What do you think?
Rate this book
Dan Lenson #1
The Med
A powerful and fast-moving tale of the Navy-Marine Corps team in action, on a dangerous mission in the volatile Eastern Mediterranean.
Cloaked by the mists of dawn, Task Force 61-- carrying tanks, aircraft, and over 5000 Marines-- steams toward Syria with deadly intent. Their rescue 100 hostages from a terrorist stronghold-- alive.
With realism seldom seen in military fiction, The Med is a magnificent and timely epic that brings the human drama of armed conflict compellingly to life. Driven by believable, flesh-and-blood characters, it is a painstakingly detailed portrait of amphibious warfare as only David Poyer can paint it. The Med is today's most explosive tale of international crisis, personal valor, and emotional struggle-- a disturbingly plausible novel that crackles with non-stop action.
Cloaked by the mists of dawn, Task Force 61-- carrying tanks, aircraft, and over 5000 Marines-- steams toward Syria with deadly intent. Their rescue 100 hostages from a terrorist stronghold-- alive.
With realism seldom seen in military fiction, The Med is a magnificent and timely epic that brings the human drama of armed conflict compellingly to life. Driven by believable, flesh-and-blood characters, it is a painstakingly detailed portrait of amphibious warfare as only David Poyer can paint it. The Med is today's most explosive tale of international crisis, personal valor, and emotional struggle-- a disturbingly plausible novel that crackles with non-stop action.
577 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1988
259 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
About the author
David Poyer
82 books240 followersAka D.C. Poyer.
DAVID C. POYER was born in DuBois, PA in 1949. He grew up in Brockway, Emlenton, and Bradford, in western Pennsylvania, and graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1967. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1971, and later received a master's degree from George Washington University.
Poyer's active and reserve naval service included sea duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, Caribbean, and Pacific, and shore duty at the Pentagon, Surface Warfare Development Group, Joint Forces Command, and in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He retired in July 2001.
Poyer began writing in 1976, and is the author of nearly fifty books, including THE MED, THE GULF, THE CIRCLE, THE PASSAGE, TOMAHAWK, CHINA SEA, BLACK STORM, THE COMMAND, THE THREAT, KOREA STRAIT, THE WEAPON, THE CRISIS, THE CRUISER, TIPPING POINT, HUNTER KILLER, DEEP WAR, OVERTHROW, VIOLENT PEACE, ARCTIC SEA, and THE ACADEMY, best-selling Navy novels; THE DEAD OF WINTER, WINTER IN THE HEART, AS THE WOLF LOVES WINTER, THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN, and THE HILL, set in Western Pennsylvania; and HATTERAS BLUE, BAHAMAS BLUE, LOUISIANA BLUE, and DOWN TO A SUNLESS SEA, underwater diving adventure.
Other noteworthy books are THE ONLY THING TO FEAR, a historical thriller, THE RETURN OF PHILO T. McGIFFIN, a comic novel of Annapolis, and the three volumes of The Civil War at Sea, FIRE ON THE WATERS, A COUNTRY OF OUR OWN, and THAT ANVIL OF OUR SOULS. He's also written two sailing thrillers, GHOSTING and THE WHITENESS OF THE WHALE. His work has been published in Britain, translated into Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Hugarian, and Serbo-Croatian; recorded for audiobooks, iPod downloads, and Kindle, and selected by the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club and other book clubs. Rights to several properties have been sold or optioned for films, and two novellas appeared in the Night Bazaar series of fantasy anthologies.
Poyer has taught or lectured at Annapolis, Flagler College, University of Pittsburgh, Old Dominion University, the Armed Forces Staff College, the University of North Florida, Christopher Newport University, and other institutions. He has been a guest on PBS's "Writer to Writer" series and on Voice of America, and has appeared at the Southern Festival of Books and many other literary events. He taught in the MA/MFA in Creative Writing program at Wilkes University for sixteen years. He is currently core faculty at the Ossabaw Writers Retreat, a fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and a board member of the Northern Appalachia Review.
He lives on Virginia's Eastern Shore with novelist Lenore Hart.
DAVID C. POYER was born in DuBois, PA in 1949. He grew up in Brockway, Emlenton, and Bradford, in western Pennsylvania, and graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1967. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1971, and later received a master's degree from George Washington University.
Poyer's active and reserve naval service included sea duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, Caribbean, and Pacific, and shore duty at the Pentagon, Surface Warfare Development Group, Joint Forces Command, and in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He retired in July 2001.
Poyer began writing in 1976, and is the author of nearly fifty books, including THE MED, THE GULF, THE CIRCLE, THE PASSAGE, TOMAHAWK, CHINA SEA, BLACK STORM, THE COMMAND, THE THREAT, KOREA STRAIT, THE WEAPON, THE CRISIS, THE CRUISER, TIPPING POINT, HUNTER KILLER, DEEP WAR, OVERTHROW, VIOLENT PEACE, ARCTIC SEA, and THE ACADEMY, best-selling Navy novels; THE DEAD OF WINTER, WINTER IN THE HEART, AS THE WOLF LOVES WINTER, THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN, and THE HILL, set in Western Pennsylvania; and HATTERAS BLUE, BAHAMAS BLUE, LOUISIANA BLUE, and DOWN TO A SUNLESS SEA, underwater diving adventure.
Other noteworthy books are THE ONLY THING TO FEAR, a historical thriller, THE RETURN OF PHILO T. McGIFFIN, a comic novel of Annapolis, and the three volumes of The Civil War at Sea, FIRE ON THE WATERS, A COUNTRY OF OUR OWN, and THAT ANVIL OF OUR SOULS. He's also written two sailing thrillers, GHOSTING and THE WHITENESS OF THE WHALE. His work has been published in Britain, translated into Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Hugarian, and Serbo-Croatian; recorded for audiobooks, iPod downloads, and Kindle, and selected by the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club and other book clubs. Rights to several properties have been sold or optioned for films, and two novellas appeared in the Night Bazaar series of fantasy anthologies.
Poyer has taught or lectured at Annapolis, Flagler College, University of Pittsburgh, Old Dominion University, the Armed Forces Staff College, the University of North Florida, Christopher Newport University, and other institutions. He has been a guest on PBS's "Writer to Writer" series and on Voice of America, and has appeared at the Southern Festival of Books and many other literary events. He taught in the MA/MFA in Creative Writing program at Wilkes University for sixteen years. He is currently core faculty at the Ossabaw Writers Retreat, a fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and a board member of the Northern Appalachia Review.
He lives on Virginia's Eastern Shore with novelist Lenore Hart.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 16, 2023
This book was published when I was embarked aboard amphibious ships in the Western Pacific as a member of a MEU staff. I'd heard about it but didn't get around to reading until 34 years later. It was not worth the wait. A subtitle should be "How not to plan a raid." Just an over the top plot rife with ridiculous procedures and unsound tactical actions. The commodore is basically a Captain Queeg like character who is a paranoid careerist and inveterate liar. At the end there's no accountability for him. Not sure I'll read the other 22 with the final one having Dan Lenson as Superintendent of Annapolis.
September 14, 2014
Poyer knows the modern US Navy better than anyone writing in the past 25 to 30 years. He captures the point of view of the deckhands, the airman, the chiefs and the officers right up to the XO and the captain. Power knows the technology too. He does not shy away from showing what the Navy is like -- warts and honor.
January 9, 2014
This is what you call a proper military novel, it is in no way one of those quick and dirty action novels.
The author has a military background and it shows in the detail he has put into this book. In essence this is the story of a Med fleet and the focus is on a young lieutenant. The fleet is commanded by someone who has been promoted above his ability and when events require clear leadership and decisive action, he is not up to the job.
But we are presented with a range of characters with whom we can emphasise and put into perspective within the story, these range from the command crew to marines and Chief Petty Officers. Events lead up to a hostage taking and a landing to put into effect a rescue.
For a first novel this is a good effort, some aspects don’t quite work (the bizarre behaviour of the lieutenant’s wife) but they do not detract from what feels like an authentic military novel.
