Piranha: Firing Point [Paperback]

Michael DiMercurio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

In a world where China has been split into two nations--Free China and Red China--a Red Chinese naval commander captures six Japanese submarines as part of an agenda to annihilate its sister country. But he didn't count on an American vice admiral learning of his treacherous plans. At first the U.S. Government is skeptical, only to bear witness to a direct attack by the Reds. Immediately the vice admiral readies his Pacific fleet with a secret submarine to do battle in an all-out fight to bring peace to the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Onyx (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451408764
• ISBN-13: 978-0451408761
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,288,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BZ Michael, You've Topped Yourself Again!, March 13, 2000

By 

P. Connors "Colonialpara" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Piranha: Firing Point (Paperback)

Once again, author and former submariner Michael DiMercurio has provided me with hours of reading enjoyment and once again, I have but one regret--that the book ended too quickly. I had bought this book only a few days after hearing that THREAT VECTOR was out and I wanted to read this one first, to keep the continuity of the series intact. As I said previously in my review of BARRACUDA FINAL BEARING, Mr. DiMercurio knows his subject matter and unlike other technically trained people, he ACTUALLY HAS THE ABILITY to write! Michael DiMercurio has written a very plausible and believable story about the break-up of China (through a civil war) into two distinctly separate entities. One is the old but familiar Red China. The other is Free China, a country more western in philosophy and outlook. However, the losers in the civil war can't stand the fact that they've lost and want to regain that part of the country which has successfully seceded. The author provides a very well developed antagonist for this book, as well. Chinese Admiral Chu Hua-Feng is a person to be reckoned with. He is in many ways the ideal literary enemy. DiMercurio imbues him with qualities that make him detestable but at the same time, understandable. He provides the focal point for keeping the reader's interest in what the Red Chinese are doing and unfortunately for our American hero, VADM Michael Pacino, he is also the perfect military match. But as anyone can guess, Michael DiMercurio has something else up his author's sleeve and he deals those cards just when they are needed most. I have read all of the Michael DiMercurio books to date (in the order written and released) and what I really enjoy most is that the author continues to keep the story lines fresh and me wanting more. As I said above, I just wish I didn't get through them so quickly because then, I would be able to savor the tension a little bit longer. Speaking of tension, that's something I have noticed that Michael DiMercurio is excellent at. In fact, I'd say he's an expert. From what I've read of the art of writing, that's a very valuable skill to be able to employ. Michael DiMercurio has done that well in ALL of the Michael Pacino stories to date and yet, each new encounter is as fresh and interesting as the ones that came before. In my reader's mind, that is the sign of an accomplished writer. Another aspect of these novels that is also handled well are the technical details of submarine warfare, powerplants, navigation and "fighting the ship." Although Mr. DiMercurio has two engineering degrees (one from the Naval Academy and one from MIT), he has the great skill to be able to write for the lay reader who does not possess his technical education. That ability, in someone so technically educated and trained, is a gifr not to be overlooked.

Mr. DiMercurio's description of America's latest submarine, the SSNX is actually brilliant in its simplicity and yet it is the simplicity that makes the inner workings that much easier for us "non-techies" to imagine. When I read this book, I actually felt and believed that I was in the control room with Admiral Pacino. I felt his tension, I knew what he had in the way of resources and knew that he knew that failure was not only "not an option," but that failure could have the gravest ramifications for the United States as a whole.

I read somewhere that Michael DiMercurio has more mainstream writing in the pipeline for his publisher(s) and readers. I do not know what genre or type of story line he has in store, nor do I know who his new characters will be. You know what? I don't care. This author has already captured my attention and loyalty. In essence, I'm actually looking forward to the trip because I'd like to see where this really skilled writer will be taking us.

As a loyal reader, I also have a couple of other comments I'd like to leave here as well. The first is a rhetorical question. Why haven't any of these books been optioned as movies? Secondly, why were the schematics at the front of the books deleted? I never understood why those valuable descriptive tools were eliminated.

I'd also like to make a comparison here, as well. If Michael DiMercurio's "mainstream" fiction is as good as his undersea warfare novels are, I truly believe that we will be hearing more from this very talented author. And Michael, if you need someone to read your draft(s), let me know. I volunteer.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TOTALLY BRILLIANT!, April 2, 1999

By 

Mr N Forbes-warren "author of RESURGENCE and ... (Newport, South Wales, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Piranha: Firing Point (Paperback)

Another winner from DiMercurio! This is his best novel yet of the ones I've read so far, and contains some great action scenes and imaginative technology of the future, which doesn't always run as planned, note the SSNX, a brand new high-tech sub in a combat situation. The description of the new supersub is so highly detailed yet easy to understand, even for non-military readers. The story concerns a war between divided states in a new China escalating, and US navy units sent to deal with the Chinese's latest acquisitions, a Japanese Rising Sun-class sub, are attacked with plasma explosive torpedoes and sunk. So enter our hero Admiral Michael Pacino and a host of ongoing characters with the very latest weaponry and subs available to try to avert a major world war! This book is so entertaining and action-packed you won't want to put it down. What more can one say, buy this book now!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Demercurio Keeps You Waiting For More, December 15, 1999

By 

Michael W. Bodine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piranha: Firing Point (Paperback)

I have just finished Michael's 5th book, and I loved it. It is hard to say which is my favorite. I have read Tom Clancy, Patrick Robinson, Dale Brown, and Clive Cussler; but none of them have developed such wonderful characters as those found in Piranha and the other 4. If you like adventure and great characters I recommend you pick up a copy of this today. Pleae don't forget the first 4. I can't wait until Threat Vector comes out. I have already pre-ordered it.