Primary Target

Scott Dalton & Jackie Sullivan #1

by Joe Weber

“Primary Target is a chilling scenario of global warfare. The suspense never stops.”—W.E.B. Griffin

“Weber weaves a frighteningly real story of international terrorism in America in his newest thriller.”—Publishers Weekly

As the once-powerful Soviet Union descends into social and economic collapse, a group of hard-line communists has devised a strategy to return their country to its former glory. In league with the most ruthless militant extremists of the Middle East, they hatch a plot to eliminate the one person with the power to stop them: the President of the United States.

This time, America isn’t declaring a war against terrorism. The terrorists are declaring war on America . . .

“Weber colors his novel with numerous subplots, well-developed characters and historical references to Operation Desert Storm and the Iranian hostage crisis. His knowledge of weapons, military aircraft and terrorist tactics is superior, and a surprise ending teases readers with the tempting possibility . . .”—Publishers Weekly

“Some writers get better with age: Weber is among them.”—Library Journal

Genres: Thriller

430 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

About the author

Joe Weber is a former USMC carrier-qualified fighter pilot. His novels have appeared on the best-seller lists of the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, the Associated Press, and the Chicago Tribune.

Mr. Weber holds a Master of Science Degree in Aviation Management. He is an Airline Transport Rated pilot with over 10,500 hours of flight time in 43 different types of aircraft, ranging from aerobatic biplanes and high-performance military jets to four engine transports. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970-1975. A carrier-qualified fighter/attack trained pilot, he graduated first in his class from advanced naval jet pilot training in Kingsville, Texas, in 1972. After his release from active duty, he flew commercially until 1989 when his first novel was published. Mr. Weber is a native of Enid, Oklahoma, and lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife, Jeannie

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

good but sometimes a bit too technical

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book considering it’s older it’s still relevant

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weber finally dishes out a fast paced, current events novel. Shockingly, this story sounds close to what is taking place in the world of terrorism today and not so long ago.
Basically, a billionare terrorist in Iran gets weapons help from the Russians, although the Russians do not play much of a role in the main scheme of things. The terrorist organizations in the Middle East have had enough with the U.S. prescence in the Persian Gulf.
With terrorist cells planted in the U.S., the plan of Bassam Shakhar, the head of the Iranian terrorist regime, is to down airlines, and target the president of the U.S., to force American forces from the Gulf.
Meanwhile, a retired CIA/Naval Aviator, and a current CIA operative, get together under orders from the DIA, to extract an operative from the Bekaa Valley, who has inside information on what Shakhar is up to.
A little too late, the cells in the U.S. lead by Khaliq Farkas and Ramazani begin their reign of terror. First, downing an airliner in Dallas, then later, taking control of the communications of the Atlanta ATCC, and sending planes over Hartsfield to the same altitude and position. Air Force One, being one of those planes.
Later, we find out a yacht armed with a nuclear warhead is heading toward D.C. to be detonated.
Scott and Jackie, the agents, mentioned above have to work together to stop these terrorists. Chapter after chapter, Weber's style keeps you reading til the end.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: A ruthless group of Russian communists teams up with militant extremists in the Middle East to concoct a plan that will restore the former Soviet Union to its old prominence by removing U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf and creating an oil shortage. When U.S. President Cord Macklin refuses to leave the region--even after a series of military air and sea maneuvers involving a grand cast of Soviets, Muslims and Americans--he becomes an assassination target. Iranian terrorist Khaliq Farkas heads the effort, going after Macklin when he's aboard Air Force One and effectively declaring war in America's skies. After a deadly series of Farkas-orchestrated commercial air disasters--including two involving Air Force One--sends the country into a panic, Macklin emerges unscathed and stifles further attacks with round-the-clock bombings of Middle East and Soviet military targets and civilian infrastructure.

**Review* This is a ho-hum yarn about the remergance of the former Soviet Union, which was foreshadowing what is currently happening in the real world. I read these books because my father picked them up for a book sale for a penny a piece. I also read these because I was in the service during the 1980's, so, the Persian Gulf was what drove our foreign policy. Of course, nothings changed in the 23 years I've been out!

[Dan Dobler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a ride!

I love good "payback" military books and this is definitely one of them. I also like that the author didn't limit the losses to just the bad guys, Americans had heavy losses as well. I enjoyed the characters and the action. I think it might have been a little over the top at times, but I would recommend this if you want to enjoy a good military-might action novel with some pretty well thought out problems that a true terrorist attack on America might possibly bring.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reminded me of Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn type books - action/adventure, save the world type deal. It was an okay book, but probably would have been better if I'd read it before 9/11/2001 as the terrorist/dictator leader landscape has changed so much since this was written.

[Chuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adjectives and verbose descriptive prose abound in this ho hum tale of Arab terrorism in the U. S. of A. Somehow we know though that our heros who are smarter, stronger, more capable and better looking than anyone else will prevail. This one was not very good.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre 9/11 Thriller which has major right on bad guys.

[Mikel Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrorism doesn't pay.

it's a good story with lots of action & a interesting plot. Hopefully the Iranians & any other terrorists aren't as crazy as depicted here.