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Sting of the Drone
In Washington, the Kill Committee gathers in the White House's Situation Room to pick the next targets for the United States drone program. At an airbase just outside Las Vegas, a team of pilots, military personnel and intelligence officers follow through on the committee's orders, finding the men who have been deemed a threat to national security and sentenced to death. On the other side of the world, in the mountains where the drones hunt their prey, someone has decided to fight back. And not just against the unmanned planes that circle their skies, but against the Americans at home who control them. Clarke not only remains an active and respected presence within the national security community but also appears regularly as an expert commentator for ABC and other media. His insider's expertise is on full display in Sting of the Drone, a breathtakingly realistic novel set within America's contentious drone program.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published May 13, 2014
102 people are currently reading
875 people want to read
About the author
Richard A. Clarke
30 books235 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Richard Alan Clarke was a U.S. government employee for 30 years, 1973–2003. He worked for the State Department during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed him to chair the Counter-terrorism Security Group and to a seat on the United States National Security Council. President Bill Clinton retained Clarke and in 1998 promoted him to be the National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism, the chief counter-terrorism adviser on the National Security Council. Under President George W. Bush, Clarke initially continued in the same position, but the position was no longer given cabinet-level access. He later became the Special Advisor to the President on cybersecurity, before leaving the Bush Administration in 2003.
Clarke came to widespread public attention for his role as counter-terrorism czar in the Clinton and Bush Administrations in March 2004, when he appeared on the 60 Minutes television news magazine, released his memoir about his service in government, Against All Enemies, and testified before the 9/11 Commission. In all three instances, Clarke was sharply critical of the Bush Administration's attitude toward counter-terrorism before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and of the decision to go to war with Iraq. Following Clarke's strong criticisms of the Bush Administration, Bush administration officials and other Republicans attempted to discredit him or rebut his criticisms, making Clarke a controversial figure.
Richard Alan Clarke was a U.S. government employee for 30 years, 1973–2003. He worked for the State Department during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed him to chair the Counter-terrorism Security Group and to a seat on the United States National Security Council. President Bill Clinton retained Clarke and in 1998 promoted him to be the National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism, the chief counter-terrorism adviser on the National Security Council. Under President George W. Bush, Clarke initially continued in the same position, but the position was no longer given cabinet-level access. He later became the Special Advisor to the President on cybersecurity, before leaving the Bush Administration in 2003.
Clarke came to widespread public attention for his role as counter-terrorism czar in the Clinton and Bush Administrations in March 2004, when he appeared on the 60 Minutes television news magazine, released his memoir about his service in government, Against All Enemies, and testified before the 9/11 Commission. In all three instances, Clarke was sharply critical of the Bush Administration's attitude toward counter-terrorism before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and of the decision to go to war with Iraq. Following Clarke's strong criticisms of the Bush Administration, Bush administration officials and other Republicans attempted to discredit him or rebut his criticisms, making Clarke a controversial figure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
May 5, 2014
I won a copy of "Sting of the Drone" by Richard A. Clarke through the Goodreads Giveaway Contest. This novel is a piece of fiction that looks at of the use of remotely-piloted aircraft, or "Drones", as a way to eliminate potential terrorists around the world, told in a story setting. The characters, and plot seem to exist in order to show the author's extensive knowledge of this topic. As there are arguments in favor of and against this program, Clarke lets us form our own opinion.
Americans are great adopters of new technologies, but none promise such endless possibilities as the use of Drones in all areas of life. We just have to decide to utilize this technology or not and to what extent. Very thought-provoking novel.
Americans are great adopters of new technologies, but none promise such endless possibilities as the use of Drones in all areas of life. We just have to decide to utilize this technology or not and to what extent. Very thought-provoking novel.
September 5, 2014
This book featured some very intelligent insight on drones and the current state of military warfare and politics, and seemed to be fairly balanced in its assertions, and I would recommend it for those interested in these current events hot-button topics. But as a fictional thriller, this fell a bit flat, as the characters were not developed well enough for me to fully connect with them.
This novel did have a very funny segment relating to nicknames, acronyms and government public messaging:
This novel did have a very funny segment relating to nicknames, acronyms and government public messaging:
"Okay, but I hear that the pilots call them Fuckers."Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.
"I've never heard that. Why would they say that? "
"FKRs, Flying Killer Robots. The Predators are the Little Fuckers and the Global Reach are the Big Fuckers."
"No, don't call them Fuckers. I don't want that to spread. Very bad messaging."
May 21, 2014
This book, while dealing with an important issue, is also a great, action-packed thriller.
The plot of this book is really great. The story revolves around multiple sub-plots that all come together at the very end. This book kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the very end, waiting to see what would happen next.
This book deals with the issue of drones, although at times it is hard to tell whether the author is in support of drones or not. Sting of the Drone presents the issue from both sides, that of the people controlling the drones and that of the people living in the aftermath of drone attacks. This book, while not exactly changing my opinion on anything, definitely gave me something to think about and educated me better on the use of drones around the world.
The characters in this book were mediocre. While I don’t think the author set out to create outstanding characters, rather than inform the reader on an issue, I found myself not caring at all about the characters. While I did feel that the characters always seemed to act in a realistic manner (so props to the author on that one), I didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters, making this book feel more like a nonfiction read than a fiction read.
The writing in this book was pretty good. I found that once I picked the book up, I had a hard time putting it down, which for me is the mark of a good author. The author does a good job of writing technical information in a manner that the reader can understand and keeping the information exciting and relevant.
The one thing that I didn’t like about this book was the formatting. Each chapter, usually, takes place in a different location with a different set of characters (although they are all connected). While it was stated at the beginning of each chapter where the chapter took place in, I found that I had to flip back a few pages to occasionally remind myself where the chapter took place in. It took me about half the book before I really got in the habit of paying close attention to where the chapter took place in.
In the end, I would say this is a pretty good book that brings to the light a touchy subject. This is definitely a good book to read if you’re looking for a fiction book that will still teach you something about a current issue.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The plot of this book is really great. The story revolves around multiple sub-plots that all come together at the very end. This book kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the very end, waiting to see what would happen next.
This book deals with the issue of drones, although at times it is hard to tell whether the author is in support of drones or not. Sting of the Drone presents the issue from both sides, that of the people controlling the drones and that of the people living in the aftermath of drone attacks. This book, while not exactly changing my opinion on anything, definitely gave me something to think about and educated me better on the use of drones around the world.
The characters in this book were mediocre. While I don’t think the author set out to create outstanding characters, rather than inform the reader on an issue, I found myself not caring at all about the characters. While I did feel that the characters always seemed to act in a realistic manner (so props to the author on that one), I didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters, making this book feel more like a nonfiction read than a fiction read.
The writing in this book was pretty good. I found that once I picked the book up, I had a hard time putting it down, which for me is the mark of a good author. The author does a good job of writing technical information in a manner that the reader can understand and keeping the information exciting and relevant.
The one thing that I didn’t like about this book was the formatting. Each chapter, usually, takes place in a different location with a different set of characters (although they are all connected). While it was stated at the beginning of each chapter where the chapter took place in, I found that I had to flip back a few pages to occasionally remind myself where the chapter took place in. It took me about half the book before I really got in the habit of paying close attention to where the chapter took place in.
In the end, I would say this is a pretty good book that brings to the light a touchy subject. This is definitely a good book to read if you’re looking for a fiction book that will still teach you something about a current issue.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2014
Reading this felt like watching television -- entertaining and informative but, compared to spy novels by Ken Follett, not deeply engaging. The chapters are very short and the narrative style is simple. Worthwhile if you're in the mood for action/thriller and a breezy read.
September 1, 2014
After providing an entertaining read throughout, Richard Clarke blows the ending by letting his paranoia wastefully knock off the main characters. Its a shame because he didn't need to do that to prove his point that drones are a necessary evil for destroying terrorists. 6 of 10 stars
September 3, 2019
A very exciting, well-written story! Lots of info about drones!!
August 10, 2023
I leaked my little secret about these types of books a few months ago and when I opened the package and saw this title in there, my heart started pounding. I have heard of Richard A. Clarke but had never had the opportunity to read one of his books prior to this. With his background in governmental service, I knew that this book would be realistic and exciting to listen to. I was not disappointed.
The author tells a tale based on the US drone program. What is truth and what is fiction is anyone’s guess but it really does not matter as this action packed novel left me breathless in many spots and wishing the reader would read faster! The story is loaded with people from all sorts of government agencies, military levels and terrorist cells and sometimes it was hard to remember whom was whom but they all played an important part in the storyline as you go back and forth between countries and places.
The reader is Ari Fliakos and he does an amazing job bringing this story to life with his amazing ability to add inflection, languages, cultural speech patterns and even heavy out of breath voices to this novel. That is what makes an audio book worth listening too! He builds the excitement and brings the authors heart stopping story and words to life like few I have heard before.
If you or someone you know enjoy thrillers and suspense novels, this is one that you may want to read or listen to for the full experience. I loved the story and the author created a realistic novel that is worth the read.
I was given a CD copy for my honest review - full review on TwoClassyChics.com
The author tells a tale based on the US drone program. What is truth and what is fiction is anyone’s guess but it really does not matter as this action packed novel left me breathless in many spots and wishing the reader would read faster! The story is loaded with people from all sorts of government agencies, military levels and terrorist cells and sometimes it was hard to remember whom was whom but they all played an important part in the storyline as you go back and forth between countries and places.
The reader is Ari Fliakos and he does an amazing job bringing this story to life with his amazing ability to add inflection, languages, cultural speech patterns and even heavy out of breath voices to this novel. That is what makes an audio book worth listening too! He builds the excitement and brings the authors heart stopping story and words to life like few I have heard before.
If you or someone you know enjoy thrillers and suspense novels, this is one that you may want to read or listen to for the full experience. I loved the story and the author created a realistic novel that is worth the read.
I was given a CD copy for my honest review - full review on TwoClassyChics.com
April 17, 2014
Received an Advanced Reader's Edition through GoodReads Giveaways and the generosity of St. Martin's Press.
In case anyone from the publisher is checking the reviews, I found a few glaring typos - one on the dedication page ("Dedicated too"); the other on page 77 ("I am pleased toady," instead of today).
I am familiar with Richard Clarke through the reading of CyberWar: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About It - a rather scary account of how unprepared the United States seems to be in the face of an impending/imminent threat.
Following the GoodReads rating system, I can only give this novel three stars. Sting of the Drone gives the reader a fictional idea of what it is like to be in the United States military's Predator drone program, as well as behind the scenes of a terror cell planning an attack on U.S. soil in retaliation for the program's operations against (mainly) Muslim countries. There is an interesting and timely premise here, but there are flaws in the narrative and a distinct lack of security throughout in the military base and of its personnel, little explanation of some technical details, that ultimately led to me giving the rating. It had promise, but fell a little short of my expectations. Of course, there is plenty of action to be had, but it just seemed too simple and was not very realistic. Read it for pure entertainment, not as an accurate portrait of what may be going on behind the scenes.
In case anyone from the publisher is checking the reviews, I found a few glaring typos - one on the dedication page ("Dedicated too"); the other on page 77 ("I am pleased toady," instead of today).
I am familiar with Richard Clarke through the reading of CyberWar: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About It - a rather scary account of how unprepared the United States seems to be in the face of an impending/imminent threat.
Following the GoodReads rating system, I can only give this novel three stars. Sting of the Drone gives the reader a fictional idea of what it is like to be in the United States military's Predator drone program, as well as behind the scenes of a terror cell planning an attack on U.S. soil in retaliation for the program's operations against (mainly) Muslim countries. There is an interesting and timely premise here, but there are flaws in the narrative and a distinct lack of security throughout in the military base and of its personnel, little explanation of some technical details, that ultimately led to me giving the rating. It had promise, but fell a little short of my expectations. Of course, there is plenty of action to be had, but it just seemed too simple and was not very realistic. Read it for pure entertainment, not as an accurate portrait of what may be going on behind the scenes.
May 13, 2014
A great spy thriller enmeshed into the latest technology, Sting of the Drone had me emotionally hooked after 6 pages. All of the characters are very real, and remind me so much of people I have known in Government. The story is a chilling reminder of the troubled times we are living in, and sparks concerns well beyond the immediate story. I have seldom had a book keep coming back into mind after I put it down as this one has. The advanced technical features of modern warfare mix with the all-too-human traits of the characters to produce a perfect storm that captures the reader's mind and blows the reader away. This is an outstanding book on many levels. Don't miss it.
April 19, 2015
Not brilliant writing, but an interesting window into the world of drones written by a guy who was on the inside for a long time...
August 1, 2018
Richard A. Clarke's Sting of the Drone (2014) is a modern military thriller filled with fictional characters who are all apt metaphors for the players involved in drone warfare, including bureaucrats, operators, victims, angry survivors, mercenary opportunists, and young men lured into becoming jihadi foot soldiers. The book is quick-paced and portrays a world in which drone assassination is perpetrated by a group of professionals who view themselves as fighting "the bad guys" and defending their country, even when they accidentally wipe out a group of young boys or an American citizen at a hotel in Vienna, Austria, among other mistakes. The notion of "collateral damage" is used to absolve the killers from any true responsibility for what they do, but some among the perpetrators occasionally indulge in a bit of soul-searching.
Without revealing the major plot points or dénouement, I will say that I applaud Clarke's willingness to tackle this topic in what appears to be something of an act of contrition, given the confessional quality of the author's note at the end of the book. It turns out that Clarke himself first agitated most forcefully for the arming of the Predator drone, way back in the twentieth century, when it was used strictly for surveillance, but he was repeatedly rebuffed. All that changed with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, after which, of course, an entire program of assassination was instigated.
The critical tone of much of Sting of the Drone makes clear that Clarke now disagrees with what the drone program has become. The former chief counter-terrorism security adviser on the National Security Council appears to believe that Osama bin Laden could have been taken out early on, in which case 9/11 would have been averted, and the Drone Age would then perhaps never have come about. I am not so sure, given the lethal centrism of US foreign policy and the lethal creep of the military, fueled by a fascination with the latest and greatest--and most deadly--DARPA technologies.
In any case, Clarke competently covers a range of important topics ignored by the all-too-sanguine headlines regularly reporting "victories" in the "Global War on Terror" (GWOT), above all: What happens when drones are hijacked, or commandeered, by angry converts to jihadism who wish to exact revenge against the bureaucrats serving on "kill committees" and the operators who act on orders arising out of "kill calls"?
Clarke offers plenty of nitty-gritty detail, explaining how in reality such retaliations could be carried out, which is sure to interest technology buffs and readers of military thrillers alike. It should also be of interest to ordinary citizens, who will no doubt bear the brunt of the blowback attacks of the future, orchestrated in direct response to the US government's summary execution of thousands of military-age men, along with unintended "collateral damage", in countries all over the Middle East and Africa, among other places.
This book offers a fine introduction to the manifold problems with the US drone program and the proliferation of remote-control killing currently underway all over the globe, thanks to the precedent set by the US government, especially under President Barack Obama, who opted to kill rather than capture suspected terrorists. The lawless and counterproductive drone killing of such persons abroad has, predictably, continued and grown worse under President Donald Trump. But the normalization and rebranding of suspect assassination as "targeted killing" and an act of "war" will surely go down in history as Obama's biggest blunder. Executive power, once seized, is seldom renounced, and it is difficult to imagine why targeted killing would be curtailed by any future president without a significant popular movement to call a halt to the practice. Unfortunately, most of the citizenry has been hoodwinked into believing that drone assassination is a form of "smart war".
Without revealing the major plot points or dénouement, I will say that I applaud Clarke's willingness to tackle this topic in what appears to be something of an act of contrition, given the confessional quality of the author's note at the end of the book. It turns out that Clarke himself first agitated most forcefully for the arming of the Predator drone, way back in the twentieth century, when it was used strictly for surveillance, but he was repeatedly rebuffed. All that changed with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, after which, of course, an entire program of assassination was instigated.
The critical tone of much of Sting of the Drone makes clear that Clarke now disagrees with what the drone program has become. The former chief counter-terrorism security adviser on the National Security Council appears to believe that Osama bin Laden could have been taken out early on, in which case 9/11 would have been averted, and the Drone Age would then perhaps never have come about. I am not so sure, given the lethal centrism of US foreign policy and the lethal creep of the military, fueled by a fascination with the latest and greatest--and most deadly--DARPA technologies.
In any case, Clarke competently covers a range of important topics ignored by the all-too-sanguine headlines regularly reporting "victories" in the "Global War on Terror" (GWOT), above all: What happens when drones are hijacked, or commandeered, by angry converts to jihadism who wish to exact revenge against the bureaucrats serving on "kill committees" and the operators who act on orders arising out of "kill calls"?
Clarke offers plenty of nitty-gritty detail, explaining how in reality such retaliations could be carried out, which is sure to interest technology buffs and readers of military thrillers alike. It should also be of interest to ordinary citizens, who will no doubt bear the brunt of the blowback attacks of the future, orchestrated in direct response to the US government's summary execution of thousands of military-age men, along with unintended "collateral damage", in countries all over the Middle East and Africa, among other places.
This book offers a fine introduction to the manifold problems with the US drone program and the proliferation of remote-control killing currently underway all over the globe, thanks to the precedent set by the US government, especially under President Barack Obama, who opted to kill rather than capture suspected terrorists. The lawless and counterproductive drone killing of such persons abroad has, predictably, continued and grown worse under President Donald Trump. But the normalization and rebranding of suspect assassination as "targeted killing" and an act of "war" will surely go down in history as Obama's biggest blunder. Executive power, once seized, is seldom renounced, and it is difficult to imagine why targeted killing would be curtailed by any future president without a significant popular movement to call a halt to the practice. Unfortunately, most of the citizenry has been hoodwinked into believing that drone assassination is a form of "smart war".
April 10, 2024
In Washington, the Kill Committee" convenes in the White House's Situation Room to determine the next drone targets for the United States drone program. Meanwhile, at an airbase near Las Vegas, a team comprising pilots, military personnel, and intelligence officers carries out the committee's directives, locating individuals deemed threats to national security and marking them for death,however, on the other side of the world, in the remote mountains where the drones conduct their missions, a resistance emerges. This resistance isn't just against the unmanned aircraft that patrol the skies but also against the American operators who control them from afar or drone delivery systems .Richard A. Clarke, a prominent figure in the national security community and drone education and also a respected commentator for media outlets like ABC, brings his insider's expertise to the forefront in Sting of the drone. Set against the backdrop of America's contentious drone program, Clarke delivers a gripping and realistic novel that immerses readers in the complexities and moral dilemmas inherent in modern warfare.
December 9, 2022
The War on Terror, drones as vital and effective weapons in that war, a cat-and-mouse battle between terror networks and those who war against them, computers and computer codes and the hackers who use and exploit them … components of an entertaining,fast-paced thriller.
Author Clarke, long-time Presidential Advisor, Presidential Assistant, and National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism, knows of what he writes. I feel as though I gotten to know the drones themselves as well as or better than the people who deploy them and fly them. That’s a strength of the book - the depth of presentation of the drone system - and it’s a weakness of the book - the relatively shallow character development of the humans in the story.
The story flows easily, the short scenes fly by quickly, the treatment of arguments about the pros and cons of an increasing use of drones as attack weapons in the war on terror are reasonably presented (by an author whose position seems clear). Congressional members are given only roles as interfering political posturers.
I’ll close by agreeing with previous reviewer Mei who wrote: “Worthwhile if you’re in the mood for action/thriller and a breezy read.”
Author Clarke, long-time Presidential Advisor, Presidential Assistant, and National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism, knows of what he writes. I feel as though I gotten to know the drones themselves as well as or better than the people who deploy them and fly them. That’s a strength of the book - the depth of presentation of the drone system - and it’s a weakness of the book - the relatively shallow character development of the humans in the story.
The story flows easily, the short scenes fly by quickly, the treatment of arguments about the pros and cons of an increasing use of drones as attack weapons in the war on terror are reasonably presented (by an author whose position seems clear). Congressional members are given only roles as interfering political posturers.
I’ll close by agreeing with previous reviewer Mei who wrote: “Worthwhile if you’re in the mood for action/thriller and a breezy read.”
August 8, 2019
This is certainly a five-star read. Not only do you learn a lot from a guy who's been-there-done-that, but is also some pretty slick fiction writing that's full of surprises. Considering the background and events that went into this story, it was written in 2014, which was at least five years ago. So what have we learned over all that time? Probably not much of anything. We are still ruled by the dead hand of history.
January 3, 2021
Yes, it was okay. I struggled to get through it and almost didn't finish it- probably because it seemed way too real and the suspicion that such has happened and continues to happen, bothered me a lot more than I expected. So real, I had difficulty convincing myself that this was a work of fiction (lordy, I hope so in many ways). So real, that I had bad dreams about friends and family getting taken out by drones. So, I guess Clarke did a very good job.
October 1, 2024
The character development is limited but the detail about drones is amazing. The capabilities portrayed give a clear understanding of the moral issues involved in their use. The plot brings out the complexities of operations in remote countries as we seek to strike those who seek to kill Americans. We can no longer sit back and wait for the terrorists to set the agenda and timing. Very worthwhile read.
June 10, 2018
Maybe just under 4 stars.
A good book about drones and whether they do more harm than good. By a guy who should know. In the end there is more good that comes out of it but as it shows in the book, there is a lot of thought that goes into each strike. I will read the second in the series to see if it is as good as the first.
A good book about drones and whether they do more harm than good. By a guy who should know. In the end there is more good that comes out of it but as it shows in the book, there is a lot of thought that goes into each strike. I will read the second in the series to see if it is as good as the first.
July 31, 2019
Fantastic book, this book really touches on all of the good and bad of using drones in today’s wars... and other uses too. I like how the author had such a good grip on the topics covered and then reading the final pages I understand that this author has been involved at the Whitehouse and responsible or the deployment of drones and how they have evolved. I highly recommend this book.
March 9, 2017
This novel offers a nuanced perspective on the U.S use of drones to kill terrorists. It depicts scenarios where drones are more effective with less collateral damage than alternatives. It shows that there are many layers of experts and decision-makers involved in each drone strike.
It also presents legitimate causes for concern. Should drones be used in allied, first-world countries where terrorist cells are operating? You might say no, if the ally wants the U.S. to kill a terrorist in their midst who is plotting an attack, you may arrive at a different conclusion.
The book also makes the reader question whether the individuals involved in making drone strike decisions the best people to be making the decisions. It would be beneficial to have more transparency about their deliberations, but the challenge would be keeping national security secrets secret.
As a thriller, this novel could have used some improvements. The first half of the book is more of an ensemble cast than a story with one main character. Eventually it settles on somebody. I read the book two months ago, and I can’t remember any of the characters’ names. There is a reasonably compelling villain, and he’s plotting an attack against America’s drone infrastructure, which is a great concept. But the failure to ground the story in one main hero limited how engaging it was.
Another issue was an exaggerated treatment of drone operators. There is a group of Air Force pilots in the book who take their drone piloting seriously, but quietly wish they were still flying “real” planes. They become racked with guilt after some bad publicity about one or two strikes that Al Qaeda made to look like civilian massacres. They start exhibiting PTSD. That is all sort of interesting, but overblown. Most UAV pilots are normal, well-adjusted people.
Overall this is a fair and balanced glimpse into U.S. drone policy and its ethics presented through a vivid story. Just don’t expect to fall in love with the characters.
It also presents legitimate causes for concern. Should drones be used in allied, first-world countries where terrorist cells are operating? You might say no, if the ally wants the U.S. to kill a terrorist in their midst who is plotting an attack, you may arrive at a different conclusion.
The book also makes the reader question whether the individuals involved in making drone strike decisions the best people to be making the decisions. It would be beneficial to have more transparency about their deliberations, but the challenge would be keeping national security secrets secret.
As a thriller, this novel could have used some improvements. The first half of the book is more of an ensemble cast than a story with one main character. Eventually it settles on somebody. I read the book two months ago, and I can’t remember any of the characters’ names. There is a reasonably compelling villain, and he’s plotting an attack against America’s drone infrastructure, which is a great concept. But the failure to ground the story in one main hero limited how engaging it was.
Another issue was an exaggerated treatment of drone operators. There is a group of Air Force pilots in the book who take their drone piloting seriously, but quietly wish they were still flying “real” planes. They become racked with guilt after some bad publicity about one or two strikes that Al Qaeda made to look like civilian massacres. They start exhibiting PTSD. That is all sort of interesting, but overblown. Most UAV pilots are normal, well-adjusted people.
Overall this is a fair and balanced glimpse into U.S. drone policy and its ethics presented through a vivid story. Just don’t expect to fall in love with the characters.
July 15, 2017
I love any book by Richard Clarke. He is so intelligent and a great writer. This one scared me a. It because I wonder how true to life it is. I want to read his. Ew. Ok, it I think I'll be even more scared by it.
July 30, 2019
Excellent, well crafted story right out of the headlines. This book provides incredible insight into the Drone program. If you are looking for a thriller that makes you think, this is a good one. For the first time I had visions of flying Killer Robots. Enjoy, JSW.
September 20, 2024
A very good thriller
Sting of the Drone is fast paced and well written thriller. The tactics of the protagonists and antagonists are well thought out. The during is better than many recent novels.
Sting of the Drone is fast paced and well written thriller. The tactics of the protagonists and antagonists are well thought out. The during is better than many recent novels.
July 8, 2017
Not bad, but I think Richard Clarke's nonfiction books are incredible.
June 10, 2023
What is with political/military thriller writers and obsession with badly-written sex scenes?? Also this book literally says nothing about drone use even when it so clearly tries
September 11, 2024
Good read
Gave great insight into what it is like to sit in the seat of our drone pilots. The decision to choose drone targets is especially interesting.
Gave great insight into what it is like to sit in the seat of our drone pilots. The decision to choose drone targets is especially interesting.
September 11, 2024
Don’t Miss THIS!
Get it NOW.
Fascinating well-done story. You’ll be glad you read this!
The age of drone warfare lives! Read the story.
Get it NOW.
Fascinating well-done story. You’ll be glad you read this!
The age of drone warfare lives! Read the story.
October 17, 2024
awesome book
This book will keep you glued to it. It’s something that could happen in American. Makes you think of what goes on behind the scenes
This book will keep you glued to it. It’s something that could happen in American. Makes you think of what goes on behind the scenes
April 19, 2025
Great read
This book kept me interested from PG 1. I could pick it up and look forward to a good read.
This book kept me interested from PG 1. I could pick it up and look forward to a good read.
May 13, 2014
War, whether battled behind closed doors, on the ground or from unmanned drones, terrorism, the ultimate weapon against the United States. What happens when terrorists fight back against one of America’s most advanced weapons? Told from the seasoned and wizened eye of a governmental insider, Sting of the Drone tells of a realistic, yet fictional inside look at the people responsible for the power and might of the Drone program when the enemy decides to fight back, through death and treachery designed to put the United States on trial in the eyes of the world. Will the enemy use their own technology against the Drones and their operators? Will they use their own people as false targets that will further blacken the eye of the United States? Will the pilots themselves become the victims? In the end will it be hacker against hacker in the battle for control and for saving the lives of thousands of U.S. citizens?
No matter how you feel about war, or the Drone program, Sting of the Drone will educate, enlighten and intrigue the reader with its hard-boiled tale. Richard A. Clarke spares nothing in this chilling tale of espionage and the hatred of one idealism towards the other. Stark, brutal and powerful in his writing style, Mr. Clarke speaks to the heart of this country’s citizens while not asking for approval or disapproval. There is no real winner, as no one faction is spared the fear and death that war brings.
A fascinating and frightening look behind the scenes at those who bear the weight of deciding who will live and who will die, while finding themselves in the crosshairs of an unknown enemy.
I received this ARC edition from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
ISBN: 1250047978
Genre: Adult Fiction/Political Intrigue
Print Length: 303 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
No matter how you feel about war, or the Drone program, Sting of the Drone will educate, enlighten and intrigue the reader with its hard-boiled tale. Richard A. Clarke spares nothing in this chilling tale of espionage and the hatred of one idealism towards the other. Stark, brutal and powerful in his writing style, Mr. Clarke speaks to the heart of this country’s citizens while not asking for approval or disapproval. There is no real winner, as no one faction is spared the fear and death that war brings.
A fascinating and frightening look behind the scenes at those who bear the weight of deciding who will live and who will die, while finding themselves in the crosshairs of an unknown enemy.
I received this ARC edition from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
ISBN: 1250047978
Genre: Adult Fiction/Political Intrigue
Print Length: 303 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
September 8, 2014
The book entitled Sting of the Drone, written by Richard A. Clarke, may belong to the category of fiction, but deals with a topic that has been widely discussed in academic, legal and military circles for the last years given its impact and relevance: that of unmanned air vehicles used in operations that involve the use of force. As an international law scholar, I must confess that I find the format very appropriate and welcome, because purely legal texts, given their abstraction and theoretical approach, often fail to depict and portray the drama, feelings and reality involved in issues they explore, and so I find fictional books as this an important complement to the former.
As to the book being reviewed, it narrates the story of some terrorists and criminal organizations that, for profit or out of revenge, plan to attack those U.S. agents involved in the use of drones and U.S. civilians, and how their plot is (to a certain extent) discovered and thwarted. The book is quite interesting and is pleasant to read, and its author was involved in drone aspects, so he knows what he writes about.
Some of the thought-provoking questions found therein are: what if the use of drones actually motivates further terrorist attacks and volunteers? What are the limits in the use of machines that allow operations that could not be feasible otherwise? What is the reliability of intelligence sources? And what are the checks and balances in States and in relation to the press when it comes to the use of powerful technology?
The story and the book show how machines as UAVs permit many things, but the ethical and legal analysis of them depends on two aspects: their concrete use and the potential for their abuse (given how some may be tempted to do things with them). In the human rights world, it has been seen how preexisting norms can be adapted to new realities and technologies as these given the evolutionary aspect of its norms. This book, in my opinion, is a must-read, and I certainly recommend it to colleagues, scholars, students and the public and large, especially because the author presents the story in a very neutral and even-handed way, showing different and contradictory points of view (even describing how the work of U.N. rapporteurs is despised by some agents in the story), and so the reader can form his own opinion. Freedom of speech coupled with an intriguing and fascinating story.
As to the book being reviewed, it narrates the story of some terrorists and criminal organizations that, for profit or out of revenge, plan to attack those U.S. agents involved in the use of drones and U.S. civilians, and how their plot is (to a certain extent) discovered and thwarted. The book is quite interesting and is pleasant to read, and its author was involved in drone aspects, so he knows what he writes about.
Some of the thought-provoking questions found therein are: what if the use of drones actually motivates further terrorist attacks and volunteers? What are the limits in the use of machines that allow operations that could not be feasible otherwise? What is the reliability of intelligence sources? And what are the checks and balances in States and in relation to the press when it comes to the use of powerful technology?
The story and the book show how machines as UAVs permit many things, but the ethical and legal analysis of them depends on two aspects: their concrete use and the potential for their abuse (given how some may be tempted to do things with them). In the human rights world, it has been seen how preexisting norms can be adapted to new realities and technologies as these given the evolutionary aspect of its norms. This book, in my opinion, is a must-read, and I certainly recommend it to colleagues, scholars, students and the public and large, especially because the author presents the story in a very neutral and even-handed way, showing different and contradictory points of view (even describing how the work of U.N. rapporteurs is despised by some agents in the story), and so the reader can form his own opinion. Freedom of speech coupled with an intriguing and fascinating story.
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