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USS Towers #3
Sword of Shiva
A SINGLE SPARK CAN IGNITE A WAR THAT CONSUMES THE WORLD.
Three Tibetan rebels attack a train carrying Chinese soldiers into the Tibet Autonomous Region. The rebels escape across the Himalayas into India, unaware that the son of China’s First Vice-Premier lays maimed and dying among the burning wreckage of the train.
As an escalating series of retaliations drive China and India toward outright war, hostilities spill over into the sea, and the Bay of Bengal becomes a crucible of naval warfare.
The president of the United States orders a U.S. Navy strike group into the area as a stabilizing force, but the situation between the two nations has already deteriorated beyond any hope of peaceful resolution.
With Asia hovering on the brink of annihilation, a small force of U.S. warships must defeat the Chinese Navy to preempt the coming firestorm.
The fuse has already been lit…
Three Tibetan rebels attack a train carrying Chinese soldiers into the Tibet Autonomous Region. The rebels escape across the Himalayas into India, unaware that the son of China’s First Vice-Premier lays maimed and dying among the burning wreckage of the train.
As an escalating series of retaliations drive China and India toward outright war, hostilities spill over into the sea, and the Bay of Bengal becomes a crucible of naval warfare.
The president of the United States orders a U.S. Navy strike group into the area as a stabilizing force, but the situation between the two nations has already deteriorated beyond any hope of peaceful resolution.
With Asia hovering on the brink of annihilation, a small force of U.S. warships must defeat the Chinese Navy to preempt the coming firestorm.
The fuse has already been lit…
ebook
First published September 21, 2012
237 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Edwards
56 books131 followersJeff Edwards is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, and an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist. His naval career spanned more than two decades and half the globe - from chasing Soviet nuclear attack submarines during the Cold War, to launching cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf. Collectively, his novels have won the Admiral Nimitz Award for Outstanding Naval Fiction, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award for Adventure Writing, and the American Author Medal. He lives in California, where he consults for the Department of Defense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 10, 2013
I think that this novel is very good reading. I have read other novels by this author and have enjoyed all of them. This novel was almost a "can't put it down" type of read. I hope to read more by Jeff Edwards in the future.
Read
April 28, 2013Great book, but there was a lot of language. Not as much as Tom Clancy's "Jack Ryan" novels but still a considerable amount. Edwards put a few twists in it I didn't expect and a few I did. Overall it was worth the read!
May 17, 2017
As Close to Virtual Reality without the Goggles!
I finished this book in three nights reading before bed! The final night was brutal because Edwards has written such a spinning calliope of a story, I couldn't get off!
This is my first experience with Jeff Edwards--and I guarantee it will not be my last! Writing with the knowledge of someone who has actually served in the U.S. Navy, Edwards has written a story with such intensity, speed, mass and real characters you can all-to-easily see, the reader will find themselves bargaining with whether to go to sleep or keep reading.
The book has a familiar set-up which men like Clancy, Griffin and Dale Brown have perfected. I'm not saying Edwards treats their organization like some kind of template into which he drops another rubber-stamped military thriller! Jeff Edwards in "Sword of Shiva" has crafted a finely honed tale which slices cleanly through the readers imagination.
Using real life political players and keeping "real politik" firmly in mind, the nations engaged in this drama unfold their flags and their personalities in an utterly believable, it's-all-going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket scenario which any follower of international politics can easily understand and see coming to actual fruition!
I found myself unconsciously looking in my RSS feeds for news of hostilities between China and India the next morning!
The characters in this story are as real and believable as a punch in the gut! I have many friends in the military and have two degrees in history. I have always been highly interested in military tech and Edwards doesn't miss a beat! Of course, in his epilogue, he confesses to his acknowledged misuse of known satellite tech, but the way he manages to draw the reader into his story like a tornadic vortex, the reader has more than willingly suspended their disbelief because of the skill of the writer and the superb quality of the story.