The author has a military background and it shows in the detail he has put into this book. In essence this is the story of a Med fleet and the focus is on a young lieutenant. The fleet is commanded by someone who has been promoted above his ability and when events require clear leadership and decisive action, he is not up to the job.
But we are presented with a range of characters with whom we can emphasise and put into perspective within the story, these range from the command crew to marines and Chief Petty Officers. Events lead up to a hostage taking and a landing to put into effect a rescue.
For a first novel this is a good effort, some aspects don’t quite work (the bizarre behaviour of the lieutenant’s wife) but they do not detract from what feels like an authentic military novel.
November 5, 2007
This book is by now very dated, but was a very enjoyable read. I'm a big fan of the US Navy during the 600-ship eriod in the early 1980's. The Med focuses on my favorite aspect of that period, all the oddball old ships that were kept in service to keep numbers up.
In a day when everything the navy has is either Aegis, a supercarrier, a modern gator or a sub and essentially invincible, this book focuses on a time where a task group has to overcome severe material limitations to complete an ad hoc mission essentially on its own.
Its a good story, with some interesting 'old-navy' characters, and provides a plausible peacetime use og an Amphibious task group in a 'hot' situation. Worth reading, but still a bit dated.
In a day when everything the navy has is either Aegis, a supercarrier, a modern gator or a sub and essentially invincible, this book focuses on a time where a task group has to overcome severe material limitations to complete an ad hoc mission essentially on its own.
Its a good story, with some interesting 'old-navy' characters, and provides a plausible peacetime use og an Amphibious task group in a 'hot' situation. Worth reading, but still a bit dated.
October 27, 2010
"A powerful and fast-moving tale of the Navy-Marine Corps team in action, on a dangerous mission in the volatile Eastern Mediterranean.
Cloaked by the mists of dawn, Task Force 61--carrying tanks, aircraft, and over 5000 Marines--steams toward Syria with deadly intent. Their mission: rescue 100 hostages from a terrorist stronghold--alive."
My expectations for this book were high, and I was a little disappointed. First of all this is not written like the first book in a series. There is A lot of missing background information which made me wonder if this wasn't the second or third book in the series. Well written although dry at the start. Once the action started I enjoyed this book
Cloaked by the mists of dawn, Task Force 61--carrying tanks, aircraft, and over 5000 Marines--steams toward Syria with deadly intent. Their mission: rescue 100 hostages from a terrorist stronghold--alive."
My expectations for this book were high, and I was a little disappointed. First of all this is not written like the first book in a series. There is A lot of missing background information which made me wonder if this wasn't the second or third book in the series. Well written although dry at the start. Once the action started I enjoyed this book
Read
October 16, 2012Awesome reading. I thought the book must have been real old. It took me back in time. It reminded me of the first 3 years of my Navy career. This goes back to the time that sailors, E-5 and above, could sport beards, and the ships in the story were real and are no longer in commission. Some of the ships have been sold to foreign navies, and others now serve as barrier reefs. During my time aboard ships, I never knew what went on on the flag bridge. Now I know.
February 20, 2019
Once again I have returned to the world of the U.S. Navy in David Poyer's novel "The Med." His protagonist, Dan Lenson, is now a Lt. (j.g.) and serving as a naval task force staff officer. The task force Lenson is part of is on routine deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. The deployment has consisted primarily of training exercises for both Navy and Marine Corps personnel. When Dan's ship docks in Taormina, Sicily for liberty, his wife Susan and their toddler daughter Nan are there to greet him. Susan admits to Dan that being a Navy wife is harder on her than she expected. The couple seek to make the most of Dan's liberty period. However, the task force resumes its deployment, so Susan and Nan travel to Cyprus to visit an old college roommate of Susan's. Circumstances force Susan and Nan to go to the American embassy in Nicosia. While there, they and other people at the embassy are taken hostage by terrorists and then flown to Syria. Higher command alerts the naval task force of the hostage crisis and all personnel, Dan included, prepare for possible combat... I found "The Med" to be a fascinating read, seeing how an initially routine deployment can evolve into a high-stakes mission with potential political repercussions. Definitely worth checking out.
