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Patrick McLanahan #6
Fatal Terrain
The People’s Republic of China has launched a terrifying attack against Taiwan. Cold. Swift. Deadly. The U.S. isn’t willing to stand by and watch, but when they come to Taiwan’s aid, they’re dealt an unexpected blow from Chinese forces. It looks like the U.S. is going down.. Until aerial strike warfare expert Patrick McLanahan and genius Jon Masters come to into the picture. Together, they have created a monster - the EB-52 Megafortress. A high-tech display of weaponry, fully equipped with stealth cruise missiles. The most sophisticated bomber the world has ever seen. The unsinkable “flying battleship.” Now china is on its way to a nuclear high noon. And the Doomsday clock is ticking. Author Dale Former U.S. Air Force captain Dale Brown is the superstar author of 24 best-selling action-adventure “techno-thriller” 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), FATAL TERRAIN (1997), THE TIN MAN (1998), BATTLE BORN, (1999), WARRIOR CLASS (2001), WINGS OF FIRE (2002), AIR BATTLE FORCE (2003), PLAN OF ATTACK (2004), ACT OF WAR (2005), EDGE OF BATTLE (2006), STRIKE FORCE (2007), SHADOW COMMAND (2008), ROGUE FORCES (2009), EXECUTIVE INTENT (2010), A TIME FOR PATRIOTS (2011), and TIGER’S CLAW (2012). His 25th novel, entitled STARFIRE, is scheduled for release in early 2014. He is also the co-author of the best-selling DREAMLAND techno-thriller series and writer and technical consultant of the Act of War PC real-time strategy game published by Atari Interactive, and the Megafortress PC flight simulator by Three-Sixty Pacific. Dale’s novels are published in 11 languages and distributed to over 70 countries. Worldwide sales of his novels, audiobooks, e-books, and computer games exceed 15 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 member of the first class of Air Force ROTC cadets to qualify for and complete the grueling three-week U.S. Army Airborne Infantry paratrooper training course at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1977. Dale was a navigator-bombardier in the B-52G Stratofortress heavy bomber and the FB-111A supersonic medium bomber, and an instructor on aircrew life support and combat survival, evasion, resistance, and escape. He 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 is a command pilot in Angel Flight West, a group that volunteer their time, skills, and aircraft to fly needy medical patients free of charge to receive medical treatment. Dale is also a mission pilot and deputy squadron commander in the Civil Air Patrol, which performs search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, surveillance, and many other missions in support of the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies. He supports a number of organizations to promote law enforcement, education, literacy, and support for military veterans and their families. Dale Brown is a Life Member of the Air Force Association, U.S. Naval Institute, and National Rifle Association. He is a multi-engine and instrument-rated private pilot and can often be found in the skies all across the United States, at the controls of his Cessna P210 Centurion. On the ground, Dale is a youth soccer referee and referee instructor and enjoys tennis and scuba diving. Dale, his wife Diane, and son Hunter live near Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 1997
327 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read
About the author
Dale Brown
146 books1,124 followersFormer 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 17, 2022
When as a writer you are more engrossed with the machinery than the characters, it doesn't make for an interesting, exciting novel. 4 of 10 stars
January 17, 2022
Cheesy, really cheesy, cliche and moderately fun.
There be a soft spot for Dale Brown in me heart. I like his manlit endeavors, even if they get a bit less glamorous than in the early books. Fatal Terrain is the sixth installment in the McLanahan saga, and for something written more than 20 years back, it feels quite relevant, at least in the political sense. Taiwan, China, independence, war, the whole nine yards.
Where fiction departs reality is in the action of course. Once again, the Megafortress team is embroiled in another global conflict, and since antes must be upped each book, this one goes full nukelar (proper spelling, innit). This makes the plot slightly less plausible, turning it all arcadey gamey.
I found this novel somewhat disjointed. One, there's less sense of depth than before. Two, the story is more set-piece, less flowing. Three, the pace does pick up toward the end, but you don't get the sense of a wider world, or any character development. Patrick is almost an extra here, and there's no drama.
Not bad, but the book feels like a filler toward what I presume ought to be the plot of the seventh novel. All in all, there's something missing. Or rather, there's something that oughtn't be there.
It's called AIM-99 Marry Sue.
Once you stop fearing for the Megafortress team, and once their weaponry prowess becomes almost too casual, the whole thing stops being fun, even if Dale does introduce good plot twists along the way. But you just know things will turn out fine, and you go into your B Movie mode. Not bad, but the earlier books were tighter, more coherent.
Worth reading, however be ready to roll thy eyes at the ultra-implausible kickassery.
The most appropriate song for this book - the theme track from Iron Eagle. Yup.
Igor
There be a soft spot for Dale Brown in me heart. I like his manlit endeavors, even if they get a bit less glamorous than in the early books. Fatal Terrain is the sixth installment in the McLanahan saga, and for something written more than 20 years back, it feels quite relevant, at least in the political sense. Taiwan, China, independence, war, the whole nine yards.
Where fiction departs reality is in the action of course. Once again, the Megafortress team is embroiled in another global conflict, and since antes must be upped each book, this one goes full nukelar (proper spelling, innit). This makes the plot slightly less plausible, turning it all arcadey gamey.
I found this novel somewhat disjointed. One, there's less sense of depth than before. Two, the story is more set-piece, less flowing. Three, the pace does pick up toward the end, but you don't get the sense of a wider world, or any character development. Patrick is almost an extra here, and there's no drama.
Not bad, but the book feels like a filler toward what I presume ought to be the plot of the seventh novel. All in all, there's something missing. Or rather, there's something that oughtn't be there.
It's called AIM-99 Marry Sue.
Once you stop fearing for the Megafortress team, and once their weaponry prowess becomes almost too casual, the whole thing stops being fun, even if Dale does introduce good plot twists along the way. But you just know things will turn out fine, and you go into your B Movie mode. Not bad, but the earlier books were tighter, more coherent.
Worth reading, however be ready to roll thy eyes at the ultra-implausible kickassery.
The most appropriate song for this book - the theme track from Iron Eagle. Yup.
Igor
July 15, 2011
The story was fascinating, but I was so distracted and slowed down by all the technical information with official numbers and what each weapon or bomb did, that I couldn't concentrate on the story.
October 30, 2017
A nice book, but hard to read at times. Way too many details about weapons etc.
1 other thing that bothers me, and that is a writer’s trick to make it all a bit more exciting. And that is introducing a character (Balboa) who is too stupid too sweep the streets but is in fact very powerfull.
1 other thing that bothers me, and that is a writer’s trick to make it all a bit more exciting. And that is introducing a character (Balboa) who is too stupid too sweep the streets but is in fact very powerfull.
August 20, 2016
Stunning in detail
The most detailed descriptions in modern day action. The character's are detailed and well written. I would recommend to fans of the genre.
The most detailed descriptions in modern day action. The character's are detailed and well written. I would recommend to fans of the genre.
May 12, 2010
In the fictional 1997 America of this book, the nation has had more than its share of problems dealing with Iran. It’s hawkish conservative president has ordered clandestine strikes against Iran which were highly successful but nonetheless outraged Congress. As a result, the president is embattled and embroiled in hearings to determine the legality of his actions, among other things. As spring fades to summer, his administration comes out in full support of a newly elected government in Taiwan, which has officially declared its complete and permanent independence from mainland China.
Hostilities erupt between mainland China and Taiwan, and due to severe military cutbacks and the nation’s involvement in previous conflicts, the U.s. response is measured and limited.
Chinese military leaders deliberately trap the Americans into taking military action, and before long, communist leaders have discharged nuclear weaponry over Taiwan.
While Washington seems paralyzed, a tiny military contractor has put together a private strike force under the direction of top-notch aviator Patrick McLanahan and retired General Brad Elliott. It is this unauthorized strike force that ultimately humbles Beijing and preserves the world from all-out nuclear war.
Granted, this was written well before September 11, 01. But I was struck by some of the similarities in this book and our world. China moves boldly and insolently, doing so under the presumption that the United States cannot afford to attack the one country that holds so much of its debt. If anything, we are far more dependent on the Chinese today in that regard than we were in 1997. There are other similarities including weapon systems cuts. , and this book left me pondering whether a private contractor could actually significantly alter the outcome of a war. I was also fascinated by Brown’s ability to weave a highly believable scenario that included propaganda and information manipulation on the part of all the governments involved, but particularly the Chinese.
The characters in this book are well developed and likable. Even the over-cautious head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff comes across as at least believable The closed-room dialogues between the embattled president and those from the opposition party certainly seem realistic enough. I think one of the things that impressed me most about the book is Brown’s ability to create characters who were entirely human despite their long shot odds heroism. McLanahan’s wife, Wendy, is pregnant as this book opens, and that reality has a real and highly believable and understandable impact on his thought processes as he must make decisions about how to use a plane his employer designed to end China’s nuclear capabilities. I never had any difficulty keeping the various characters straight, and the communist leaders are not portrayed here as soulless two-dimensional completely evil people. The characterization for them is much more complex and part of what makes the book worth reading.
If the book has a down side for me, it is that Brown sometimes seems to wax obsessive about the equipment used. I get that detailed descriptions of aviation procedures are part of what makes the book so realistic and gripping. I just occasionally got lost in all the equipment minutia from time to time. That said, I must admit I enjoyed the fast-paced writing style Brown uses when his characters are in the air and doing battle. There is some profanity in this book, but there are no sexual descriptions.
Hostilities erupt between mainland China and Taiwan, and due to severe military cutbacks and the nation’s involvement in previous conflicts, the U.s. response is measured and limited.
Chinese military leaders deliberately trap the Americans into taking military action, and before long, communist leaders have discharged nuclear weaponry over Taiwan.
While Washington seems paralyzed, a tiny military contractor has put together a private strike force under the direction of top-notch aviator Patrick McLanahan and retired General Brad Elliott. It is this unauthorized strike force that ultimately humbles Beijing and preserves the world from all-out nuclear war.
Granted, this was written well before September 11, 01. But I was struck by some of the similarities in this book and our world. China moves boldly and insolently, doing so under the presumption that the United States cannot afford to attack the one country that holds so much of its debt. If anything, we are far more dependent on the Chinese today in that regard than we were in 1997. There are other similarities including weapon systems cuts. , and this book left me pondering whether a private contractor could actually significantly alter the outcome of a war. I was also fascinated by Brown’s ability to weave a highly believable scenario that included propaganda and information manipulation on the part of all the governments involved, but particularly the Chinese.
The characters in this book are well developed and likable. Even the over-cautious head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff comes across as at least believable The closed-room dialogues between the embattled president and those from the opposition party certainly seem realistic enough. I think one of the things that impressed me most about the book is Brown’s ability to create characters who were entirely human despite their long shot odds heroism. McLanahan’s wife, Wendy, is pregnant as this book opens, and that reality has a real and highly believable and understandable impact on his thought processes as he must make decisions about how to use a plane his employer designed to end China’s nuclear capabilities. I never had any difficulty keeping the various characters straight, and the communist leaders are not portrayed here as soulless two-dimensional completely evil people. The characterization for them is much more complex and part of what makes the book worth reading.
If the book has a down side for me, it is that Brown sometimes seems to wax obsessive about the equipment used. I get that detailed descriptions of aviation procedures are part of what makes the book so realistic and gripping. I just occasionally got lost in all the equipment minutia from time to time. That said, I must admit I enjoyed the fast-paced writing style Brown uses when his characters are in the air and doing battle. There is some profanity in this book, but there are no sexual descriptions.
April 10, 2023
I have had to push myself to give this a third star. It was a 2½ at best and maybe a bit lower, but in an act of magnanimous generosity. . .
