Rating: 
Summary: Great First Book
Review: After seeing Brian Haig interviewed on Larry King, along with another first time author, Georgia Durante, I decided to purchase both books. Being an avid reader, I was pleasantly surprised by both books, Mr. Haig's being fiction and Ms. Durante's, non fiction. These two books kept me captivated for 4 days. A reader's delight! Couldn't put them down. Larry King must screen his author's well to come up with such fasinating stories. I will never hesitate buying a book that Larry tauts on his show. Do yourself a favor and pick up both "Secret Sanction" and "The Company She Keeps." You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great First Try
Review: ALthough this is Haig's first, it is a good one. A page turner that moves very well. Lets hope he has some more in him.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing
Review: An enjoyable read. A refreshing style of writing. I smiled and chuckled throughout the book. Looking forward to his next book.
Rating:
Summary: A STUNNING THRILLER
Review: Army lawyer Major Sean Drummond arrives at Fort Bragg with no idea of what he is in for!Called to investigate the execution style murders of thirty-five Serb soldiers, Sean, teams up with Captain James Delbert, the Army's top prosecutor, and defense attorney Lisa Morrow. The official story is that the Special Forces team, while in warn-torn Kosovo, is pursued by the Serb soldiers, ultimitely leading the men into battle. The Special Forces men claim that they left the battle while the Serb soldiers were still firing at them. This story leaves many questions unanswered, one of which is...how did thirty-five soldiers end up dead? Sean and his team begin their investigation, only to hit a wall and be left wondering if the Army really wants them to find out the truth! And when the reporter covering the story is killed, Sean realizes there is a traitor among his team, and the reporter's death is warning to put the investigation to rest. Determined to out what really happened, Sean must work quickly and carefully, for the answers he uncovers will lay bare a cover-up that reaches as far as the White House. 'Secret Sanction' is a brilliant thriller that takes the legal thriller in a whole new direction. With it's military setting, brutal murders, shady characters and fast-pacing, 'Secret Sanction' is an original and entertaining page-turner, that will be a huge bestseller and among the summer's hottest reads. Brian Haig, being called John Grisham in an Army uniform, has crafted a novel - in the tradition of Nelson DeMille - that will appeal to fans of many genres, and place him among the elite of the thriller writers. A MUST read! Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: Good first novel
Review: As a first novel from Brian Haig, I must say I was fairly impressed. A group of 35 Serbian soldiers is massacred; some with close in headshots. A group from the Special Forces A-Team is arrested for this atrocity. Sean Drummond, a JAG lawyer, is put in charge of the investigation, to find out whether it was self-defense or outright murder. With his witty and smart-alecky way, Drummond weaves from cover-up to cover-up in what seems an endless pursuit of justice. I felt really comfortable reading this book. The writing style was fluid. There was not as much suspense as other military thrillers but the manner in which Drummond investigated and interviewed potential suspects kept me on edge. I got a pretty clear picture on the Serbian/Albanian relations and some of the politics involved with NATO operations. Military operations with the KLA brought some insight also. Overall a satisfying read, especially for military buffs. Inside the covers: He said, “Sometimes those principles they teach at West Point about duty and honor and country, sometimes they clash against one another. The world’s not as pristine as West Point makes it out to be. Sometimes you have to decide which of those three is most important. You have to decide which principle you need to sacrifice.†I said, “I didn’t go to west point, so I don’t know about all that. I tell you what I do know. I know what makes us different from the Serbs. We don’t coddle our murderers. We don’t lie to the world when our troops commit a massacre. We wash our laundry in the open. That’s duty and honor and country, all in one.†At least that’s what I thought.
Rating:
Summary: Mind-bending but needs more research
Review: As an avid reader and chaser of military fiction I enjoyed Haig's version of secret military courts-martial investigations. I think that if he did a little more research into the procedures and effort required by the "Book" he would be able to earn the 5th Star. It appears that he desires his character to be a swashbuckler and hero going his own way, doing the process his own way. It doesn't work that way. I ask him to pay a little more attention to required detail, not so much as to slow the pace, but enough to put Sean Drummond in a position that his case would be won no matter who prosecuted. Another thing, Mr. Haig, you gotta give Sean a sex life. No wonder the Major is short and curt with everyone. I patiently await his next effort, hoping that he will grow in the direction of W.E.B. Griffin.
Rating: 
Summary: The intrigue of today's Military as told by an expert.
Review: Being the son of Alexander Haig, he is proud of his military prowess and uses fiction to expose dubious activities in U. S. government in this, his first novel. Who else would have the courage (or, in today's world, foolishness) to follow through on his convictions.
It appears that he's entered the mass market paperback arena for most of his succeeding books; he's been on a roll, so to speak, and some sound inviting. He's really gone high tech with digital versions; apparently, he has 'publishing savvy' to get so many out to the public in only two years. Could it be he has a ghost writer as an aide?
A West Point grad, he served as special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. That's heady stuff, but as a career military strategist this was his destiny. Though his dad showed gross arrogance during his stint as Secretary of State, the son -- due to his military lifestyle, no doubt -- is more down-to-earth.
I didn't care for his use of "Yep," "Un huh," "Nope" and such as dialogue, his story line moves along satisfactorily. Actually, it was two stories in one -- a major scandal of a government coverup involving our special forces called Green Berets and the resultant botched investigation, and a crime closer to home as a consequence.
A vast conspiracy to keep details under wraps by devious political leaders and maneurvering generals at the Pentagon seems to have roots in the Oval Office. Living that close to the inner workings and observations of those in power, he knew first hand of the secret "wars" kept from the public. Where was Dan Rather then?! It's best (and safer) not to probe too deeply into military affairs, especially those chosen by officials not to pursue. The system has rules and everybody has to obey them.
There were references to Hollywood movies, 'Mutiny on the Bounty' and 'The Caine Mutiny' to show how the underlings rebel at times of great stress. That's life. He inserted some references to Delbert of the comics and Johnny Carson/Ed McMahon spiels (also Ed Morrow) on t.v. to relieve tension from so much military "justice."
This was his first novel, though some of his articles previously have appeared in national publications and the 'Harvard Journal.' His use of mild vulgarisms seems normal for a soldier but hard to overlook by an average reader. These multi-faceted characters were not intellectuals, that's clear, with many things glossed over.
Maybe his writing style is a "nice mix of wit and wisdom" as Nelson DeMille avered, but if he'd clean up his language, he might just become a first-rate novelist to match the glowing endorsements on the cover of this incredible story. Metaphysically speaking, of course.
I like "first novels" as they incorporate much of the writer's personal experiences and beliefs. If I had a military background, I would probably have gotten much more to appreciate and less to doubt the "searing honesty" as presented from that viewpoint. I've learned that it is best to doubt until the real facts are proven and substantiated. This is not the kind of "suspense" fiction I've spent a lot of years enjoying. Yet, the larger print was a feast to my sore eyes.
This is a son one could be proud of, but he will burn himself out before his time if he continues to release his creative efforts at such a rate. Take it from Gregory Macdonald, it is best to pace oneself in this industry.
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth Your Time And Money!
Review: Brian Haig (son of Alexander Haig) is a fresh new "voice" in popular fiction. His style of writing -- part witty, part sarcastic and always interesting -- makes Secret Sanction a book to put near the top of your "To Be Read" list. I think you'll be captivated by the story (which moves along at a very crisp pace), the characters ( which are believable and multi-dimensional), and Haig's knowledge of military honor, tradition and politics. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to Haig's first effort. There's no doubt in my mind that you'll like Secret Sanction a lot and be looking forward to Haig's next book. The only reason I didn't rate the book a "5" is that I anticipated the ending a little too far in advance of where I would have liked, since the earlier reviews I read on Amazon led me to believe the ending was a major surprise. However, the actual rating level here is not really that relevant. What is relevant is that this is a book you'll be glad to read.
Rating:
Summary: A Lawyer you can LIKE
Review: Brian Haig has created a great character in Sean Drummond, a maveric military attorney who combines the best of Clancy's military fiction with the best of Grisham's legal fiction. Personally I had given up on legal thrillers. But Haig has got me hooked again by a lawyer who is really hard not to like. The book is well-written and fast faced. Brian Haig's own personal miltiary experience is evident in his keen observations and interesting depiction of how military justice works. I really look forward to several literary installments with this great new character.
Rating:
Summary: FIRST NOVEL NOT BAD
Review: BRIAN HAIG HAS SEVERAL NOTCHES TO MOVE UP TO COMPETE WITH THE BIGGIES LIKE GRISHAM AND CLANCY AND HE GRAPPLES WITH THE NON-WAR IN KOSOVO TO MAKE HIS ENTRANCE. SEAN DRUMMOND IS THE ARMY LAWYER SENT TO THE BALKAN AREA TO INVESTIGATE THE SLAUGHTER OF 35 SERB SOLDIERS BY THE SPECIAL A TEAM FORCE OF 9 MEN. WITH THE HELP OF TWO TOP NOTCH ARMY LAWYERS ONE OF WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN AND THE OTHER A NERD, DRUMMOND IS WISE=CRACKING AND PUSHING AROUND ANYONE HE CAN TO IMPRESS EVERYONE HOW GREAT HE IS. BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT EVERYONE IS IMPRESSED AND HE STARTS FINDING THE ROAD A BUMPY RIDE. THE TOP GUNS WHO PROMISED HIM A FREE RIDE ARE NOT LIVING UP TO THEIR PROMISES AND HE IS BEING BLOCKED BY PEOPLE HE DOESN'T KNOW. WHAT WAS USA'S POLICY RE SPECIAL FORCES TRAINING AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE TROOPS THEY TRAINED? DID THE ACCUSED UNIT DO SOMETHING WRONG OR WERE THEY FOLLOWING ORDERS? WHOSE? WHY WERE THE SLAUGHTERED TROOPS EXECUTED WITH A BULLET IN THE HEAD WHEN THE WOUNDS OF COMBAT WERE ALREADY FATAL? AND WHY WAS ONE BODY MISSING A HEAD THAT WAS HACKED OFF INSTEAD OF BLOWN OFF? WHO DID WHAT AND WHY? DRUMMOND REMEMBERS HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE INFANTRY BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO LAW SCHOOL AND THINKS MAYBE HE KNOWS SOME ANSWERS. IT TAKES A NEW ATTITUDE AND DISCOOVERY TO GET BACK ON THE RIGHT PATH BUT DRUMMOND FINDS IT AND ALLTHE ANSWERS IN THE LAST THIRD OF THE BOOK. READERS WILL BE ASKING SOME QUESTIONS THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD PUT BEHIND THEM AFTER KOREA AND VIET NAM BUT THIS IS A NEW PART OF THE WORLD WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS AND NEW QUESTIONS TO ANSWER. DOES SECRET SANCTION HAVE A PLACE HERE AND NOW? TOUGH ASPECTS TO RETHINK.
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