Customer Reviews

Moon Jack

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

 

 

Walt's book, Moon Jack, is something that you can hold in your hand and know that you are holding a part of him. The book's story idea, plot, characters and words have all come from his heart, mind and soul. Because of that, a book always reveals something about its author. In Moon Jack, Walt revealed a streak of adventure and a really smart imagination. He also showed an appreciation for the different kinds of people who inhabit our world since the characters in Moon Jack were so multi-dimensional (I especially liked the hero's insecurities). But what I think Moon Jack showed most clearly about Walt is his courage. It takes a lot of courage to publish a work of fiction and send it out into the world, where it can easily be applauded or criticized. I am really glad that Walt took that risk because he was an excellent writer who made me think of ideas that I had never considered before.

Moon Jack is also especially relevant today as the discussion heats up about the privatization and civilian uses of the space industry.

Moon Jack starts with a action in the first pages and builds to an unexpected climax with twists and turns all the way. The writer has a great, easy-to-read, conversational style and a knack for great story-telling. The characters are well-developed, facinating and surprising. You find yourself guessing which one will double-cross the other first and you read on to find out you guessed wrong. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out what Crosby was going to do next. The ending is unexpected and worth the journey. Hopefully, there will be a sequel.

In today's capitalistic society, privatization has proven to yield significant efficiencies that many governmental agencies just can't provide. An example, Russia's modern day bureaucracy is so inefficient it aggressively seeks western investment ranging from Wall Street billionaires to teenie-bop crooner has beens to help float its cosmonaut space program. At the same time, evil terroristic activity is seeping into way too many areas of western society. What happens when a government, in this case the United States, privatizes a program that has always been run by the likes of the National Aeronautic Space Administration...?

Walt Crosby's Moon Jack provides a splendid story about what can happen when these two worlds (Space Privatization & Terroristic Evil) collide. For those Clancy and Ludlum fans, Mr. Crosby provides a story-line that really takes you along for a great ride. Unlike the Jack Ryan and Jason Bourne characters; however, Crosby's hero is not the stereotypical "Bond-like" character that many male readers vicariously place themselves in when absorbed in a read of these well-known novelists. Crosby's John Belaris is a smart guy who uses his street smarts and intellect (vs. braun and martial arts). When Hollywood is lucky enough to have Moon Jack shine on its screens, this sure hit's male lead is more likely to be cast as Kevin Spacey or John Cussak versus Harrison Ford or Matt Damon.

Being uniquely qualified with the challenge that no one, or no god, since the likes of Atlas himself has had to face, Belaris has the daunting task of convincing his own government that he is on the good guys' side and is indeed an integral player in efforts to save the world. The evolution of John's relationship with the story's co-star, Sandra Billing (or as in my mind's eye, Sandra Bullock), provides an excellent deflection to the incredible magnitude of the terrorists threat to Earth. I have heard one comment (from a female reader who asked not to be identified as my wife) regarding this relationship. She suggests that Hollywood producers expand this relationship when it hits the big screen!

Without giving away any of the story's twists and turns, Walt Crosby's Moon Jack is an amazing and fun-filled ride that leaves this reader anxious for the sequel.

In today's capitalistic society, privatization has proven to yield significant efficiencies that many governmental agencies just can't provide. An example, Russia's modern day bureaucracy is so inefficient it aggressively seeks western investment ranging from Wall Street billionaires to teenie-bop crooner has beens to help float its cosmonaut space program. At the same time, evil terroristic activity is seeping into way too many areas of western society. What happens when a government, in this case the United States, privatizes a program that has always been run by the likes of the National Aeronautic Space Administration...?

Walt Crosby's Moon Jack provides a splendid story about what can happen when these two worlds (Space Privatization & Terroristic Evil) collide. For those Clancy and Ludlum fans, Mr. Crosby provides a story-line that really takes you along for a great ride. Unlike the Jack Ryan and Jason Bourne characters; however, Crosby's hero is not the stereotypical "Bond-like" character that many male readers vicariously place themselves in when absorbed in a read of these well-known novelists. Crosby's John Belaris is a smart guy who uses his street smarts and intellect (vs. braun and martial arts). When Hollywood is lucky enough to have Moon Jack shine on its screens, this sure hit's male lead is more likely to be cast as Kevin Spacey or John Cussak versus Harrison Ford or Matt Damon.

Being uniquely qualified with the challenge that no one, or no god, since the likes of Atlas himself has had to face, Belaris has the daunting task of convincing his own government that he is on the good guys' side and is indeed an integral player in efforts to save the world. The evolution of John's relationship with the story's co-star, Sandra Billing (or as in my mind's eye, Sandra Bullock), provides an excellent deflection to the incredible magnitude of the terrorists threat to Earth. I have heard one comment (from a female reader who asked not to be identified as my wife) regarding this relationship. She suggests that Hollywood producers expand this relationship when it hits the big screen!

Without giving away any of the story's twists and turns, Walt Crosby's Moon Jack is an amazing and fun-filled ride that leaves this reader anxious for the sequel.

I truly enjoyed reading Moon Jack. The book is set upon a very plausable terrorist threat that could affect all life on earth. It's charecters area all well developed and very believable. The settings for the various scenes / chapters are described in great detail, it is like you are right there. The book builds momentum throughout, and grips the reader as it races towards the climax. The writer's style is very similar to Clive Cussler's voice of Dirk Pitt. The techno-thriller has a new ace, and his name is Walt Crosby!

Wow, what a great 1st effort from this author! Imaginative and fast paced, and a wonderful way to pass an afternoon. Moonjack reads like a James bond thriller with the twist of an everyday hero. The settings of the book bring you from the deserts of the the southwest to the jungles of Brazil to France an ultimately the surface of the Moon. I am looking forward to the sequel that I understand is in the works as I write this. Richard Marcinko look out, John Belaris is the hero we all wish we could be.