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Dan Lenson #14
The Cruiser
Newly-promoted to Captain, Dan Lenson's first glimpse of his command is of a ship literally high and dry. The USS Savo Island, which carries a classified, never-before-deployed missile defense system, has run aground on an exposed sandbar off Naples. Captain Lenson has to relieve the ship's disgraced skipper and deploy on a secret mission—Operation Stellar Shield—which will take his ship and crew into the dangerous waters bordering the Middle East.
As a climate of war builds between Israel and Iraq, with threats of nuclear and chemical weapons, Dan has to rally Savo Island's demoralized crew, confront a mysterious death on board ship, while learning to operate a complex missile system that has not been battle tested. But when the conflict reaches a climax, Dan is forced to make a decision that may cost hundreds of thousands of innocent lives—or may save them, but at the cost of his ship and his career.
Filled with dramatic sea adventure, authentic weapons and technology, and distinguished by Poyer's deep understanding of duty and the moral choices made in combat, The Cruiser is the fourteenth novel to feature Dan Lenson in military service that carries him throughout the world.
As a climate of war builds between Israel and Iraq, with threats of nuclear and chemical weapons, Dan has to rally Savo Island's demoralized crew, confront a mysterious death on board ship, while learning to operate a complex missile system that has not been battle tested. But when the conflict reaches a climax, Dan is forced to make a decision that may cost hundreds of thousands of innocent lives—or may save them, but at the cost of his ship and his career.
Filled with dramatic sea adventure, authentic weapons and technology, and distinguished by Poyer's deep understanding of duty and the moral choices made in combat, The Cruiser is the fourteenth novel to feature Dan Lenson in military service that carries him throughout the world.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published December 9, 2014
62 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
David Poyer
86 books241 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. Most recently, he's published two craft books, WRITING IN THE AGE OF AI and WRITING YOUR MEMOIR IN THE AGE OF AI.
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. Most recently, he's published two craft books, WRITING IN THE AGE OF AI and WRITING YOUR MEMOIR IN THE AGE OF AI.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 3, 2020
Another great Dan Lenson novel, this one about his command of a guided missile cruiser off the coast of Israel during the start of the Iraq War. Tasked with guarding Israel from ballistic missile attack from Iraq, the book describes modern naval warfare and how the ship defends itself from 3 attacks at the same time. Drama goes on with an XO that has problems, a strange death and sickness on the ship, and Dan having to make quick and correct decisions having little sleep. Continuous action.
Dan also has to make a decision of whether to shoot down a ballistic missile of an ally,
A good read
Dan also has to make a decision of whether to shoot down a ballistic missile of an ally,
A good read
December 30, 2014
The Cruiser by David Poyer is a first reads win and I'm giving my honest opinion. Captain Dan Lenson is given his own ship to command. The former captain ran her aground on a sandbars near Naples, Italy. The ship USS Sago Island had a top secret untried military weaponry called Operation Stellar Shield. His executive officer id Fahad Almarshadi who is very insecure. The rest of the staff seem ok but he will have to get some of his own people in to replace the men the Commodore lent him to complete this mission. Lenson’s mission take him to the Mediterranean toward Israel. His mission is to protect loss of lives through nuclear fall out. It appears to be a war coming. Then there's a fire in one of the missile silos. So two of the missiles are out of commission. Lucky not to have lost more or the ship. Then a gun goes missing. Then a sailor is found dead in his bed. Not auspicious to a good mission.
January 26, 2015
It isn't surprising that David Poyer's Dan Lenson novels (this is the 14th) are read in the Literature of the Sea course at Annapolis. They follow the career of a professional naval officer from his first ship (See: "The Gulf") to his appointment as captain of an Aegis missile cruiser at the outbreak of the second Gulf War. Lenson inherits a troubled ship, the Savo Bay. It's previous captain plus several other chiefs and officers have been taken off the ship following a harbor accident in Naples that is only the most obvious external manifestation of serious internal problems with both personnel and technology. Lenson, newly promoted to captain, specializes in unusual appointments. A decorated officer (Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, etc.), he is a maverick who has shown exceptional leadership, exhibited great personal bravery, and run afoul of the tradition-bound navy on several occasions serious enough to jeopardize his career. In any event, he has days to get his ship off the rocks, join up with a Sixth Fleet strike force, train his crew in a new and unproven antimissile system, and determine what is wrong with a couple of his officers.
Cruisers exist to protect aircraft carriers at the cost of their own safety, or, in this case, to protect the Israelis from Iraqi missiles in conjunction with some Patriot missile batteries but in the absence of real templates for cooperation with the Israelis. He has a nuclear attack sub assigned to his command, and is shadowed by an Israeli corvette, potentially threatened by an Iranian force (frigate and missile boat), lit up by mobile Syrian radar trucks and missile batteries, and perhaps a target of Iraqi Scud missiles from the Western Desert region. Iraq, of course, is under assault from the US Army and Marines, and is being bombarded by the Navy's shock and awe air campaign.
The Savo Bay is under constant pressure from both inside and outside the ship. Its assignment puts the ship in harm's way repeatedly. It is subjected to missile attacks, dangerous accidents, and an all-out back-alley knife fight (as it were) with the Iranian vessels. Lenson juggles his crew's internal issues, and fights his own demons (temper, self-doubt, past physical damage incurred fighting his country's enemies). He is always interesting, not always perfect, but exhibits an ability to do his best for his service and crew.
The combat stuff is very convincing, as is the technical information about fighting a new kind of ship in an evolving navy. The way that Savo Bay is staked out reminds me a good deal of P. T. Deutermann's "Sentinels of Fire," which described what it was like to man a destroyer on the kamikaze picket line off Iwo Jima. Though set more than fifty years apart, both books show what it means to be on a ship that is at great risk. "The Cruiser" is a very strong book in an exceptionally interesting series (six to come, I think).
Cruisers exist to protect aircraft carriers at the cost of their own safety, or, in this case, to protect the Israelis from Iraqi missiles in conjunction with some Patriot missile batteries but in the absence of real templates for cooperation with the Israelis. He has a nuclear attack sub assigned to his command, and is shadowed by an Israeli corvette, potentially threatened by an Iranian force (frigate and missile boat), lit up by mobile Syrian radar trucks and missile batteries, and perhaps a target of Iraqi Scud missiles from the Western Desert region. Iraq, of course, is under assault from the US Army and Marines, and is being bombarded by the Navy's shock and awe air campaign.
The Savo Bay is under constant pressure from both inside and outside the ship. Its assignment puts the ship in harm's way repeatedly. It is subjected to missile attacks, dangerous accidents, and an all-out back-alley knife fight (as it were) with the Iranian vessels. Lenson juggles his crew's internal issues, and fights his own demons (temper, self-doubt, past physical damage incurred fighting his country's enemies). He is always interesting, not always perfect, but exhibits an ability to do his best for his service and crew.
The combat stuff is very convincing, as is the technical information about fighting a new kind of ship in an evolving navy. The way that Savo Bay is staked out reminds me a good deal of P. T. Deutermann's "Sentinels of Fire," which described what it was like to man a destroyer on the kamikaze picket line off Iwo Jima. Though set more than fifty years apart, both books show what it means to be on a ship that is at great risk. "The Cruiser" is a very strong book in an exceptionally interesting series (six to come, I think).
July 19, 2015
Newly-promoted to Captain, Dan Lenson's first glimpse of his command is of a ship literally high and dry. The USS Savo Island, which carries a classified, never-before-deployed missile defense system, has run aground on an exposed sandbar off Naples. Captain Lenson has to relieve the ship's disgraced skipper and deploy on a secret mission--Operation Stellar Shield--which will take his ship and crew into the dangerous waters bordering the Middle East.
As a climate of war builds between Israel and Iraq, with threats of nuclear and chemical weapons, Dan has to rally Savo Island's demoralized crew, confront a mysterious death on board ship, while learning to operate a complex missile system that has not been battle tested. But when the conflict reaches a climax, Dan is forced to make a decision that may cost hundreds of thousands of innocent lives--or may save them, but at the cost of his ship and his career.
Filled with dramatic sea adventure, authentic weapons and technology, and distinguished by Poyer's deep understanding of duty and the moral choices made in combat, The Cruiser is the fourteenth novel to feature Dan Lenson in military service that carries him throughout the world.
ReviewThe action is so detailed that readers paying close attention could take over the captain's chair and drive the boat themselves. (Publishers Weekly)
Poyer is a master of the modern sea adventure, pitting both men and women against unseen enemies and turbulent waves. (Kirkus)
"…Those who have not [already discovered Poyer's long-running Lenson series] should be steered in this book's direction. They'll be glad they gave it a look." - Booklist* About the AuthorDAVID POYER's naval career included service in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, Caribbean, the Middle East, and Pacific. The Cruiser is the fourteenth in his continuing Dan Lenson series. He's also written sailing, diving, and nautical history articles for Chesapeake Bay, Southern Boating, Shipmate, Tidewater Virginian, and other periodicals. His work has been required reading in the Literature of the Sea course at the U.S. Naval Academy. Previous novels in the Dan Lenson series include The Towers, The Crisis, and The Weapon. He lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with his wife and daughter, with whom he explores the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast in their sloop, Water Spirit.
February 2, 2015
Set in the run up to Gulf War II, in this latest entry to his Dan Lenson series, Mr. Poyer has put Dan in command of a hard luck ship, a Ticonderoga class cruiser, USS Savo Island, with a new antiballistic missile system that has run aground in Naples Harbor.
First the things I liked about this novel. As usual I thought it was tightly written and a good thriller. Mr. Poyer, a retired Naval Officer, knows the navy and how it works. This knowledge brings authenticity to the novel. The novel is fast paced and I found the plot plausible if not totally believable. As the Savo Island puts to see it seems everything that can go wrong does - Multiple fires, crew dissension, degraded weapon systems heading into combat ect . I thought Mr. Poyer does a good job with Dan’s reactions to various crises and the resulting self-doubts
Now to the problems, there are a lot of loose ends that are not explained.
This is not the best of the Dan Lenson novels. While I liked the character development in Dan Lenson, the unresolved subplots took this down a point for me – 3.25 stars rounded down to 3 for good reads
First the things I liked about this novel. As usual I thought it was tightly written and a good thriller. Mr. Poyer, a retired Naval Officer, knows the navy and how it works. This knowledge brings authenticity to the novel. The novel is fast paced and I found the plot plausible if not totally believable. As the Savo Island puts to see it seems everything that can go wrong does - Multiple fires, crew dissension, degraded weapon systems heading into combat ect . I thought Mr. Poyer does a good job with Dan’s reactions to various crises and the resulting self-doubts
Now to the problems, there are a lot of loose ends that are not explained.
This is not the best of the Dan Lenson novels. While I liked the character development in Dan Lenson, the unresolved subplots took this down a point for me – 3.25 stars rounded down to 3 for good reads
December 27, 2014
THE CRUISER tells the story of Captain Daniel Lenson, US Navy, and his new command the USS Savo Island. The ship had not performed well under its’ former commander and several people including the former captain had been fired as the result of a JAG investigation. Lenson is expected to turn the ships’ performance around quickly as war with Iraq seems imminent. The Savo Island is stationed in the Mediterranean where it could quickly become part of the action. Captain Lenson’s time on the cruiser Savo Island proves to be anything but smooth sailing. There are multiple problems with both equipment and crew that must be overcome as the US attacks Iraq. All of these issues in combination result in the new captain questioning the ships’ ability to carry out its’ mission. The stress level mounts for Lenson and every decision he makes seems only to add to the tension on the cruiser.
Although Poyer keeps adding to the pressure of the situation onboard the Savo Island as well as inside Captain Lenson, the plot didn’t seem to have significant forward motion and left many issues unresolved. The propensity of technical terms and acronyms was also an issue for me. It took quite an effort for someone like myself with no Navy background to translate all of the technical jargon. Overall I give this novel plus points for the way the author develops a very believable character in Captain Lenson and how he deals with his inner conflicts, but the other issues with the plot and technical terms weigh the balance negatively. Experienced naval personnel would probably enjoy this book more than the average reader. In this case the reading experience for me mirrors the storyline, there are problems, but it manages (sometimes just barely) to stay afloat.
Although Poyer keeps adding to the pressure of the situation onboard the Savo Island as well as inside Captain Lenson, the plot didn’t seem to have significant forward motion and left many issues unresolved. The propensity of technical terms and acronyms was also an issue for me. It took quite an effort for someone like myself with no Navy background to translate all of the technical jargon. Overall I give this novel plus points for the way the author develops a very believable character in Captain Lenson and how he deals with his inner conflicts, but the other issues with the plot and technical terms weigh the balance negatively. Experienced naval personnel would probably enjoy this book more than the average reader. In this case the reading experience for me mirrors the storyline, there are problems, but it manages (sometimes just barely) to stay afloat.
November 19, 2014
I haven’t read a David Poyer novel in many years but when I picked THE CRUISER up I remembered exactly what I had been missing. The action starts, never slows down, and manages to ramp up to a pinnacle that is exhausting.
In this latest outing in the Dan Lenson series, our main character assumes the command of a troubled Anti-Ballistic Missile Cruiser. That the ship is beached on a sandbar is testament to the problems of the last command structure. Lenson has to get the ship back in the water, insure she is ready for duty and steam off to take position to guard an aircraft carrier fleet in the eastern Mediterranean Sea just in time for the start of the second Gulf war.
I am pretty used to military lingo but there were times when I had problems solving the acronyms. However you don’t need to know the exact translation to enjoy the read. Poyer writes without including the boring stuff, his actions are deliberate and the logic within the thought processes of the ship’s captain as commonsensical and military, and humane, as they are in real life.
I would strongly recommend Poyer’s series of Navy based action books for anyone who wants a better understanding of what a ship and her crew go through in the normal course of operations, not to mention the difficulties they face when under fire. If you are in the Navy, march right out and get a better understanding of what you are into with your career. You will be glad in so many ways that you did.
An outstanding Goodreads win, yet not the very best Mr. Poyer has written. I will leave that nugget to be discovered by the curious reader out there.
In this latest outing in the Dan Lenson series, our main character assumes the command of a troubled Anti-Ballistic Missile Cruiser. That the ship is beached on a sandbar is testament to the problems of the last command structure. Lenson has to get the ship back in the water, insure she is ready for duty and steam off to take position to guard an aircraft carrier fleet in the eastern Mediterranean Sea just in time for the start of the second Gulf war.
I am pretty used to military lingo but there were times when I had problems solving the acronyms. However you don’t need to know the exact translation to enjoy the read. Poyer writes without including the boring stuff, his actions are deliberate and the logic within the thought processes of the ship’s captain as commonsensical and military, and humane, as they are in real life.
I would strongly recommend Poyer’s series of Navy based action books for anyone who wants a better understanding of what a ship and her crew go through in the normal course of operations, not to mention the difficulties they face when under fire. If you are in the Navy, march right out and get a better understanding of what you are into with your career. You will be glad in so many ways that you did.
An outstanding Goodreads win, yet not the very best Mr. Poyer has written. I will leave that nugget to be discovered by the curious reader out there.
June 8, 2015
Dan Lenson continues and this time, his command is one that the Navy has bestowed upon him. Though, since he is Lenson, who has served more time at sea than any other officer, and though not always covered in glory has pulled far too many chestnuts out of the fire, once again, he is given a ship with more chestnuts in the fire than any other Captain would ever face. One must remember that Lenson has the 'Medal.'
Yet he is complex and thinks often if he is up to the task when the Balloon goes up. As it will. As it always does, and as we know, somewhere from deep within, Lenson is the kind of man who can find the strength he needs from the very depths of his experience, his abilities to meet the needs thrust at him. Those of us who have had the weight of leadership, whether it is war, or in civilian life, are oft times beset by the uncertainty of not knowing the answer to the questions one knows are coming, and wondering whether they can rise to the challenge and achieve success when there is no guarantee. This, perhaps more than any other time Poyer has taken us to view Lenson, is the key to the entire story, and leaves us wanting more. Lenson is plagued by whether he will find answers or not, just as every man is.
This is well worth the read and waiting patiently for the next.
Yet he is complex and thinks often if he is up to the task when the Balloon goes up. As it will. As it always does, and as we know, somewhere from deep within, Lenson is the kind of man who can find the strength he needs from the very depths of his experience, his abilities to meet the needs thrust at him. Those of us who have had the weight of leadership, whether it is war, or in civilian life, are oft times beset by the uncertainty of not knowing the answer to the questions one knows are coming, and wondering whether they can rise to the challenge and achieve success when there is no guarantee. This, perhaps more than any other time Poyer has taken us to view Lenson, is the key to the entire story, and leaves us wanting more. Lenson is plagued by whether he will find answers or not, just as every man is.
This is well worth the read and waiting patiently for the next.
December 19, 2014
“The Cruiser” was published in 2014 (December) and was written by David Poyer (http://www.poyer.com). Mr. Poyer has written many sea related novels, this is the 14th in the “Tales of the Modern Navy (Dan Lenson Novels)” series.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. The novel is set in more of less contemporary times. The primary character is the newly promoted to Captain Dan Lenson.
Lenson is thrust into the command of an advanced cruiser that the previous Captain has let run aground. Lenson steps into command of a stressed crew and a tenuous peace in the middle east. His ship and the bleeding edge missile system it carries is critical to keeping the situation from getting out of hand.
The story is filled with the modern US navy and even though this is the 14th novel in the series, it stood well as a stand alone read. There was action, intrigue and the drama of conflicting personalities. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. The novel is set in more of less contemporary times. The primary character is the newly promoted to Captain Dan Lenson.
Lenson is thrust into the command of an advanced cruiser that the previous Captain has let run aground. Lenson steps into command of a stressed crew and a tenuous peace in the middle east. His ship and the bleeding edge missile system it carries is critical to keeping the situation from getting out of hand.
The story is filled with the modern US navy and even though this is the 14th novel in the series, it stood well as a stand alone read. There was action, intrigue and the drama of conflicting personalities. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
November 7, 2015
David Poyer, The Cruiser
This is the first book I've read of the Dan Lensen series of books and he definitely is my new number one author of naval thriller / mystery genre. He masterly paints his characters in one's mind, while showing an extremely detailed situations, keeping the technology understandable to the layperson while maintaining a relentless sense of plausible action and suspense. I cannot say enough about how much I've enjoyed the book and wishing I'd found this series sooner. I'm intending to read his newest installment of this series, and hopefully start from the beginning forward. Bravo!
This is the first book I've read of the Dan Lensen series of books and he definitely is my new number one author of naval thriller / mystery genre. He masterly paints his characters in one's mind, while showing an extremely detailed situations, keeping the technology understandable to the layperson while maintaining a relentless sense of plausible action and suspense. I cannot say enough about how much I've enjoyed the book and wishing I'd found this series sooner. I'm intending to read his newest installment of this series, and hopefully start from the beginning forward. Bravo!
January 27, 2015
I do really like this series about Dan Lensen because I learn a lot about the navy. Dan FINALLY got to captain a cruiser! But it's a cruiser with lots of problems.
This book is so filled with technical stuff, a lot of it was so way over my head. It would have been nice if Poyer gave a glossary of meanings of all the "military speak". Sometimes it was very distracting to try to figure out what the initials meant. some I never got.
That being said, there was enough action and dialogue that I got the gist of the story, and I still like the series.
This book is so filled with technical stuff, a lot of it was so way over my head. It would have been nice if Poyer gave a glossary of meanings of all the "military speak". Sometimes it was very distracting to try to figure out what the initials meant. some I never got.
That being said, there was enough action and dialogue that I got the gist of the story, and I still like the series.
January 20, 2015
Hold on to your cover or it'll end up in the scuppers because this is a fast-paced story. It is full of Navy jargon, acronyms and over-the-top modern weapons technology. Above all it is a sea story, a tale of a captain and his crew sailing their ship into "harm's way." Highly recommended for all you "old salts" out there and the not so old ones too. Ship type is a Ticonderoga class cruiser by the way.
Read
December 9, 2015This was my first Poyer novel. There was a little too much technical jargon & I just really wasn't in the mood to read & decipher the whole way through...maybe I'll try another Poyer book one day when I want to tax my brain a little harder : ) Also, it needs pictures of the ships and details so I could reference and actually see what they are talking about. If it had that I would have continued on reading.
January 5, 2015
RECEIVED FREE THROUGH GOODREADS FIRST READS.
This was my first David Poyer and i really thought i would enjoy the read...but, i found the technical, military jargon, a bit above my simple head.
The writing was spot on and if you have an interest in military thrillers, this is your book!!
This was my first David Poyer and i really thought i would enjoy the read...but, i found the technical, military jargon, a bit above my simple head.
The writing was spot on and if you have an interest in military thrillers, this is your book!!
January 17, 2015
Recieved an ARC copy of this from goodreads. This was one of the most realistic military thrillers I have read. The suspense builds quickly and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Dan lenson is an amazing character with all the leadership skills needed to lead a wartime effort..
April 11, 2015
Good action in this naval thriller! A never ending series of problems for the new Skipper to deal with as they, ship and crew, face the challenges of protecting Israel from Saddam's prospective mIssals! Perhaps a tad too many issues for the over stressed Captain to handle.
October 5, 2016
Pretty much akin to reading a behind the scenes description as oppose to the story itself. Guess it can be a refreshing change of perspective from usual novels. However not exactly my preference for a leisure read.
January 31, 2015
It is been a while since I've read a David Poyer book. I really enjoyed reading "The Cruiser".
November 6, 2015
Love Dan Lenson! Great series, powerful character...
January 21, 2015
Interesting storyline. Fast paced and well researched on naval jargon and operating procedures.
My first time reading any of this authors works....and I'm sure it won't be my last.
My first time reading any of this authors works....and I'm sure it won't be my last.
January 6, 2015
Skip the first 60% Boring
Unless you want to wade thru a lot of technical gibberish, just go to the action, which is well done
Unless you want to wade thru a lot of technical gibberish, just go to the action, which is well done
March 3, 2015
The ongoing saga of Dan Lenson fits in with the other books in this series. It is well written. It is not the best of this series but it is worth your time as is the entire series.
Read
July 18, 2015the usual great Poyer
April 6, 2015
A lot like the early Poyer books I've read, Digs into memories from my time in Navy 1972 thru 1976
May 28, 2015
Good read
Little technical, makes you think about what's happening but always a plot twist or two. Really like David Poyer's books.
Little technical, makes you think about what's happening but always a plot twist or two. Really like David Poyer's books.
October 12, 2015
Generally good. Characters a little thin, but some of the story comes from their running against type. This is a modern setting and technology plays maybe just a little too big a part.
February 24, 2016
A good naval story that kept my interest.
July 8, 2016
hooked - now to read the 13 that came before this one!!!!
December 18, 2014
Another great Dan Lenson novel. As we had long known from the last novel, Dan Lenson is now a Captain in the U.S. Navy, but as we have come to expect, his assignment will be no easy task. We get the usual super-technical detail about the modern naval cruiser. In addition, what Poyer does so well is to educate us as to the functions and relationships of the people on the boat - the officers and sailors - who make the boat work and who cope with and repair problems which arise through normal wear and tear and in combat.
Poyer also gives us a picture of the daily work of a U.S. naval craft and the expertise required to sail and fight a modern warship. Despite all the technology and the advances in naval warfare, the people fighting her have to be extraordinarily educated and technically apt. The Lenson novels can serve as recruiting material for the U.S. Navy.
Poyer also gives us a picture of the daily work of a U.S. naval craft and the expertise required to sail and fight a modern warship. Despite all the technology and the advances in naval warfare, the people fighting her have to be extraordinarily educated and technically apt. The Lenson novels can serve as recruiting material for the U.S. Navy.
April 11, 2018
Smashing
The Cruiser is a well written Naval novel. Dan Lenson has more than his share of problems to deal with, from personal to professional. Honestly, he has more problems on one ship than any one ship would normally have…of course that is what makes this story catchy and fast paced. From a TBM asset to defeating a Chinese SAG transiting to Syria, not to mention poor crew moral, a junior office who has alienated the entire Goat Locker (Chief’s mess), an XO with a persecution complex…just to name s few. Most of this would be enough for a career, let alone one ship. The to top it off, the moral and political discussion with respect to how Ballistic missile defense should be executed. Thought provoking and fast paced, Poyer has again weaved a tale that grips you and will not let you put the book down.
The Cruiser is a well written Naval novel. Dan Lenson has more than his share of problems to deal with, from personal to professional. Honestly, he has more problems on one ship than any one ship would normally have…of course that is what makes this story catchy and fast paced. From a TBM asset to defeating a Chinese SAG transiting to Syria, not to mention poor crew moral, a junior office who has alienated the entire Goat Locker (Chief’s mess), an XO with a persecution complex…just to name s few. Most of this would be enough for a career, let alone one ship. The to top it off, the moral and political discussion with respect to how Ballistic missile defense should be executed. Thought provoking and fast paced, Poyer has again weaved a tale that grips you and will not let you put the book down.
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