The Sixth Fleet

The Sixth Fleet #1

by David E. Meadows

In the future, America will not fight for freedom. America will not fight for justice. America will fight for survival.

The United States of America is no longer a dominant superpower. Countries that were once allies now race to establish their own influence around the globe. Slowly but surely, America is becoming a shadow of its former glory. But America’s old enemies aren’t content to see her fade away. They want revenge.

The Sixth Fleet is America’s first defense—and last hope. Written by a Captain in the U.S. Navy who has served in both the Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this electrifying new series offers an insider’s view of international conflict and naval combat as you’ve never read before.

Genres: Military Fiction, Thriller

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

David E. Meadows is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and the author of numerous military thrillers such as Sixth Fleet, Seawolf, and Tomcat. He also writes an OPED column for Military dot com and is a member of the Authors Guild.

During his Navy Career of 37-years, David Meadows spent nearly 10-years at-sea on a variety of warships where he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. He has aircrew and Naval Observer wings with over 5000-flight hours in three different types of reconnaissance aircraft. He enlisted in the Navy in December 1967; made Chief Petty Officer in 1977; and was commissioned in 1980. He rose from E-2 in the Cryptologic field of the Navy to the Number 2 position as Deputy Commander, Naval Security Group Command; his last duty station and position prior to retirement.

David E. Meadows has a Bachelor of Science degree in Arabic/Middle East Studies with a minor in French. He speaks neither language well as evident by the French offering him unlimited libation if he would never-ever speak their language again. He also has a MBA and a MS in National Resource Strategy. He has served ashore in Rota, Spain; Athens, Greece; Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico; Bureau of Naval Personnel; London, England; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; Corry Station-Pensacola, Florida; and the Joint Staff.

He loves basketball, but the sport no longer loves him with many pickup games preferring to play five against four rather than have him come off the bench.

He is a native of Newnan and Coweta County Georgia, growing up in the small cotton mill of Sargent, Georgia. He and his wife Felicity live in Maryland. He is married to the amazing Felicity Bellis of Manchester, England, who has received many accolades for remaining with him all these years. Their daughter Sara and son Nicholas are grown and pursuing their own careers.

Reviews

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixth Fleet is the first of many works which fictionally depict the consequences of allowing America's military power to further atrophy. Sixth Fleet is not intended as a stand alone work and those going in with that impression (as I did) will find themselves frustrated. The author expends a great deal of time and effort introducing us to characters and scenarios that go nowhere by the end of the book. These elements may quite likely be revived in future installments but it makes it no less annoying. I have read many other books that have been intended as the first of many and they have done a better job of plot and character management. As to the authors creation of characters it is ok but not great. There are a few interesting characters but they are only bit players. Other problems, Sixth Fleet is torturously slow and tedious in many places moving at near glacial pace early in the novel. I have read may works of military fiction a.k.a. "techno-thrillers" but never have I run into a work jammed with so many military acronyms as Sixth Fleet (including the works of Tom Clancy; himself a fan of jargon and the acronym); many of which are never identified or defined. This book could have benefited greatly from a glossary or a similar guide to military jargon. All that being said the saving grace of Sixth Fleet are the battle scenes. His descriptions of military combat are exceptional. They are easily the best part of the book. These sequences found me turning the pages and having time stand still. Full marks to the author in this regard. The author also does a good job of setting up a satisfying emotional payoff down the road after the US military suffers a Pearl Harbor style attack. If he can make the reader care more about his characters the pay off will be even better. I do not know how many novels are intended as part of the Sixth Fleet series (pre-orders for a title called Sixth Fleet: Seawolf are being taken on Amazon.com) but there is potential here. The author needs to write a more complete story in each installment, better define the jargon and acronyms and make us care more about his characters. If he can accomplish those three in combination with the exceptional battles scenes then future works will be among the finest in the genre.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top notch military action novel here with the only major fault being it needed another 100 pages as the ending was rather abrupt. Libyan radicals with the aid of Algerian rebels attempt to drive the Americans from the Med. The story is very cohesive despite the wide scope of the battles. Several perspectives are presented encompassing both air and sea engagements. Solid and credible characters.

[Mike Emett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! So much more exciting then his Joint Task Force series. First book my Meadows that I did not have to force myself to finish and hoping something fun will happen. A good read into what may happen one day if we let our Navy decline, especially in the Mediterranean area. I will be starting the 2nd book in this series and am excited. I hope books 2, 3 and 4 are just as exciting. If you like military fiction I think you will enjoy this.