From BooklistThe Old Dog (an airplane, as Brown regulars know) learns yet more new tricks in Brown's latest technothriller. The EB-52 Megafortresses (improved descendants of the Old Dog) are about to be scrapped, the rest of the U.S. heavy bomber force radically downsized. Then the Chinese seriously try to conquer Taiwan, and President Martindale wants to defend it equally seriously, despite U.S. military weakness, interservice rivalry, and political opposition. Led by Brad Elliott and Patrick McLanahan, the reunited Old Dog crew flies one official mission against the Chinese--and then is faced with arrest for exceeding orders. The next mission--unofficial--becomes justly compared with the exploits of the Flying Tigers of World War II and precipitates a decisive U.S. bomber counteroffensive that defeats the Chinese. Longer on well-handled action and hardware than on characterization (virtually all the navy personnel in it are caricatures), the yarn is another consistent page-turner from Brown, anyway, and won't disappoint his numerous readers. Roland GreenFrom Kirkus sRetired USAF Colonel Patrick McLanahan and his band of irregulars help turn the tide when the People's Republic of China makes war on its lost province of Taiwan, in another high adventure from past master Brown (Shadows of Steel, 1996, etc.). On the eve of Hong Kong's return to China, the nationalists on Taiwan unexpectedly announce their complete independence from the mainland and are immediately recognized by Kevin Martindale, the US President. Taipei's declaration enrages Beijing's hardline Communists, and the Red regime dispatches a carrier force to patrol the Formosa Straits. A heavily armed EB-52 Megafortress on a test flight with a civilian crew under McLanahan's command becomes involved in the resultant confrontation. Initially, the American bomber (extensively modified by McLanahan's employer to carry advanced weaponry) tips the balance, but China's vessels launch nuclear-tipped missiles that wipe out the nationalist warships. On the home front, political adversaries in Congress and business interests (concerned about their commercial stakes in China) put intense pressure on Martindale to let Taiwan go by the boards; the turf-conscious American military also presses the White House to take the McLanahan crew (over which they have minimal control) out of the increasingly deadly game. But under the crafty direction of Admiral Sun Ji Guoming (an ardent patriot bent on returning Taiwan to the mainland fold), hostilities escalate and US forces sustain severe losses. Ordered to stand down in the wake of a tragic mistake, McLanahan's experimental aircraft escapes to Guam (before that island is obliterated by China's missiles) and fights on the side of the nationalists in a climactic battle that effectively finishes off Sun's vaulting ambitions. Nobody, in detailing the lethal excitements of high-tech aerial combat in at least plausible geopolitical contexts, does it better than Brown. -- Copyright 1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Brown is excellent at fully animating his charactersand his ability to bring technical weaponry to life is amazingBrowns combat sequences are first-rate.San Francisco ChronicleDale Brown is a superb storyteller.W.E.B GriffinA master at mixing technology and action. He puts readers right into the middle of the inferno.Larry Bond what are the best products to sell online Fatal Terrain
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. At times the descriptive details and background got a bit tedious but eventually the story emergedBy RayVintage Dale Brown. Unfortunately I am reading this book late in the game. Much of what is told occurred some time in the past. At times the descriptive details and background got a bit tedious but eventually the story emerged. Would have been better if I had read it when it first came out. Was more like a history lesson than fiction. The Megafortress can only do so much and given technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since this book came out eaves you yawning at times. Still a fan.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Brown is a consistently good writer.By The SageI've liked Brown's Patrick McLanahan series since I first read "The Flight of the Old Dog" years ago (full disclosure, my Dad was a career B-52 pilot). I have not read all of the follow-on books, and it's been a while since I read one. It's a great read, but I must note that the tales are getting a little bit formulaic. One who has read enough of Brown's series can begin to anticipate when the final denouement will occur and which of the friendlies will be killed in the end.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great StoryBy JamesIt has been a while since my last B52 book but I thoroughly enjoyed this one all except the political parts that are so constantly real. It is fun and nice to read the stories of real heroes and protectors of the USA.