One Rough Man: A Pike Logan Thriller [Hardcover]

Brad Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 17, 2011

Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, move over: introducing a pulse-pounding new international thriller series by a former Delta Force commander.

They call it the Taskforce. Their existence is as essential as it is illegal. Commissioned at the highest level of the U.S. government. Protected from the prying eyes of Congress and the media. Built around the top operators from across the clandestine, intelligence, and special forces landscape. Designed to operate outside the bounds of U.S. law. Trained to exist on the ragged edge of human capability.

Pike Logan was the most successful operator on the Taskforce, his instincts and talents unrivaled-until personal tragedy permanently altered his outlook on the world. Pike knows what the rest of the country might not want to admit: The real threat isn't from any nation, any government, any terrorist group. The real threat is one or two men, controlled by ideology, operating independently, in possession of a powerful weapon.

Buried in a stack of intercepted chatter is evidence of two such men. The transcripts are scheduled for analysis in three months. The attack is mere days away. It is their bad luck that they're about to cross paths with Pike Logan. And Pike Logan has nothing left to lose.

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In his first novel, Taylor, a retired Delta Force commander, introduces Pike Logan, a member of a supersecret, off-the-grid unit of commandos authorized to work outside the law. Logan was the star of the team, called the Taskforce, until a personal tragedy left him unable to work and nearly destitute. A chance encounter with a woman puts him back in the game, however, and he discovers how much he missed the action. Working without the help of his former team, he attempts to track two rogue terrorists in possession of a powerful weapon. Unfortunately, the enemy’s agenda is vast, and their resources give them easy access to Logan and his former team. Taylor’s debut flows like the best of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor. An intense and intriguing character, Logan is definitely an action hero to watch. --Jeff Ayers

About the Author

Brad Taylor served for more than twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant colonel. During that time he held numerous infantry and special operations positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operations Detachment—Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron. He has conducted operations in support of U.S. national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. He holds a master's of science in defense analysis with a concentration in irregular warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats to various agencies. He currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and two daughters.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; First Edition edition (February 17, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525952136
• ISBN-13: 978-0525952138
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.3 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (141 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brad was born on Okinawa, Japan, but grew up on 40-acres in rural Texas. Graduating from the University of Texas, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry. Brad served for more than 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. During that time he held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron. He has conducted operations in support of US national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations.

His final assignment was as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He holds a Master's of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, with a concentration in Irregular Warfare. When not writing, he serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats for various agencies. He lives in Charleston, SC with his wife and two daughters.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 77 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Girls Like It Too! March 3, 2011

By Stephanye

Format:Hardcover

I am always intimidated to write book reviews simply because others before me sound like they are writing their thesis but One Rough Man deserves my time and energy on a review. I am more of an Emily Giffin kind of girl so this is my first fiction thriller novel. I heard Brad Taylor on a radio interview in Chicago and found him not only incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable about his content but I could also tell that he has a keen sense of humor. He was light hearted in a professional sort of way. That being said, I saw his book at the airport, bought it and then couldn't put it down. It's just really a good read. I don't have a thesaurus on hand to embellish my thoughts so just go with the fact that it's a darn good story that moves fast and keeps you entrenched with a lot of good details. Brad really has a knack with the details, especially when describing the bad guys which, as Americans, we all want a better idea about. Since he knows a thing or two about real bad guys, this makes the book all the more enjoyable. As I read it I pictured the author experiencing similar situations with similar people because, well, he actually has. Oh, and I also found little pieces of his humor in the book as well (something tells me that Brad once threw eggs at the principal's house too). I would really enjoy attending a lecture hosted by Mr. Taylor. I bet he is really, really captivating in person. This girlie girl is now a full fledged thriller fan. Thanks for the read Brad! When does book II come out? I am DYING for Pike and Jennifer to hook up!

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A VERY Good First Novel March 21, 2011

By Toolman

Format:Hardcover

Anyone who reads my reviews knows I don't give 5 stars willingly. In fact, I've been criticized for being too critical. So....you know when I do give 5 stars, I'm not fooling. There are way too many "me too" 5 star reviews, just a bunch of follower-types going along with the crowd.

Here's why this book got 5 stars. This is one of the best first novels I have ever read. The author has good plot development, great character development, a mix of action and also the family life/problems that operators face (kind of reminds me of the Unit but without the drama) and solid action sequences. I like it! Now, there are some rough spots, and if this was not a first novel, I'd have had to knock it down a notch to 4 stars. For a first novel though, this is about as good as it gets, and seems very realistic.

Brad Taylor has huge writing talent. I hope he's got another good one in the works, and keeps up the good work.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great start to a new series February 18, 2011

By Jason Frost TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This book is the kind of book that Flynn and Thor's fan will eat up. The one thing that immediately jumped out about Pike was his in-your-face arrogance. It was almost bordering on fingers scraping the chalkboard annoying, but Pike has earned the right to be just that.

Pike and his covert operation are so deep cover that they're illegal. Now I don't mean like "certain members of Congress don't know" illegal, I mean like "George Washington just rolled over and kicked Benjamin Franklin's coffin" illegal. But they're trying to deal with the very real and deadly threat of terrorism, and they can't get the job done with the sissified cowards in D.C. running around lighting candles, holding hands, and singing Sarah Mclachlan. They need hard men to take care of a hard problem. Enter: Taskforce. Reading about a few of their operations, I see why they have to operate waaaaaaaaaay under the radar. They use techniques and extermination methods that made me cringe and would arouse a snotty Yale lawyer.

Their motto is simple: get the job done. Period. Show no quarter to the haters of infidels who want to kill innocents in the name of some false prophet. If they step on your toes, then you mushroom bullet their skull. An EYE for an EYE only sounds good in 4th grade Sunday school. A problem (to put it mildly) arises when the basement hiding cowards bring the fight to U.S. soil, and are aided with the help of traitors within the fraternity of our government. Pike is in the wrong place at the wrong time and just happens upon something that will lead him yet another insane and brutal plot by "those guys". What causes him to be at that place and at that time will sadden you.

Thus begins the Pike adventure assisted by an unlikely woman named Jennifer. To be honest, Jennifer got on my nerves, and I was hoping Pike would dismiss her like Julian Assange does women of legal age. It's one thing to tromp around the globe chasing "those people" with a professional team. Having to do it with a pushy, clueless neophyte is something that good books are made of. Good guys and bad guys alike fly, train, run, and drive from the jungles to the metro, to the war torn third world, trying to either stop or detonate a WMD. There are more than a few scenes of brutality and violence that cause quite a response, but they flow right along with the story. This was my first slam-bam thriller of 2011, one of many I'm sure from Mr. Taylor.