Shadows of Steel

Patrick McLanahan #5

by Dale Brown

The new gulf war is erupting…

And this one will be far bloodier than the first. A newly powerful Iran is flexing its military muscle in the Middle East. The Iranians have declared the Persian Gulf their territorial waters—and an American ship has just been sunk to prove the point.

With a military racked by budget cuts and a public reluctant to fight, the president must end the crisis before it escalates. The solution: project Future Flight, a surgical stealth campaign to silence Iran’s modern weapons. The personnel: Colonel Patrick McLanahan and the surviving crew of the Old Dog. The stakes: success—or full-scale war…

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, Thriller, War, Adventure, Action, Aviation

379 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 1996

About the author

Former U.S. Air Force captain Dale Brown is the superstar author of 25 consecutive New York Times best-selling military-action-aviation adventure novels: FLIGHT OF THE OLD DOG (1987), SILVER TOWER (1988), DAY OF THE CHEETAH (1989), HAMMERHEADS (1990), SKY MASTERS (1991), NIGHT OF THE HAWK (1992), CHAINS OF COMMAND (1993), STORMING HEAVEN (1994), SHADOWS OF STEEL (1996) and FATAL TERRAIN (1997), THE TIN MAN (1998), BATTLE BORN (1999), and WARRIOR CLASS (2001). His Fourteenth Novel AIRBATTLE FORCE will be published in late Spring 2003... Dale's novels are published in 11 languages and distributed to over 70 countries. Worldwide sales of his novels, audiobooks and computer games exceed 10 million copies.

Dale was born in Buffalo, New York on November 2, 1956. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Western European History and received an Air Force commission in 1978. He was a navigator-bombardier in the B-52G Stratofortress heavy bomber and the FB-111A supersonic medium bomber, and is the recipient of several military decorations and awards including the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Combat Crew Award, and the Marksmanship ribbon.
Dale was also one of the nation's first Air Force ROTC cadets to qualify for and complete the grueling three-week U.S. Army Airborne Infantry paratrooper training course.

Dale is a director and volunteer pilot for AirLifeLine, a non-profit national charitable medical transportation organization who fly needy persons free of charge to receive treatment. He also supports a number of organizations to support and promote law enforcement and reading.

Dale Brown is a member of The Writers Guild and a Life Member of the Air Force Association and U.S. Naval Institute. He is a multi-engine and instrument-rated private pilot and can often be found in the skies all across the United States, piloting his own plane. On the ground, Dale enjoys tennis, skiing, scuba diving, and hockey. Dale, his wife Diane, and son Hunter live near the shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Reviews

[Igor Ljubuncic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Cheesy, macho, superficial, fun.

The fifth book in the McLanahan series is a reasonable manlit title, but now quite as good as the other books I've read in this series - Night of the Hawk and Day of the Cheetah. Like Clancy's post-Cold War books, it lacks some of that classic depth that Dale's earlier works had. The plot is linear, simple, with fewer characters and less intrigue. You still get the solid dose of techno and proper bomber/tanker refuelling expertise that was Dale's breadwinner, but the conversations are ultra-cliche, the emotional depth very nil, and there's less feeling of an overarching political story that we got in the past.

In a way, this book reads like a typical Globus & Golan straight-to-video movie from the 80s, the likes of Braddock and Delta Force. That means it's super easy, super fun, but since Dale had done better, he is his own criticism bar.

In a nutshell, there's trouble in the Middle East. The bad guys got an aircraft carrier, some good guys have been taken hostage, so Patrick has to come out of his fretful retirement as a bar owner to fly a modified hi-tech stealth bomber and kick ass. He partners with a reluctant, skeptical aviator, but they become BFF at the end of the book, and we even have a dusky exotic female commando to spice things up. Of course. So if you're wondering, yes, you've seen this all before, and it's been delightful. Now in print, too.





I also found a bunch of typos - technical errors related to missiles speeds, range and payload. Not sure why, might be just an editing problem. The plausability of action too, but hey, this wouldn't be a work of fiction otherwise, would it?

All in all, enjoyable. Simple, straightforward testosterone-fueled entertainment.

Le song - anything from the Top Gun soundtrack. Pick one.

