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Rick Holden #2
For Duty and Honor
THERE IS DUTY. THERE IS JUSTICE. AND THEN THERE IS VENGEANCE...
A vicious terrorist attack leaves nearly seventy U.S. sailors dead, and the entire United States Navy looking for answers.
In the volatile waters of the Arabian Gulf, the USS Carl Vinson Strike Group - under the command of Admiral Heater Robinson - stands ready to unleash the full fury of a nuclear aircraft carrier against America’s enemies. When it becomes clear that the government has no intention of punishing the murderers, Robinson decides to take justice into his own hands, no matter what the cost.
As a storm of terror descends upon the United States, CIA operative and U.S. Navy SEAL Rick Holden faces a moral dilemma of his own. The military elite in Washington have chosen Holden to halt the cycle of madness.
His orders: assassinate the strike group’s commander, Admiral Heater Robinson.
- GenresMilitary Fiction
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2000
139 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
George Galdorisi
27 books29 followersGeorge Galdorisi is a career naval aviator and writer. His thirty years of active duty service included four command tours and five years as a carrier strike group chief of staff. He is the Director of Strategic Futures and Technical Assessments at the Navy's Information Warfare Center Pacific in San Diego, California. He has been writing for decades and it is the ultimate “flow” experience for him.
In addition to his recent Rick Holden thrillers published by Braveship Books (The Coronado Conspiracy and For Duty and Honor), he has written twelve books distributed by mainstream publishers, including several New York Times bestselling novels in the rebooted Tom Clancy’s Op-Center series, including Out of the Ashes, Into the Fire, Scorched Earth, and Dark Zone. With his longtime collaborator, Dick Couch, he coauthored the New York Times best seller, Tom Clancy Presents: Act of Valor, the novelization of the Relativity Media number-one rated movie. He is also the author of The Kissing Sailor, which proved the identity of the two principals in Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous photograph; as well as over 400 articles in professional journals and other media.
George has received a number of national and international writing awards, including: the Navy League of the United States Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement, the U.S. Naval Institute General Prize Essay Contest, the Surface Navy Association Literary Award, the Navy League of Australia's Annual Essay Competition, the Naval Helicopter Historical Association Literary Award, and the Military Writers Society of America Silver Medal Award, among others.
Other than writing thrillers, George likes nothing more than connecting with readers. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter, and learn more about his books, blogs and other writing on his website: http://www.georgegaldorisi.com/ - especially his “Writing Tips,” – which offer useful advice for all writers from established authors to future best-selling writers.
In addition to his recent Rick Holden thrillers published by Braveship Books (The Coronado Conspiracy and For Duty and Honor), he has written twelve books distributed by mainstream publishers, including several New York Times bestselling novels in the rebooted Tom Clancy’s Op-Center series, including Out of the Ashes, Into the Fire, Scorched Earth, and Dark Zone. With his longtime collaborator, Dick Couch, he coauthored the New York Times best seller, Tom Clancy Presents: Act of Valor, the novelization of the Relativity Media number-one rated movie. He is also the author of The Kissing Sailor, which proved the identity of the two principals in Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous photograph; as well as over 400 articles in professional journals and other media.
George has received a number of national and international writing awards, including: the Navy League of the United States Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement, the U.S. Naval Institute General Prize Essay Contest, the Surface Navy Association Literary Award, the Navy League of Australia's Annual Essay Competition, the Naval Helicopter Historical Association Literary Award, and the Military Writers Society of America Silver Medal Award, among others.
Other than writing thrillers, George likes nothing more than connecting with readers. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter, and learn more about his books, blogs and other writing on his website: http://www.georgegaldorisi.com/ - especially his “Writing Tips,” – which offer useful advice for all writers from established authors to future best-selling writers.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 20, 2020
While Captain Galdorisi talks in his Afterword about all the mechanisms in place that would help prevent his scenario from taking place, using his own personal experiences, he also admits the right circumstances could lead right to it. His own expertise in military processes and systems immerses the reader in the events unfolding. I had to periodically look up to make sure I wasn't sitting on my bunk in my stateroom, but actually at home in quarantine! Seriously, this is an excellent read and as fresh as today's headlines. Both sides need to take the actions he describes in the end to avoid a catastrophe in the near future. Sadly, it's unlikely, at least in the near term. The dubious bright side is the situation will continue to provide writers with plenty of "what if" scenarios. I strongly recommend this book, and hope Rick Holden will continue to find himself in untenable situations for our continued enjoyment as he squirms and wriggles his way out of them.
August 15, 2020
Better than Coronado Conspiracy, but STILL Very Hard to Believe Some Parts
There are a few central characters to this book, but their actions on-board the Carl Vincent aircraft carrier (near the end of the book) are very, very hard to believe. Add in that a trained CIA Operative would casually NOT use a password on his computer — a device that has very sensitive information! — and I’m even more disappointed in The Author’s writing and story arc.
This book deserves 4- or 5-stars, but its plot is full of holes.
There are a few central characters to this book, but their actions on-board the Carl Vincent aircraft carrier (near the end of the book) are very, very hard to believe. Add in that a trained CIA Operative would casually NOT use a password on his computer — a device that has very sensitive information! — and I’m even more disappointed in The Author’s writing and story arc.
This book deserves 4- or 5-stars, but its plot is full of holes.
July 28, 2021
When your hero is a secondary character.
This book was different in that your hero and titled character is secondary to other characters in the story. I don't think Holden is even mentioned until he enters the story 1/3 of the way in. But that gives the author more time to build the the characters who will drive the story. Presidents, Admirals, terrorists, ships officers all have a part to play. In fact, you're so drawn in, you forget that it's a Rick Holden and you just enjoy the story. Very entertaining!
This book was different in that your hero and titled character is secondary to other characters in the story. I don't think Holden is even mentioned until he enters the story 1/3 of the way in. But that gives the author more time to build the the characters who will drive the story. Presidents, Admirals, terrorists, ships officers all have a part to play. In fact, you're so drawn in, you forget that it's a Rick Holden and you just enjoy the story. Very entertaining!
December 14, 2025
Terrific Story That Could Actually Happen !
This novel by Galdorisi presents a military conflict between American Naval forces and Iranian military operatives that rises from long standing hatred among both governments that pushes both sides into battle. As the conflict unfolds, an accidental war directed by mid-level commands breaks out. But when a first grade Navy officer discovers the plot, she goes out side the chain of command to alert top level Flag officers. Only last minute efforts can stop a catastrophe. Don’t miss the ending.
This novel by Galdorisi presents a military conflict between American Naval forces and Iranian military operatives that rises from long standing hatred among both governments that pushes both sides into battle. As the conflict unfolds, an accidental war directed by mid-level commands breaks out. But when a first grade Navy officer discovers the plot, she goes out side the chain of command to alert top level Flag officers. Only last minute efforts can stop a catastrophe. Don’t miss the ending.
November 26, 2018
Edge of the Seat Read
One of the best of this type book I've read in a long time. The plot is well developed and is seen from several viewpoints. The plot and characters are very believable. I know it's said a lot but this book was very hard to put aside. I hope the author has more books like this in the future.
One of the best of this type book I've read in a long time. The plot is well developed and is seen from several viewpoints. The plot and characters are very believable. I know it's said a lot but this book was very hard to put aside. I hope the author has more books like this in the future.
March 12, 2020
Entertaining
Good story line, good character development However the devil is in the details. qqAnyone experienced dealing with the military or government agencies knows that nothing is done by voice alone, paper is always required. Inflight phraseologies are close but quite right.
It's entertaining and good light reading.
Good story line, good character development However the devil is in the details. qqAnyone experienced dealing with the military or government agencies knows that nothing is done by voice alone, paper is always required. Inflight phraseologies are close but quite right.
It's entertaining and good light reading.
March 1, 2019
A good book to read
A very good story. Well Written and true to live above a carrier. I am a former sailor who served aboard three carriers I know a good Navy book when I read one. Hope to see more good books like this one
A very good story. Well Written and true to live above a carrier. I am a former sailor who served aboard three carriers I know a good Navy book when I read one. Hope to see more good books like this one
May 5, 2019
Excellent
Very scary story, good character development. Obviously technically correct. Even a black shoe plank owner of the Big E, was drawn into the story. One editing error listed in notes.
Very scary story, good character development. Obviously technically correct. Even a black shoe plank owner of the Big E, was drawn into the story. One editing error listed in notes.
July 2, 2019
Plot holes big enough to sail a carrier through
Attention to detail sets great authors & works apart. This book fails to meet that threshold, undermining story line and character development with weak connection to reality.
Attention to detail sets great authors & works apart. This book fails to meet that threshold, undermining story line and character development with weak connection to reality.
September 19, 2019
The United States v Iran
Extremely well written Military thriller of events spiralling out of control. I would recommend this yarn to anyone who loves military fiction, including my fellow Navy Veterans!
Extremely well written Military thriller of events spiralling out of control. I would recommend this yarn to anyone who loves military fiction, including my fellow Navy Veterans!
March 14, 2020
Interesting book
Posits a large scale conspiracy which at first seems implausible but it works out. Some moments of disbelief, some activity that wasn’t followed up upon, but a good book
Posits a large scale conspiracy which at first seems implausible but it works out. Some moments of disbelief, some activity that wasn’t followed up upon, but a good book
May 22, 2022
Great fast paced thriller.
Another action packed adventure dealing with modern warfare and technology. The characters in this book were great and very believable. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
Another action packed adventure dealing with modern warfare and technology. The characters in this book were great and very believable. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
October 23, 2018
Almost start of world war III
Story was interesting but took too long to finalize. All the back stories made the story drag out for too long a period of time
Story was interesting but took too long to finalize. All the back stories made the story drag out for too long a period of time
March 22, 2019
Bravo
Well researched and explained in language that the average non-navy type would know was a big plus.
The book was written and laid out. Look forward to mie
Well researched and explained in language that the average non-navy type would know was a big plus.
The book was written and laid out. Look forward to mie
December 19, 2021
Fast moving military story. The only missing was the sleep I lost while reading. I enjoyed this book very much. Don't blink, you'll miss something.
April 25, 2022
Outstanding
Another Outstanding Book in the Rick Holden Thrillers Series and I have already downloaded Book# 3 Fire and I’ve. This was one was really hard to put down.
Another Outstanding Book in the Rick Holden Thrillers Series and I have already downloaded Book# 3 Fire and I’ve. This was one was really hard to put down.
March 10, 2019
For Duty and Honor is a very interesting read because it explores the fine line flag and general officers often face between following orders and exerting initiative that results in making foreign policy. Add in personal agendas, different interpretations of intelligence data, animosity, ambition, and ambiguity in direction passed down through the chain of command and sometimes the intent of the order gets lost. Combined with volatile geopolitical situations and how one interprets the commander’s intent can create an explosive situation as it does in For Duty and Honor. George Galdorisi weaves a captivating tale that will make anyone who served on numbered fleet and/or a battle group staff uncomfortable because what happens in For Duty and Honor is very plausible. For those who have never been on a sea-going staff, you’ll find the story fascinating, intense and maybe even scary. The book is realistic and has details about how navy staffs interact with their chain of command and exercise command and control of their ships and squadrons. What keeps the reader turning pages are the political moves of the Iranians, flag officers within the chain of command and our national leadership. Read For Duty and Honor you’ll find it enjoyable, captivating and hard to put down.
Marc Liebman is a retired Navy Captain and Naval Aviator who has written six novels.
Marc Liebman is a retired Navy Captain and Naval Aviator who has written six novels.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews