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Presidential Agent #1
By Order Of The President
When a leased Boeing 727 is violently hijacked from Angola and flown to parts unknown, the President turns to an outsider--Major Carlos Guillermo Castillo--for answers. A pilot, West Point graduate, and veteran of Desert Storm, Castillo has a sharp eye for the facts--and the truth behind them. In Africa, he is helped and hindered by unexpected allies and ruthless enemies, and begins to untangle a plot of horrific dimensions--a plot that, unless Castillo acts quickly, will end very, very badly.
624 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2004
791 people are currently reading
4280 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,310 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
December 9, 2018
This is one of the best fulfilling novels I have had the pleasure to come across. Supreme narrator Dick Hill is fantastic. 10 of 10 stars!
May 18, 2009
This book is pretty awful. Tom Clancy gave it a good review and I love Tom Clancy, but this was a waste of time. Two significant men in my life are both total military/aircraft nuts. I thought plowing through it would give me something to talk to them about. Riiightttt! I talked about how awful the book is. Three things made it bad. 1) The main character is a James Bond 007 type that has women dropping their panties for him everywhere he goes. His call-sign is "Don Juan." 2) The lead female character comes across like a sappy teenager instead of the professional she is supposed to be. 3) Every other word is an acronym-not just the common ones like CIA-all kinds of alphabet soup. Here's an acronym for ya Don Juan, STD. That's what happens in the real world to people who act like you. Did I mention that I didn't like this book?
December 6, 2018
4 stars
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November 19, 2015
I adopted the following rule: “Must be drawn into a book within the first 10%”. If after reading 10% I still don’t “fall in love” with it, I dump it. This book falls into that rule. The beginning was very promising. 100% of action. But then it became some kind of Wikipedia describing the Military structure. What for ??? , and why so many pages?
On top of that our author introduce us to about 70 names. Who can remember so many characters?
Oh.. Yes. There is that main hero, have a long conversation with the president of the USA. As if it was some kind of an important meeting with the Russian president. Never make a hero into a Super hero in the beginning of the book, prior to any action.
Maybe it becomes more interesting later on, but with that super long introduction I just lost interest.
On top of that our author introduce us to about 70 names. Who can remember so many characters?
Oh.. Yes. There is that main hero, have a long conversation with the president of the USA. As if it was some kind of an important meeting with the Russian president. Never make a hero into a Super hero in the beginning of the book, prior to any action.
Maybe it becomes more interesting later on, but with that super long introduction I just lost interest.
June 26, 2021
W.E.B. Griffin is in my mind one of the best authors ever. I reread his books regularly, it's one of few authors I feel the need to do so. By Order of the President is the first book introducing Charley Castillo. Since there will be a new book in this series in December I thought it was time to get up to date and to be able to compare the writing. In Griffins book you find it all, Action, thriller, suspense, romance, espionage, politics, humor and terrorism. In this book the main story is that the president is fed up with his various intelligence organisations are in constant rivalry with each other. To evaluate and fix this he gives an order to investigate this and then mayhem occurs. We also get a very good introduction to his new main character and some of the other people that will help and hinder Castillo in this series. The interservice rivalry is a constant problem.
If you by some chance have missed this author it's high time to change that. If I should recommend only one author this would be it.
If you by some chance have missed this author it's high time to change that. If I should recommend only one author this would be it.
July 23, 2008
I think this whole book could probably be summed up by the thoughts that went through my head the moment I finished this book. "Wait . . .that's it! You've got to be kidding me! What was the point!"
The book is the type of literature I would expect to read if I had taken a decent plot and given it to a computer programmer to create a book with . . . i.e. the prose is flat, business-like, and un-engaging, leaving you with a book that never really goes anywhere.
What a shame.
The book is the type of literature I would expect to read if I had taken a decent plot and given it to a computer programmer to create a book with . . . i.e. the prose is flat, business-like, and un-engaging, leaving you with a book that never really goes anywhere.
What a shame.
October 22, 2019
This is the first, and one of the best novels in the Presidential Agent series. For an old soldier reading Griffin is like a letter from home. You know it's fiction, but he is so well grounded in that world that you believe it all.
December 17, 2018
For some unknown reason I have gotten away from reading WEB Griffin's books. I've read many of them in the past and enjoyed them thoroughly. They're set in the military and involve military actions being true to the time period (political and military concerns). But also they're very human with story lines we can all relate to - some family, some romantic, etc.
Many thanks to one of the GR reviewers I follow for reviewing this book and reminding me just how much I've enjoyed Griffin's books in the past.
This one was the first in the Presidential Agent series and introduces Charley Castillo whom, I assume, will star in the rest of the series. This novel was set in 2005 and has to do with terrorism on American soil in the wake of 9/11.
For anyone wanting to read Griffin's books, I would advise you to start with the first book in a series and read the series in sequence. They're OK as stand-alone, but they really should be read in order.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to one of the GR reviewers I follow for reviewing this book and reminding me just how much I've enjoyed Griffin's books in the past.
This one was the first in the Presidential Agent series and introduces Charley Castillo whom, I assume, will star in the rest of the series. This novel was set in 2005 and has to do with terrorism on American soil in the wake of 9/11.
For anyone wanting to read Griffin's books, I would advise you to start with the first book in a series and read the series in sequence. They're OK as stand-alone, but they really should be read in order.
Highly recommended.
March 3, 2020
This was a great start to the series and it kept me guessing at every turn. I loved the main character Charlie. He has the typical tragic backstory, but faces everything head on. In addition, among all of the serious moments, there were some funny parts. The only negatives is that were times where I felt like I needed an encyclopedia to really understand all of the military terms. There's also the fact that the resolution to the whole crisis gets resolved in the last 5% of the book. The other 95% is trying to get to that point. But, I guess the fact that sometimes the journey is more important that the result definitely applies here. Overall, I loved it and thought it was a good start to the series. Looking forward to the next one.
June 13, 2012
A good story. I like the use of foot notes instead of always trying to explain the technical details in the story.
January 25, 2012
The intriguing military story of Carlos Castillo is one I could not put down. The military style of the book is great and gives a background for those who have no earlier experience. The writing includes not only what people are saying but also their inner thoughts. This book has many twists and turns that carry the reader throughout the story.
In this book a 727 is hijacked in Africa and the President is worried about what might happen to it. He sends Carlos Guillermo Castillo out to find out what has happened to the missing aircraft. Along the way we find out there are problems with another family who has relations to the Castillo's. Carlos is sent into Africa to discover what is happening with the aircraft. He ends up being put into a situation that could end up badly if he doesn't know what to do.
Carlos Castillo is a Texican and son of Medal of Honor winner Jorge Castillo. He flies helicopters for the army and Special Forces. He works as the Secretary Assistant of the President and is an agent. His mother and father are deceased and he has close relationships with his grandparents.
I thought the book was very good. It kept my interest throughout and was always adding something new to the story line. W.E.B Griffin is an excellent author and is easily able to incorporate internal dialogue into the story (Which I liked). His knowledge of military rank and requirements makes the story believable and realistic. This is an excellent book that I recommend to people who are interested in military/action books.
In this book a 727 is hijacked in Africa and the President is worried about what might happen to it. He sends Carlos Guillermo Castillo out to find out what has happened to the missing aircraft. Along the way we find out there are problems with another family who has relations to the Castillo's. Carlos is sent into Africa to discover what is happening with the aircraft. He ends up being put into a situation that could end up badly if he doesn't know what to do.
Carlos Castillo is a Texican and son of Medal of Honor winner Jorge Castillo. He flies helicopters for the army and Special Forces. He works as the Secretary Assistant of the President and is an agent. His mother and father are deceased and he has close relationships with his grandparents.
I thought the book was very good. It kept my interest throughout and was always adding something new to the story line. W.E.B Griffin is an excellent author and is easily able to incorporate internal dialogue into the story (Which I liked). His knowledge of military rank and requirements makes the story believable and realistic. This is an excellent book that I recommend to people who are interested in military/action books.
June 7, 2013
Castillo One: The Missing 727 and the Liberty Bell Caper. An abandoned 727 is stolen in Angola, setting off a mad dash to find it fearing its possible use in a terror attack. A former Delta Miller, masquerading as a military attache, sends the flare to CIA and is almost immediately stomped. As no intel agency can find the plane, the President gets pissed and asks his old buddy Matt Hall, Homeland Security Secretary, to find a sleuth to check out his intel apparatus and report back. Hall taps Castillo via Naylor, and the die is cast. Charley goes to Angola as Karl Wilhelm, meets and bangs the married CIA Section Chief and writes a missive for his German rag that a Russian arms dealer is involved in the 727 snatch. Invited to meet the Russian in Vienna, Charley gets to know Alex Pevsner and befriends him, and Pevsner is anxious to distance himself from the terrorists who cast his trade in a bad light. Pevsner begins a deal with the devil to assist Charley in finding the plane and thwarting the terrorist plot to fly into the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Charley and Miller travel to Philly to investigate local connections to the Somali terrorists and find the African American Lunatics, who have been successfully infiltrated by the local cops counter intel guys and the link and target are locked in. Acting on tips from Pevsner, Charley tracks the 727 across Africa to South America and finally locates the plane in Costa Rica being loaded for the Philly crash op. Charley intercepts the bird with Scotty McNab's Gray Fox team and flies the bird to MacDill.
July 23, 2023
Well I'm not sure how this has such a high rating. Basically its a bunch of people talking and flying around to talk to other people while a Russian arms dealer does all the work. Then, when you get to the "exciting" conclusion the good guys has the bad guys outnumbered 10 to 1 and its over in two pages. So about 590 pages of talking bout nothing while repeating themselves constantly and about 15 pages of someone actually doing something. The plot is a plane is hijacked in Africa and, for some reason they never really explain other then that some Philadelphia Muslims are involved, they are planning to fly it into the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
Not recommended probably closer to a one to be honest, it really is quite silly and boring.
Not recommended probably closer to a one to be honest, it really is quite silly and boring.
March 18, 2014
Love Charley Castillo!! What a great character--made better by side kicks Fernando Lopez, Dick Miller, and Betty Schneider. As I listened to this story there were several times I laughed out loud because of the antics of these main characters. A great listen, even though the ending was a bit anti-climatic for me. Looking forward to listening to the next story in the Presidential Agent series to see what Charley is up to next (and hoping to see a connection between Betty and Charley)! Dick Hall was a good narrator on this. 8 out of 10 for me.
April 6, 2021
WEB Griffin draws out a story like a grandpa sitting on the back porch. He takes his time, savoring every interaction and plot development. Honestly, I like the change of pace in a world where everything is a race against time, on fire, page turning thrill ride. Especially like the military details and the way the officers interact with each other. He has real military experience and a great knack for communicating this banter and old boys network.
This particular story is very good. The history of Major Castillo is fascinating and he makes an excellent character to build a series around. His team comes together ad hoc and does a great job with the mission. My only complaint is he dragged finding the missing plane out too far. He would have been better off removing one of the sections of the book where they were looking in the wrong spot, it just made the story go too long. 5 stars otherwise.
This particular story is very good. The history of Major Castillo is fascinating and he makes an excellent character to build a series around. His team comes together ad hoc and does a great job with the mission. My only complaint is he dragged finding the missing plane out too far. He would have been better off removing one of the sections of the book where they were looking in the wrong spot, it just made the story go too long. 5 stars otherwise.
November 2, 2021
Particularmente alarga una historia ilustrando la mecanica política y jerarquica de la Inteligencia norteamericana, creo que es un hit completo para aquella visión del agente carismático, con herencia patriótica y operando por fuera de las reglas pero logrando el objetivo. La trama se extiende y lo atrapa aunque no te des cuenta, el final me pareció demasiado trillado, pero no le restaré por esl, ya que no pude soltarla desde que lo comencé.
October 25, 2024
One of the most convoluted books i have ever read! Certainly kept me guessing, and going back to figure out who, what, where??