Igor

[Silvana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first impression: a bit Tom Clancy-ish. Okay, that’s not fair because I have read Tom Clancy’s novels first. Anyway, it is a technothriller, no doubt about that. One thing that makes it rather different with Clancy novels is its emphasis on air combats and aircrafts. Nothing strange with that, of course, since Brown himself is a former bomber/navigator.

The plot is well-built and I rather like the fact that Brown kept his focus on one main plot, without including too many unnecessary side-plots. Not only the quite vast description of air force super technology and combat actions (which lost me sometimes, although I’m not really a stranger to those kind of things), Brown also used an international relations issue as a background, which I personally think could be one of our world’s future scenarios.

Just think about it, it is not impossible for Iran to acquire a carrier from its allies such as China & Russia that can compete with USS Abraham Lincoln and could mount tens of Sukhois and MiGs fighters AND carry nuclear warheads, then use all of those to close the Hormuz Strait and Gulf of Oman, thus cutting 1/3 of the world’s oil supply. No, of course I do not WANT that to happen (we have enough catastrophes in the Middle East already), but considering what happens between Iran and the trigger-happy, hawkish US government now, well, there is always such a grim possibility (which consequences are well, geez, I don’t want to think about it).

Overall, I enjoyed this novel, and can’t wait to read the others. Dale Brown is definitely better than the other *cough* Brown (the so-called controversial writer, dig?)

[Mr.B · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you enjoy catalogs of military hardware ala Tom Clancy, with even more precise nomenclature, shifting perspectives, convoluted plot structures, inane adolescent dialog, and silly character motivations--this could be the book for you.

[Scott A. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been more than 25 years since I read the McLanahan series. I have no idea why I stopped. I think this was published in 1997 but it could have been today. Iran. China. Russian weapons sold to the highest bidder. And a submarine named Wuhan shows up in the Epilogue...

Dale Brown is great. Life happened and I lost track of his books. Just another series that I need to find time for. If you don’t know him, read him in order. I’m pretty sure you’ll thank me.

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dale Brown is a military author who couldn't write charachters to save his life. Nevertheless, this story was shorter, less redundant and in fact more practical and exciting than the previous novel which I had read by him (Flight of the old dog) so therefore this novel recieves one extra star. However I will never ever, read another Dale Brown novel.

[Daniel Bratell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dale Brown's series of hypothetical stories where the US Air Force bomber command saves the day (more or less) continues with a visit to Iran. Iran has access to an old Russian carrier and when neighbouring states and the US disables a forward outpost (i.e. blows it up along with any humans there), they use the carrier for retribution. From there on it escalates.

The star of the show this time is a B2A Spirit Stealth bomber.

The books have some attraction but they are also stupid and silly and plain out wrong in many aspects. Enjoy them if you will but don't believe anything has any connection with reality.

[Peter Gendusa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iranian Navy shows its teeth

This story is filled with technical jargon and "futuristic?" Spy technology which gets tested in the waters in and around the Arabian peninsula. A rousing good story of spies, military might and unlikely heroes and villains.
As always, the US Navy comes out ahead in the end, but it doesn't necessarily go that way in real life.

[Michael Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dale Brown is one of the most dependable authors for good action. In this book, published in 1996, he demonstrates the use of high tech military aircraft software and hardware systems. Specifically, collection of emissions from electronic systems, surveillance, radar, radio, detection, targeting and countermeasures from all military sources. Further, this tech can destroy these systems either electronically or physically. This book seems to be placed between the protagonist’s release from the Air Force in a previous book and his later return when he adds remote control features to the B-2A stealth bomber. The protagonist, Patrick McLanahan, is well known to previous readers but the book is totally self-sustained.

In this story the technology is planned to augment verification of Iran’s agreement not to continue development of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Since Iran continues to develop WMD and substantially add to their naval power, their military is determined to prevent this type of espionage and capture or kill American troops. This storyline provides opportunities for the potential of a clash between the Iranian military and the ruling Imams leading the Republican Guards.

Brown does a great job on the action scenes. The move into action feels realistic. Flipping back and forth between the protagonist and his attacker is so fast the action is like lightning. In some of his books, Brown includes a nasty conflict between the protagonist and other members of the military or administration. These can be distracting but, in this book, this is handled more smoothly with less distraction.

This is a good book. Lots of interest, lots of tension, lots of action. Dale Brown tells an excellent story. Four stars.

[John A. Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picks up a few months after the events portrayed in Day of the Cheetah. The security failures that lead to those events mean Colonel Patrick McLanahan is no longer in the Air Force, but the technology the Hawk team developed is still at the cutting edge. When an American spy ship is sunk in the Persian Gulf, a belligerent Iran decides the time is right to take a more active role. With a new aircraft carrier, and an aggressive general with the ear of the ayatollah, it is time for Iran to takes its rightful place as the controller of the Middle East.
The US president cannot be seen to back down, and despite the chaotic demise of McLanahan’s old unit, and public opinion against another war (we are a few years after Desert Storm 1), he has to find a way to take action. McLanahan’s retirement is cut short as he works with old friends to utilise the latest high tech weapons whilst the US retains a degree of deniability.
Set in the mid-to-late 90s, this is once again a decent technothriller outing. The B-2 at the time was still something of a mystery, and it seems Mr. Brown has taken some artistic license with some of the technology. The protagonists are just a bit too perfect, but the actions is pretty good and it is an enjoyable throwback read.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hah! I can't believe I read this one in one day! Obviously, a fast read. It moved at a good clip. It held my interest throughout the entire story. It has been years since I last read it, so I was not surprised at how much of the story I had forgotten. The character development was decent; it is a 'direct sequel' to Day of the Cheetah, taking place about a year or so after that book. It has some 'good scenes' in it, as well as some stinkers [or maybe laughable is a better word?], but overall it was a good book.

I thought it had a two-fold interesting premise to its plot. The Iranians offer up a plan to demilitarize the Persian Gulf, which was an interesting concept [if only because many people would not trust the Iranians to honor the treaty stipulations] to propose in order to bring peace and stability to the region. The other involves a military coup where the 'civilian leadership' in Iran is replaced by what seems to be a joint military-religious government.

I thought it was interesting that the Iranians had acquired a carrier through the assistance of the Chinese and were 'co-renting' the warship. It was also interesting that the Iranians and the Chinese had developed such a 'close relationship' in the novel that drew even closer by the end of the plot. It will be interesting to see who this all plays out over the course of the remaining novels in the series [if it does become a plot point of future novels; I assume it directly influences the plot and story of Fatal Terrain]. I thought it was kinda crazy how the Iranians were able to develop a method by which the B-2A Stealth Bomber could be detected. I had forgotten about that part!

I think one thing that really stood out to me was the idea that there truly could be some kind of 'extended peace' in the Persian Gulf region. If only it were true....

I felt like parts of the story were written to be even more inflammatory than Flight of the Old Dog in order to get a rise out of the reader. It has some 'strong' scenes in it [in my opinion].

Granted, the 'sex scene' between Hal and his lover was kinda funny [and felt like she was being 'red-shirted', in a way]. Definitely more graphic than what he had written [attempted to describe] in Flight of the Old Dog or Day of the Cheetah! It's funny, how such things can be either well-written or not written well at all, how it can 'make or break' [some of] the tone of the overall narrative.

It also has a 'scene' that I felt was the weakest part of the book. In the scene where the Iranian general is under arrest and facing potential a potential death sentence for his actions, he starts accusing the Iranian President of collusion with the Americans and plotting the destruction of the Iranian military. This is where the book gets 'stupid' because the lawmakers and the 'religious leaders' present start believing the general and the general's accusations. It reaches the point where the general is able to foment a military coup, shut down the civil government, and eventually execute the Iranian president without any repercussions for his actions.

Now, I realize the general was probably in collusion with the religious leaders, to some extent [as indicated by various comments throughout the book]. Yet he himself expressed fear at his imminent death and shock that the religious leaders AND the lawmakers were accepting his crazy accusations. No matter how ridiculous his assertions were, the more the listeners [seemed to] believe him. It reached the point where it became over-the-top asinine as the listeners appeared to be 'stuck on stupid' in how much BS they chose to believe that spewed from this general's fetid, fertile imagination. It was the most frustrating thing about the book.

Granted, people do believe some ridiculous claims and conspiracies, there is no denying that. But that an entire body of individuals would fall prey to this guys spurious claims with no proof or foundation or anything? It was the general's word against the Iranian President's, and the general already had a track record of breaking rules, not following orders, going outside the chain of command, making excuses, and not accepting responsibility for his actions! Yet these lawmakers and religious leaders believed his false accusations over a man proven to have a better track record and proven character than the general? It was too far-fetched for me to believe, personally.

