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Carrier #1
Carrier
The North Korean navy has captured a US intelligence ship in international waters, and has begun to execute the crew, one by one. The US response is a megaforce of the battle group led by supercarrier "Thomas Jefferson". A Soviet ship is in the line of fire; World War III is a pilot's error away.
326 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 3, 2014
It's a good short read with fast paced action.
December 4, 2023
I mean...it didn't suck, so it has that going for it.
I almost want to say that this is the author's fantasy of refighting the Korean War 40 years later with a fist-pumping, USA-chanting, mind-shatteringly orgiastic climax of a victory over those damnable Communists, who are, of course, all inhuman monsters universally deserving of all manner of bad things.
Also, this novel takes place in 1993, as a character compares the North Korean seizure of the Intelligence ship USS Chimera to the seizure of the USS Pueblo in 1968 "25 years" prior. I'm not really sure how that matters, just something to keep in mind with the rest of the books in this series and a potential timeline. However, instead of "wimpy" diplomatic negotiations, a full-on amphibious invasion operation is authorized to secure the release of both the crew of the Chimera and the recapture of the vessel - in no small part due to our hero F-14 pilot and his heroic dogfight against a handful of MiG-21s.
Are there international repercussions over this - of course not. The USA gets away with it because...reasons.
Amazingly, there is no mention of the USS Pueblo other than the similarity over the event. By the way, the Pueblo is still in North Korean custody as a museum ship. It's still a commissioned US Naval vessel and our government has repeatedly said it is a priority that we get it back someday (even though neither Trump nor Pompeo did anything about it during either of their "historic visits" there). Funnily enough, in 1993 the Pueblo was in Wonsan Harbor, which is exactly where the fictional Chimera was interred when it was recaptured...guess the author either forgot and/or didn't care about that.
If you like Top Gun a lot...you'll probably like this. It has not only one, but two pilots, both going through existential crises as one laments over the loss of his wingman while the other grapples with the realization that he's actually killing people when he makes their planes go boom.
I almost want to say that this is the author's fantasy of refighting the Korean War 40 years later with a fist-pumping, USA-chanting, mind-shatteringly orgiastic climax of a victory over those damnable Communists, who are, of course, all inhuman monsters universally deserving of all manner of bad things.
Also, this novel takes place in 1993, as a character compares the North Korean seizure of the Intelligence ship USS Chimera to the seizure of the USS Pueblo in 1968 "25 years" prior. I'm not really sure how that matters, just something to keep in mind with the rest of the books in this series and a potential timeline. However, instead of "wimpy" diplomatic negotiations, a full-on amphibious invasion operation is authorized to secure the release of both the crew of the Chimera and the recapture of the vessel - in no small part due to our hero F-14 pilot and his heroic dogfight against a handful of MiG-21s.
Are there international repercussions over this - of course not. The USA gets away with it because...reasons.
Amazingly, there is no mention of the USS Pueblo other than the similarity over the event. By the way, the Pueblo is still in North Korean custody as a museum ship. It's still a commissioned US Naval vessel and our government has repeatedly said it is a priority that we get it back someday (even though neither Trump nor Pompeo did anything about it during either of their "historic visits" there). Funnily enough, in 1993 the Pueblo was in Wonsan Harbor, which is exactly where the fictional Chimera was interred when it was recaptured...guess the author either forgot and/or didn't care about that.
If you like Top Gun a lot...you'll probably like this. It has not only one, but two pilots, both going through existential crises as one laments over the loss of his wingman while the other grapples with the realization that he's actually killing people when he makes their planes go boom.
September 8, 2024
This book is that start of an excellent series. Great balance of details with a fast moving story. If you like military action fiction, especially aviation and modern naval experiences, this is for you.
June 1, 2022
Great book. Especially if you're a military aviation fan.
February 5, 2023
The minute by minute action from all involved was a very cool experience
March 14, 2024
Good, fast light entertainment. Sort of a Tom Clancy ultra-light.
May 25, 2024
The first ten or so are very good. Then the author got tired.
February 1, 2015
#1 of the Carrier series. A promising start to the saga of naval air power and Carrier Group 14. Compelling characters and action packed aerial battle sequences were the hallmark of the series until the publisher had too many different hands try out the authorship of the series and continuity went to pot.
Carrier series - Carrier Group 14 is moved off the North Korean coast after the North Koreans hijack an American intelligence ship in international waters. Air combat ensues between Migs and F-14s piloted by Tombstone Magruder, Batman Wayne, etc. The situation escalates until SEALs and Marines are put ashore to rescue the ship and its crew.
Carrier series - Carrier Group 14 is moved off the North Korean coast after the North Koreans hijack an American intelligence ship in international waters. Air combat ensues between Migs and F-14s piloted by Tombstone Magruder, Batman Wayne, etc. The situation escalates until SEALs and Marines are put ashore to rescue the ship and its crew.
April 26, 2012
Book completely without substance. The best way to describe the story in this book is to a non-arc episode of a tv series. You know, one of those episodes that has nothing to do with the main story of the season, instead it is a filler episode to give the main characters a break from shooting.
January 28, 2011
Okay read. Ending seemed a little rushed to me.
March 3, 2014
Light on character, heavy on action. If you like fast paced top gun type stories, you'll like it. However, there's no character to really grab on to.
August 4, 2013
It's a good story and it held my interest. I found myself rooting for the good guys.
December 3, 2016
Feels like a Vietnam Airman wrote a novel about the 1990s navy. What's worse is that a lot of the jargon used in the book is either forced, inaccurate, or out of place.
I gave up on this book.
I gave up on this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews