Nimitz Class [Paperback]

Patrick Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 1998

An unconquerable fortress, the US Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier Thomas Jefferson is the most powerful nuclear-powered warship in the world, stationed in the Arabian Sea to preserve the peace and Western allied interests. But the unthinkable occurs when the billion-dollar ship is destroyed in what appears to be a nuclear accident - it is the greatest peacetime disaster in US history. Whilst America mourns for the lives of the crew, Intelligence reports begin to suggest that the cause of the tragedy may be a rogue ex-Soviet submarine, and Admiral Arnold Morgan is called in to investigate. But no one knows who is on board, where it came from, or how it came within striking range of the Thomas Jefferson unnoticed. Worse still, no ones knows where it is or if it will strike again. Political tensions mount as Middle Eastern connections are suspected, and a deadly chase ensues when a victim's brother seeks his revenge on the killers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At least one Amazon.com customer has found several errors of naval rank and military history in the first few pages of Patrick Robinson's blockbuster about a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier suddenly vaporized by a terrorist submarine. But if you're a plain, old-fashioned thrill seeker like me, you'll probably zip right past them as you try to keep up with the Tom Clancy-like explosion of technical trivia and plot twists. This is one of those books you pick up right after X-Files, planning to read for an hour before bed. Next thing you know it's 5 a.m., you've still got 50 pages to go--and you keep on reading. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA. Three seemingly unrelated happenings set the stage for drama. First, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, a young fisherman discovers the body of a drowned sailor. Second, underneath the surface of the Bosporus, a Russian diesel submarine secretly makes its way toward the Middle East to carry out a plan masterminded by Benjamin Adnam, an Israeli citizen. Third, the USS Thomas Jefferson, a powerful aircraft carrier manned by a complement of 6000 crew members, patrols the waters of the Indian Ocean. Suddenly, her blip vanishes from the radar screens of the other warships in her battle group. The ensuing investigation of her disappearance uncovers a sinister plot of brilliance and intrepid execution. The characters are lifelike and convincing, especially Lt. Commander Bill Baldridge, the Pentagon's primary sleuth looking into the mystery. He works closely with Admiral Sir Iain MacLean, a retired submarine flag officer of the Royal Navy. MacLean's family plays a secondary role in the story and his daughter provides the romantic element. Perhaps the most interesting person is Adnam, the villain whose machinations are the heart of the narrative. This suspense tale is written in a clear and compelling style and succeeds at creating and sustaining an aura of tension, surprise, and disbelief. The plot is reminiscent of Tom Clancy's popular thrillers; but, since it is less technical, it should appeal to an even wider audience.?Peggy Mooney, Pohick Public Library, Burke, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Arrow (January 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 009922562X
• ISBN-13: 978-0099225621
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 1.2 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,049,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patrick Robinson is the co-author of the recent New York Times bestseller, "A Colossal Failure of Common Sense - the inside story of the collapse of Lehman Brothers."

Before that, he co-authored Lone Survivor for Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell which was #1 on the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list for eight months in 2007.

Patrick is also the author of eleven international bestselling suspense thrillers, including To the Death, Nimitz Class, Hunter Killer, and Diamondhead, the first book in his brand new series.

He lives in Ireland and spends his summers in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining reading, August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nimitz Class (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book after reading Kilo Class. Enjoyed the characters that I already had known from the author's second book. It was slow at times just as Kilo class but think it would be an entertaining movie if the ending was "spiced" up (see next paragraph).

The ending was somewhat un-climactic which was disappointing. Since I read Kilo class first which had a dull ending, I was hoping Nimitz class would have had more "fireworks" in the end. However, it was an interesting twist at the end, that the antagonist got away leaving me wondering if Ben Adnam would appear again.

The book is entertaining because: the plot is interesting; the characters have thier own grit if you use your imagination a bit; and makes you wonder if something like this could really happen.

I do not think this is a five star book. However, the people who gave the disertations on why it should get one or zero stars seem to have too much time on their hands and probably read way to much (there is such a thing).

Patrick Robinson does deserve some credit for his efforts. Remember that this book is only fiction, takes place in the near possible future and should not have to be totally historically and militarily correct.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and exciting read!, July 29, 2005

By 

Rory Morty "Rory Morty" (Giessen, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nimitz Class (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was an excellent read. Undoubtedly the best of Robinson's works to date. He develops the story intelligently, carefully and with a lot of suspense, which contrasts somewhat with popular submarine novels from other authors, who tend to drown the story in techno-details and over-imaginative plots, and a lot of explosions! Through the story, we travel to some fascinating locations and meet well-developed and diverse characters. I particularly enjoyed the playful banter between Morgan and Rankin, although Morgan's is somewhat overdone in places. I heartily recommend this book to anybody What's more, the sequel, Kilo Class, is just as entertaining!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super story for submarine fans, May 17, 2006

By 

Dimitrios (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nimitz Class (Mass Market Paperback)

That was one of the best books I have read on modern submarine warfare and the story was also very good. The elimination of a US supercarrier by a single nuclear-tipped torpedo was presented in an exciting way, as was the hunting of the renegade submarine that followed. The episode of the British sub passing through the Bosporus Straights was absolutely marvellous and I wish Robinson had devoted some more pages to the hunting of the enemy sub, instead of discovering it by chance.