Force of Eagles

Jack Locke #2

by Richard Herman

Three hundred of the men and women of the 45th Tactical Fighter Wing are taken captive by the armies of Communist-backed post-Ayatollah Iran. Tension mounts as U.S. forces plan, train and execute the daring rescue mission. Smashing follow-up to the bestseller The Warbirds.

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, Thriller, Aviation, Action

390 pages, Hardcover

First published March 8, 1990

About the author

Also publishes as Richard Herman Jr.

Richard Herman was a member of the United States Air Force (Weapons System operator) for twenty-one years, retiring in 1983 with the rank of major. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Warbirds, Power Curve, Against All Enemies, Edge of Honor, and The Trojan Sea, all published by Avon Books.
(source Harper Collins)

Reviews

[Eric Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first the book is kinda slow and boring. I didn't want to DNF it, and by the end of the book I was glad I didn't. In a way it was kinda rough slightly, but not too much. Overall other than the Mig-23s being operated by Iran (which to my knowledge never were), the book is pretty good and the research was pretty good, and frankly it felt like a book in a series. I say that because the backstory was presented in a way that made me think it was actually the second book rather than just a standalone. And like Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy, the book halfway through is just the characters (which are believable by the way) getting the operation in gear. The execution and storytelling was realistic, at a time when the book was probably authored Richard was still very much hesitant and the breaking of the barriers of women in combat operations. It doesn't detract from the book nor sets a political tone thankfully, but the reality of that situation during the time he wrote the book colored the view on that subject.

[Mags Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book by Author Herman last fall. I found it with so many twists and turns and I was racing through it to the point I could recall a great deal of it, but missed considerable. Only one thing to do, pull it out of my kindle library and go through it again — slowly! Quantity is a function of speed and time. So four nights in a row the iPad was open until 1:30a or 2:00a. It was 100% worth it. I was even more amazed at Author Herman’s research and accuracy in so many different fields — not just an Air Force cockpit. He obviously had access to some of the extra-ordinary equipment. National assets, high level organizations, middle East governments and military assets. His detail was spot-on. As has been A Far Justice and Trash Haulers, two other excellent reads. It’s very enjoyable to read fiction that still provides accuracy from the real world. GUDONYA! VR, Mags

[Karen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rescue POW Mission for Air Force

I really enjoyed reading "Force of Eagles" by German. The story captivated me from beginning to end. I could not put the ebook down for the last 15 chapters to find how it ended at 3:00 in the morning. It had a good balance of military regimen and personal conned to keep it interesting.

[Joel B Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional!

Mr. Herman does it again. Action, dialogue, emotion, and courage, all in the proper mix for a superb story. Character development was carried over from book one, with all same personalities that make for an interesting cast. This is one GREAT series. Mr. Herbert is on my short list of best of the best authors.

[Bruce A Fuerbringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Entertainment

I like fast paced books that are technical enough without bogging you down with excruciating details. This is one such book. Very entertaining and leaves you wanting more - to see how the characters play out.

[Neal Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced thriller

Force of Eagles is a lightning quick tale of combined arms warfare. The technical errors are few and minor. The heroes get bloodied but win with skill, technology and luck. You can anticipate the end and still enjoy the flight.

[Kyla Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant

Magnificent from beginning to end! Enthralling, animated, emotional... just perfect. Superb in the detail & description. One of the best military flying stories I have read to date. Exceptional!

[Dusty Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rescue

Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Shows how bureaucratic people can get in the way. Great book with technical and information about planes, weapons and people. Great read. Big D

[Robert Lewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read. If you like air combat and political intrigue this is for you.

[James R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

The plot was great, good inside details. Book needed better editing for typo, punctuation and grammar errors. Looking for more good reads like this one.

[Jimbro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another gripping story

I have read this book in two sessions and found myself totally absorbed in the characters, and Machiavellian schemes of them the greasy pole climbers.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read holds your attention to the end

Loved it held my interest from start to finish
Suspenseful spellbinding intense easy to read from start to finish great

[Paschalis]

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[Michael Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well constructed and written book. The story line is great and keeps you interested and you need to turn the page to find out what is going to happen next. I thoughly enjoyed the read

[KB' Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally awesome read!

Entertaining and captivating in every way. The reader is intimately drawn into every phase of a complex military operation from conception to resolution.

[Jacki Prettyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

This is one of those books that makes you stay up reading for too long at night because you want to know what happens next.

[William F Kimpflein · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review

Started in the middle, and now I'm starting the series over. Love the author, and the plot planning, and character development.

[Demyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action , Action, Action

Fast paced action from the word 'go'!
I thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck in this second novel of the series. Could not out it down.

[richard engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, good characters, good writing.

[Peter WOOD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast paced, action packed USAF thriller.

[Deanna Lass · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know most people will not agree with my 2-star rating; however, I felt I was being taught how to fly a jet. Please remove most of the jargon.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books, the action intertwined with the constant, active plot create a very dynamic and exciting book. Each transition is easy to follow and the time of the events is laid out in a believable and efficient manner. I loved how connected I became with each character, the details into their lives acting to make you care about them but not become oversaturated with information. I loved the story behind each soldier, the integrity and selflessness displayed by Jack Locke made me so proud even though he was just a character in a book. It is the intricacy put into the telling of these stories which create an amazing book with people who seem real and a plot that will blow your mind.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough book to rate It is riddled with typo's, misspelled words, and misused words. It also is a great story, a plausible situation, interesting characters, and a lot of action. It involves planning a combat mission that may or may not happen and some of the political and bureaucratic problems that have to be surmounted. It is a book that will keep your attention in spite of the editorial problems. For that it would easily gets five stars. The lack of proofreading and editing drops the rating by two stars, resulting in an overall three star rating.

[elizabethedwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love of comrades.

I loved this book. Guess because I so admire those who risk so much to protect our country. However, the infighting that goes on between departments and the egos to promote ones self is especially distasteful Why can't this be stopped for the sake of our country? The author brought this out in this book. He also showed the dedication of Manny of our military people. My reason for only 4 stars is I feel there was just to much military jargon used for those of us civilians.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The American Air Force had gone to defend Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had had been defeated by the Iranians. While most of the Americans had escaped the downfall of their base, almost two hundred were forced to surrender except for two who avoided capture. Two sergeants and a colonel later escape. Later the US president orders a rescue mission using Air Force and Army Ranger personnel. The story is a tale of spying, betrayal, and inter-service rivalry.

[Barbara Mutch]

This was a bit of a departure for me: a gung ho boys-with-toys thriller about a hostage rescue in the Middle East. The author is clearly ex-forces because the descriptions of the flying, the missiles, the tactics etc were all detailed and carefully put together. There was some story, too, but it took a back seat to the latest technology. Definitely for you if you like your action loud and at the cutting edge of what's possible!

[Jim A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard military thriller fare from Richard Herman. Character stories, aerial combat and then typical Herman suspense as to which important character he's going to kill off during the story.

For those who enjoy this genre, a good read. However, to fully understand the characters, Warbirds must be read first.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Force of Eagles (by Richard Herman)

Herman brings you the whole story, who, what, where, when, and why with a big kicker, how! Hang on and enjoy the action and the complete story of men and women who have given everything to make the plan a success. Thanks for another great read.

[Robert J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

I almost didn't read this book as I had others in my library I thought were better. But, once I started the book I couldn't put it down. Well written and a good story. No super heroes, just good people.

[Trainreq · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read at the time. Not sure it holds up. Clancyish in the best and worst ways.