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Jim Dillon #1
Balance of Power
One nation indivisible...until now.Off the coast of Indonesia, an American cargo ship has been seized by terrorists, its captain kidnapped and its crew mercilessly slaughtered. In Washington, a peace-loving President's refusal to punish the transgressors has enraged the sitting Congress, led by a determined Speaker of the House.
An ambitious young congressional assistant, Jim Dillon has discovered a time bomb hidden away in America's Constitution- a provision that could be used to wrest power from the Chief Executive; a long-forgotten clause that could incite a devastating constitutional crisis...and plunge the country into chaos.
Now, as a battle group steams toward a fateful confrontation in the Java Sea-commissioned by Congress and opposed by the President- Dillon finds himself in the center of a firestorm that rages from the highest court in the land to the killing fields half a world away. And, suddenly, there is much more at stake than the life of a single surviving hostage and a superpower's military credibility -- as a great nation prepares for war...against itself.
An ambitious young congressional assistant, Jim Dillon has discovered a time bomb hidden away in America's Constitution- a provision that could be used to wrest power from the Chief Executive; a long-forgotten clause that could incite a devastating constitutional crisis...and plunge the country into chaos.
Now, as a battle group steams toward a fateful confrontation in the Java Sea-commissioned by Congress and opposed by the President- Dillon finds himself in the center of a firestorm that rages from the highest court in the land to the killing fields half a world away. And, suddenly, there is much more at stake than the life of a single surviving hostage and a superpower's military credibility -- as a great nation prepares for war...against itself.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 20, 1998
125 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
James W. Huston
11 books107 followersIn addition to being the author of Falcon Seven, Marine One, Secret Justice, Shadows of Power, Fallout, Flash Point, The Price of Power and Balance of Power, I am a partner in the international law firm of Morrison & Foerster, and head of the Trial Practice Group, and a former Navy Flight Officer in F-14s.
I grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana, and attended the University of South Carolina on a Navy ROTC scholarship, majoring in history, with a minor in English. During my senior summer, I did an exchange cruise with the French Navy on a destroyer, the EE Kersaint out of Brest (which was a wonderful experience and reinforced my decision to go into the Navy), and then attended the University of Warwick in England, to study English Reformation history and English literature.
After college, I received my Navy wings as a Naval Flight Officer and after F-14 training in San Diego, was assigned to VF-84, the Jolly Rogers, on the USS Nimitz. While in VF-84, I participated in making the movie, The Final Countdown, starring Kirk Douglas, Katherine Ross, and Martin Sheen. The filming for the movie was done in several places, but most of the flying was done out of Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. The entire movie crew was in Key West, and we would review the dailies (yesterday's filming) every night. I was asked to help direct a couple of scenes—the blowing up of the yacht by the Zeros, and the F-14 low-level flyby over Katherine Ross—as well as filming several other scenes with a Panavision camera in the back seat of the F-14. The DVD version of The Final Countdown was recently released. The producers pulled together the Jolly Rogers guys who did the flying, to create and "behind-the-scenes" bonus cut.
I did two Mediterranean cruises while in the Jolly Rogers, and other shorter cruises to the Caribbean and the North Atlantic. I was selected to attend TOPGUN and graduated before my second cruise.
After six years in the Navy, I left active duty in 1981 to attend the University of Virginia School of Law. After graduation, I joined the San Diego-based law firm, Gray Cary Ames & Frye, and began flying in the Navy Reserves. After a few years in the Reserves, I transferred from flying to Naval Intelligence. Naval intelligence was quite interesting and allowed me access to top secret information about world affairs and military developments. I was on active duty at JICPAC, the Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Fleet, in Pearl Harbor, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to Desert Storm. I got to see a lot about what happened behind the scenes in an event like that, and how much of importance never makes it to the press.