February 1, 2020
It had an interesting plot and kept my attention
May 16, 2022
A very enjoyable read, and a great start to the series.
May 25, 2025
Overall enjoyment: 1/1
Readability: 0.5/1
Immersion: 0.5/1
Characters: 1/1
Originality: 1/1
Readability: 0.5/1
Immersion: 0.5/1
Characters: 1/1
Originality: 1/1
December 21, 2019
By Order of the President leads off W.E.B. Griffin's "Presidential Agent" series, a sometimes humorous but oft tone-deaf spy fiction series about Secret Service Special Agent and Green Beret Charley Castillo, a man thrust into varying identities, which he has adapted, whether by intent or accidentally, into a unique blend of black ops spy hero and Special Forces warrior. Unfortunately, Charley's precociousness, his instincts to do right by everyone to a fault, and his carnal proclivities sometimes land him in awkward, conflicted circumstances, which raise the ire of certain power players in the highest levels of government and leave Charley questioning his own purpose or identity.
In this series debut, Castillo, also known as Karl Van Gossinger -- an identity stemming from Castillo's German birth -- is tabbed covertly by the president to find a stolen 727 and to get to the bottom of obvious holes in the United States' intelligence-gathering systems. Charley's investigation takes him on a worldwide jaunt involving shady encounters with a duplicitous Russian arms dealer, agenda-ridden intelligence agents and attempts to uncover terrorist operatives ready to use the 727 in a master plan to attack a major but somewhat offbeat landmark close to home. Keep in mind, this book was written shortly after the 9/11 attacks.
The book is entertaining and mildly amusing at times, as it fills in the story of Castillo's German birth and his ties to the United States by virtue of having a Tex-Mex father who was a decorated military war hero. Even though Castillo never met his father, who died a Vietnam war hero, Charley is adopted and cared for during his younger years by his father's family after his German mother succumbs to cancer. Despite concerns about adoption committing Castillo to an impoverished life in the American Southwest, -- noteworthy considering he comes from a family of rich European newspaper moguls -- it actually turns out his adopting family owns a produce empire, complete with a Lear jet and an endless supply of assets, resources and connections. This bifold background proves invaluable to Castillo as he comes into what appears will be a continuing role serving surreptitiously at the behest of the president.
In a different time, this book was a showstopper, full of drama and adrenaline along with the aforementioned humor and ironic backstory. But today's world shines a different light. Castillo's sexploits appear chauvinistic and juvenile. The somewhat masculine-bent and terrorist-focused dialogue seems dated and xenophobic as the lens moves farther out from the 9/11 era.
The book also drags on a bit much -- mired in minutia like military rankings and anecdotal retellings that make up entire chapters. Although details are a W.E.B. Griffin cornerstone, this venture gets a bit overtaken. The series definitely picks up steam with its second entry, but this debut book might best be reserved for the completists among the Griffin fan set, or those who simply must dive into the series' genesis.
The book's ending picks up, saving a three-star rating for this 500-plus page tome with some narrow error-margin excitement. Nevertheless, the endless array of military and intelligence characters, many with similar names, and the flashback chapters or extended discussions of various suppositions as to the eventualities of the stolen jet make this a thick, confusing read. Many may lose focus as the ancillary details mount. Those who persevere may experience a sense of underwhelming completion upon the novel's conclusion.
This story was the necessary table-setter for where Griffin wanted to take this series, but it works poorly as a standalone. There is just not enough plot to make it compelling. Many readers may drift away as the compelling narrative wanes -- evidenced by the protracted duration it took me to finish this slog. Those who stay on board will experience a little thrill in the final chapters and have a deeper understanding of Castillo's character, his conflicts, weaknesses and the inner moral strength he sometimes hides from everyone including himself. Depending, of course, on which version of himself applies. Charley? Karl? Special Forces operative? Clandestine spy hero? Euro newshound? It's all packed into the layers of being a "Presidential Agent."