I was very impressed with the author's grasp of the battle scenes in both the aerial combat and the naval warfare sections. His humanity and empathy betrays clearly the comradeship-in-arms Edwards has with his characters as a former naval officer. The writer manages to balance an extreme intensity of the action as the story nears its climax with a prudence in which he has sensed the appropriate fulcrum. He leaves the reader emotionally exhausted but with a hunger for more of what he can deliver.
"The Sword of Shiva" is a first rate, naval and aerial thriller with something that is often overlooked in many books in this genre: empathy for the characters. Edwards proves his skills by not only investing the reader's empathy into the lives of the protagonists, but he manages for the reader to empathize and relate even to those who are clearly this story's antagonists.
In "Sword of Shiva," Jeff Edwards accomplishes this feat by allowing the reader to have insight into the mind of those men and women who serve in militaries all over this world. We finally can begin to understand how they view the world and other warriors.
The skill of your enemy as he wields their weapon of choice deserves great respect. These are men and women who have acknowledged they may very well live and die by the sword they wield. Each of them values life--perhaps more than those of us who have not been privileged to serve can ever know.
Thank you Jeff Edwards for giving us a breathless, gut-wrenching peak into a story that will steal our sleep!
I finished this book in three nights reading before bed! The final night was brutal because Edwards has written such a spinning calliope of a story, I couldn't get off!
This is my first experience with Jeff Edwards--and I guarantee it will not be my last! Writing with the knowledge of someone who has actually served in the U.S. Navy, Edwards has written a story with such intensity, speed, mass and real characters you can all-to-easily see, the reader will find themselves bargaining with whether to go to sleep or keep reading.
The book has a familiar set-up which men like Clancy, Griffin and Dale Brown have perfected. I'm not saying Edwards treats their organization like some kind of template into which he drops another rubber-stamped military thriller! Jeff Edwards in "Sword of Shiva" has crafted a finely honed tale which slices cleanly through the readers imagination.
Using real life political players and keeping "real politik" firmly in mind, the nations engaged in this drama unfold their flags and their personalities in an utterly believable, it's-all-going-to-hell-in-a-handbasket scenario which any follower of international politics can easily understand and see coming to actual fruition!
I found myself unconsciously looking in my RSS feeds for news of hostilities between China and India the next morning!
The characters in this story are as real and believable as a punch in the gut! I have many friends in the military and have two degrees in history. I have always been highly interested in military tech and Edwards doesn't miss a beat! Of course, in his epilogue, he confesses to his acknowledged misuse of known satellite tech, but the way he manages to draw the reader into his story like a tornadic vortex, the reader has more than willingly suspended their disbelief because of the skill of the writer and the superb quality of the story.
I was very impressed with the author's grasp of the battle scenes in both the aerial combat and the naval warfare sections. His humanity and empathy betrays clearly the comradeship-in-arms Edwards has with his characters as a former naval officer. The writer manages to balance an extreme intensity of the action as the story nears its climax with a prudence in which he has sensed the appropriate fulcrum. He leaves the reader emotionally exhausted but with a hunger for more of what he can deliver.
"The Sword of Shiva" is a first rate, naval and aerial thriller with something that is often overlooked in many books in this genre: empathy for the characters. Edwards proves his skills by not only investing the reader's empathy into the lives of the protagonists, but he manages for the reader to empathize and relate even to those who are clearly this story's antagonists.
In "Sword of Shiva," Jeff Edwards accomplishes this feat by allowing the reader to have insight into the mind of those men and women who serve in militaries all over this world. We finally can begin to understand how they view the world and other warriors.
The skill of your enemy as he wields their weapon of choice deserves great respect. These are men and women who have acknowledged they may very well live and die by the sword they wield. Each of them values life--perhaps more than those of us who have not been privileged to serve can ever know.
Thank you Jeff Edwards for giving us a breathless, gut-wrenching peak into a story that will steal our sleep!
June 11, 2017
Another great plot in the maritime war genre!
Unfortunately ..... Jeff killed one of my favorite people .... I shan't mention WHO, but SAD!