I first read Brown's Flight Of The Old Dog and enjoyed it. I then read another, several years later and didn't enjoy it nearly so much. This book was on a give-away cart in our recreation hall and I thought I would give Brown another chance.
One reviewer described this novel as somewhat 'cheesy" and I have to agree.
I've often mentioned that a good author, to me, takes the unbelievable and makes it believable. Stephen King is a master of this and I could list a host of others. Dale Brown would not be among them. In fact, I would say he's just the opposite; he takes the believable and makes it unbelievable.
Some of the most ridiculous parts were the scenes in the Oval Office of The White House. The participants didn't have conversations so much as they gave speeches. While the President was fairly black and white, the opposition party was ridiculous so.
OK, I've talked myself into removing one of the stars and I'm not happy that I didn't consign this book to the DNF pile.
I first read Brown's Flight Of The Old Dog and enjoyed it. I then read another, several years later and didn't enjoy it nearly so much. This book was on a give-away cart in our recreation hall and I thought I would give Brown another chance.
One reviewer described this novel as somewhat 'cheesy" and I have to agree.
I've often mentioned that a good author, to me, takes the unbelievable and makes it believable. Stephen King is a master of this and I could list a host of others. Dale Brown would not be among them. In fact, I would say he's just the opposite; he takes the believable and makes it unbelievable.
Some of the most ridiculous parts were the scenes in the Oval Office of The White House. The participants didn't have conversations so much as they gave speeches. While the President was fairly black and white, the opposition party was ridiculous so.
OK, I've talked myself into removing one of the stars and I'm not happy that I didn't consign this book to the DNF pile.
June 15, 2016
This was a crazy book. Where else can you have a nation not suffer any repercussions for its actions? As much as I hate to admit it, I enjoyed the political discussion this time around moreso than before. I thought the author did a good job with the various points-of-views presented in this story. It moves at a decent pace, up until the ending. Then the ending reads like an expanded Deus ex machina to reach the desired resolution. I am not sure about the character development; I did not remember some of the 'main characters' being quite so abrasive the last few times I read the book. I cannot decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
I do remember the first time I read this book, I had a hard time accepting the 'mindset' that heavy bombers no longer had a place in the US military. I guess I can see [understand] some of that mindset, because missiles are far more cheaper and far more cost effective in terms of delivering nuclear payloads. I can see why the author would state that heavy bombers are more effective when dropping non-nuclear payloads as opposed to nuclear payloads. It is an ironic stance, considering he writes about heavy bombers being modified into becoming 'flying battleships' and being able to carry all sorts of different payloads and ordinance.
It is kind of interesting reading this novel now, because I recently read an article about how the United States has not really introduced any new military aircraft in recent years. [I thought it interesting that the author failed to mention the F-22, F-35, and F-117 fighters in his article, as well as the B-1 and B-2 bombers.] The article focused on how the US Military was planning on using 'older' technology well into the next century [such as the M-1 Abrams tank; no new plans on the drawing board to replace it yet. Then there is the B-52 Bomber - still in use nearly seventy years after the first one flew!]. The US still uses prop-jobs, for Pete's sake! So I always found these books by Dale Brown to be fascinating, because of how he took 'current' technology and military weapons and weapon platforms and extrapolated modifying them for expanding mission parameters 'in the future', as it were.
His characters, though, manage to provoke a lot of emotions. Not all of them are good emotions, either. I could not quite decide if the author hated the Navy, or if he just wrote the novel that way. The Navy officers are, by and large, incredible jerks. I had forgotten how obnoxious they were portrayed in the novel. It made it hard to read, at times.
There is one thing about the book that really, really, really, really bugs me.
The ending. The ending. I think that was one of the weakest parts of the book, to be honest. It was over so fast! The implication is that the US has come up with some great plan. The, BOOM! , the US has some kind of transporter technology that allows all of its forces to move into place so that it can enact its 'new master plan.' It was ... not quite infuriating, but it was disappointing. It felt like a letdown; it was quite anticlimactic. The whole novel felt like it was building up to a point, and then...that's it? That was it? That was the ending I was waiting to discover, only to be thoroughly disappointed? Ah, well. I guess life is like that, oftentimes, so perhaps it was more 'true to life' than I realize. hahahahah
At least Taiwan was able to maintain its independence [at least, at the end of this story].
I took a class about air power a couple of years ago, and it talked about how air power has come into its own and can change the course of a war. This book kind of reminded me of some aspects of that class, that is for certain. In fact, this series of books by the author reminds me of that class, of how much air power can influence current events as well as conflicts.
Despite my frustrations with the book [and it seemed like there were many, this time around], I still enjoyed it and am glad that I read it. It was a tough read, at times, but it was still enjoyable. I do wish there had been some kind of 'key' or 'character list' so that I could keep track of each person, as well as a list of places and why each place was important [even if it had been nothing more than "Commie China" or "Taiwanese base"]. It was mind-boggling, at times, trying to keep track of all of the characters [which I spectacularly failed to do, on a regular basis]. There was also a tremendous amount of jargon to wade through while reading the book. It was almost too much jargon, this time, to be honest. Ah, well.
I shall leave my review at four stars. Despite my problems with the book, overall I still liked it enough to leave it at four stars [rounding up, that is].
I do remember the first time I read this book, I had a hard time accepting the 'mindset' that heavy bombers no longer had a place in the US military. I guess I can see [understand] some of that mindset, because missiles are far more cheaper and far more cost effective in terms of delivering nuclear payloads. I can see why the author would state that heavy bombers are more effective when dropping non-nuclear payloads as opposed to nuclear payloads. It is an ironic stance, considering he writes about heavy bombers being modified into becoming 'flying battleships' and being able to carry all sorts of different payloads and ordinance.
It is kind of interesting reading this novel now, because I recently read an article about how the United States has not really introduced any new military aircraft in recent years. [I thought it interesting that the author failed to mention the F-22, F-35, and F-117 fighters in his article, as well as the B-1 and B-2 bombers.] The article focused on how the US Military was planning on using 'older' technology well into the next century [such as the M-1 Abrams tank; no new plans on the drawing board to replace it yet. Then there is the B-52 Bomber - still in use nearly seventy years after the first one flew!]. The US still uses prop-jobs, for Pete's sake! So I always found these books by Dale Brown to be fascinating, because of how he took 'current' technology and military weapons and weapon platforms and extrapolated modifying them for expanding mission parameters 'in the future', as it were.
His characters, though, manage to provoke a lot of emotions. Not all of them are good emotions, either. I could not quite decide if the author hated the Navy, or if he just wrote the novel that way. The Navy officers are, by and large, incredible jerks. I had forgotten how obnoxious they were portrayed in the novel. It made it hard to read, at times.
There is one thing about the book that really, really, really, really bugs me.
The ending. The ending. I think that was one of the weakest parts of the book, to be honest. It was over so fast! The implication is that the US has come up with some great plan. The, BOOM! , the US has some kind of transporter technology that allows all of its forces to move into place so that it can enact its 'new master plan.' It was ... not quite infuriating, but it was disappointing. It felt like a letdown; it was quite anticlimactic. The whole novel felt like it was building up to a point, and then...that's it? That was it? That was the ending I was waiting to discover, only to be thoroughly disappointed? Ah, well. I guess life is like that, oftentimes, so perhaps it was more 'true to life' than I realize. hahahahah
At least Taiwan was able to maintain its independence [at least, at the end of this story].
I took a class about air power a couple of years ago, and it talked about how air power has come into its own and can change the course of a war. This book kind of reminded me of some aspects of that class, that is for certain. In fact, this series of books by the author reminds me of that class, of how much air power can influence current events as well as conflicts.
Despite my frustrations with the book [and it seemed like there were many, this time around], I still enjoyed it and am glad that I read it. It was a tough read, at times, but it was still enjoyable. I do wish there had been some kind of 'key' or 'character list' so that I could keep track of each person, as well as a list of places and why each place was important [even if it had been nothing more than "Commie China" or "Taiwanese base"]. It was mind-boggling, at times, trying to keep track of all of the characters [which I spectacularly failed to do, on a regular basis]. There was also a tremendous amount of jargon to wade through while reading the book. It was almost too much jargon, this time, to be honest. Ah, well.
I shall leave my review at four stars. Despite my problems with the book, overall I still liked it enough to leave it at four stars [rounding up, that is].
July 23, 2020
This started out being a very technological discussion on how countries would use weaponry to achieve ownership over a given area. But it al least explains how weapons from one country travel overtime to another country and the new country treats this "new weaponry" as a signal to all as their power, regardless of the weapon they have. As a person who grew up during the Cold War era, where we had air raid drills., etc., nuclear power is always viewed as non-negotiated no-go use. I am especially leery of nuclear plants used to create power for areas when the technology is not upgraded to keep things safe. The last thing I want to see in the USA is a Chernobyl incident.
After I got through the first quarter of the book, the real story emerges which deals with the inter-animosity between the different military forces in the USA, who all have to share the same budget between them equally, and every division thinks they are better than the other. But with the development of a USA Space Force, which is a combination of selected individuals from each of the services, there becomes more inter-fighting for new equipment, but no re-utilization of older aging equipment. In this book, a group of B-52, destined for the graveyard of aircraft has been taken over by Scion/Masters corporation to be revamped into what they call a Megafortress--a long-range flying bomber which carries enough weapons to cover and attack multiple types of battle situations and capable of flying lower to the ground to avoid radar when not using anti-radar weaponry. This book tells us of the exploits of Brad Elliot, the co-founder of this organization as he proves how capable his plane is, all the way to his last flight saving his crew, which explains why Patrick and Wendy name their child after him.
After I got through the first quarter of the book, the real story emerges which deals with the inter-animosity between the different military forces in the USA, who all have to share the same budget between them equally, and every division thinks they are better than the other. But with the development of a USA Space Force, which is a combination of selected individuals from each of the services, there becomes more inter-fighting for new equipment, but no re-utilization of older aging equipment. In this book, a group of B-52, destined for the graveyard of aircraft has been taken over by Scion/Masters corporation to be revamped into what they call a Megafortress--a long-range flying bomber which carries enough weapons to cover and attack multiple types of battle situations and capable of flying lower to the ground to avoid radar when not using anti-radar weaponry. This book tells us of the exploits of Brad Elliot, the co-founder of this organization as he proves how capable his plane is, all the way to his last flight saving his crew, which explains why Patrick and Wendy name their child after him.
March 26, 2020
This is a book where someone that disobeys orders and ends up killing a thousand civilians for no purpose is celebrated as a hero. It's a book where opponents of the main character are painted as cartoonish villains. Where anyone connected to the US Air Force is perfect and almost everyone connected to one of the other American military branches are stupid. Where everything that happens in Washington D.C. is insane while the pilots in an airplane are the only ones that can make the correct decisions.
All in all, it's a silly book that has to be read as if it was a kid's cartoon. As a kid's cartoon it's easy to digest as long as you don't take anything in it seriously.
The background to Fatal Terrain is that Patrick McLanahan, after saving the world over and over again in all the previous books, is persona non grata because of "politics". At the same time Taiwan is trying to break with their history and go forward as an independent and recognized country (something most everyone in the real world thinks would be a good thing as long as China doesn't get too upset). In the book China gets upset and starts lobbying nukes all over the place.
The book completely disregards the classical American blood thirst. If an American is harmed by a foreigner, the default American attitude is to kill everyone. Not so in this book. Suddenly the American people is incredibly restrained. I can only assume that Dale Brown is even more blood thirsty than the average American and uses this book as a way to insult everyone else.
All in all, it's a silly book that has to be read as if it was a kid's cartoon. As a kid's cartoon it's easy to digest as long as you don't take anything in it seriously.
The background to Fatal Terrain is that Patrick McLanahan, after saving the world over and over again in all the previous books, is persona non grata because of "politics". At the same time Taiwan is trying to break with their history and go forward as an independent and recognized country (something most everyone in the real world thinks would be a good thing as long as China doesn't get too upset). In the book China gets upset and starts lobbying nukes all over the place.
The book completely disregards the classical American blood thirst. If an American is harmed by a foreigner, the default American attitude is to kill everyone. Not so in this book. Suddenly the American people is incredibly restrained. I can only assume that Dale Brown is even more blood thirsty than the average American and uses this book as a way to insult everyone else.
October 9, 2017
Same old, same old. Taiwan declares independence. China gets mad. Declares an "unconventional" war against them. Tricks the Americans. Starts lobbing nukes all over Asia. The President and the entire military tells McLanahan and Elliot to stand down. They refuse and go rogue. Megafortresses fly around the world, raining death and destruction while being mostly invincible. The Navy is bad. Heavy bombers are the answer, if only anyone was smart enough to realize it. Wendy McLanahan, world-class engineer and brilliant scientist, literally makes sandwiches for her men.
Elliott and McLanahan do seem a lot more arrogant and obnoxious in this one. But otherwise, more of the same.
Elliott and McLanahan do seem a lot more arrogant and obnoxious in this one. But otherwise, more of the same.
January 23, 2023
Way too detailed, 600 pages of technical description of aircraft, weapons, countermeasures and radar. Characters are overdone with maverick style actions and in defiance of whole US defence structure.
Many character descriptions and actions borders on disrespect of the US President and high level military command, makes some out to be imbeciles and continuous infighting, no-one on the same page.
For all that, the swift descent to war between Mainland China, Taiwan, US, North Korea, and using nuclear weapons could easily happen.
This was my 4th Dale Brown, each getting more bogged down in technical descriptions and increasingly fanciful, I won't bother reading another.
Many character descriptions and actions borders on disrespect of the US President and high level military command, makes some out to be imbeciles and continuous infighting, no-one on the same page.
For all that, the swift descent to war between Mainland China, Taiwan, US, North Korea, and using nuclear weapons could easily happen.
This was my 4th Dale Brown, each getting more bogged down in technical descriptions and increasingly fanciful, I won't bother reading another.
April 9, 2020
It was ok. One problem I have is that about 1/2 of the book consists of detailed descriptions of weaponry, aircraft, ships, etc. for both the good guys and the enemy. I understand ballistic missiles, nuclear warheads, fighter jets, bombers etc. but with the specificity involved in these books I'll never retain an eighth of it, so it's just wasted time for me. Now, if the author simplified that aspect, the remaining 1/2 would be interesting plot development, character development, etc. That I could handle.
July 27, 2021
Another suspenseful book in the Patrick McLanahan series of books by Dale Brown.
The People's Republic of China flexes its muscle by attacking Taiwan in order to bring it back into China's fold. When the United States comes to Taiwan's aid, it is dealt a blow.
Patrick McLanahan and Jon Masters convert a B-52 Stratofortress into a new EB-52 Megafortress and uses the help of a small band of civilian and military colleagues to go against China.
A lot of air action and excitement.
The People's Republic of China flexes its muscle by attacking Taiwan in order to bring it back into China's fold. When the United States comes to Taiwan's aid, it is dealt a blow.
Patrick McLanahan and Jon Masters convert a B-52 Stratofortress into a new EB-52 Megafortress and uses the help of a small band of civilian and military colleagues to go against China.
A lot of air action and excitement.
June 3, 2018
Mega detail that drags a bit at the beginning. It's interesting to get to know characters from both sides of the conflict. Too good not to finish, just not up there on my "must read" list. I'm about to read another Dale Brown book, but if it's too much like this one (heavy with the technical detail), then I might pass on more.
August 25, 2024
My first read of a Dale Brown book. Great plot and good character development, but it also incorporates constant use of people's rank and title (a la W.E.B. Griffin) and his technical acumen is way too much. It's almost like he's trying to out-Clancy Clancy.
As a result, though I enjoyed the storyline, it was a difficult read and took me a long time to finish it.
As a result, though I enjoyed the storyline, it was a difficult read and took me a long time to finish it.
June 29, 2017
One of his best
Really good read, lots of action up to the end of the book. Could have started the grand ending sooner but did ok, but seemed to hurry the ending, That's the only criticism I have, otherwise recommend this book.
Really good read, lots of action up to the end of the book. Could have started the grand ending sooner but did ok, but seemed to hurry the ending, That's the only criticism I have, otherwise recommend this book.
July 22, 2017
On edge of my fatal t seat
I was on the edge of my seat throughout this book. I felt the author did a good job portraying the political aspects of what President Martindale had to deal with - egos, personalities and Admiral Balboa.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout this book. I felt the author did a good job portraying the political aspects of what President Martindale had to deal with - egos, personalities and Admiral Balboa.
February 8, 2021
Exciting Read
The narrative was well written, at times a little too technical. I found it a little difficult to believe the US would have reacted so passively to the loss of a nuclear aircraft carrier.
The narrative was well written, at times a little too technical. I found it a little difficult to believe the US would have reacted so passively to the loss of a nuclear aircraft carrier.
August 15, 2023
Fun and intense series
I have been reading the McClanahan series and have trouble putting each one down as I start one. Though a bit adventurous, they all have been great reading. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I assume I'll be done with it in a couple of days
I have been reading the McClanahan series and have trouble putting each one down as I start one. Though a bit adventurous, they all have been great reading. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I assume I'll be done with it in a couple of days
December 10, 2023
A real disappointment from such a gifted and prolific author. U.S. military personnel interactions really overdone, entire plot seems a stretch too far. Chinese commander's reasoning, plotting and references to the Art of War by far the best part of the book. Disparaging leaders, both military and political for the sake of plot points left a bad taste.
January 17, 2024
Overall I liked it. What's not to like when the good guys/gals win! Dale gets a bit technical in his writing, but he does have an impressive knowledge of what makes those planes fly and the various weapons systems used.
January 21, 2024
Intense and frustrating
The build up to the way with China and the deception they used was scaringly conceivable even to their use of our own news media and politicians. The frustrating part was the jealousy between the different armed forces which I am very familiar with.
The build up to the way with China and the deception they used was scaringly conceivable even to their use of our own news media and politicians. The frustrating part was the jealousy between the different armed forces which I am very familiar with.
August 13, 2024
As relevant almost 30 years later as when written. The topic of reunification of Taiwan still looms. Only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that in places Brown lapses into too much jargon in trying for authenticity.
September 27, 2025
My first Dale Brown book. I enjoyed the first half, it was quite good, almost Tom Clancy-ish. But I quit around the 75% mark, as things got a bit too over-the-top for me and the characters weren't so much interesting as annoying.
August 17, 2017
Hard to put down
This is another superb Air Force lovers thriller with plenty of dog-fights, bomb runs and political intrigue to keep the pages turning.
This is another superb Air Force lovers thriller with plenty of dog-fights, bomb runs and political intrigue to keep the pages turning.
December 26, 2017
Good read.
Really enjoyed it. Kept interest up throughout. A lot of great detail. Don'like writing reviews though. Need to figure out how to not do it.
Really enjoyed it. Kept interest up throughout. A lot of great detail. Don'like writing reviews though. Need to figure out how to not do it.
February 7, 2018
Great read
This was awesome,great flying ,great fighting,only thing missing,nothing lol ,as good as all the others and then some,read this ppl
This was awesome,great flying ,great fighting,only thing missing,nothing lol ,as good as all the others and then some,read this ppl
August 10, 2018
Great read
Keeps you glued to each and every page. Suspenseful exiting read loved it. He’s a master of the military action novel.
Keeps you glued to each and every page. Suspenseful exiting read loved it. He’s a master of the military action novel.
April 27, 2019
Couldn't put the damn thing down.
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