The Price of Honour

by David H. Hackworth

A pulsating thriller of modern military action and high-level Washington intrigue with its roots in the Vietnam War by one of the USA’s most decorated soldiers. Author of the bestselling military memoir About Face, Colonel David H. Hackworth spent a quarter of a century serving his country before becoming one of its most respected war correspondents. Now, he has drawn on his unrivalled experience to create a compelling novel, an intense story of honour and betrayal – where the danger comes as much from corrupt politicians and industrialists as from enemy fire… With a golden name and a platinum future, US Army Special Forces Captain Sandy Caine was born to be a soldier, the latest in an eight-generation line of Caine men to serve. But one bad apple did fall from the Caine family tree. When he cracked under fire in Vietnam, Sandy’s father dishonoured the long grey line and sentenced his only child to a lifetime of brooding. Now, pulling tours of duty in one global hot spot after another, it occurs to Sandy that he knows a dozen ways to kill a man for every way he knows of being one. Little does he realise that the truth of what happened to his father in Vietnam has transformed into a thirty-year legacy of deception perpetrated by Washington’s most powerful players. And the only person with the skills to help Sandy untangle the Caine family secrets is Abigail Mancini, an ambitious civilian reporter with the Washington Chronicle. In times of war, the first casualty is the truth. It’s not long before Sandy and Abbie learn that digging it up decades later can get you killed.

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, War, Suspense, Thriller

Paperback

First published October 12, 1999

About the author

Colonel David Haskell Hackworth, also known as "Hack", was a highly decorated soldier, having received 24 decorations for heroism in combat from the Distinguished Service Cross to the Army Commendation Medal. He was a prominent military journalist. During his time as a journalist, Hackworth investigated many subjects, including an assertion into the accused improper wearing of ribbons and devices by Admiral Mike Boorda, an investigation which is speculated to have driven Boorda to committing suicide.

Hackworth is also known for his role in the creation and command of Tiger Force, a military unit formed during the Vietnam War to apply guerrilla warfare tactics to the fight against Vietnamese guerrillas.

Reviews

[Morgan Radley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like thrillers, but at just 10%, I gave up. All of the characters speak the exact same way. And the narrative feels so choppy and rough. It's hard to determine who is speaking, what is going on, why they are doing the things they are doing... I was focusing intensely just to try to understand the basic premise of the story.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 1 out of 5]

I generally really like, enjoy, and respect Hackworth, if I find him a little crass for my tastes. This, however, was just unreadable. I gave him 100 pages, and the entire time I was just waiting for the book to start and move past the corny, choppy, clunky introduction. And then I realized that is the entire book. Sorry, Hack, even though I have a signed copy, I can't compel myself to read this.

[Allen Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s horrible and it’s great all at the same time. The storyline is great. Hackworth could have skipped the lead love scenes. There awkward and read like a bad romance novel. Outside of that I could not put it down.

[Christopher Piehota · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more given the author but...

This book was a bit below average and I really wanted to like it more given the author. That said, the story was weak and the characters were over the top at times.

[Precious Sagbodje · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice plot just poorly developed. The narrative hiccupped.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minor quibbles with editing, but excellent read.

[Darren Bourn]

I enjoyed the book (primarily due to the Vietnam vet tie-in), however I found that towards the end of the book found that some of the story was a bit rushed.

[Marc Goldstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining military/political thriller by first-time novelist Col. David Hackworth, a highly-decorated retired Army officer. Hackworth has good insight into the behind-the-scenes machinations of military contracting and political maneuvering. His personal bias comes through clearly in his themes. He supports the soldiers in the field and upbraids the top brass and politicians who, due to personal ambition or greed, betray the troops they are entrusted to serve. Captain Sandy Taylor uncovers a conspiracy to cover up the cowardice of a senator angling to become president. Cpt. Taylor’s father was the patsy who took the fall for the senator. By blowing the whistle, Sandy recovers his father’s honor. The sex scene was laughably hyperbolic, though: "He shot his soul into her"

[Glenda Findley · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE PRICE OF HONOR by David H. Hackworth, a gift to my husband a few years back and found on our bookshelf caught my eye. While a military suspense is typically not a woman's read, I enjoy this genre.
This is a tale of a family tradition of military service, war and the tragedy of patriotism and sacrifice entangled with political power and, yes the tragedy of secrecy and hidden truths. And of course, corruption and greed.
Colonel Hackworth penned a great opening grabbing me with good scene setting and characterization. The storyline progressed slowly and while the action and military dialogue was well-written, the suspense for me lagged. But... that last third of this intrigue was worth all that for a pretty good ending with some unusual and unexpected twists.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special Forces Captain Alexander "Sandy" Caine and reporter Abbie Mancini keep meeting in hot spots around the world. While in Somolia, Sandy learns from a soldier who knew his father in Viet Nam that his father might not have died the inglorious death he was led to believe occurred. He sets out to learn the truth and maintain the family honor.

[Mike Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced, enjoyable read. Some of the characters and plot elements are reminiscent of W.E.B. Griffin's Presidential Agent series. It would have been interesting to see if David Hackworth intended this novel as the start of a series.

Recommended for fans of WEB Griffin and unconventional warfare.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Military novel - USA Special Forces Captain Sandy Caine travels from Mogadishu to Sarajevo to Montana and finds love with reporter Abbie Mancini as he tries to find the truth about his father - killed and dishonored in Viet Nam.

[Amanda Ainge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy military thrillers, and this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this story.