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Nick Stone #2
Crisis Four
Nick Stone, ex SAS, now working for British Intelligence, is tough, resourceful, ruthless. Sarah is beautiful, steel willed, intelligent. As the pair are purued through the backwoods of the American South, Stones mission becomes a journey to the heart of a dark and deadly conspiracy to which only Sarah hold the key.
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
344 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Andy McNab
205 books1,160 followersAndy McNab joined the infantry in 1976 as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was badged as a member of 22 SAS Regiment. He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for ten years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and Northern Ireland.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
September 14, 2019
Another exciting novel full of facts and complete plot twists that are so true to life, you wonder if McNab is really writing his life story.
The thing to remember about Nick Stone is he isn't that spy who realises the truth behind every lie as they're being told, he's not that American CIA wizard who somehow just knows. He's the fool whose always being played, then kicks the buggers teeth out. And this book is full of those moments.
The thing to remember about Nick Stone is he isn't that spy who realises the truth behind every lie as they're being told, he's not that American CIA wizard who somehow just knows. He's the fool whose always being played, then kicks the buggers teeth out. And this book is full of those moments.
February 15, 2014
Book 2, in the Nick Stone series
This series follows Nick Stone a very clever, ruthless and effective EX-SAS trooper hired by the British Intelligence on the most dangerous operations. In this mission he is tasked with finding and eliminating one of their operatives, Sarah Darnley.
Reading this book we have to keep in mind that it was written prior 9/11. This is a story filled with lots of action and suspense as well as death and betrayal.
A glimpse into the story:
Nick hunts Sarah down in the wilderness of America and soon finds himself involves in a scheme masterminded by Osama bin Laden targeting U.S. President Bill Clinton, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Leader Yassir Arafat while the three leaders are going to be in Washington for a peace summit. Nick is no more than a few days in on his mission that he is smack in the middle of a cat and mouse game that can only turn deadly…Welcome to the gloomy side of Special Operations.
My thoughts:
In his plot the author shares his military knowledge at great length, explaining in minutia every action, tactics, types of ammunition, etc. Some may find this interesting although I did for most part, I thought this was overly stretched enough to have hindered the pacing making this story not as exciting and far less captivating. If I ever wanted to evade surveillance, track someone or ever extract an individual this book provided all the information needed. If you like a plot which is heart stopping with violence and has a lot of insanely scenes and even dubious one, you are well served here. But if you expect great characterization, you will miss out. The players IMO have flat personalities and their actions are not particularly credible especially towards the conclusion. But again this is a fiction meant for entertainment and it does so in many ways. I particularly love the first person narration and Mr. McNab uses it perfectly with all the characteristics we expect from a macho operative…
Good book although not my favourite in this series so far.
This series follows Nick Stone a very clever, ruthless and effective EX-SAS trooper hired by the British Intelligence on the most dangerous operations. In this mission he is tasked with finding and eliminating one of their operatives, Sarah Darnley.
Reading this book we have to keep in mind that it was written prior 9/11. This is a story filled with lots of action and suspense as well as death and betrayal.
A glimpse into the story:
Nick hunts Sarah down in the wilderness of America and soon finds himself involves in a scheme masterminded by Osama bin Laden targeting U.S. President Bill Clinton, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Leader Yassir Arafat while the three leaders are going to be in Washington for a peace summit. Nick is no more than a few days in on his mission that he is smack in the middle of a cat and mouse game that can only turn deadly…Welcome to the gloomy side of Special Operations.
My thoughts:
In his plot the author shares his military knowledge at great length, explaining in minutia every action, tactics, types of ammunition, etc. Some may find this interesting although I did for most part, I thought this was overly stretched enough to have hindered the pacing making this story not as exciting and far less captivating. If I ever wanted to evade surveillance, track someone or ever extract an individual this book provided all the information needed. If you like a plot which is heart stopping with violence and has a lot of insanely scenes and even dubious one, you are well served here. But if you expect great characterization, you will miss out. The players IMO have flat personalities and their actions are not particularly credible especially towards the conclusion. But again this is a fiction meant for entertainment and it does so in many ways. I particularly love the first person narration and Mr. McNab uses it perfectly with all the characteristics we expect from a macho operative…
Good book although not my favourite in this series so far.
February 16, 2019
Io adoro questa saga, è proprio il mio genere di libro e non mi sono annoiata un solo secondo. Lo consiglio a tutti coloro che, come me, amano lo spionaggio e le descrizioni minuziose.
Il finale non mi ha lasciata soddisfatta al 100%, perché secondo me è stato trattato un po' velocemente e con meno verve descrittiva rispetto al resto del romanzo, motivo per cui non ho assegnato le 5*, ma rimane un libro stupendo che ho letto con assoluto piacere.
Il finale non mi ha lasciata soddisfatta al 100%, perché secondo me è stato trattato un po' velocemente e con meno verve descrittiva rispetto al resto del romanzo, motivo per cui non ho assegnato le 5*, ma rimane un libro stupendo che ho letto con assoluto piacere.
December 20, 2008
McNab’s second book in his long-running Nick Stone series (now up to seven books) and it’s a cracker. Stone, armed with only his trusty Baby G and his Leatherman, must find and kill a renegade agent on behalf of the British services.
The plot is complex but effortlessly readable, and the book is basically one big chase with wraparounds at beginning and end. It’s almost impossible to make a chase non-exciting and McNab is more than willing to share with the reader all of his survival and combat secrets learnt from his years in the services. From building an OP in a bush and living there for days on end, to evading capture in the backwoods of the American south, to preventing an assassination at the White House, this book is full of adrenaline and excitement, all combined with a gritty realism so that this feels like it’s true.
Stone makes for a tough, resourceful, very human and very likable hero, and his battles with vicious German Shepherds and an attack in a lounge using a bow and arrow are remarkably good. Add to this one hell of a twist ending that’ll blow you straight out of your chair, tons of suspense and extreme violence, and you have an excellent book which ranks as one of the author’s best.
The plot is complex but effortlessly readable, and the book is basically one big chase with wraparounds at beginning and end. It’s almost impossible to make a chase non-exciting and McNab is more than willing to share with the reader all of his survival and combat secrets learnt from his years in the services. From building an OP in a bush and living there for days on end, to evading capture in the backwoods of the American south, to preventing an assassination at the White House, this book is full of adrenaline and excitement, all combined with a gritty realism so that this feels like it’s true.
Stone makes for a tough, resourceful, very human and very likable hero, and his battles with vicious German Shepherds and an attack in a lounge using a bow and arrow are remarkably good. Add to this one hell of a twist ending that’ll blow you straight out of your chair, tons of suspense and extreme violence, and you have an excellent book which ranks as one of the author’s best.
November 11, 2016
Прочел вторую книжку Макнаба про "черного оператора" Ника Стоуна — намного лучше первой! Первые сто страниц все равно претерпеваешь обстоятельный отчет о том, какую куртку он купил и сколько минул ел свой гамбургер. Зато потом начинается БЕЗОСТАНОВОЧНЫЙ экшен, практически уже без остановки до самого конца книги. В своих попытках найти беглого британского агента Ник ставит на уши все США, от лесного захолустья Северной Каролины и аж до самого Белого дома.
Очень удачно соблюдается баланс между реализмом (видно, что пишет не студент-фантазер, а серьезный дядя, который в своем SAS повидал разное) и развлекательностью. В первой книге этот баланс был сильно смещен в сторону правды жизни, обстоятельности и занудности, а здесь выправился и стал напоминать раннее кино про Джейсона Борна, развлекательное, но без разудалой идиотии, с полусерьезным лицом. Очень люблю такое, зачет.
Язык тоже стал поживее, чем в первой части. Макнаб с некоторой натугой научился излагать про человеческие отношения, и даже освоил искусство саркастического комментария "от лица героя". В целом, если с "Дистанционным контролем" скорее борешься, чем читаешь, то "Кризис-4" был просто проглочен за несколько вечеров.
Очень удачно соблюдается баланс между реализмом (видно, что пишет не студент-фантазер, а серьезный дядя, который в своем SAS повидал разное) и развлекательностью. В первой книге этот баланс был сильно смещен в сторону правды жизни, обстоятельности и занудности, а здесь выправился и стал напоминать раннее кино про Джейсона Борна, развлекательное, но без разудалой идиотии, с полусерьезным лицом. Очень люблю такое, зачет.
Язык тоже стал поживее, чем в первой части. Макнаб с некоторой натугой научился излагать про человеческие отношения, и даже освоил искусство саркастического комментария "от лица героя". В целом, если с "Дистанционным контролем" скорее борешься, чем читаешь, то "Кризис-4" был просто проглочен за несколько вечеров.
April 4, 2016
I was reading along and everything was going well until it wasn't. I found the relationship between Nick and Sarah to be totally implausible considering the back story provided by McNab at the start of the book. She completely shut him down, and we are expected to believe three years later he just forgets everything she said and did and can't see she is manipulating him? I don't think so. McNab writes action well but not romance. I'm leaving and won't be coming back.
February 3, 2017
I was only going to give this one 4 stars because it was pretty apparent early on what Nick was going to do when he found his target. We did not know how he was going to get to that point and that was really interesting. Now about 1/2 way through he is there. Oh look, a fork in the road. Take the one less traveled. Just figure out which one it is. Just when I thought I had it figured out, McNab pulled the rug out.
March 6, 2012
This is another brilliant story by Andy McNab, totally entertaining page after page, and is a must read for those who love covert SAS tales. The main character is once again Nick Stone and for continuity of the background stories, if you have not read it, I would recommend reading 'Remote Control', the first novel in the Nick Stone series before this one. The saga continues brilliantly.
June 29, 2013
Excellent follow up to Remote Control. Lots of action, detail and comic relief. The story is sharp and the main characters' humanity is very raw. As a woman, I want to hold his hands, look him in the eyes and tell him that I think he's doing a great job as a human being/killer. Well, someone has to do it!
April 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It's one of those novels where very little happens in sections but that's actually a great thing. It's realistic. Not everything goes to plan; a lot of the time there's a lot of waiting and watching and, honestly, I really appreciated it. Great book - I can't wait to read the next one!
May 28, 2012
There is a realism that Andy McNab brings to this book being a former SAS commando that was interesting. I loved the book.
August 16, 2012
Crisis Four by Andy McNab. A first read into his series. Rather disappointed with the story flow as it was rather slow paced n poor ending. :(
August 26, 2019
Andy McNab was van 1984 tot 1993 lid van de sas special forces van Groot –Brittanië. Dus hij weet waarover hij schrijft met het boek Crisis Four
Verhaal
Het verhaal speelt zich af in het Amerika van eind jaren 90. Clinton is president en de dreiging van Bin Laden is sterk aanwezig. Het hoofdpersonage in dit boek word gevraagd om een collega te zoeken. De zoektocht speelt zich af in Washington en rond een meer in North Carolina. Hierbij word de natuur van deze gebieden net te weinig in detail gebracht.
Plot
Het volledige boek is in de IK-vorm geschreven. We bekijken dus alles vanuit het standpunt van ons hoofdpersonage. Dit boek kunnen we best in 2delen splitsen. Het eerste gedeelte start met wat spanning maar zwakt af naar wat gezien kan worden als een pure voorbereiding naar de actie. Je voelt de actie naderen maar die start eigenlijk maar echt in de tweede helft van het verhaal. Dit tweede deel zit dan ook tot op het einde boordevol met actie. Alles is mooi uitgewerkt en hetgene dat gebeurt komt echt geloofwaardig over.
Personages
De personages worden omschreven als zuivere spionnen , maar ze zijn zoveel meer. Doorheen de volledige eerste helft leren we verschillende personen kennen en sommige daarvan leren we echt goed kennen qua gevoelens en manieren van denken en doen. Maar in het deel waar alle actie zich bevind durven ze je soms toch nog te verrassen in hun doen en laten. Ze hebben allemaal wel hun zwakkere en sterkere punten die door de andere personages wel eens gebruikt worden voor of tegen hen.
Slot
Het slot is niet onverwacht. Het vermoeden over wat zal gebeuren zal bij de meesten wel juist zitten. Het beste aan het slot van dit boek is eigenlijk het allerlaatste hoofdstukje waarbij de verandering in het hoofdpersonage duidelijk word.
Conclusie
Een boek met een voorbereidende helft en een actie helft. Een spionage thriller geschreven door een auteur die het zelf meegemaakt heeft. Karaktervolle personages op een net te weinig omschreven achtergrond.
Verhaal
Het verhaal speelt zich af in het Amerika van eind jaren 90. Clinton is president en de dreiging van Bin Laden is sterk aanwezig. Het hoofdpersonage in dit boek word gevraagd om een collega te zoeken. De zoektocht speelt zich af in Washington en rond een meer in North Carolina. Hierbij word de natuur van deze gebieden net te weinig in detail gebracht.
Plot
Het volledige boek is in de IK-vorm geschreven. We bekijken dus alles vanuit het standpunt van ons hoofdpersonage. Dit boek kunnen we best in 2delen splitsen. Het eerste gedeelte start met wat spanning maar zwakt af naar wat gezien kan worden als een pure voorbereiding naar de actie. Je voelt de actie naderen maar die start eigenlijk maar echt in de tweede helft van het verhaal. Dit tweede deel zit dan ook tot op het einde boordevol met actie. Alles is mooi uitgewerkt en hetgene dat gebeurt komt echt geloofwaardig over.
Personages
De personages worden omschreven als zuivere spionnen , maar ze zijn zoveel meer. Doorheen de volledige eerste helft leren we verschillende personen kennen en sommige daarvan leren we echt goed kennen qua gevoelens en manieren van denken en doen. Maar in het deel waar alle actie zich bevind durven ze je soms toch nog te verrassen in hun doen en laten. Ze hebben allemaal wel hun zwakkere en sterkere punten die door de andere personages wel eens gebruikt worden voor of tegen hen.
Slot
Het slot is niet onverwacht. Het vermoeden over wat zal gebeuren zal bij de meesten wel juist zitten. Het beste aan het slot van dit boek is eigenlijk het allerlaatste hoofdstukje waarbij de verandering in het hoofdpersonage duidelijk word.
Conclusie
Een boek met een voorbereidende helft en een actie helft. Een spionage thriller geschreven door een auteur die het zelf meegemaakt heeft. Karaktervolle personages op een net te weinig omschreven achtergrond.
February 8, 2021
An action packed page turner!
January 25, 2016
"Crisi quattro" è un romanzo di azione/spionistico di Andy McNab, che è uno scrittore e militare britannico, pseudonimo dietro il quale si nasconde un ex-sergente dello Special Air Service (i corpi speciali dell'esercito britannico), noto al grande pubblico come autore di romanzi di spionaggio. Questo romanzo è del 1997, e fa appunto parte della serie "Nick Stone": in particolare questo è il secondo romanzo della serie.
L'autore è anche un saggista e nei suoi romanzi che non sono di finzione descrive quella che è stata la sua vita militare, prima di diventare uno scrittore di romanzi action spy, fino ad ora sono stati pubblicati: "Pattuglia Bravo Two Zero", "Azione immediata"e "Plotone Sette".
Nick Stone è il personaggio di fantasia che è il protagonista di tutti e diciassette libri della serie, è nato nel 1960, ex-combattente del SAS (Special Air Service), il corpo d'elite dell'esercito britannico, uno dei gruppi speciali più efficienti del mondo. Dopo essere stato circa 10 anni nei SAS, Nick ha cominciato a lavorare per l'Intelligence inglese. Esperto in armi e in ricerche impossibili di persone, viene reclutato in questa agenzia segreta chiamata "la Ditta" per compiere missioni che pochi altri potrebbero fare. Astuto, furbo, in missione è freddo e deciso, ma nel privato è una persona buona con legame ed affetti familiari. È stato sposato, durante una difficile missione (raccontata nel primo romanzo Controllo a distanza) ha recuperato la figlia di un suo amico ucciso, Kelly, ed è diventato suo tutore. Ha avuto una storia con Sarah, altro agente segreto, raccontata in Crisi Quattro. Eroe moderno ed esperto, dotato di grande humor britannico e grandi intuizioni, questo personaggio piace perché, a parte ovviamente la storia e l'addestramento nei SAS, è uno di noi, una persona comune con odi e affetti, colpi di fortuna e colpi di sfortuna, capace di avventure incredibili ma anche di grandi sventure. Freddo calcolatore in missione, quasi ingenuo nei sentimenti. Nick Stone è l'eroe che tutti possono sentire vicino e capire.
La vera forza di questi romanzi di McNab sta nel fatto che sembrano così vicini alle persone e appaiono così realistici, quasi fossero dei piccoli "manuali" di spionaggio e sopravvivenza. La lettura scorre velocissima, tra intrighi, tecniche dei corpi speciali, suspence, combattimenti, insomma adrenalina pura al 100%. Le descrizione degli eventi e dei personaggi, il loro girare tra le pagine con un impatto devastante ti fa appiccicare le dita alle pagine e non riesci più a posare il libro!
In questa storia Nick Stone viene contattato dalla "Ditta" la quale gli assegna una missione che prevede l'individuazione e l'eliminazione di un agente della CIA accusato di progettare un attentato a Washington insieme ad una cellula terroristica medio-orientale. Nick, il quale avendo già avuto dei trascorsi lavorativi e sentimentali con "Sarah", il bersaglio, riesce a rintracciarla in Carolina del Nord, nascosta in una casa sulle rive di un lago, dopo giorni di appostamento riesce ad introdursi nella casa controllata da membri dell'organizzazione terroristica, ma invece di portare a termine la missione ed eliminare il bersaglio, lui la rapisce ed in un momento di calma durante la fuga lei si giustifica dicendo che sta lavorando sotto copertura conducendo l'indagine per conto suo e data la delicatezza dell'operazione neanche la CIA sa quello che sta succedendo. Complice il fascino di Sara e l'affetto che Nick ancora prova per lei, decide di non portare a termine la missione e credere alle parole della donna; braccati da servizi segreti, poliziotti e membri di al-Qaida, i due compieranno un viaggio verso Washington, fatto di fughe e colpi di scena.
Ora se siete appassionati del genere action-thriller e non avete mai letto un libro di Andy McNAb, cominciate pure a nascondervi che vi mando Nick Stone a stanarvi e saranno cazzi acidi per voi. Se amate i ritmi incalzanti, descrizioni minuziose di armi e tecniche di combattimento, rocamboleschi colpi di scena e tanta tanta azione, correte in libreria e cominciate a leggere i libri di questo autore che ha alle spalle una carriera militare nel SAS e sa esattamente di cosa parla, anche se questi sono libri di finzione.
Vi suggerisco, ovviamente, di cominciare dai primi e di andare avanti, perché oltre ai vari richiami dei libri precedenti, ad un certo punto le trame cominciano a calare un po’ e anche il personaggio perde un po’ di smalto, dunque è meglio che siate voi stessi a decidere quando e se ne avrete abbastanza di Nick Stone.
L'autore è anche un saggista e nei suoi romanzi che non sono di finzione descrive quella che è stata la sua vita militare, prima di diventare uno scrittore di romanzi action spy, fino ad ora sono stati pubblicati: "Pattuglia Bravo Two Zero", "Azione immediata"e "Plotone Sette".
Nick Stone è il personaggio di fantasia che è il protagonista di tutti e diciassette libri della serie, è nato nel 1960, ex-combattente del SAS (Special Air Service), il corpo d'elite dell'esercito britannico, uno dei gruppi speciali più efficienti del mondo. Dopo essere stato circa 10 anni nei SAS, Nick ha cominciato a lavorare per l'Intelligence inglese. Esperto in armi e in ricerche impossibili di persone, viene reclutato in questa agenzia segreta chiamata "la Ditta" per compiere missioni che pochi altri potrebbero fare. Astuto, furbo, in missione è freddo e deciso, ma nel privato è una persona buona con legame ed affetti familiari. È stato sposato, durante una difficile missione (raccontata nel primo romanzo Controllo a distanza) ha recuperato la figlia di un suo amico ucciso, Kelly, ed è diventato suo tutore. Ha avuto una storia con Sarah, altro agente segreto, raccontata in Crisi Quattro. Eroe moderno ed esperto, dotato di grande humor britannico e grandi intuizioni, questo personaggio piace perché, a parte ovviamente la storia e l'addestramento nei SAS, è uno di noi, una persona comune con odi e affetti, colpi di fortuna e colpi di sfortuna, capace di avventure incredibili ma anche di grandi sventure. Freddo calcolatore in missione, quasi ingenuo nei sentimenti. Nick Stone è l'eroe che tutti possono sentire vicino e capire.
La vera forza di questi romanzi di McNab sta nel fatto che sembrano così vicini alle persone e appaiono così realistici, quasi fossero dei piccoli "manuali" di spionaggio e sopravvivenza. La lettura scorre velocissima, tra intrighi, tecniche dei corpi speciali, suspence, combattimenti, insomma adrenalina pura al 100%. Le descrizione degli eventi e dei personaggi, il loro girare tra le pagine con un impatto devastante ti fa appiccicare le dita alle pagine e non riesci più a posare il libro!
In questa storia Nick Stone viene contattato dalla "Ditta" la quale gli assegna una missione che prevede l'individuazione e l'eliminazione di un agente della CIA accusato di progettare un attentato a Washington insieme ad una cellula terroristica medio-orientale. Nick, il quale avendo già avuto dei trascorsi lavorativi e sentimentali con "Sarah", il bersaglio, riesce a rintracciarla in Carolina del Nord, nascosta in una casa sulle rive di un lago, dopo giorni di appostamento riesce ad introdursi nella casa controllata da membri dell'organizzazione terroristica, ma invece di portare a termine la missione ed eliminare il bersaglio, lui la rapisce ed in un momento di calma durante la fuga lei si giustifica dicendo che sta lavorando sotto copertura conducendo l'indagine per conto suo e data la delicatezza dell'operazione neanche la CIA sa quello che sta succedendo. Complice il fascino di Sara e l'affetto che Nick ancora prova per lei, decide di non portare a termine la missione e credere alle parole della donna; braccati da servizi segreti, poliziotti e membri di al-Qaida, i due compieranno un viaggio verso Washington, fatto di fughe e colpi di scena.
Ora se siete appassionati del genere action-thriller e non avete mai letto un libro di Andy McNAb, cominciate pure a nascondervi che vi mando Nick Stone a stanarvi e saranno cazzi acidi per voi. Se amate i ritmi incalzanti, descrizioni minuziose di armi e tecniche di combattimento, rocamboleschi colpi di scena e tanta tanta azione, correte in libreria e cominciate a leggere i libri di questo autore che ha alle spalle una carriera militare nel SAS e sa esattamente di cosa parla, anche se questi sono libri di finzione.
Vi suggerisco, ovviamente, di cominciare dai primi e di andare avanti, perché oltre ai vari richiami dei libri precedenti, ad un certo punto le trame cominciano a calare un po’ e anche il personaggio perde un po’ di smalto, dunque è meglio che siate voi stessi a decidere quando e se ne avrete abbastanza di Nick Stone.
March 1, 2021
This is one I gave up on very early. I just couldn't get into it. It was written in first person. The repeated gratuitous description of his genitals was a major turn off. I am very open minded sexually, but if repeated gratuitous description of the condition of his genitals that has little to do with the plot is all he can write about, then I don't see any reason to continue reading. Furthermore, it looked like the second theme after genitals was gratuitous violence. Violence woven to a plot, has a place, but not repeated gratuitously.
After a couple of months when I needed something to read, I gave this another try. It has some redeeming moments, but still a disappointment.
The descriptions of the intricacies of the British Secret Service and it's deeply clandestine activities are fascinating. Especially the way persons can go to obtain multiple identities that can't be detected. Also, there were meticulous descriptions of local geography, culture, personal characteristics, all of which enhanced the story.
A couple of surprises in the ending are noteworthy.
Still there were things that annoyed me and cause my middling rating.
The gratuitous multiple descriptions of the narrators genitals were off-putting. Even though I am very open minded, it seems sufficient to mention once, maybe twice if relevant to the story line.
The middle of the story drug on endlessly as one misadventure after another got resolved by implausible "miraculous" circumstances.
The vocabulary used was mostly British English, apparently written for a British readership, which is fine, but Americanisms crept in as well to throw the reader off guard. Distances and other measurements were given in metric measurements that are not used in either the USA nor the UK, thus confusing.
After a couple of months when I needed something to read, I gave this another try. It has some redeeming moments, but still a disappointment.
The descriptions of the intricacies of the British Secret Service and it's deeply clandestine activities are fascinating. Especially the way persons can go to obtain multiple identities that can't be detected. Also, there were meticulous descriptions of local geography, culture, personal characteristics, all of which enhanced the story.
A couple of surprises in the ending are noteworthy.
Still there were things that annoyed me and cause my middling rating.
The gratuitous multiple descriptions of the narrators genitals were off-putting. Even though I am very open minded, it seems sufficient to mention once, maybe twice if relevant to the story line.
The middle of the story drug on endlessly as one misadventure after another got resolved by implausible "miraculous" circumstances.
The vocabulary used was mostly British English, apparently written for a British readership, which is fine, but Americanisms crept in as well to throw the reader off guard. Distances and other measurements were given in metric measurements that are not used in either the USA nor the UK, thus confusing.
December 25, 2013
Andy McNab is definitely my new favourite in the genre action thrillers - move over Lee Child! This second installment of the Nick Stone series is brilliant - a mixture of physical action, patient puzzling, and a sense of humour that I really like! And a great sense of verisimilitude (for instance, what DO you do when you have to go to the bathroom when stuck in a snug surveillance hideout?). And I'm dying to know if the quip about the ties of the US Secret Service agents is true! :)
Nick Stone is a great character, more down-to-earth, not so "super-manly" as Jack Reacher, even though I suspect Stone's unusually good at what he does...
And the hairraising end game made me miss my stop on the subway - it IS that good!
Only drawback is McNab's sometime overzealous descriptions of field craft details. But in this book, we also get short pieces of wisdom that are "just right" - motivated by the situation, yet quite philosophical and universal. A few examples:
On planning to enter a house with hostiles (p.253): "James Bond? More likely James Bone. Add to that the fact that the people we are working against are also fallible, and it isn't a formula for guaranteed success. THE ONLY TRUE MEASURE OF HUMAN INTELLIGENCE IS THE SPEED AND VERSATILITY WITH WHICH PEOPLE CAN ADAPT TO NEW SITUATIONS." (my caps).
Again, on planning an action (p.270): "If you worry too much about these things, you never get down to starting the job; just get on with it and half the battle is won. Then hope that experience, knowledge and training will get you through the rest."
p. 335: "Once you allow yourself to get angry, you stop concentrating on the aim".
I could add some of the jokes too, but that would take too long... Just read the book!
Nick Stone is a great character, more down-to-earth, not so "super-manly" as Jack Reacher, even though I suspect Stone's unusually good at what he does...
And the hairraising end game made me miss my stop on the subway - it IS that good!
Only drawback is McNab's sometime overzealous descriptions of field craft details. But in this book, we also get short pieces of wisdom that are "just right" - motivated by the situation, yet quite philosophical and universal. A few examples:
On planning to enter a house with hostiles (p.253): "James Bond? More likely James Bone. Add to that the fact that the people we are working against are also fallible, and it isn't a formula for guaranteed success. THE ONLY TRUE MEASURE OF HUMAN INTELLIGENCE IS THE SPEED AND VERSATILITY WITH WHICH PEOPLE CAN ADAPT TO NEW SITUATIONS." (my caps).
Again, on planning an action (p.270): "If you worry too much about these things, you never get down to starting the job; just get on with it and half the battle is won. Then hope that experience, knowledge and training will get you through the rest."
p. 335: "Once you allow yourself to get angry, you stop concentrating on the aim".
I could add some of the jokes too, but that would take too long... Just read the book!
September 24, 2018
Started and stopped reading this 3 times as typically i like this author (have read 3 others). This book is bad; boring with long winded drivel of nothing related to plot (4pages explaining how he created a "hide" in a bush and another couple on how he was crapping his pants. No action and a weak lead....Avoid unless u need sleep
December 28, 2020
I sooo wanted to like this series. I struggled thru the 1st one hoping the second one would be better...but it wasnt. Half the time i couldn't tell what was going on or the reason, author doesnt do a good job on transitioning from one scene to the next, lots of idle chatter/goings on and not enough action.
March 17, 2020
Pish
What a lotta crap, this is first time i've read a mcnab book & will be my last, long drawn out chapters on nothing. Easy money for the writer & publishers. Only got a one star coz I couldn't find a minus star
What a lotta crap, this is first time i've read a mcnab book & will be my last, long drawn out chapters on nothing. Easy money for the writer & publishers. Only got a one star coz I couldn't find a minus star
February 14, 2012
Quite well written, but terrible plot. How could the lead character be sooo stupid. The ending was completely obvious.
September 28, 2013
Action-packed till the final page.
March 19, 2014
Great read. unexpected end.
March 15, 2015
Note to self: No matter how desperate you are to read a book, do not pick the next one in this series.
October 12, 2022
Long boring and slow. Don't bother
November 23, 2013
The second book in the Nick Stone series. It is well written and moves along at a nice pace.
August 17, 2018
Crisis Four is the 2nd adventure in the Nick Stone series which had started off with “Remote Control”.
Crisis Four was probably one of the scariest current affair novels that were in print in 2001. What makes the scenario frightening is that this book was published prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks that devastated many people around the world and completely changed the paradigm of National Security across the world. Would this book have made a difference had we paid closer attention? Probably not, however it will make us reflect on the freedoms we take for granted.
Andy McNab uses his knowledge in intelligence matters and security for her Majesty’s service. This novel involves a scheme masterminded by Osama bin Laden targeting U.S. President Bill Clinton, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Leader Yassir Arafat. The three world leaders are meeting in Washington for a peace summit but several radical groups do not want this meeting to take place. Sarah Greenwood, liaison to the United Kingdom’s Counter Terrorism Center, alleges that she has information on the possible attack. The problem is that there are few people who can trust her.
The story brings back Nick Stone in his 2nd adventure, a mushroom for the United Kingdom’s Special Air Service. When he goes on a secret mission for his country, he is always kept in the dark and fed manure. He is aware that is the way it always is, but it does not mean he has to like it. He does his job and he does it well. His next mission is to track down Sarah Greenwood, who has gone missing for a long period of time, and to inform them of her current whereabouts. Details will follow. Stone has mixed feelings about the assignment. Sarah compromised a mission that he participated in Syria and she rebuffed him after he confessed his love for her. It will not be a happy reunion, but it might help him find closure.
When he finds her in North Carolina with several middle-eastern men, he is stunned. His bosses sanction him to perform a T104 on Sarah without hesitation. This means that he is supposed to kill her and leave absolutely no trace of her existence. Nick knows that there is more to the story and he is right. Sarah is aware of a terrorist plot in Washington and is willing to help Nick to stop it. The question is, can he trust her? Who is she working for? Time will be their enemy and they need to act fast if they want to stop a major catastrophe that might cripple the world.
Andy McNab’s knowledge and experience in military and intelligence matters are evident throughout the entire book. The book is filled with lot of action and suspense as well as death and betrayal. Nick is more of an action hero than a regular character. The character development is relatively weak and we do not get to know much about Sarah and Nick. We only see what they want us to know, their true confessions seemed forced. Other than that, it is an average thriller for anyone. No previous knowledge of acronyms required. McNab’s books are for entertainment purposes only but it now gives one an opportunity to think about the world around us.
Crisis Four was probably one of the scariest current affair novels that were in print in 2001. What makes the scenario frightening is that this book was published prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks that devastated many people around the world and completely changed the paradigm of National Security across the world. Would this book have made a difference had we paid closer attention? Probably not, however it will make us reflect on the freedoms we take for granted.
Andy McNab uses his knowledge in intelligence matters and security for her Majesty’s service. This novel involves a scheme masterminded by Osama bin Laden targeting U.S. President Bill Clinton, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Leader Yassir Arafat. The three world leaders are meeting in Washington for a peace summit but several radical groups do not want this meeting to take place. Sarah Greenwood, liaison to the United Kingdom’s Counter Terrorism Center, alleges that she has information on the possible attack. The problem is that there are few people who can trust her.
The story brings back Nick Stone in his 2nd adventure, a mushroom for the United Kingdom’s Special Air Service. When he goes on a secret mission for his country, he is always kept in the dark and fed manure. He is aware that is the way it always is, but it does not mean he has to like it. He does his job and he does it well. His next mission is to track down Sarah Greenwood, who has gone missing for a long period of time, and to inform them of her current whereabouts. Details will follow. Stone has mixed feelings about the assignment. Sarah compromised a mission that he participated in Syria and she rebuffed him after he confessed his love for her. It will not be a happy reunion, but it might help him find closure.
When he finds her in North Carolina with several middle-eastern men, he is stunned. His bosses sanction him to perform a T104 on Sarah without hesitation. This means that he is supposed to kill her and leave absolutely no trace of her existence. Nick knows that there is more to the story and he is right. Sarah is aware of a terrorist plot in Washington and is willing to help Nick to stop it. The question is, can he trust her? Who is she working for? Time will be their enemy and they need to act fast if they want to stop a major catastrophe that might cripple the world.
Andy McNab’s knowledge and experience in military and intelligence matters are evident throughout the entire book. The book is filled with lot of action and suspense as well as death and betrayal. Nick is more of an action hero than a regular character. The character development is relatively weak and we do not get to know much about Sarah and Nick. We only see what they want us to know, their true confessions seemed forced. Other than that, it is an average thriller for anyone. No previous knowledge of acronyms required. McNab’s books are for entertainment purposes only but it now gives one an opportunity to think about the world around us.
June 19, 2017
** MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS **
The second in the Nick Stone novels by ex SAS Andy Mcnab. This however was a very stop start novel which could have been much better but is let down by its pacing. Nick Stone is trying to adjust to his "new life" after the events of the first book and he receives a message from his "old employers" for a meet. Meeting them he is told that Sarah Greenwood who was on a earlier mission with Nick has gone off the records and they suspect her to have gone rogue. Nick is tasked with T-104 (assassination leaving no traces). What complicates matters is that she was Nick's love interest once upon a time and even though she appeared cold he is skeptical to believe. He tracks her down and finds her in a house with 3 other middle eastern men. He gets out and in a delicate moment sarah confides in him about a plot to kill Arafat and Netanyahu at a peace summit that is about to happen. Now is the moral dilemma, does he trust sarah or does he carry out his mission.
The book hits its highs very early on during the first mission in syria. Described in vivid detail Mcnab clearly shows that he knows what he's talking about with a wealth of information about covert ops techniques and how operations work in real life. The book is sprinkled with brit-humor
throughout but sometimes it acts as a detriment if arent into brit-jokes and pop culture references.
Then the book takes a dive with nothing much happening and the author rather focusing on the surroundings and attempts to add humor to them but they fall flat. The bad guys are one dimensional and just place holders in the story waiting to get dropped. They show no fight when sarah is lifted and nick overcomes them easily. The finale is done well but leaves a big loophole. How did he end up back in london..? its obvious to the reader its by covert means but since so much is explained this felt left out. As compared to the last there is not much action here but when it happens it is explosive and satisfying. But even between those action scenes the author gets very wordy. i felt this book could have been edited and made tighter to abt 300-400 pages as the information does nothing to advance the story and found myself skimming entire pages of the book waiting for something to happen or the story to forward.
Overall a legit spec ops novel from a legit spec ops guy. Mcnab is clearly in his zone the second time around providing a wealth of info and good dose of sarcastic humor. It has an explosive opening before taking a nose dive but finishing explosively again with a twist. The middle part can be edited better and tighter but apart from that one flaw i think it is quite an enjoyable book. I'll give the author a final chance by getting book 3 and hoping for more substance between the action.
6.5/10 Above Average
The second in the Nick Stone novels by ex SAS Andy Mcnab. This however was a very stop start novel which could have been much better but is let down by its pacing. Nick Stone is trying to adjust to his "new life" after the events of the first book and he receives a message from his "old employers" for a meet. Meeting them he is told that Sarah Greenwood who was on a earlier mission with Nick has gone off the records and they suspect her to have gone rogue. Nick is tasked with T-104 (assassination leaving no traces). What complicates matters is that she was Nick's love interest once upon a time and even though she appeared cold he is skeptical to believe. He tracks her down and finds her in a house with 3 other middle eastern men. He gets out and in a delicate moment sarah confides in him about a plot to kill Arafat and Netanyahu at a peace summit that is about to happen. Now is the moral dilemma, does he trust sarah or does he carry out his mission.
The book hits its highs very early on during the first mission in syria. Described in vivid detail Mcnab clearly shows that he knows what he's talking about with a wealth of information about covert ops techniques and how operations work in real life. The book is sprinkled with brit-humor
throughout but sometimes it acts as a detriment if arent into brit-jokes and pop culture references.
Then the book takes a dive with nothing much happening and the author rather focusing on the surroundings and attempts to add humor to them but they fall flat. The bad guys are one dimensional and just place holders in the story waiting to get dropped. They show no fight when sarah is lifted and nick overcomes them easily. The finale is done well but leaves a big loophole. How did he end up back in london..? its obvious to the reader its by covert means but since so much is explained this felt left out. As compared to the last there is not much action here but when it happens it is explosive and satisfying. But even between those action scenes the author gets very wordy. i felt this book could have been edited and made tighter to abt 300-400 pages as the information does nothing to advance the story and found myself skimming entire pages of the book waiting for something to happen or the story to forward.
Overall a legit spec ops novel from a legit spec ops guy. Mcnab is clearly in his zone the second time around providing a wealth of info and good dose of sarcastic humor. It has an explosive opening before taking a nose dive but finishing explosively again with a twist. The middle part can be edited better and tighter but apart from that one flaw i think it is quite an enjoyable book. I'll give the author a final chance by getting book 3 and hoping for more substance between the action.
6.5/10 Above Average
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April 7, 2022A very raw and detailed outlook of what most of us from the outside looking in can draw very vivid imagination from. I believe it's really hard nowadays for most people to put into writing something that even the newest of readers can visualize and form mental pictures that eventually compose into a complete series of events that one doesn't necessarily have to see to understand them. People like Andy here are a rare breed of unbelievably gifted artists. Movies are currently most people's form of indoors entertainment, and quite frankly that is not really hard to fathom. They provide us with visual imagery that doesn't need a genius to understand and follow. But to produce a masterpiece like this one, a book that literally imprints detailed actions so clear that you don't need to see them to follow, requires a mastermind like this author.
I really can't say it is a weakness of character for Nick to have fallen for Sarah's tricks time and again, she was obviously an intelligent woman, beautiful, and passionate, with an undeniable conviction to right her father's wrongs. It's really hard to see how any man wouldn't have liked such a woman. Plus, she was a well trained operative, of which I think deceit came somehow naturally to her. Nick was definitely in over his head. Like he enjoys putting it, he was in the shit.
As for the firm, I'd like to believe that how they dealt with Sarah is not really how they deal with matters of such delicacy, because if it is, then all service men and women in the firm are in a boat load of shit. Point is, you don't send an operative blind folded on a mission that critical to your national security and that of your allies. What would have happened if Sarah had succeeded in killing the two!? I'm quite confident that she wouldn't have stopped there, she would have gone for the American president as well. Of which from my own personal point of view, would have been a big win for Big Old Boy Bin! To think that the firm is actually an intelligence service, I find it really disturbing that they actually thought DUTY to the nation might have defeated MATTERS OF THE HEART!!! Love conquers all, But it also can FUCK UP ALL!!!
I really can't say it is a weakness of character for Nick to have fallen for Sarah's tricks time and again, she was obviously an intelligent woman, beautiful, and passionate, with an undeniable conviction to right her father's wrongs. It's really hard to see how any man wouldn't have liked such a woman. Plus, she was a well trained operative, of which I think deceit came somehow naturally to her. Nick was definitely in over his head. Like he enjoys putting it, he was in the shit.
As for the firm, I'd like to believe that how they dealt with Sarah is not really how they deal with matters of such delicacy, because if it is, then all service men and women in the firm are in a boat load of shit. Point is, you don't send an operative blind folded on a mission that critical to your national security and that of your allies. What would have happened if Sarah had succeeded in killing the two!? I'm quite confident that she wouldn't have stopped there, she would have gone for the American president as well. Of which from my own personal point of view, would have been a big win for Big Old Boy Bin! To think that the firm is actually an intelligence service, I find it really disturbing that they actually thought DUTY to the nation might have defeated MATTERS OF THE HEART!!! Love conquers all, But it also can FUCK UP ALL!!!
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