August 7, 2022
Interesting. This isn't all that great a book--at times the writing and plotting are pretty uninspired--but the author demonstrates a really in-depth understanding of how the ships of the 1980s Navy worked. I was really impressed at the detail. Even more so, I was impressed at his very rare understanding of the way different role players work together in the military, and at the role of the staff in planning military operations. Very few writes of any sort do a good job writing about staff work. The parts of the book involving the protagonist's wife were noticeably weaker--he never seemed to be able to portray her in a believable way (and he also doesn't know anything about Embassies.) But interesting nonetheless.
August 26, 2023
One of the earlier techno-war writers (1988), following authors Tom Clancy, Dale Brown and Stephen Coonts as they battled Cold War enemies, rogue nations and terrorists with American technology and advanced weaponry. The good writers will take the reader into not only modern weaponry but also give a precise and sometimes impartial look into the politics, culture and historical backgrounds of the nations and geographical regions involved. Jingoistic, to be sure, but not overly so, with criticisms aimed at all the participants of the book, Anyway, more of a tactical warfare bent rather than the strategic themes of others, sometimes overly jargonish as far as systems, rankings and the like, it is still enjoyable reading for those savages, such as myself. Very good read.
October 1, 2023
Recommended.
I read Black Storm, the 7th book in the Dan Lenson series, and it was superlative. I immediately ordered the first.
Mr. Poyer is an intelligent, observant, detail-oriented writer with a beautiful lyricism when describing events and actions. In my limited experience in this genre, he seems to be a cut above and somewhat unique in this sense. That being said, this first book is undoubtedly a freshman effort. It goes on for too long, the buildup lasts almost four fifths of the novel, and the climax is over all too quickly.
Still, for any reader interested in the culture, mechanics, technology, processes and procedures, protocol, and day to day life of a military man, this is very, very good.
I read Black Storm, the 7th book in the Dan Lenson series, and it was superlative. I immediately ordered the first.
Mr. Poyer is an intelligent, observant, detail-oriented writer with a beautiful lyricism when describing events and actions. In my limited experience in this genre, he seems to be a cut above and somewhat unique in this sense. That being said, this first book is undoubtedly a freshman effort. It goes on for too long, the buildup lasts almost four fifths of the novel, and the climax is over all too quickly.
Still, for any reader interested in the culture, mechanics, technology, processes and procedures, protocol, and day to day life of a military man, this is very, very good.
September 27, 2025
Having read this over 30 years ago, I only have a vague memory of the plot. I recall that it held by interest. It’s the only David Poyer book that I’ve read. I see on line that Poyer has written about 20 books in the same literary universe, of which The Med was the first. I would probably have to read several hundred books before I’d feel the need to read some more of Poyer’s novels, even though I did enjoy this one.
As with all of my pre-2000 books, the “Date finished” may be a few years off.
As with all of my pre-2000 books, the “Date finished” may be a few years off.
July 28, 2021
A great first entry to the Dan Lenson series by David Poyer. The story is set in the early 1980’s and is told through the viewpoints of three characters; Dan Lenson - a Lieutenant on the staff of an incompetent Amphibious Force Commodore, a senior navy chief on an escorting destroyer and a Marine PFC on an accompanying amphib.
It took perhaps 100 pages for the story to get rolling, but when it does - hold on!
It took perhaps 100 pages for the story to get rolling, but when it does - hold on!
May 2, 2022
Decent naval book
As a navy veteran that served in this time frame this book was very appealing to me. I must say however that if this book had been 150 pages shorter it would have been an absolute masterpiece. This is just a personal preference, though. I find five or six hundred page novels bordering on tedium and I am liable to lose interest more quickly. No reflection on the quality of the writing.
As a navy veteran that served in this time frame this book was very appealing to me. I must say however that if this book had been 150 pages shorter it would have been an absolute masterpiece. This is just a personal preference, though. I find five or six hundred page novels bordering on tedium and I am liable to lose interest more quickly. No reflection on the quality of the writing.
March 2, 2021
An excellent debut novel that succeeds on several levels. Poyer crafted some very realistic characters and captured life among the naval vessels quite well. What may have impressed me most is how well he portrayed a mother's concerns for her young daughter. Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
July 3, 2018
A good read that starts out a little slow and then picks up. Set in the time of the vintage navy of the 80s with many dated ships. It became a little predictable near the end but was a fun summer read.
October 19, 2019
After jumping into the Dan Lenson series quite late (Deep War) I decided to check out the first book of the Lenson series. I enjoyed it. Exciting story, interesting characters and a lot of technical detail about amphibious assault fleets.
March 23, 2021
Only fair reading
Book was very slow for the first half as others have said. When the action finally started, it was not very good, actually poor. Don't plan on reading more of the series.
Book was very slow for the first half as others have said. When the action finally started, it was not very good, actually poor. Don't plan on reading more of the series.
June 15, 2021
Really?
As a former Cold War Marine I thought this book to be off the mark operationally and in it’s portrayal of military interpersonal relationships. I would characterize it as being a little over the top.
As a former Cold War Marine I thought this book to be off the mark operationally and in it’s portrayal of military interpersonal relationships. I would characterize it as being a little over the top.
September 11, 2023
GREAT book! I really liked how it showed an earlier era of naval defense weapons, tactics, and strategies-not 21st cent, but not WWII. Only someone w deep knowledge of the subject could have done this. Poyer's my new fav
December 20, 2023
intensely descriptive
Follow along as the foibles of man are exposed in detail with the backdrop of a naval setting.
The description of the commodore is riveting and we have all met horrific self promoting charlatans like Ike and survived.
Enjoyed the book.
Follow along as the foibles of man are exposed in detail with the backdrop of a naval setting.
The description of the commodore is riveting and we have all met horrific self promoting charlatans like Ike and survived.
Enjoyed the book.
June 24, 2024
Nothing much happens until you're 40% of the way through. That was disappointing. It's more about the people than the situation, so if you're expecting a lot of action this isn't the book for you. Or me.
December 6, 2024
A long and detailed saga with lots of detail and several, mostly unconnected story lines. It maintained my interest but it was something of a struggle at times. Still, it was good enough to encourage me to pay for the next volume.
February 24, 2025
Joven oficial en un grupo de combate americano. Bastante floja. No engancha, pero además la trama tiene poco sentido en el plano político, en el militar y en el diplomático. Ni siquiera me gusta la historia romántica/personal.
June 2, 2018
Started slow but picked up. Left the whole story really hanging though.
December 13, 2018
Good start
Maybe to much domestic but other wise good representation of the fits and starts of humans at war with war
Maybe to much domestic but other wise good representation of the fits and starts of humans at war with war
January 8, 2019
Pretty good
Fairly good book started out slowly then got much better as it went along would recommend this for people who enjoy adventure on the high seas and some intrigue
Fairly good book started out slowly then got much better as it went along would recommend this for people who enjoy adventure on the high seas and some intrigue
February 23, 2020
Excellent read. A good insight into Navy live at sea.
December 20, 2020
Great Book
Being a former sailor I found this book to be entertaining and realistic. Characters are people I swear I used to know! Truly an enjoyable and exciting read.
Being a former sailor I found this book to be entertaining and realistic. Characters are people I swear I used to know! Truly an enjoyable and exciting read.
September 9, 2024
The Med
Quite a story Good info on how the US Navy works The chain of command. Good action of the marines at the end of the story Hope you enjoy the story
Quite a story Good info on how the US Navy works The chain of command. Good action of the marines at the end of the story Hope you enjoy the story
September 18, 2012
I don't read military thrillers anymore. After 20 years serving in the Navy, I've outgrown military novels. I mention this one because when i read it, I was stationed aboard a brand new amphibious assault ship called the Wasp. The character in this novel, Dan Lenson, is a newly minted staff officer serving with an amphibious group commander aboard the Guam. As both myself and the character were serving in the Gator Navy, we had a lot in common. The most intersting character of note, however, is the Commodore of the group. He is a self-promoting officer who is a poor leader and who also publicly berates his staff. He reminds me of my first commanding officer aboard the Wasp. In fact, I think that the fictional commander is based upon my actual one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews