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Soar
Black ops master storyteller John Weisman creates a scenario so real that if he weren’t claiming to write fiction, Soar would be classified top secret.
On the eve of a groundbreaking U.S.-China summit, a covert CIA operation to bug a secret nuclear test site in western China goes terribly wrong when the American black ops team is captured by a vicious fringe group of Islamic terrorists. With the clock ticking, the president scrambles Major Michael Ritzik, the young CO of Sword Squadron, a top secret element of the Army’s elite Delta Force, to rescue the hostages without leaving any fingerprints.
Its mission: impossible—exactly what Delta trains to do. But then things go from bad to worse. U.S. intelligence learns the terrorists have not only ambushed a Chinese army convoy, they have also hijacked a highly unstable nuclear weapon and armed it. Beijing dispatches its own special forces in hot pursuit. Now Ritzik must use speed, surprise, and violence of action to beat the Chinese to the target, grab the spooks, and disarm the nuke.
Failure is not an option.
On the eve of a groundbreaking U.S.-China summit, a covert CIA operation to bug a secret nuclear test site in western China goes terribly wrong when the American black ops team is captured by a vicious fringe group of Islamic terrorists. With the clock ticking, the president scrambles Major Michael Ritzik, the young CO of Sword Squadron, a top secret element of the Army’s elite Delta Force, to rescue the hostages without leaving any fingerprints.
Its mission: impossible—exactly what Delta trains to do. But then things go from bad to worse. U.S. intelligence learns the terrorists have not only ambushed a Chinese army convoy, they have also hijacked a highly unstable nuclear weapon and armed it. Beijing dispatches its own special forces in hot pursuit. Now Ritzik must use speed, surprise, and violence of action to beat the Chinese to the target, grab the spooks, and disarm the nuke.
Failure is not an option.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
63 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
John Weisman
48 books20 followersSeven-time New York Times bestselling author John Weisman is one of a select company of authors to have their books on both the Times nonfiction and fiction bestseller lists. He pioneered coverage of Naval Special Warfare when he co-authored the number one New York Times bestseller Rogue Warrior, the story of Richard Marcinko and the creation of SEAL Team 6, and then conceived, created, developed, and wrote eight bestselling Rogue fictional sequels. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Seymour Hersh praised his 2004 novel Jack in the Box as "the insider's insider spy novel." Weisman's CIA short stories were chosen for inclusion in Best American Mystery Stories in 1997 and 2003. His most recent CIA short fiction appears in Agents of Treachery. He reviews books on intelligence and military affairs for the Washington Times, and his analysis has appeared in AFIO's periodical Intelligencer. John Weisman lives on Florida's Gulf Coast
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 18, 2020
John Weisman writes a crack thriller in SOAR. I'm not entirely sure why it was called SOAR since the involvement of the 160th is very minimal, but it is nonetheless a thrilling story.
A covert CIA mission to plant radiological detection devices ahead of a US-Chinese summit goes awry when the team is kidnapped by terrorists. Determined to recover the team, US President Pete Forrest authorizes a rescue mission, led by Major Ritzik of Delta Force. The mission rapidly expands in scope and importance as the gravity of the capture hits home.
Weisman is a master researcher. He puts the reader firmly in the seat next to the operators, showing each step of the mission. For those looking for a "slam-bam-thank you, ma'am" action thriller, this read won't be for you. For those looking for a more authentic experience, Weisman doesn't disappoint. Additionally convenient is the footnote system in the Kindle edition, which allows the acronyms to be used seamlessly without stopping the flow to break them down for the layman reader.
Highly recommended thriller fiction.
A covert CIA mission to plant radiological detection devices ahead of a US-Chinese summit goes awry when the team is kidnapped by terrorists. Determined to recover the team, US President Pete Forrest authorizes a rescue mission, led by Major Ritzik of Delta Force. The mission rapidly expands in scope and importance as the gravity of the capture hits home.
