lacking in a couple of areas. First, the book takes a long time to get untracked with a lot of time spent "getting the team together". Perhaps because this is the first book of a series this is extended, but 2/3 of the book passes before any action occurs and in a military thriller I expect to get involved in the mission a lot sooner. Hopefully this will be rectified in future installments. Secondly, the basic premise of a benign, privately funded, mercenary force that is essentially contracted by the American government is a little far-fetched, especially if not believably laid out. The mission in the book could have easily been handled by existing special forces and a strong case really wasn't concocted for the need for a mercenary force.

Still, the action is handled well and the characters, if somewhat standard issue, are believable. It was a nice touch having Gurkhas be the fighters for the merc force, a little different spin than usual.

Here's hoping that future installments are more effectively executed.

After his son is killed in the 9-11 attacks Joe Simpson,a
wealthy industrialist decides to take action.He forms the Intervention Force (IFOR).This organization has no government
ties.
The American President decides to build a pipeline across Afghanistan.A Saudi Prince wants to halt this project because it
will threaten the power of the Saudi oil industry.He hires former KGB terror master Pavel Zelinkow.Zelinkow arranges for two nuclear bombs to be stolen from Pakistan.One of these bombs
will be detonated on the pipeline.His purpose for the second bomb is known only to Zelinkow and his terror associates.
American Special Forces cannot be used against the terrorists hiding in Iran.The American President is forced to call upon the Forces of Joe Simpson.IFOR is called upon to handle the assigment.Led by Steven Fagan,Garrett Walker,Janet Briscoe and
backed up by other team members IFOR sets out to stop the forces
of evil before it is too late.An exciting read that you will enjoy.

Great book. Intriguing premise. I hope this series keeps going and going. I've read all of his stuff, fiction and non. It's all great!

For some reason I have found myself reading many techno war books where a few step outside the rules to take revenge or action that our government can't do. There are at least 15 series that deal with this premise from RAPTOR FORCE to SKYHUNTERS. This one has nothing new to add to the genre. Infact I found myslef speed reading large passages and not missing a thing. This book could have been edited down by at least 50 pages.

The story has one novel idea that of using Gurkhas as the main fighting force. History has shown that the Gurkhas are the feariest warriors in warfare. However it seems to me that this would limit the areas of the world that the author can use this force. A small quibble but one that stay with me through the book. The characters are developed okay and they are interesting, but nothing special. And that is main point there is nothing special to set this series apart from the rest. The writnig is wordy and the action is really not that exciting.

So if you have nothing else to read and are bored read it. I would wait for the new Matthew Rielly book myself.