I am not sure why, but I remembered politicians being more antagonistic toward Elliot, McLanahan, and the rest of the HAWC team. I must be getting my stories mixed up, as the politicians in this story were more supportive of McLanahan and the military than I remembered [which is fine]. Perhaps it is in some of the later books that things take a 'negative turn' between the government and McLanahan and Crew.

It was kind of funny, that McLanahan was 'attacking' the Iranian forces using 'non-lethal' weapons [for the most part]. It was also humorous that his attacks were succeeding against the Iranians. It was a different kind of concept, I guess. I loved the 'Screamers' and the 'Disruptors' as weapons. They were way-cool in how they created such havoc amongst the Iranian armed forces.

It was a good book; a fun book to read. Even though it is relatively 'short' it does take a bit of time to build up the story. It is a series of slow escalations and confrontations before the climactic battle at the end. I think the author does a good job with telling the story and building up to the end. I enjoyed reading it [again].

[Drew Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great novel by Dale Brown with a lot of air action and suspense.

The Iranians have declared the Persian Gulf their territorial waters and they have sunk an American ship to prove their point.

The President of the United States wants to end the crisis before it escalates. He calls on Patrick McLanahan to help fly in a stealth bomber. It is quite a piece of aircraft with Disruptor-type weapons on board come into play in and around Iran.

A thrilling Patrick McLanahan novel. I have enjoyed a number of the Patrick McLanahan books by Dale Brown. I look forward to reading more.

[Steve Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a great read

Dale Brown is the master of international intrigue and aerial combat. He writes with experience and attention to detail. As a long retired Sacramento police officer, I was gratified to see that the author could accurately name a couple of bars that were well known as popular "watering holes" for cops in Sacramento at that time!!! It brought back some fond memories for me.

[Michael Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shades of Clancy

Shadows of Steel kept !email interested and was well written and edited. The author succeeded in showing an in depth knowledge of military protocols. The only problem with the book is that the details of Brown's research sometimes too precedence over the story. Well done.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book. Sadly most of this guy's work seems just ok. Too many silly tricks. I know a thing or three about aircraft. Just too many geee whiz... and I like gee whiz. The characters are bland.

And the end leaves open the next book, but also just too incredulous to want to read the next book... Its not horrible. But its not great.

[Ray Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Excellent thriller from cover to cover. It is a book you will not want to put down until you have reached the end . Onc you have reached the end you will be disapointed that you have reached the end. I wanted the story to go on and on. Just as the author planned so you will purchase his next book.

[Jon Hulsizer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked on a lark from a book exchange shelf based on a book jacket that sounded like a Reacher or Gray Man novel. The characters and tale are engaging, but the differentiator is describing sophisticated US military capability available in 1996. Although the detail can be a challenge to plow through, it’s fascinating and makes you wonder how much farther the technologies have advanced.

[Richard Stover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewing

This is a very well-written and technical story. But for me too technical as I couldn't keep up with all the jargon. Now we have to worry about the Chinese as they have the carrier.

[Connie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale! Where have you been all my life!

I cannot put these books down! Suspense from the first to the last chapters-and they were written long ago! Gotta go; ready to start the next one!

[John W Mohr Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawc is alive and well

This author became a favorite with flight of the old dog. I try very hard not miss any of stories.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real page-turner. I enjoyed it.

[George Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Big fan of Dale Brown, have read most of his books.
Not a big fan of war, but understand why it is necessary.

[Chrissy Strawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Brown has a fantastic knowledge of this subject.

McLanahan back in action!!! Fast paced page turner you will not want to put down. Based in Iran this store really moves!

[Jeff Hexter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the abridged audio book.

[Judith F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

The story is engrossing. You don't want to put the book down. This book ties in well with previous books.

[Raoul Jerome · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Not super exciting. Could have had more Patrick, but, oh well.

[Mr Roy Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

367 pages

[Lynn Romine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Its a good book and an interesting read. It's hard to believe that it is that easy to disrupt our advanced technology.

[Stephen Washburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

shadows of steel

Another very good Dale Brown story. Patrick McLanahan again is the hero of this story, but only after he returns to flying.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuation of the stories and characters...more fun to come.

[Mark Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Use't to lap these techno thrillers up but my world view has changed. The right wing politics and the way the US saves the world jar.