Customer Reviews

The Monkey Handlers

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was one of the best books I have ever read!As soon as I started reading it, I did not want to put it down. It was full of action and suspence. I took it to work and passed it around to several of my friends. Everybody that read it really liked it. Can't wait to see the movie. Liddy did it again.

My guess is that most people will encounter this book because they are already fans of Mr. Liddy's syndicated radio program, or because they have already read WILL and are hungry for more Liddyesque material. This book will not disappoint (unless you expect WAR AND PEACE - or another WILL); I read it shortly after it was first released and I still remember the plot, action, and characters vividly: how many "techno-thrillers" can that be said about? I actually take issue with the label of "techno-thriller": MONKEY HANDLERS is about the men of the Navy SEALs, more particularly about how the human mind, body, and spirit can combine to produce results previously unimagined. It's a very good book and a good companion on an airliner or by the pool.

The Monkey Handlers is a novel by G. Gordon Liddy. It starts off at a quick pace, when lawyer and ex-SEAL Mike Stone is awakened by an unusual phone call. Does he grab his note pad? No, he goes jogging. Don't worry, though. He'll be back on the case soon enough -- whether he wants to be or not! With its combination of intelligence background, special-operations action, and legal maneuvering, this is a book that few other people (one of them being ME!) could even begin to write. Before long, Stone realizes that he will have to become "personally involved" in this case. Two beautiful women want him alive; but, some shadowy group wants him dead. What's an eligible bachelor to do? Stone calls up a few of his old SEAL buddies, and the book goes into high gear. Unless you've "been there, done that", chances are that you won't figure out this book until the very end. It's classic Liddy. (Warning: I did find some of the dialogue, especially the blasphemy of Jesus' name, both unnecessary and excessive. If you can get past that, though, this book is not only a real thriller; but, it also has a message for what kind of "terrorism" goes on in some corporate board rooms. Must reading for anyone interested in a "big picture" scenario.)

Consider the FIVR STAR rating for both of Mr. Liddy's techno thriller novels...this one and "Out of Control."

While they 1990 and 1980 copywrites they give the same high degree of thrills today. Both are tension filled, taunt plots.

Certainly Mr. Liddy is well qualified to write of "special ops" and he pulls no punches. I could not put down either book. And, with his creditials suspension of disbelief is at at minimum.

My hope is that he will do more and if he writes one every ten years, could 2000 be the date for another action packed page turner?

Great stuff! KVD

Having been in service to my country during the Nixon years, when I first saw the title of the book and its author sparks flew. I read the book thinking it was going to an expose about how possibly the teams were used in some type of White House operation. Much to my suprise it was a well written and very entertaining story that I am still waiting to see on the big screen. To Mr. Liddy my apologies for my earlier thoughts. But then as the saying goes "You can't judge a book by its cover"

One of the best people to know about special operations in the military. G. Gordon Liddy. A weapons expert and special ops enthusiast, the "G-man" is able to entertain his readers with action of Navy SEALS at work. Doing their duty for what they believe-America. This book is one of the best written for all americans who wish to know what these men do to train, and fight. Though the men in the book are former-SEALS they still have the great courage and skill to act when their country calls them.

This is a fast paced novel, with a different tagline. It reads like a film treatment. It would be a short trip from novel to screenplay. The characters are well drawn and I found it easy to stay interested in them. This book would make a great film, maybe with a fit Tom Berrenger in the lead role.

This is an absolutely super read. The characters are believable, the plot very well done, and the action non-stop.

On realism of action, Gordon Liddy has it right. As a former Ranger instructor I found that Liddy's description of tactics, use of weapons, and action are accurate and spot-on.

On his style, Liddy's writing is lean and strong---just like the character of the author.

This is a true page-turner! Five stars is well deserved for this great book.

As a fan of Mr. Liddy's radio talk show, I was prepared for an excellent thriller. However, I was a bit disappointed. The plot is action-packed, but a bit light on development. The book comes to a rather abrupt, anticlimactic end. Mr. Liddy sometimes spends a bit too much time on the technical details (which are fascinating nonetheless). Having said that, I still recommend it for anyone looking for an action thriller. I'd guess most people won't figure out who the "bad guy" is until the end.

The "voice" of the book is unmistakable Liddy. The main character, Mike Stone, a former Navy SEAL, oozes bravado from the start. Eventually Liddy gives him a bit more personality and creates a more believable character. It seems that Mrs. Liddy even makes an appearance as the main character's widowed Aunt.

The plot twists several times and is anything but predictable. If nothing else, reading _The Monkey Handlers_ will make most people stop and think.

I wasn't as enthusiastic about this book as the writers of the other reviews were. I found the characters stereotypical and the writing somewhat clumsy in parts, especially in the dialogue passages (for example, the New York accents of certain characters just didn't sound real). However, what seemed most preposterous is the idea that a car going south at 90 miles per hour has a difficult time keeping up with a ship traveling down the Hudson River. It brings to mind Boris Karloff as the Mummy dragging his feet yet perpetually just behind the person who is sprinting away.