Weisman is a master researcher. He puts the reader firmly in the seat next to the operators, showing each step of the mission. For those looking for a "slam-bam-thank you, ma'am" action thriller, this read won't be for you. For those looking for a more authentic experience, Weisman doesn't disappoint. Additionally convenient is the footnote system in the Kindle edition, which allows the acronyms to be used seamlessly without stopping the flow to break them down for the layman reader.
Highly recommended thriller fiction.
March 14, 2019
"Give us the situation in a nutshell," Rockman said.
"We're basically talking about your terrorists driving around Western China with the equivalent of a thirty-million-pound mason jar of nitro-glycerine in the back of their truck," Wei-Liu said, matter-of-factly.
The president said, "Well, Miss Wei-Liu, thank you for putting all this in such unambiguous terms."
Sam Phillips is a seasoned CIA operator and case manager. He's used to navigating dangerous situations and reacting on the fly. He's currently in over his head though. He, along with 3 other operatives, were inserted into China on a super covert black-ops mission. Their objective? Pose as journalists traveling the silk road while planting high sensitive sensors that can pick up low level nuclear tests. In a nut shell, the US president doesn't trust the Chinese to keep to the nuclear arms treaty they are about to sign, and wants to have sensors in place to keep them honest.
Unfortunately, a terrorist cell from the neighboring "stans" is currently roaming Western China, and set up a road block. Sam's instinct told him to completely avoid that stretch of road, but their Chinese guide/driver had different ideas and led them right into the trap. Fortunately, one operative had the presence of mind to hit the panic button before being hog-tied. Unfortunately, they regain consciousness in the back of a truck bed, only to see they are sharing the space with an ancient, refrigerator-sized 1960's era atomic bomb.
Enter Delta Force and Sword Squadron. They are tasked by the US president to rescue the CIA operatives, disable the atomic bomb, and continue to keep the entire thing secret from the Chinese. Easy right? Nothing could possibly go wrong with their plan to parachute in from 25,000 feet, or exfiltrate across the Tajikistan border. Read to find out!
My two cents: If a pure, unadulterated action tale is your thing, then by all means pick up Weisman's offering. However, for me at least, it fails to rise above average territory. Weisman writes with authority about guns, munitions, and tactical ploys...but he completely failed to develop his characters. He also, in my opinion, seemed to have a bit of agenda. I felt, in a way, that I was reading the write up for a movie. And while realistic fiction, the tale felt more Mission Impossible than real life. But who knows? Maybe missions just like this one are happening monthly and us poor civilians are completely clueless! Given 2 stars or a rating of average. Recommended as a library check out if you are looking for an action fix.
"Ritzik knew that good intelligence, like a dependable weapon, was on e of the better tools he had at his disposal. But it was just that: another tool. It wasn't a crutch, or a panacea.
The essence of unconventional warfare would always boil down to one fundamental element: Warriordom , the deeply ingrained will and fierce determination of Soldiers to use the holy trinity of speed, surprise, and violence of action to prevail against great odds. Full Stop. End of story."
"We're basically talking about your terrorists driving around Western China with the equivalent of a thirty-million-pound mason jar of nitro-glycerine in the back of their truck," Wei-Liu said, matter-of-factly.
The president said, "Well, Miss Wei-Liu, thank you for putting all this in such unambiguous terms."
Sam Phillips is a seasoned CIA operator and case manager. He's used to navigating dangerous situations and reacting on the fly. He's currently in over his head though. He, along with 3 other operatives, were inserted into China on a super covert black-ops mission. Their objective? Pose as journalists traveling the silk road while planting high sensitive sensors that can pick up low level nuclear tests. In a nut shell, the US president doesn't trust the Chinese to keep to the nuclear arms treaty they are about to sign, and wants to have sensors in place to keep them honest.
Unfortunately, a terrorist cell from the neighboring "stans" is currently roaming Western China, and set up a road block. Sam's instinct told him to completely avoid that stretch of road, but their Chinese guide/driver had different ideas and led them right into the trap. Fortunately, one operative had the presence of mind to hit the panic button before being hog-tied. Unfortunately, they regain consciousness in the back of a truck bed, only to see they are sharing the space with an ancient, refrigerator-sized 1960's era atomic bomb.
Enter Delta Force and Sword Squadron. They are tasked by the US president to rescue the CIA operatives, disable the atomic bomb, and continue to keep the entire thing secret from the Chinese. Easy right? Nothing could possibly go wrong with their plan to parachute in from 25,000 feet, or exfiltrate across the Tajikistan border. Read to find out!
My two cents: If a pure, unadulterated action tale is your thing, then by all means pick up Weisman's offering. However, for me at least, it fails to rise above average territory. Weisman writes with authority about guns, munitions, and tactical ploys...but he completely failed to develop his characters. He also, in my opinion, seemed to have a bit of agenda. I felt, in a way, that I was reading the write up for a movie. And while realistic fiction, the tale felt more Mission Impossible than real life. But who knows? Maybe missions just like this one are happening monthly and us poor civilians are completely clueless! Given 2 stars or a rating of average. Recommended as a library check out if you are looking for an action fix.
"Ritzik knew that good intelligence, like a dependable weapon, was on e of the better tools he had at his disposal. But it was just that: another tool. It wasn't a crutch, or a panacea.
The essence of unconventional warfare would always boil down to one fundamental element: Warriordom , the deeply ingrained will and fierce determination of Soldiers to use the holy trinity of speed, surprise, and violence of action to prevail against great odds. Full Stop. End of story."
December 29, 2014
Dull,plodding.
Worth the kindle price ,when first published.twelve more words required. Only seven more to go,good evening. Two more!0 0"
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Worth the kindle price ,when first published.twelve more words required. Only seven more to go,good evening. Two more!0 0"
.
.
March 24, 2025
Weisman writes w/ such technical depth and experience it was great. Plot was good and characters well developed given the plot.
I remember reading Rogue Warrior years ago w/ Marchinko and enjoyed it, but this is so much more in depth there's no comparison.
I remember reading Rogue Warrior years ago w/ Marchinko and enjoyed it, but this is so much more in depth there's no comparison.
April 27, 2018
Did'nt read half the book....paged over the tedious explanations,padding and bumpf to get on with the real story ! It was as if the author wanted to get things off his chest and have HIS particular rants ! But did enjoy the rest of the book ...except the highly detailed, not worth it explanations.
May 5, 2020
A good Black Ops-type book. The writing is a bit choppy and fragmented in places though.
March 11, 2021
US - China summit, M Ritzik/Delta rescues/disarms nuke situation
March 15, 2012
This is nothing more or less than an action movie in book form, but it is crisply written, without literary pretension. The scenario discussed in this story seems plausible. Importantly, Weisman knows how to keep weapons technology (principally helicopters, sniper rifles, and a medium-sized atomic bomb) from overwhelming details about the people who use it.
The book is a fun read when you're in the mood for the genre of which it is part, and a forgettable ode to derring-do if you're not in such a mood.
The book is a fun read when you're in the mood for the genre of which it is part, and a forgettable ode to derring-do if you're not in such a mood.
March 29, 2015
Soar
Good story with what unfortunately is a realistic look at the world the military-political community has deteriorated to. I have seen the armchair lead from behind mentality in action and the petty in-play of the knowledge czars. A leader like Ritzek has to be there to keep us going. This one is a good lead into a series of stories.
Good story with what unfortunately is a realistic look at the world the military-political community has deteriorated to. I have seen the armchair lead from behind mentality in action and the petty in-play of the knowledge czars. A leader like Ritzek has to be there to keep us going. This one is a good lead into a series of stories.
July 3, 2010
A CIA mission in China has gone terribly wrong and it is up to a Special Ops team to retrieve the captured agents before the Chinese find out their identity or their mission. I was thoroughly entertained through this book even though it wasn't as fast paced as I had thought it would be.
May 13, 2009
Weisman spins a good tale. One wonders where fact ends and fiction begins.
September 13, 2009
Very fun little read
Read
February 14, 2011Fast paced abd enjoyable read.
August 30, 2012
Completely devoid of character progression or much in the way of substance, this is just action all the way through... Good if you like that sort of thing!
April 13, 2014
A very good novel. I will read more by this author.
April 11, 2016
Disappointing...
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews