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Dan Lenson #19
Overthrow: The War with China and North Korea--Fall of an Empire
The United States and their Allied forces struggle to survive world war with China in this compelling, realistic thriller, the next in the Dan Lenson series.World War III continues in Overthrow, the next novel in the acclaimed series featuring Admiral Dan Lenson as the Allies converge against China, North Korea, and Iran in an explosive series of events. Admiral Lenson leads Operation Rupture, the invasion of South China, in a bid to finally end the war and restore peace. Meanwhile, Captain Cheryl Staurulakis fights to take a radical new “super ship” to sea, though its power and capability may introduce more risk than reward.In Washington, Dan’s wife Blair conducts secret negotiations with a rebellious faction in Beijing, hoping to bring an end to the war, but her plans may be foiled by those who want outright revenge on China, not peace with them. In western China, Teddy Oberg’s guerrilla band grows into a major insurgency, and the former SEAL master chief embraces his new role as an Islamic resistance leader. Sergeant Hector Ramos raises the flag of freedom in Taiwan while fighting his own personal demons, and in Seattle Dan’s daughter, Nan Lenson, fights to save the world from a dangerous new epidemic.But as the Allies plot an endgame to the war, the complicated dance of global warfare, on land and at sea, will finally trigger the nuclear Armageddon the entire world has feared for nearly a century.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2019
218 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
David Poyer
82 books240 followersAka D.C. Poyer.
DAVID C. POYER was born in DuBois, PA in 1949. He grew up in Brockway, Emlenton, and Bradford, in western Pennsylvania, and graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1967. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1971, and later received a master's degree from George Washington University.
Poyer's active and reserve naval service included sea duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, Caribbean, and Pacific, and shore duty at the Pentagon, Surface Warfare Development Group, Joint Forces Command, and in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He retired in July 2001.
Poyer began writing in 1976, and is the author of nearly fifty books, including THE MED, THE GULF, THE CIRCLE, THE PASSAGE, TOMAHAWK, CHINA SEA, BLACK STORM, THE COMMAND, THE THREAT, KOREA STRAIT, THE WEAPON, THE CRISIS, THE CRUISER, TIPPING POINT, HUNTER KILLER, DEEP WAR, OVERTHROW, VIOLENT PEACE, ARCTIC SEA, and THE ACADEMY, best-selling Navy novels; THE DEAD OF WINTER, WINTER IN THE HEART, AS THE WOLF LOVES WINTER, THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN, and THE HILL, set in Western Pennsylvania; and HATTERAS BLUE, BAHAMAS BLUE, LOUISIANA BLUE, and DOWN TO A SUNLESS SEA, underwater diving adventure.
Other noteworthy books are THE ONLY THING TO FEAR, a historical thriller, THE RETURN OF PHILO T. McGIFFIN, a comic novel of Annapolis, and the three volumes of The Civil War at Sea, FIRE ON THE WATERS, A COUNTRY OF OUR OWN, and THAT ANVIL OF OUR SOULS. He's also written two sailing thrillers, GHOSTING and THE WHITENESS OF THE WHALE. His work has been published in Britain, translated into Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Hugarian, and Serbo-Croatian; recorded for audiobooks, iPod downloads, and Kindle, and selected by the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club and other book clubs. Rights to several properties have been sold or optioned for films, and two novellas appeared in the Night Bazaar series of fantasy anthologies.
Poyer has taught or lectured at Annapolis, Flagler College, University of Pittsburgh, Old Dominion University, the Armed Forces Staff College, the University of North Florida, Christopher Newport University, and other institutions. He has been a guest on PBS's "Writer to Writer" series and on Voice of America, and has appeared at the Southern Festival of Books and many other literary events. He taught in the MA/MFA in Creative Writing program at Wilkes University for sixteen years. He is currently core faculty at the Ossabaw Writers Retreat, a fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and a board member of the Northern Appalachia Review.
He lives on Virginia's Eastern Shore with novelist Lenore Hart.
DAVID C. POYER was born in DuBois, PA in 1949. He grew up in Brockway, Emlenton, and Bradford, in western Pennsylvania, and graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1967. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1971, and later received a master's degree from George Washington University.
Poyer's active and reserve naval service included sea duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, Caribbean, and Pacific, and shore duty at the Pentagon, Surface Warfare Development Group, Joint Forces Command, and in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He retired in July 2001.
Poyer began writing in 1976, and is the author of nearly fifty books, including THE MED, THE GULF, THE CIRCLE, THE PASSAGE, TOMAHAWK, CHINA SEA, BLACK STORM, THE COMMAND, THE THREAT, KOREA STRAIT, THE WEAPON, THE CRISIS, THE CRUISER, TIPPING POINT, HUNTER KILLER, DEEP WAR, OVERTHROW, VIOLENT PEACE, ARCTIC SEA, and THE ACADEMY, best-selling Navy novels; THE DEAD OF WINTER, WINTER IN THE HEART, AS THE WOLF LOVES WINTER, THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN, and THE HILL, set in Western Pennsylvania; and HATTERAS BLUE, BAHAMAS BLUE, LOUISIANA BLUE, and DOWN TO A SUNLESS SEA, underwater diving adventure.
Other noteworthy books are THE ONLY THING TO FEAR, a historical thriller, THE RETURN OF PHILO T. McGIFFIN, a comic novel of Annapolis, and the three volumes of The Civil War at Sea, FIRE ON THE WATERS, A COUNTRY OF OUR OWN, and THAT ANVIL OF OUR SOULS. He's also written two sailing thrillers, GHOSTING and THE WHITENESS OF THE WHALE. His work has been published in Britain, translated into Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Hugarian, and Serbo-Croatian; recorded for audiobooks, iPod downloads, and Kindle, and selected by the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club and other book clubs. Rights to several properties have been sold or optioned for films, and two novellas appeared in the Night Bazaar series of fantasy anthologies.
Poyer has taught or lectured at Annapolis, Flagler College, University of Pittsburgh, Old Dominion University, the Armed Forces Staff College, the University of North Florida, Christopher Newport University, and other institutions. He has been a guest on PBS's "Writer to Writer" series and on Voice of America, and has appeared at the Southern Festival of Books and many other literary events. He taught in the MA/MFA in Creative Writing program at Wilkes University for sixteen years. He is currently core faculty at the Ossabaw Writers Retreat, a fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and a board member of the Northern Appalachia Review.
He lives on Virginia's Eastern Shore with novelist Lenore Hart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 7, 2019
Wow. So much to think about.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a highly intense read and sometimes, in certain parts, it almost was too realistic. I don’t usually read about military action exclusively. It’s usually a part of other stories, like espionage, or the like. So it took me a bit to really settle into this book. But I am so glad I did!
I have to admit there was a lot of military jargon that I did not understand. But regardless of that fact, the intensity, action, and description of everything surrounding the horrors of a future World War III was all too realistic.
The author has created a monumental novel that is a scary yet highly believable look into what the world could become as our nation works the delicate balancing act with other nations, allies or enemies.
Through it all Poyer has developed characters with guts and amazing stamina to do anything and everything they can to complete their missions. It is intense, horrific, gory, but yet amazing in so many ways. He tells a story that has to be told so that we can continue the delicate peace negotiations today to protect the nation tomorrow.
Even through it all, when you make it to the ending and realize he still has another story to tell, you understand. Overthrow is not a book on its own. The next installment gives us the aftermath and tells the story of what happens to all of the combatants, a.k.a. his main characters, once the world has settled down.
It’s a story you want to hear because of how hard they fought to survive and bring peace back to the world. The heroes on the frontline and behind the lines that bust ass for you, the nation, and the world.
I said in the beginning this is not the type of book I normally read, but I certainly have to know the ending. Poyer is an amazingly imaginative and articulate wordsmith that captured my attention. Now he has it. He might capture yours too.
I have 40 books to catch up on now! Whew!
5 Stellar STARS!
* Advance copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/overthrow-by...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a highly intense read and sometimes, in certain parts, it almost was too realistic. I don’t usually read about military action exclusively. It’s usually a part of other stories, like espionage, or the like. So it took me a bit to really settle into this book. But I am so glad I did!
I have to admit there was a lot of military jargon that I did not understand. But regardless of that fact, the intensity, action, and description of everything surrounding the horrors of a future World War III was all too realistic.
The author has created a monumental novel that is a scary yet highly believable look into what the world could become as our nation works the delicate balancing act with other nations, allies or enemies.
Through it all Poyer has developed characters with guts and amazing stamina to do anything and everything they can to complete their missions. It is intense, horrific, gory, but yet amazing in so many ways. He tells a story that has to be told so that we can continue the delicate peace negotiations today to protect the nation tomorrow.
Even through it all, when you make it to the ending and realize he still has another story to tell, you understand. Overthrow is not a book on its own. The next installment gives us the aftermath and tells the story of what happens to all of the combatants, a.k.a. his main characters, once the world has settled down.
It’s a story you want to hear because of how hard they fought to survive and bring peace back to the world. The heroes on the frontline and behind the lines that bust ass for you, the nation, and the world.
I said in the beginning this is not the type of book I normally read, but I certainly have to know the ending. Poyer is an amazingly imaginative and articulate wordsmith that captured my attention. Now he has it. He might capture yours too.
I have 40 books to catch up on now! Whew!
5 Stellar STARS!
* Advance copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/overthrow-by...
September 13, 2019
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Adams PR Group. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
I get the feeling that I would have enjoyed this book a bit more had I been more familiar with the characters of this particular novel in previous volumes. Even so, starting at this point it was easy enough to tell that the various main characters here all had a past and, with a fair amount of divine providence, all had a future as well, even if it was sometimes against their will at the time. This particular novel is a complex one and it plays to a lot of fears and concerns that Americans tend to have about China in particular. It is hard not to be afraid of China given its population and its rather bumptious foreign policy, and the novel itself provides a generous but credible picture of how a World War against China would work out, with massive destruction but also with restraint as well that prevents the worst from happening, especially given the fears of Armageddon that this particular world war scenario would present to many readers.
This particular novel is a bit more than 350 pages and it focuses on a small set of characters and their adventures during a particular part of a war between the United States and various allies (including India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea) against China and North Korea. Admiral Dan Lenson spends the novel dealing with various amphibious support tasks and the threat of being tried as a war criminal in the International Court for his behavior, and faces the end of his active career engaged in conflicts with a fellow officer. Captain Cheryl Staurulakis is in command of a new and experimental ship that doesn't quite have all of the bugs worked out yet as they seek defense from Chinese missile capacity. Blair Titus engages in clandestine diplomacy through various unofficial backdoor channels while seeking to avoid the destruction of civilization. Sergeant Hector Ramos faces the loss of many of his colleagues and the horrors of PTSD as he participates in various amphibious assaults on Chinese controlled territory in Taiwan, South Korea, and Hainan. Researcher Nan Lenson (daughter of Admiral Dan) seeks to avoid nuclear fallout while researching a possible treatment for a deadly strain of flu. Theodore Harlett Oberg, meanwhile, trains and encourages a Muslim "freedom fighter" group operating in Xinjaing that hovers on the edge of jihadist extremism. Will they survive and achieve their goals? Read and find out.
There is a great deal about this book to enjoy. It is action-packed and a page turner, and the author manages to keep a compelling thread that clearly comes from a previous novel and then continues on to the next one. As someone who has read several novels of this type I have to say that I found myself caring about the characters and how they were doing, and that to me lets me know that this novel was successful. It is clear that there are some plot lines that could use a bit of resolution, some people who have been apart who could stand to be together even if this is going to end up being complicated by the experiences that the various characters have had over this novel and likely the previous ones as well. I'm not familiar with this novelist and I've never read his material before, but having read this I would definitely read other books of his to fill out the series and to see how he handles geopolitics with skill.
I get the feeling that I would have enjoyed this book a bit more had I been more familiar with the characters of this particular novel in previous volumes. Even so, starting at this point it was easy enough to tell that the various main characters here all had a past and, with a fair amount of divine providence, all had a future as well, even if it was sometimes against their will at the time. This particular novel is a complex one and it plays to a lot of fears and concerns that Americans tend to have about China in particular. It is hard not to be afraid of China given its population and its rather bumptious foreign policy, and the novel itself provides a generous but credible picture of how a World War against China would work out, with massive destruction but also with restraint as well that prevents the worst from happening, especially given the fears of Armageddon that this particular world war scenario would present to many readers.
This particular novel is a bit more than 350 pages and it focuses on a small set of characters and their adventures during a particular part of a war between the United States and various allies (including India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea) against China and North Korea. Admiral Dan Lenson spends the novel dealing with various amphibious support tasks and the threat of being tried as a war criminal in the International Court for his behavior, and faces the end of his active career engaged in conflicts with a fellow officer. Captain Cheryl Staurulakis is in command of a new and experimental ship that doesn't quite have all of the bugs worked out yet as they seek defense from Chinese missile capacity. Blair Titus engages in clandestine diplomacy through various unofficial backdoor channels while seeking to avoid the destruction of civilization. Sergeant Hector Ramos faces the loss of many of his colleagues and the horrors of PTSD as he participates in various amphibious assaults on Chinese controlled territory in Taiwan, South Korea, and Hainan. Researcher Nan Lenson (daughter of Admiral Dan) seeks to avoid nuclear fallout while researching a possible treatment for a deadly strain of flu. Theodore Harlett Oberg, meanwhile, trains and encourages a Muslim "freedom fighter" group operating in Xinjaing that hovers on the edge of jihadist extremism. Will they survive and achieve their goals? Read and find out.
There is a great deal about this book to enjoy. It is action-packed and a page turner, and the author manages to keep a compelling thread that clearly comes from a previous novel and then continues on to the next one. As someone who has read several novels of this type I have to say that I found myself caring about the characters and how they were doing, and that to me lets me know that this novel was successful. It is clear that there are some plot lines that could use a bit of resolution, some people who have been apart who could stand to be together even if this is going to end up being complicated by the experiences that the various characters have had over this novel and likely the previous ones as well. I'm not familiar with this novelist and I've never read his material before, but having read this I would definitely read other books of his to fill out the series and to see how he handles geopolitics with skill.
February 17, 2024
Boom!
The title gives you a good idea where this novel is going. In fact we always knew the Americans were going to win eventually, how else could Poyer continue the Lenson series otherwise? The question is how much are they going to lose in the process.
The nuclear scenario that most military thrillers shy away from is the main focus. Unlike pretty much every military thriller ever, Poyer does not shy away from showing all the consequences of a major confrontation between near peer adversaries. One of the most unexpected ones is the state of American democracy after the president gave himself emergency powers to stay in office in one of the earlier books. By this stage in the war America is basically a mirror image of everything that was bad about China's authoritarian state to begin with. That's a lesson many thriller authors could learn from, especially the Clancy estate which seems to have installed Jack Ryan as president for life. It is an especially poignant lesson for some conservatives in the modern day who cast democrats as communists while shilling for authoritarian states such as Russia or hoping a military dictatorship will be installed in the US.
This is a heavy novel with regards to the subject matter but if you found the previous books in the series compelling, you will find this one worthwhile too.
Probably the strongest in the series regarding the diplomacy/espionage angle, which feels like it has as genuinely high stakes as the battle scenes.
The title gives you a good idea where this novel is going. In fact we always knew the Americans were going to win eventually, how else could Poyer continue the Lenson series otherwise? The question is how much are they going to lose in the process.
The nuclear scenario that most military thrillers shy away from is the main focus. Unlike pretty much every military thriller ever, Poyer does not shy away from showing all the consequences of a major confrontation between near peer adversaries. One of the most unexpected ones is the state of American democracy after the president gave himself emergency powers to stay in office in one of the earlier books. By this stage in the war America is basically a mirror image of everything that was bad about China's authoritarian state to begin with. That's a lesson many thriller authors could learn from, especially the Clancy estate which seems to have installed Jack Ryan as president for life. It is an especially poignant lesson for some conservatives in the modern day who cast democrats as communists while shilling for authoritarian states such as Russia or hoping a military dictatorship will be installed in the US.
This is a heavy novel with regards to the subject matter but if you found the previous books in the series compelling, you will find this one worthwhile too.
Probably the strongest in the series regarding the diplomacy/espionage angle, which feels like it has as genuinely high stakes as the battle scenes.
December 9, 2019
“Overthrow” is the fourth book in David Poyer’s series about a future war between China and the United States, including their respective coalition allies. Dan Lenson, whom we followed all through his naval career, is now an admiral. He has played a large role in the naval battles during this war and his participation is featured in this book as well.
The cast of supporting characters remains as strong as ever: Dan Lenson’s wife contests the political battles in Washington and seeks a path to peace; Dan’s daughter works towards developing a cure for a deadly disease; a woman cruiser captain and her crew protect the country from nuclear disaster; a SEAL having survived capture and escape in China has become a guerrilla leader and continues to face adversity; a non-com marine fights both war and his personal demons.
David Poyer demonstrates once again his ability to maintain a cast of characters whom we care about, suffer with, and pray for to survive and succeed. Throughout the narrative about the war, Mr. Poyer gives us lessons on microbiology and the fight to develop vaccines against deadly epidemics; the work to create battlefield robotics; latest developments in anti-missile technology; and projections into the future of seaborne warfare. His discussions regarding the pressures that all-out war place on our democracy are chilling and cogent. Poyer brings us readers into the highly technical world of war-fighting of the near future and the complex political world in which war occurs. We eagerly await Mr. Poyer’s next book in the series.
The cast of supporting characters remains as strong as ever: Dan Lenson’s wife contests the political battles in Washington and seeks a path to peace; Dan’s daughter works towards developing a cure for a deadly disease; a woman cruiser captain and her crew protect the country from nuclear disaster; a SEAL having survived capture and escape in China has become a guerrilla leader and continues to face adversity; a non-com marine fights both war and his personal demons.
David Poyer demonstrates once again his ability to maintain a cast of characters whom we care about, suffer with, and pray for to survive and succeed. Throughout the narrative about the war, Mr. Poyer gives us lessons on microbiology and the fight to develop vaccines against deadly epidemics; the work to create battlefield robotics; latest developments in anti-missile technology; and projections into the future of seaborne warfare. His discussions regarding the pressures that all-out war place on our democracy are chilling and cogent. Poyer brings us readers into the highly technical world of war-fighting of the near future and the complex political world in which war occurs. We eagerly await Mr. Poyer’s next book in the series.
December 18, 2019
The 19th Dan Lenson book is also the fourth to involve a war with China that damages both combatants severely. As usual, Lenson (now a provisional two-star, i.e., until he has won) is at the point of the spear. There's one more novel in the series-within-a-series. This one is subtitled "Fall of an Empire," and the 20th novel is entitled "Violent Peace," so draw your own conclusions.
There are four story lines, though the one featuring Lenson, now heading a task force on a do-or-die mission is, of course, the most interesting. That featuring Master Chief Teddy Oberg's role in guerrilla operations comes next in terms of (my) interest. All in all, both the series and the series within it have much to say about the navy, international conflict, and what the future may bring for us as a nation.
There are four story lines, though the one featuring Lenson, now heading a task force on a do-or-die mission is, of course, the most interesting. That featuring Master Chief Teddy Oberg's role in guerrilla operations comes next in terms of (my) interest. All in all, both the series and the series within it have much to say about the navy, international conflict, and what the future may bring for us as a nation.
December 30, 2019
The good news is this was more interesting and credible that its predecessor, Deep War. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Because the series has developed so many varied characters representing the full suite of skill sets that might be involved in major war (Blair, Teddy, Nan, Hector, Cheryl, etc.), the novel offers a broad view of might be happening at all levels in such a conflict.
To the negative, the lead character is now so senior in command that that fans of Lenson will be disappointed that his role is so far from the action that he becomes a more minor character in the drama. And naturally, his contributions remain unappreciated by the command.
Also, it turns out that while this novel wraps up the war, it does not wrap up the story- there will be another sequel. I was hoping for some closure, with Poyer's next work a throwback in time to the protagonist's earlier career.
To the negative, the lead character is now so senior in command that that fans of Lenson will be disappointed that his role is so far from the action that he becomes a more minor character in the drama. And naturally, his contributions remain unappreciated by the command.
Also, it turns out that while this novel wraps up the war, it does not wrap up the story- there will be another sequel. I was hoping for some closure, with Poyer's next work a throwback in time to the protagonist's earlier career.
July 3, 2020
Another five stars
The entire Dan Lenson series I hard core Navy. Anyone who has served at sea will will instantly feel the authenticity Mr. Poyer has imbued in his works. This title is no different.
This tale takes the reader where we hope our nation never goes, nuclear war. The characters come alive in these pages. So, too, does the horror and tragedy that are part and parcel of man’s ever more violent conflict with his fellow man.
Followers of Dan Lenson’s career will be pleased to see characters returning from previous books. More than this, they will find the same style and excitement we have come to expect and appreciate.
Another “Well Done,” Mr. Poyer!
The entire Dan Lenson series I hard core Navy. Anyone who has served at sea will will instantly feel the authenticity Mr. Poyer has imbued in his works. This title is no different.
This tale takes the reader where we hope our nation never goes, nuclear war. The characters come alive in these pages. So, too, does the horror and tragedy that are part and parcel of man’s ever more violent conflict with his fellow man.
Followers of Dan Lenson’s career will be pleased to see characters returning from previous books. More than this, they will find the same style and excitement we have come to expect and appreciate.
Another “Well Done,” Mr. Poyer!
July 6, 2023
Another great book in this long series of great books by David Poyer. America and its allies are deep into war with China and its allies. The threat of nuclear annihilation hangs heavy over both warring parties. Temporary Admiral Dan Lenson is once again in the middle of the action and having to make difficult life-or-death decisions. And sometimes those decisions boil down to choosing the lesser of two evils. Meanwhile, Commander Cheryl Staurulakis finds herself in similar situations where there is no such thing as the perfect decision. There is always some level of blowback. Very enjoyable read.
August 4, 2020
Difficult read in many respects. One being the highly complicated technical terminology that always confuses me; second being the descriptions of the effects of war on individuals and groups. I’ve always thought war is insanity. It occurred to me while reading this book that for anyone experiencing war to ever believe it is possible to go back to living “normal” life again is foolhardy.
And somehow, this story didn’t seem so fictional to me in these days. I started reading Poyer’s books many years ago with the Tiller Galloway series. I’m a fan. Even though I’m an old lady!
And somehow, this story didn’t seem so fictional to me in these days. I started reading Poyer’s books many years ago with the Tiller Galloway series. I’m a fan. Even though I’m an old lady!
December 31, 2020
Dense with detail, action and realism
One of Poyer’s best in the series, with well-paced action sequences, a good pace and the usual attention to detail that he is known for. Having worked for many years in the tech industry, I found the capable use of military tech to be realistic, though perhaps more advanced than would seem likely at the supposed year this all happens. Nevertheless, that doesn’t detract from the great story and the inevitable pointing to the final book in the series. I look forward to it.
One of Poyer’s best in the series, with well-paced action sequences, a good pace and the usual attention to detail that he is known for. Having worked for many years in the tech industry, I found the capable use of military tech to be realistic, though perhaps more advanced than would seem likely at the supposed year this all happens. Nevertheless, that doesn’t detract from the great story and the inevitable pointing to the final book in the series. I look forward to it.
June 3, 2021
The Dan Lenson series is a shell of its former self. I'd encourage those new readers of the Lenson series to go all the way back to the beginning. Much better story telling and not nearly as much whiz bang techno stuff. This particular novel has too many sub-plots as well. I've invested a lot into keeping abreast the Dan Lenson series over many years, so I'll keep reading (free library versions) as they come out...but I'm disappointed how it has lost its original luster.
June 19, 2021
First rate novel with great characters and plot. As a continuation of a series it was a great installment- as a first Poyer read it was a great stand alone. In both cases it left threader wanting more. Specifically, the issues of command and politics during combat were well presented But, to me, the greatest attribute was the recognition that war is about people. Highly recommend for the Naval community and defense policy wonks - the world is no back or white, grey is prominent
February 21, 2023
Complicated read with lots of acronyms and details that made it a bit hard to follow. To me, the plot lines seemed to jump around a lot, adding to following them easily. Terrible ending that says more will be revealed in his next book. I’m not a fan of that even if it’s the plan - the reader deserves a free standing novel and not a bribe to “get my next book”. I don’t plan to do that and will stay with other authors that I enjoy more.
December 12, 2019
I have read every book in the Dan Lenson Series since it started. I found many of the books too real and compelling to put down. In these last few books, I dont really understand the side stories with the Marine and the insurgents. They dont seem to be related to the main story line or the main characters so what are they doing here.
January 15, 2020
Continuing to spin out a story that requires many books to tell. This felt like a holding pattern despite an apparent shift in the relative stance of the great nations and situations of the major characters involved in the conflict. Nice to get updates, but looking forward to wrapping this all up soon. Very satisfying, while a bit frustrating as well... Waiting for the next installment.
August 17, 2020
I'm a big fan of this series. However, I admit I tend to like the Navy parts. When the focus on Hector (the marine) or Oberg (the Seal) I don't find those story lines as interesting as the Dan parts. I can live with the Blair parts and I will have to see what happens with Nan. Seems odd to bring her in as a character in book 19.
January 24, 2021
Not impossible
I will not critique the military portion of this book, as everyone has an opinion. Potter's writing is, as usual, compelling and gripping. Fans of Lenson will not be disappointed, but one wonders just how much he can take. Cheryl continues grow as does Nan. Blair has an unenviable role, but is maneuvering the "minefields." An excellent read.
I will not critique the military portion of this book, as everyone has an opinion. Potter's writing is, as usual, compelling and gripping. Fans of Lenson will not be disappointed, but one wonders just how much he can take. Cheryl continues grow as does Nan. Blair has an unenviable role, but is maneuvering the "minefields." An excellent read.
February 2, 2020
Really enjoyed this book.
The pace is relentless and the writing is compelling across the various different storylines.
I also appreciate that it doesn’t glamourise war.
Really looking forward to the next book.
The pace is relentless and the writing is compelling across the various different storylines.
I also appreciate that it doesn’t glamourise war.
Really looking forward to the next book.
July 6, 2020
Typical Excellence
A multi character, multi front, story well told with action, violence and the mind and mental challenges the characters face in order to persevere over their antagonists.
A multi character, multi front, story well told with action, violence and the mind and mental challenges the characters face in order to persevere over their antagonists.
September 26, 2020
As expected, Mr. Poyer's brutal honesty of war, nuclear war is insane. The only drawback, however intenual is leaving characters hanging. Waiting with much anticipation for the next installment of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2025
Another Excellent Episode
Unlike many authors, Poyer offers a realistic view of an escalating war. His cast of characters is broad and believable. Their motivations and experiences are lifelike not ideal. These aren’t superheroes. Highly recommended.
Unlike many authors, Poyer offers a realistic view of an escalating war. His cast of characters is broad and believable. Their motivations and experiences are lifelike not ideal. These aren’t superheroes. Highly recommended.
December 11, 2019
War
Once again the Lenson Series has kept me up too late ! I had a lot of trouble putting the book down, it's an exciting read from cover to cover.
Once again the Lenson Series has kept me up too late ! I had a lot of trouble putting the book down, it's an exciting read from cover to cover.
December 14, 2019
Great series
I've enjoyed the entire series. The last seemed too bring everything together. Not overly far fetched for sure! Great book!
I've enjoyed the entire series. The last seemed too bring everything together. Not overly far fetched for sure! Great book!
December 30, 2019
Good one, Continues Poyners China war series and quite a good series that explores greatly the way China could infiltrate technology and how it would be if there was such a war..
January 5, 2020
Great story; lots going on.
Sloppy editing in some spots- not the author's fault, I'm sure.
I wonder how this saga is going to end.
Sloppy editing in some spots- not the author's fault, I'm sure.
I wonder how this saga is going to end.
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January 18, 2020scary mil-tech tale of an unimaginable near future
February 3, 2020
Excellent, ready to read the next in the series!!
February 12, 2020
David Poyer once again delivers. Mr. Poyer is the reigning master of the techo-triller genre. Much better than #18.
March 1, 2020
complete waste of time..... gave up on page 152.
March 3, 2020
Solid entry in the Dan Lenson series
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