Storming Heaven

Rating:
Summary: Still think it can't happen?
Review: A demented arms dealer with a foreign name (Henri Cazaux) and a grudge against the US government accidentally hits upon a plan to unleash hell against it. Once brutalized by American soldiers, Cazaux now deals in weapons that will be used against all Americans. On the brink of capture, flying a cargo plan full of ammo, Cazaux accidentally bombs an airport. Realizing how defenseless airports and American cities are in general, and how much havoc he can raise when he wants to, Cazuax sets off on a terror campaign using airliners stocked with explosives to bomb airports. The government responds by stationing Patriot batteries around airports, but Cazaux finds a way past those as well. The only man who can end the reign of terror is Ian Hardcastle � the sort of strident, no-nonsense genius that drives all of author Dale Brown�s books. (Usually, the starring role is given to Brad Elliot of �Flight of the Old Dog� and its sequels). Hardcastle�s biggest obstacles aren�t left by the wily Frenchman, but by the government bureaucracy, the liberals and the week-kneed administration that reflects all that is evil of the Clinton administration. (Though I think �Chains of Command� was more overt...against the Clintons). Unfortunately, this has got to be one of Brown�s weakest books � though most of them fall into a pattern (geo-political crisis erupts just as some innovative USAF officers perfect a new secret weapon), this one just has random destruction. The only hint that the plot is proceeding anywhere is the ferocity of the attacks and the cover-art on my copy showing what looks like Air Force One on a direct course for Washington. Double-unfortunate is how this book will likely be resurrected over the next few weeks to cynically cash in on today�s coordinated terror attacks. Nothing else in this book really deserves the attention � Cazaux is as typical a demented villain as Brown can create while his followers are suitably mercenary in their motives. When it looks like the plot �after a massive climax near the end � will dust itself off and begin anew, the supporting cast of villains take matters into their own hands, as if they�ve had enough of this book. Benefit from their experience, and read something else. For massive slam-bang Dale Brown, read �Fatal Terrain� (sorry, haven�t read �Warrior Class� yet).

Rating:
Summary: Topical, plausible, scary...yet still a [bad] book
Review: A demented arms dealer with a foreign name (Henri Cazaux) and a grudge against the US government accidentally hits upon a plan to unleash hell against it. Once brutalized by American soldiers, Cazaux now deals in weapons that will be used against all Americans. On the brink of capture, flying a cargo plan full of ammo, Cazaux accidentally bombs an airport. Realizing how defenseless airports and American cities are in general, and how much havoc he can raise when he wants to, Cazuax sets off on a terror campaign using airliners stocked with explosives to bomb airports. The government responds by stationing Patriot batteries around airports, but Cazaux finds a way past those as well. The only man who can end the reign of terror is Ian Hardcastle ' the sort of strident, no-nonsense genius that drives all of author Dale Brown's books. (Usually, the starring role is given to Brad Elliot of 'Flight of the Old Dog' and its sequels). Hardcastle's biggest obstacles aren't left by the wily Frenchman, but by the government bureaucracy, the liberals and the week-kneed administration that reflects all that is evil of the Clinton administration. (Though I think 'Chains of Command' was more overt...against the Clintons). Unfortunately, this has got to be one of Brown's weakest books ' though most of them fall into a pattern (geo-political crisis erupts just as some innovative USAF officers perfect a new secret weapon), this one just has random destruction. The only hint that the plot is proceeding anywhere is the ferocity of the attacks and the cover-art on my copy showing what looks like Air Force One on a direct course for Washington. Double-unfortunate is how this book will likely be resurrected over the next few weeks to cynically cash in on today's coordinated terror attacks. Nothing else in this book really deserves the attention ' Cazaux is as typical a demented villain as Brown can create while his followers are suitably mercenary in their motives. When it looks like the plot 'after a massive climax near the end ' will dust itself off and begin anew, the supporting cast of villains take matters into their own hands, as if they've had enough of this book. Benefit from their experience, and read something else. For massive slam-bang Dale Brown, read 'Fatal Terrain' (sorry, haven't read 'Warrior Class' yet).

Rating:
Summary: A Real Nail-Biter!
Review: Be prepared to have plenty of time to read before you pick this up & start reading, as you won't be able to put it down. One of Brown's best works so far. It brings the reader right into the action and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. "STORMING HEAVEN" Will make you think twice before 'hanging around' an airport! It was especially tense for me as I live in the area where the first part of "STORMING HEAVEN" takes place, and I know the area well. Even without that connection, "STORMING HEAVEN" is a must-read for all who enjoy Dale Brown's books and those like him who write about aviation and the all of the excitement which surround it. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: A Real Nail-Biter!
Review: Be prepared to have plenty of time to read before you pick this up & start reading, as you won't be able to put it down. One of Brown's best works so far. It brings the reader right into the action and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. "STORMING HEAVEN" Will make you think twice before 'hanging around' an airport! It was especially tense for me as I live in the area where the first part of "STORMING HEAVEN" takes place, and I know the area well. Even without that connection, "STORMING HEAVEN" is a must-read for all who enjoy Dale Brown's books and those like him who write about aviation and the all of the excitement which surround it. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Gripping !
Review: Dale Brown has done it again with another terrific novel of action and intrigue, STORMING HEAVEN. I read anything I can find about military aviation and recently finished the much talked about WWII novel, THE TRIUMPH AND THE GLORY, which features aircraft not quite as state of the art as those which soar through Dale Brown's books, but the effect is the same--great action and inspiring plots.

Rating:
Summary: Utterly Fascinating.....
Review: Dale Brown's 8th novel, Storming Heaven was a great experience to read. In it, a Belgian terrorist named Henri Cazaux exacts revenge on the U.S. using tons of high-explosives and his own ex-Belgian Special Forces knowledge. Throughout the book, we also learn that Cazaux is convinced that he is the instrument of the Devil himself, and this adds an in-depth insight into the mind of a terrorist and killer. Look out for some SPECTACULAR action too, using everything from MP5 submachine guns to Stinger and Patriot missiles, F-16 fighters, and nearly everything in between!!! Look, just take my word for it and READ THIS NOVEL

Rating:
Summary: Did Hollywood write this Book?
Review: I like Dale Brown and his work but this book is not good. There are way too many holes in the book. The way the bad guys are able to escape the inept government at every turn is aggravating. Also, midway through the book, the main terrorist discovers that he is the sword of Satan from a tarot reading women. What is that whole section book about? Totally out of place in military thriller. The story is interesting, but the book didn't flow like most of Dale Brown's book and the many holes insult the reader's intelligence. Overall I give 2 stars because of the interesting story, but not one of Dale Brown's best works.

Rating:
Summary: Let's Be Honest Here
Review: I like thrillers but this novel lacks a key element, namely a hero. The ruthless international terrorist villian has no strong adversary representing the forces of goodness and light. Maybe that's why the baddie gets away with so much mayhem. And there's way too much "tower talk" here - this will no doubt please the fighter pilot wannabes who find endless air-to-ground-to-air lingo an acceptable substitute for real suspense writing. I agree that the action is exciting but let's be honest, great literature this isn't.

Rating:
Summary: An example of life imitating art.
Review: I originally read this book a couple of years ago and enjoyed it greatly but at the time I didn't give the fictional events depicted within much thought. However, as of Sept. 11, 2001 they have become chillingly real. Its incredible how much of Dale Brown's plot has become fact. Its enough to make me wonder whether Bin Laden has read this book or not. God help us all.

Rating:
Summary: SPECTACULAR!!
Review: I think this is the best Dale Brown novel yet. The way he uses his knowledge of the military world is astounding. I only wish he could write novels like these faster, because I can't get enough.