Rating: 
Summary: Realistic and enjoyable.
Review: As a veteran of the Sixth Fleet I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written by an author that has actually spent a career in the Navy, not just learned about it through research. This is an excellent first work by an author with great talent. I finished this book yesterday and started the next in the series today, happy to see it pick up just where this one left off. I recommend this book for those that want the "true" realistic flavor of our modern military.
Rating: 
Summary: Charicature of "the enemy"
Review: "The bad guys" are incredibly stereo-typical and cartoony in this cut-short book. It is very clear to me that this book was part of a longer story that was randomly broken into pieces in order to be printed as more than one volume...the ending leaves every single thread hanging. That said, at least the premise of the situation is pausible enough to suspend your disbelief and help you get through the book. I bought this series because I read that EP-3Es were given some serious exposure. The sections where they appear contain a few technical inaccuracies (such as saying that the plane would make a pass at 50ft over the ocean to count survivors...in reality the plane would likely not drop below 300 feet). Overall, the series is off to an okay start, but I wouldn't put the talent or the accuracy anywhere near Tom Clancy.
Rating:
Summary: Decent first effort - looking forward to Book #2
Review: I'll admit that the only reason I bought this book was the description of the attack on the USS La Salle in the intro teaser. Having served onboard La Salle in 1986-87, I couldn't pass up a book that featured my old boat. CAPT Meadows has produced an enjoyable novel of a Mediterranean war in the not too distant future. Meadows uses this book, the first of several, to introduce his primary characters, which causes the book to drag at points. I'm hoping that this is because future books will be packed with combat action. In this book, when his story does reach the point where war breaks out, Meadows writing is vivid and as exciting as any found in this type of novel. His underlying plot is not overly complex, but intriging enough that I am anxious to start Book 2 tonight. Meadows is also using his series as a platform for his views on future military drawdowns. His characters repeatedly lament the state of the Navy and US forces are continually limited by the drawdowns that have previously gutted the military. The only real negative I've come across is I don't like the three SEAL officers in his book. Hopefully Book #2 will change my opinion. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read. While not at the same level as Red Storm Rising or Red Phoenix, it is of higher quality than Ian Slater's frustrating World War III series. I have high hopes for future volumes.
Rating: 
Summary: Clancy, Move over. There is a new kid on the block
Review: While Clancy, Brown and Counts defined the techno thrillers none of them have dared to take on a series of books on one subject. Don't get me wrong, they all worked on one or two general themes, but each novel came and went. In fact these authors are now slowing down and enjoying the fruits in which they have created. Rightly so. However, now is the time to stand to the side a new author smashes one out of the park. First timer David E. Meadows smacks you with the first book and leaves you thirsting for more. His second book, Seawolf, quenches that thirst a bit, but again you still want more. Here is a series of books that tells the tale of World War III from such a unique perpective that it makes you wonder what real life effects reducing our military will have on us today. The books don't tell you your reading about WWIII, but you know it is lurking there. The characters are believable and lovable. After events at the World Trade Center, many of us even more want to see that America "Does not go gentle into that goodnight." We want to kick A-- and take names. Sure there is a cost, but Freedom has always been worth it. Where else, but this great nation can you publically disagree with your leaders. Leaders that you and I can pick to represent us. Read the books and you will find that your heart and patriotic spirit will soar with the heros in the novels. America will fight. It will win. And any that stand to oppose her will fall by the way side to join those who have tried and failed in the past. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
Rating: 
Summary: Sequelmania
Review: While this book may be accurate in its technical details of Navy operations, there are other facets which are disturbing. Foremost is the obvious lead in to a sequel. While I have nothing against a "series" type of book, each book in the series should be a stand alone novel. This book ends with no obvious solutions to the situations generated, and with no real idea whether there is any reason to continue. There is no give and take. The US Navy is pictured as constantly taking hits with no way to respond. There is an obvious attempt to show the US Navy against impossible odds, but the reader figures that the USA will prevail in the future. It seems as if the author has written himself into a corner and will have to resort to gimmicks to extricate himself. Since I have the second book in the series also, I should be able to comment on that book soon. And a minor(or not, it is after all a 'technical' matter) with the terminolgy. It is an M-60 machine gun, not an MG-60 as is repeated in the book. I hope this series improves. I give it one or two more tries then I'm outta here.
Rating: 
Summary: The Sixth Fleet
Review: A disappointing book, written in episodic format, with an unsatisfying ending. The story line is potentially a good one and the writter clearly knows his subject. Unfortunately, the book is burdened with too many, poorly developed characters. Who is the hero? None of the characters are drawn completely enough to make that determination. Once we get interested in a character, he dissapears or is religated to a minor background role. The book does not stand on its own and is obviously intended to be part of a series. The non-ending just appears and the reader must buy the next installment to see what happens. I for one am not biting.
Rating:
Summary: Sixth Fleet
Review: Good read. Only problem was upset when I ran out of book to read. Can't wait for the next in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Sad results of the "down sizing" of U.S. armed forces.
Review: David "Igor" Meadows hits the nail on the head in his deptcition of America gone soft. In his novel THE SIXTH FLEET, the American armed forces, scaled back as the result of eight years of liberilism in Washington, are hard put to combat terrorism on a global scale. Sound like today's headlines? You bet! Wake up America, read THE SIXTH FLEET and take heed of David Meadow's warning. It is a damn good read and carries a vivid message. I have ordered SIXTH FLEET: SEAWOLF and look forward to another good read.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkable tour de force through today's Navy!
Review: This is one brilliantly exciting book by one superbly talented author! Within a handful of pages Meadows drowns your abilities to put the book down! There an abundance of technical and military jargon, but used to perfection to make the story sizzle and move along prodigiously. This is the kind of book to grab at the beginning of a long train ride or long flight and before you realize it, you are skipping your meal in order to continue reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Uneven work but a lot of future potential........
Review: Sixth Fleet is the first of many works which fictionally depict the consequences of allowing America's military power to further atrophy. Sixth Fleet is not intended as a stand alone work and those going in with that impression (as I did) will find themselves frustrated. The author expends a great deal of time and effort introducing us to characters and scenarios that go nowhere by the end of the book. These elements may quite likely be revived in future installments but it makes it no less annoying. I have read many other books that have been intended as the first of many and they have done a better job of plot and character management. As to the authors creation of characters it is ok but not great. There are a few interesting characters but they are only bit players. Other problems, Sixth Fleet is torturously slow and tedious in many places moving at near glacial pace early in the novel. I have read may works of military fiction a.k.a. "techno-thrillers" but never have I run into a work jammed with so many military acronyms as Sixth Fleet (including the works of Tom Clancy; himself a fan of jargon and the acronym); many of which are never identified or defined. This book could have benefited greatly from a glossary or a similar guide to military jargon. All that being said the saving grace of Sixth Fleet are the battle scenes. His descriptions of military combat are exceptional. They are easily the best part of the book. These sequences found me turning the pages and having time stand still. Full marks to the author in this regard. The author also does a good job of setting up a satisfying emotional payoff down the road after the US military suffers a Pearl Harbor style attack. If he can make the reader care more about his characters the pay off will be even better. I do not know how many novels are intended as part of the Sixth Fleet series (pre-orders for a title called Sixth Fleet: Seawolf are being taken on Amazon.com) but there is potential here. The author needs to write a more complete story in each installment, better define the jargon and acronyms and make us care more about his characters. If he can accomplish those three in combination with the exceptional battles scenes then future works will be among the finest in the genre.
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