I liked the book. Jeff Edwards doesn't disappoint in the plot twists nor the ability to really make you feel like your in the thick of it with the characters, with his descriptions of feelings and machinery and alarms and surroundings. He knows his stuff and has done his research, and it shows!
Pick it up folks! You can get it at www.navythriller.com or on Amazon.com, along with Jeff Edwards other books.
Unfortunately ..... Jeff killed one of my favorite people .... I shan't mention WHO, but SAD!
I liked the book. Jeff Edwards doesn't disappoint in the plot twists nor the ability to really make you feel like your in the thick of it with the characters, with his descriptions of feelings and machinery and alarms and surroundings. He knows his stuff and has done his research, and it shows!
Pick it up folks! You can get it at www.navythriller.com or on Amazon.com, along with Jeff Edwards other books.
August 21, 2018
Reads like a plot outline for a more detailed book.
Sword of Shiva is fairly superficial naval warfare thriller. It's a two day beach book which David Poyer would have made into a five day read to the story's benefit ,and W.E.B. Griffin would have detrimentally stretched to five volumes.
Sword of Shiva is fairly superficial naval warfare thriller. It's a two day beach book which David Poyer would have made into a five day read to the story's benefit ,and W.E.B. Griffin would have detrimentally stretched to five volumes.
July 4, 2018
Another excellent naval warfare thriller.
This is the third of the USS Tower/Sam "Jim" Bowie acton novels. To my regret I read this one without reading the previous, The Seventh Angel. Enough references to that novel to make it a must read and in order.
This is the third of the USS Tower/Sam "Jim" Bowie acton novels. To my regret I read this one without reading the previous, The Seventh Angel. Enough references to that novel to make it a must read and in order.
October 26, 2018
Realistic and action packed.
This story is fast moving and realistic from an operational stand point. Good look and feel for all classes of naval operations. History provided for important topics is a welcome addition.
This story is fast moving and realistic from an operational stand point. Good look and feel for all classes of naval operations. History provided for important topics is a welcome addition.
January 18, 2019
Good action novel
Realistic scenario of how war can start small and grow big fast. Enjoy each day knowing our brave service men and women are standing watch to protect our way of life and to sacrifice all for same.
Realistic scenario of how war can start small and grow big fast. Enjoy each day knowing our brave service men and women are standing watch to protect our way of life and to sacrifice all for same.
March 21, 2019
Great read ...couldn’t put it down.
The number of named characters is small enough to be easily remembered yet quite sufficient to support the story. They are well developed and interesting. The story is reasonably believable and quite exciting. I couldn’t put it down.
The number of named characters is small enough to be easily remembered yet quite sufficient to support the story. They are well developed and interesting. The story is reasonably believable and quite exciting. I couldn’t put it down.
March 26, 2019
I enjoyed reading the third novel in this series by Jeff Edwards. His books have a small audience, namely military personnel that are at least moderately familiar with the Navy. Nevertheless for those of us who are familiar with Navy platforms and jargon, his book is an entertaining thriller.
May 16, 2020
This always possible!
You are in action from the beginning to the end! Reading this you wonder how many times we came close to this and not know it!
I will definitely follow this author!
You are in action from the beginning to the end! Reading this you wonder how many times we came close to this and not know it!
I will definitely follow this author!
July 8, 2020
I read all 3 books in a Kindle Unlimited set (so 1 big giant book) so this review is for the entire trilogy.
A really enjoyable read which centres unsurprisingly on the USS Towers and the three separate missions it is involved in. The 3 book journey revolves around the Towers and it’s Captain, Captain Bowie, who commands the state of the art destroyer and it’s crew who become America’s last hope of victory against three different enemies. The technical detail included is excellent, with each book focussing on a different modern warfare weapon and how they are used, even going so far as having excerpts written from the perspective of a torpedo or missile and how and why it’s doing what it’s doing. Very compelling and a definite read if you’re a fan of naval warfare thrillers.
A really enjoyable read which centres unsurprisingly on the USS Towers and the three separate missions it is involved in. The 3 book journey revolves around the Towers and it’s Captain, Captain Bowie, who commands the state of the art destroyer and it’s crew who become America’s last hope of victory against three different enemies. The technical detail included is excellent, with each book focussing on a different modern warfare weapon and how they are used, even going so far as having excerpts written from the perspective of a torpedo or missile and how and why it’s doing what it’s doing. Very compelling and a definite read if you’re a fan of naval warfare thrillers.
October 5, 2021
Good read has a good flow in all three books in the series.
Good read has a good flow in all three books in the series.
The writer (Jeff Edwards )takes the time to explain what the what the acronyms stand for ie. CIC. Combat information center .
Good read has a good flow in all three books in the series.
The writer (Jeff Edwards )takes the time to explain what the what the acronyms stand for ie. CIC. Combat information center .
November 26, 2022
An entertaining and dramatic novel closes out this excellent trilogy. Fast paced naval action between super powers with a possible nuclear war looming. Jeff Edwards ranks right up there with the top authors in this genre.
February 13, 2023
Awesome just awsome
Never paid for second let alone a third edition. I bled with the sailors of the Towers and am certain that although this was fiction it represents what the term American exceptionism is all about.
Never paid for second let alone a third edition. I bled with the sailors of the Towers and am certain that although this was fiction it represents what the term American exceptionism is all about.
August 19, 2023
absolutely riveting
I have thoroughly enjoyed every page of Jeff Edward’s trilogy. It had all the mix of emotions and I felt sad when I read to the end of the third book.
We’ll done, Jeff and I’ll be looking at all your other books right now.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every page of Jeff Edward’s trilogy. It had all the mix of emotions and I felt sad when I read to the end of the third book.
We’ll done, Jeff and I’ll be looking at all your other books right now.
August 8, 2019
Amazing military thriller!
The title says it all. The book was action packed with a solid storyline and kept me wanting to read, as a good book should.
The title says it all. The book was action packed with a solid storyline and kept me wanting to read, as a good book should.
January 16, 2020
Navel warfare
In my opinion, a very good read although sometimes very technical and hard to understand those details. I'll certainly buy another of this author 's books.
In my opinion, a very good read although sometimes very technical and hard to understand those details. I'll certainly buy another of this author 's books.
May 31, 2020
enjoyable. handles some possible world events in an interesting way.
June 4, 2020
Started off slow but turned into a surprisingly good book with a strong ending. I am going to read another by this author
June 9, 2020
4/5. Edwards always writes naval thrillers that are realistic on the strategic level and accurate on the tactical level. This is another.
August 27, 2020
As a Navy vet I did enjoy the twists and turns of this book. I will likely try and find the two previous "Tower" books
September 29, 2020
This is the first book I've read by Jeff Edwards and it was a fast paced adventure. Good characters and realistic actions and reactions.
Read
December 29, 2020Excellent techno/military thriller
April 24, 2021
Wow
This was a well put together book with great characters and what a great story line. I will be looking for more titles of this nature.
This was a well put together book with great characters and what a great story line. I will be looking for more titles of this nature.
March 3, 2025
Buy It
Jeff Edwards is an outstanding writer and this is a great read…as are all of his books. So again; B
uy This Book!
Jeff Edwards is an outstanding writer and this is a great read…as are all of his books. So again; B
uy This Book!
December 28, 2025
Mr. Edwards writing over time is developing as real competition to Tom Clancy. Hard to get much better than that.
May 17, 2015
Ostatnio zapanowała moda na straszenie chińskim tygrysem. W sumie można zapytać, czy to moda, czy też racjonalna ocena obecnej sytuacji geopolitycznej. Nie ma co ukrywać Chiny wyrosły na potęgę gospodarczą i militarną. Wystarczy rzec, że jedynie USA przewyższa budżetem wojskowym Państwo Środka, które w dodatku coraz częściej dopomina się o (jak uważa się w Pekinie) należne miejsce w porządku światowym. Spory o wyspy Spratly, archipelag Senkaku/Diaoyu, wzrastające napięcie na Oceanie Spokojnym, to wszystko zdaje się wskazywać, że amerykańskie lęki nie są nieuzasadnione.
Powieść Edwardsa, Miecz Shivy, wpisuje się w ów trend, choć podchodzi nieco inaczej do problemu. Chiński tygrys nie próbuje tutaj odzyskać Tajwan, lecz staje do walki z indyjskim słoniem. W wyniku ataku grupy tybetańskich terrorystów (sic!) na chiński pociąg wojskowy ginie kilkuset żołnierzy. Zamachowcy zdołali schronić się po hinduskiej stronie granicy, co prowadzi do brutalnej reakcji chińskiej armii. Setka pocisków manewrujących równa z ziemi hinduską wioskę, w której ukryli się Tybetańczycy. Sytuacja zaostrza się, naprzeciw siebie stają dwa najludniejsze państwa świata. W tej dość niecodziennej sytuacji muszą odnaleźć się marynarze zespołu bojowego lotniskowca „Midway”, w tym członkowie załogi niszczyciela klasy Arleigh Burke – „Towers”. Amerykanie początkowo jedynie mają obserwować narastający konflikt. Kiedy jednak morze czerwieni się od krwi, indyjski lotniskowiec obrywa w nalocie Potężnych Smoków, a rząd Indii planuje apokaliptyczną odpowiedź, która może doprowadzić do wybuchu wojny nuklearnej, US Navy musi zacząć działać.
C.d. recenzji: https://foxboox.wordpress.com/2015/05...
Powieść Edwardsa, Miecz Shivy, wpisuje się w ów trend, choć podchodzi nieco inaczej do problemu. Chiński tygrys nie próbuje tutaj odzyskać Tajwan, lecz staje do walki z indyjskim słoniem. W wyniku ataku grupy tybetańskich terrorystów (sic!) na chiński pociąg wojskowy ginie kilkuset żołnierzy. Zamachowcy zdołali schronić się po hinduskiej stronie granicy, co prowadzi do brutalnej reakcji chińskiej armii. Setka pocisków manewrujących równa z ziemi hinduską wioskę, w której ukryli się Tybetańczycy. Sytuacja zaostrza się, naprzeciw siebie stają dwa najludniejsze państwa świata. W tej dość niecodziennej sytuacji muszą odnaleźć się marynarze zespołu bojowego lotniskowca „Midway”, w tym członkowie załogi niszczyciela klasy Arleigh Burke – „Towers”. Amerykanie początkowo jedynie mają obserwować narastający konflikt. Kiedy jednak morze czerwieni się od krwi, indyjski lotniskowiec obrywa w nalocie Potężnych Smoków, a rząd Indii planuje apokaliptyczną odpowiedź, która może doprowadzić do wybuchu wojny nuklearnej, US Navy musi zacząć działać.
C.d. recenzji: https://foxboox.wordpress.com/2015/05...
March 27, 2015
Another action packed Jeff Edwards. He is in a class by himself.
This book is almost real in its facts and the events that happen within the story. It is powerful, poignant and possibly the best book I have ever read and that is a lot of books. I hope other readers will find this book as heart rending as I did. Thank you Mr. Edwards for your attention to detail and your lifelike characters. I hope to see a new book from you real soon.
This book is almost real in its facts and the events that happen within the story. It is powerful, poignant and possibly the best book I have ever read and that is a lot of books. I hope other readers will find this book as heart rending as I did. Thank you Mr. Edwards for your attention to detail and your lifelike characters. I hope to see a new book from you real soon.
November 25, 2016
RIP Capt Bowie. I enjoyed reading about your tour aboard the USS Towers. I think Mr Edwards did a wonderful job with your character. Being former Navy, I think I would like to have had a man like you as my CO.
I have now read all three of the books on the USS Towers and Capt Bowie and the only disappointment for me was the death of the above Captain. He was a good man, but he died making a difference. All in all the three books combine to make one heck of a story!
I have now read all three of the books on the USS Towers and Capt Bowie and the only disappointment for me was the death of the above Captain. He was a good man, but he died making a difference. All in all the three books combine to make one heck of a story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews