Rating: 
Summary: Don't rush to read this one.
Review: Hunter's other books, like _The Master Sniper_ and _Dirty White Boys_, are incredible. But if you're a fan, don't run out (or click) and buy this one until you've worked through everything else he's done. It's not worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Speaking as a big Hunter fan.. this book is just bad.
Review: I believe that Hunter has acknowledged that this book was a big mistake on his part. I never knew much about the details of the Spanish Civil War, and while I am not sure if I know now, I feel I learned a little from this book, which is something at least.In this book, he is writing from a point of view of a character that he doesn't identify with very well, and his I think readers have a hard time identifying with him.. Some of the elements of a good Hunter novel are there, but most are lacking. The ending of the book was truly miserable as well, and pretty much destroyed what little sentiment I had built up for the characters while reading..... Was he depressed when he wrote this book? It is not the worst book I have ever read, but there are much better books, Hunter and non-Hunter, to read out there. If this had been by another author I might have given it a 3, but I know Hunter is capable of far better. I felt I wanted to read all of his books.. now I am pretty sure I could have safely skipped this book.
Rating:
Summary: Speaking as a big Hunter fan.. this book is just bad.
Review: I believe that Hunter has acknowledged that this book was a big mistake on his part. I never knew much about the details of the Spanish Civil War, and while I am not sure if I know now, I feel I learned a little from this book, which is something at least. In this book, he is writing from a point of view of a character that he doesn't identify with very well, and his I think readers have a hard time identifying with him.. Some of the elements of a good Hunter novel are there, but most are lacking. The ending of the book was truly miserable as well, and pretty much destroyed what little sentiment I had built up for the characters while reading..... Was he depressed when he wrote this book? It is not the worst book I have ever read, but there are much better books, Hunter and non-Hunter, to read out there. If this had been by another author I might have given it a 3, but I know Hunter is capable of far better. I felt I wanted to read all of his books.. now I am pretty sure I could have safely skipped this book.
Rating: 
Summary: It was very good for what it was.
Review: I found this book by chance at a hotel when I was 14. Someone left it there, I never heard of Hunter before but I read it anyway. It was quite good. Juilan being gay was a nice suprise and I think the reason why people fail to like this book is becuse they say they don't like the story, or it's not up to par. Well this isnt a typical thriller, I normaly read fantasy, but even I can tell that this historical fiction is clearly NOT about the story. It's about Robert, Juilan and Sylvia, even Levitsky and Mink. It's a about hate and love and respect. Between people. It's a chartcter study. And it's very well writen. Good work Mr.Hunter I'll be sure to read more of your books in the future. Nice poetry, Im a poet myself and thats another reason I liked the book. And for the critics who are Hunter fans, mabey this just isnt your type of book. But it IS very good.
Rating: 
Summary: Hunter can and has done better.
Review: I have read several books by Stephen Hunter and I fear this is the worst. It did not grab me by the throat and cause me to not want to put it down as some of his others have. I stayed confused a big part of the time and really did not want to finish it but his other books had been so good I kept thinking it would better. I feel now that I wasted my time. Robert Flory, I suppose is the hero but it could be Julian Raines. So many people and so many things going on. The ending was really no surprise. Everybody has bad days or weeks, I guess or hope, this has been a rare bad write for Stephen Hunter. If this is a first read for Hunter it may be your last.
Rating:
Summary: failed Attempt at literature
Review: I read the one review of this book where it was rated as a 1 but it doen't appear that the writer went on to read the book as he thought it was a release of THE SECOND SALADIN under a new name.It is not. It is a new release of the Spanish Gambit.The Second Saladin is being Re-released in 1998 and is a great book. I read the book-Tapestry of Spies cover to cover over a period of a week.Usally I read A Hunter book in 2 days at most ,burning out my eyes,but this book is Hunter's attempt to write your typical high school english class novel.It is slow,with characters who come and go,plots that end without any resolution,and just seems nowhere near as focused as the usual Hunter book.I guess that it does give you a feel for Spain in the civil war,but it is a mood book and not the type of book that people expect when they buy Stephen Hunter.The book resembles a classic but as Mark Twain said -A Classic is a book that everybody praises but nobody reads.
Rating:
Summary: Give the man a break!!
Review: I think alot of people don't realise that this was Hunter's first attempt at a fiction novel. Granted it is not half as good as his next few books such as The Day Before Midnight but every writer has to start somewhere and it would be wrong for people to judge him on his first effort.The book is fine if you haven't read other Hunter books but if you are already a fan about to read this book, "Cut the man some slack!"
Rating: 
Summary: The chessgame
Review: In fact, I'm asking for help. Can anyone tell me the notation of the chessgame Levitsky played at that tournament he won? It seems that the book doesn't have the whole game, at least it doesn't play out for me - can anyone help with that opening with the lonely pawn? Please email me... Thanks.
Rating: 
Summary: Sangria Anyone?
Review: Originally titled Spanish Gambit. I picked this one up after reading Hot Springs, and just let me say that probably one of the big reasons I bought it was because it is set during the Spansih Civil War, which is one of my favorite conflicts in History, as well as I just love Spanish history and culture, having traveled there once. Anyway I liked the conflict the two main characters, with Soviets and Nazis thrown for good measure. Hot Springs is by my opinion the best book Hunter has written. Pick up Spainish Gambit or Tapestry of Spies they're the same book, you'll enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: why do i feel betrayed by my favorite author
Review: stephen hunter is by far one of my favorite authors for heart-stopping, page-turning suspense and i give every one of his books a 10 except for this one. i was so excited when i saw this new book by my favorite author and paid a pretty penny for it. upon reading the first page i realized i had already read this book. The Second Saladin was already sitting on my bookshelf!!! only on the inside title page does it say that this was previously called The Second Saladin. how betrayed i felt. maybe you cant find the original anymore but at least give the new one the same title as before so as to not mislead and in my opinion betray people like me. if the book is by one of my favorite authors and i havent read it--- boom i buy it without reading the back and all the other junk. so i give my first 1 to a book on account of the deceit i felt involved with this book
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