My writing career started in the form of op-eds for the Escondido Times Advocate and the San Diego Union-Tribune, covering current affairs topics. After numerous editorials, I decided to try fiction. Neither my first novel nor my second were accepted for publication. I went through several hundred rejection letters, and labored almost every night for five years before I had any hope of getting published. I've gone back and looked at those books since, and I could make them publishable now, but they weren't very good back then.
My third novel was different. It combined many areas of my personal experience into one story—military action, political intrigue, and Constitutional Law. I found a clause in the U.S. Constitution that hadn't been used since 1812, and asked the simple question: "What if it was used today? What would happen?"
The first published novel, Balance of Power (William Morrow, 1998), was optioned by Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney. The novel was adapted into a screenplay by Mark Baumbach, but was never made into a film.
Five more novels followed in the next five years—The Price of Power (William Morrow, 1999), Flash Point (William Morrow, 2000), Fallout (William Morrow, 2001), The Shadows of Power (William Morrow, 2002), and Secret Justice (William Morrow, 2003).
I grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana, and attended the University of South Carolina on a Navy ROTC scholarship, majoring in history, with a minor in English. During my senior summer, I did an exchange cruise with the French Navy on a destroyer, the EE Kersaint out of Brest (which was a wonderful experience and reinforced my decision to go into the Navy), and then attended the University of Warwick in England, to study English Reformation history and English literature.
After college, I received my Navy wings as a Naval Flight Officer and after F-14 training in San Diego, was assigned to VF-84, the Jolly Rogers, on the USS Nimitz. While in VF-84, I participated in making the movie, The Final Countdown, starring Kirk Douglas, Katherine Ross, and Martin Sheen. The filming for the movie was done in several places, but most of the flying was done out of Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. The entire movie crew was in Key West, and we would review the dailies (yesterday's filming) every night. I was asked to help direct a couple of scenes—the blowing up of the yacht by the Zeros, and the F-14 low-level flyby over Katherine Ross—as well as filming several other scenes with a Panavision camera in the back seat of the F-14. The DVD version of The Final Countdown was recently released. The producers pulled together the Jolly Rogers guys who did the flying, to create and "behind-the-scenes" bonus cut.
I did two Mediterranean cruises while in the Jolly Rogers, and other shorter cruises to the Caribbean and the North Atlantic. I was selected to attend TOPGUN and graduated before my second cruise.
After six years in the Navy, I left active duty in 1981 to attend the University of Virginia School of Law. After graduation, I joined the San Diego-based law firm, Gray Cary Ames & Frye, and began flying in the Navy Reserves. After a few years in the Reserves, I transferred from flying to Naval Intelligence. Naval intelligence was quite interesting and allowed me access to top secret information about world affairs and military developments. I was on active duty at JICPAC, the Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Fleet, in Pearl Harbor, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to Desert Storm. I got to see a lot about what happened behind the scenes in an event like that, and how much of importance never makes it to the press.
My writing career started in the form of op-eds for the Escondido Times Advocate and the San Diego Union-Tribune, covering current affairs topics. After numerous editorials, I decided to try fiction. Neither my first novel nor my second were accepted for publication. I went through several hundred rejection letters, and labored almost every night for five years before I had any hope of getting published. I've gone back and looked at those books since, and I could make them publishable now, but they weren't very good back then.
My third novel was different. It combined many areas of my personal experience into one story—military action, political intrigue, and Constitutional Law. I found a clause in the U.S. Constitution that hadn't been used since 1812, and asked the simple question: "What if it was used today? What would happen?"
The first published novel, Balance of Power (William Morrow, 1998), was optioned by Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney. The novel was adapted into a screenplay by Mark Baumbach, but was never made into a film.
Five more novels followed in the next five years—The Price of Power (William Morrow, 1999), Flash Point (William Morrow, 2000), Fallout (William Morrow, 2001), The Shadows of Power (William Morrow, 2002), and Secret Justice (William Morrow, 2003).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
November 26, 2017
Political legal maneuvering.
Any book that makes me Google and learn something that never paid any attention before gets at least four star. In this fictional story made me read parts of the constitution and learn more about Indonesia, Malacca straits.
Three law school friends, all working in Washington, opposing parties and clerk in supreme court. Their relationships and ideas clearly detailed and was very interesting to read.
But extremely detailed military firearms, ships, fighter jets and combat was too much.
Any book that makes me Google and learn something that never paid any attention before gets at least four star. In this fictional story made me read parts of the constitution and learn more about Indonesia, Malacca straits.
Three law school friends, all working in Washington, opposing parties and clerk in supreme court. Their relationships and ideas clearly detailed and was very interesting to read.
But extremely detailed military firearms, ships, fighter jets and combat was too much.
September 8, 2022
This book is a quintessential example of the late 90's, and all the politics that occurred. Clinton's impeachment for perjury, because Congress had a vendetta, and Special Prosecutor Ken Starr FINALLY found something. The decision to not retaliate against Somalia for black hawk down. Clinton's slightly aggressive stance towards Israel, and his hand of friendship towards the PLO. It was all there, just written with a spin.
It felt like a Tom Clancy meets John Grisham, but unlike Clancy you could read multiple pages without swearing. There were no f - bombs, and ass and shit were used l'd say moderately. And while some men were described as basically ogling certain female colleagues, there was no sex. It lacked some of the action found in Clancy, and some of the legal finesse of Grisham.
The technology is obsolete, absolutely. And there's a large amount of military acronyms. They're listed out first (e.g. surface to air missile [SAM]), but a glossary would have been helpful.
I'm going to read the second book, and see how it ends.
Overall it was a political thriller that I found interesting, especially as it was a product of its times.
It felt like a Tom Clancy meets John Grisham, but unlike Clancy you could read multiple pages without swearing. There were no f - bombs, and ass and shit were used l'd say moderately. And while some men were described as basically ogling certain female colleagues, there was no sex. It lacked some of the action found in Clancy, and some of the legal finesse of Grisham.
The technology is obsolete, absolutely. And there's a large amount of military acronyms. They're listed out first (e.g. surface to air missile [SAM]), but a glossary would have been helpful.
I'm going to read the second book, and see how it ends.
Overall it was a political thriller that I found interesting, especially as it was a product of its times.
September 3, 2025
So much I could talk about: the subtle and pervasive misogyny toward the 2 main female characters, the absolute black and white line drawn between the evil (or at very best, naive) politicians fighting for personal gain in DC vs the brave stalwart military people fighting for all the Right Things, the incredible overuse of military terms and incomprehensible acronyms, the politician who “crosses” to the other side—-on and on and ON.
So I’ll just say that this book is the wet dream of a fly boy ex-military (albeit a highly educated one). For serious military geeks and rabid hawk conservatives only.
This book was written in the late 90s, but I see to my horror it was #1 in a series. May god have mercy on our souls.
So I’ll just say that this book is the wet dream of a fly boy ex-military (albeit a highly educated one). For serious military geeks and rabid hawk conservatives only.
This book was written in the late 90s, but I see to my horror it was #1 in a series. May god have mercy on our souls.
December 29, 2013
At the end of this novel, author Huston thanks his editor....hmmmm. I believe his editor could have used a much sharper pencil with a giant eraser to condense this story and make it better. There is too much redundancy around battle conflicts and not enough between the legislative and executive branches. 4 of 10 stars
June 6, 2009
too much military jargon
September 28, 2019
I was honestly expecting something different from what I found in the preceding 372 pages. I needed to read this one before I got to the second one, which I had gotten out last week, anyway. But I might not come back to #2 after all since #1, this one, didn't go as well as I hoped.
Anyway, I was incredibly fond of The Hunt for Red October, both the book and the movie, which my father and I would watch together when I was such a little girl, before I knew all that much Russian...
This book regards more of a different part of the world, as the frontispiece would remind you. It's still all well and good to have all your submarine knowledge, but it is regarding terrorists hijacking a vessel in international waters, not really what it's like thousands of feet down underwater like I've always imagined such as when playing games like Operation Neptune, which I liked.
So I thought the book itself was OK-ish. It talks about Indonesia a bunch. I don't know very much about it even though I took IR so long ago. Most of my east Asian friends are not Javanese...
Anyway, I was incredibly fond of The Hunt for Red October, both the book and the movie, which my father and I would watch together when I was such a little girl, before I knew all that much Russian...
This book regards more of a different part of the world, as the frontispiece would remind you. It's still all well and good to have all your submarine knowledge, but it is regarding terrorists hijacking a vessel in international waters, not really what it's like thousands of feet down underwater like I've always imagined such as when playing games like Operation Neptune, which I liked.
So I thought the book itself was OK-ish. It talks about Indonesia a bunch. I don't know very much about it even though I took IR so long ago. Most of my east Asian friends are not Javanese...
November 22, 2017
I couldn't keep up with the military scenes. The author didn't have to mention every guy on the platoon/crew and go gung-ho on the technical terms. The dialogue between the politicians and staffers seem so naïve. Why do they keep wondering about the audacity of the terrorists to pull off such a stunt? The question became super-redundant. Why is the CIA director chummy with the passive president? The president's chief of staff seems unsure and weak in political will. If I'm not mistaken, Dillon and his friends are just fresh out of law school; why are they, all of a sudden, the go-to people for the big players of Washington? It's like the senior politicians don't even have a clue. Ughh!! Haven't even read half of the book. I had to put it down because, instead of getting excited, I was full of questions and complaints.
October 29, 2018
Outstanding job by the author in grabbing my interest quickly!
Being a former military officer I enjoyed this book immensely. Graduating from university with a degree in history and a minor in political science this book appealed to me immediately and kept me up into the late hours on several nights. After serving in Vietnam and on the general staff of a corps commander it showed me how much of an impact someone of a lesser age and rank can influence what is happening in the world. Read this book and I doubt you will be disappointed.
Being a former military officer I enjoyed this book immensely. Graduating from university with a degree in history and a minor in political science this book appealed to me immediately and kept me up into the late hours on several nights. After serving in Vietnam and on the general staff of a corps commander it showed me how much of an impact someone of a lesser age and rank can influence what is happening in the world. Read this book and I doubt you will be disappointed.
Read
February 16, 2023Better after ten years.
This book makes both Constitutional sense and military sense. War, on any scale, is Hell.
That, however, in no way lessens the need for strong military action when necessary. The
casualties of doing nothing while graciously allowing your enemy to build strength and
dig-in are always 10x, 50x, or 100x those of prompt, decisive action. Enemies, from school
playgrounds to nations to continents must AND DO consider the cost to THEM before starting
or continuing a conflict.
This book makes both Constitutional sense and military sense. War, on any scale, is Hell.
That, however, in no way lessens the need for strong military action when necessary. The
casualties of doing nothing while graciously allowing your enemy to build strength and
dig-in are always 10x, 50x, or 100x those of prompt, decisive action. Enemies, from school
playgrounds to nations to continents must AND DO consider the cost to THEM before starting
or continuing a conflict.
February 3, 2023
This is the first in the James Huston military/ political thriller series. While it doesn't quite rise to the level of early Tom Clancy or Brad Thor, it is good enough to recommend, and (even more telling) to continue the series. It is a little dated (as of 2023, it is almost 25 years old, and was written pre-9/11) but still holds up well enough. I enjoyed it. If you enjoy Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy, or Ben Coes, this is worth adding to your shelf.
April 9, 2020
Very good read
This author is new to me. I'm impressed with how well he described the military actions without being so detailed that a novice in military terms and tactics, like me , can remain engaged in the story. I have read some military thrillers that in spite of a good story, I get lost in the details. I will read more of his books.
This author is new to me. I'm impressed with how well he described the military actions without being so detailed that a novice in military terms and tactics, like me , can remain engaged in the story. I have read some military thrillers that in spite of a good story, I get lost in the details. I will read more of his books.
January 2, 2018
Great look at the Constitution and military power. Does balance always mean equal?
A few slow spots in the "military-speak" but good enough that I binge read three of James Huston's books in ONE day!
A few slow spots in the "military-speak" but good enough that I binge read three of James Huston's books in ONE day!
January 18, 2018
Good story but very wordy.....
Really reminds me of Tom Clancy works. Why use one sentence when 12 does the same. Had some problems following all the law references but I made it thru. Thanks, Amarillo Turtle
Really reminds me of Tom Clancy works. Why use one sentence when 12 does the same. Had some problems following all the law references but I made it thru. Thanks, Amarillo Turtle
December 2, 2018
Non-stop suspense. Very thought provoking. The responsibilty and power of elected
politicians is overwhelming. The struggle for power is frightening. I enjoyed the process of how to work in the system.
politicians is overwhelming. The struggle for power is frightening. I enjoyed the process of how to work in the system.
May 17, 2017
1st book I've read from writer, He told an interesting story and was hard to put down.
Most everything that happened I believe could have happened.
Will read more if the books in this series
Most everything that happened I believe could have happened.
Will read more if the books in this series
November 9, 2017
Excellent
Could not put the book down, and also saw D.C. with a different view. Would liked to have the final outcome of blame for following "lawful order".
Could not put the book down, and also saw D.C. with a different view. Would liked to have the final outcome of blame for following "lawful order".
December 1, 2017
A very good read
Other than the main character get actually going on a mission with marines, the story is believable and very well documented. I really enjoyed reading it.
Other than the main character get actually going on a mission with marines, the story is believable and very well documented. I really enjoyed reading it.
December 6, 2017
A novel?
Made me think, would a modern politician have the guts to do his/her job.
Good story line and modern day thinking
Made me think, would a modern politician have the guts to do his/her job.
Good story line and modern day thinking
December 22, 2017
Great 👍read
I could hardly out this book down. Interesting subject matter. It kept my nose in it from the beginning to the end.
I could hardly out this book down. Interesting subject matter. It kept my nose in it from the beginning to the end.
December 22, 2017
Interesting concept
Interesting concept and it kept my attention. It made me rethink about the separation of government. It kept was a descent book
Interesting concept and it kept my attention. It made me rethink about the separation of government. It kept was a descent book
August 21, 2018
OMG! Where do these guys get their materials from? Absolutely delicious novel... great storyteller!!
August 30, 2018
Old fashioned political novel. Men being ruthless and making their ideals come to life. Conflict on beliefs. Fast paced, middle of the road.
November 17, 2018
Wow an Intersting concept
Where does the authority of war lie? What exactly does the Constitution say? It follows what if very well. I liked it
Where does the authority of war lie? What exactly does the Constitution say? It follows what if very well. I liked it
June 7, 2019
Excellent
This was exciting from the start, unfortunately it is too much like our current government. A great story. I plan to read more of Mr Hustons' books.
This was exciting from the start, unfortunately it is too much like our current government. A great story. I plan to read more of Mr Hustons' books.
September 16, 2019
Legal?
Good characters ,good and a different plot.Lots of action . A look at our country and it's politics. Presidential or congressional
Good characters ,good and a different plot.Lots of action . A look at our country and it's politics. Presidential or congressional
March 27, 2020
Interesting story basis.
April 16, 2023
Great political thrill, softer than Clancy, but still fun.
December 6, 2023
Huston is always readable and interesting. This is no exception. Narrator is clear and enjoyable.
Forgot to rate - date read in early 2023
Forgot to rate - date read in early 2023
July 19, 2025
Very intriguing and relevant in today’s world.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews