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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great action sequences, technical details, but...,
By
This review is from: Rules of Engagement (Hardcover)
While the obvious knowledge and attention to detail given to the writing of "Rules of Engagement" is admirable, there were several patterns that lessened the enjoyment for the reader.It's clear the author has ample experience with flying, Navy jargon, and the military life. His careful descriptions allow the reader an interesting glimpse at the day to day life on an aircraft carrier. At the same time, this precision and careful wordcraft enters into the dialog, with not nearly so positive a result. With declaratives like "The colonel is a nice guy, and we had a cordial chat.", the reader finds great difficulty empathizing with and believing in the characters in the book. Similarly, the expected intimate discussions between the protagonist and his love interest come across as stilted, formal, and difficult to comprehend. While seeing things from a female perspective is technically beyond this reviewer's experience, it seems that the attitude and reactions of said amorous companion occasionally depart farther from reality than could be easily accepted. For example, it seems she (and perhaps the author) is more concerned about our hero's perception of her father than his attitude and intentions toward her. The least disturbing of these oddities is the slight tendency the author has to telegraph impending disaster. While not tragic, and probably not universally noticable, this reviewer occasionally felt mild disappointment that the surprise had been blunted by some sort of narrative drift that foreshadowed the events. All that being said, "Rules of Engagement" has many things that can captivate the reader. The combat descriptions are excellent and exciting, and the plot developments keep the story flowing. Also, while the writing tends to be politically heavy-handed, it is not hard to sympathize with the pilots who put their lives at risk for trivial or non-existent strategic gain. If you find enjoyment in cleverly written dialog and deep character development, you might steer clear of this one. On the other hand, if you like detailed aerial combat descriptions and realistic narrative of Vietnam era tactical operations, you'll find much to enjoy in "Rules of Engagement".
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another winner !,
By
This review is from: Rules of Engagement (Mass Market Paperback)
I have now read all the Joe Weber novels but one (Honorable Enemies) which I start next. Rules of Engagement was just was well written as all his other books. Growing up in that era, for me, it was interesting to understand what was happening "behind the scenes" of the VietNam war. Great characters, great plots, and some interesting twists are all typical Joe Weber. Keep up the good work.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Decent redux of FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER,
By A Customer
This review is from: Rules of Engagement (Mass Market Paperback)
As far as action goes, this was a good book. However, it is almost exactly like Stephen Coonts' FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER: a carrier pilot goes flying where he shouldn't during the Vietnam War after losing his second crewman, catches hell for it, and is barely saved by an act of Congress. The only differences are that with RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, he's a Marine fighter jock instead of a Navy attack driver, and it happens near the beginning of the war instead of the end.
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