In this series debut, Castillo, also known as Karl Van Gossinger -- an identity stemming from Castillo's German birth -- is tabbed covertly by the president to find a stolen 727 and to get to the bottom of obvious holes in the United States' intelligence-gathering systems. Charley's investigation takes him on a worldwide jaunt involving shady encounters with a duplicitous Russian arms dealer, agenda-ridden intelligence agents and attempts to uncover terrorist operatives ready to use the 727 in a master plan to attack a major but somewhat offbeat landmark close to home. Keep in mind, this book was written shortly after the 9/11 attacks.
The book is entertaining and mildly amusing at times, as it fills in the story of Castillo's German birth and his ties to the United States by virtue of having a Tex-Mex father who was a decorated military war hero. Even though Castillo never met his father, who died a Vietnam war hero, Charley is adopted and cared for during his younger years by his father's family after his German mother succumbs to cancer. Despite concerns about adoption committing Castillo to an impoverished life in the American Southwest, -- noteworthy considering he comes from a family of rich European newspaper moguls -- it actually turns out his adopting family owns a produce empire, complete with a Lear jet and an endless supply of assets, resources and connections. This bifold background proves invaluable to Castillo as he comes into what appears will be a continuing role serving surreptitiously at the behest of the president.
In a different time, this book was a showstopper, full of drama and adrenaline along with the aforementioned humor and ironic backstory. But today's world shines a different light. Castillo's sexploits appear chauvinistic and juvenile. The somewhat masculine-bent and terrorist-focused dialogue seems dated and xenophobic as the lens moves farther out from the 9/11 era.
The book also drags on a bit much -- mired in minutia like military rankings and anecdotal retellings that make up entire chapters. Although details are a W.E.B. Griffin cornerstone, this venture gets a bit overtaken. The series definitely picks up steam with its second entry, but this debut book might best be reserved for the completists among the Griffin fan set, or those who simply must dive into the series' genesis.
The book's ending picks up, saving a three-star rating for this 500-plus page tome with some narrow error-margin excitement. Nevertheless, the endless array of military and intelligence characters, many with similar names, and the flashback chapters or extended discussions of various suppositions as to the eventualities of the stolen jet make this a thick, confusing read. Many may lose focus as the ancillary details mount. Those who persevere may experience a sense of underwhelming completion upon the novel's conclusion.
This story was the necessary table-setter for where Griffin wanted to take this series, but it works poorly as a standalone. There is just not enough plot to make it compelling. Many readers may drift away as the compelling narrative wanes -- evidenced by the protracted duration it took me to finish this slog. Those who stay on board will experience a little thrill in the final chapters and have a deeper understanding of Castillo's character, his conflicts, weaknesses and the inner moral strength he sometimes hides from everyone including himself. Depending, of course, on which version of himself applies. Charley? Karl? Special Forces operative? Clandestine spy hero? Euro newshound? It's all packed into the layers of being a "Presidential Agent."
January 22, 2024
My rating: 3.7
This was a fun, gripping, informative read. Though over 600 pages, they went fast and made me want to read the next book in the series about this particular hero. I particularly enjoyed reading about the interactions in various departments in Washington and how their leaders affected the departments they lead. Book 2 on order from the library.....
Summary:
When a leased Boeing 727 is violently hijacked from Angola and flown to parts unknown, the President turns to an outsider—Major Carlos Guillermo Castillo—for answers. A pilot, West Point graduate, and veteran of Desert Storm, Castillo has a sharp eye for the facts—and the truth behind them. In Africa, he is helped and hindered by unexpected allies and ruthless enemies, and begins to untangle a plot of horrific dimensions—a plot that, unless Castillo acts quickly, will end very, very badly.
This was a fun, gripping, informative read. Though over 600 pages, they went fast and made me want to read the next book in the series about this particular hero. I particularly enjoyed reading about the interactions in various departments in Washington and how their leaders affected the departments they lead. Book 2 on order from the library.....
Summary:
When a leased Boeing 727 is violently hijacked from Angola and flown to parts unknown, the President turns to an outsider—Major Carlos Guillermo Castillo—for answers. A pilot, West Point graduate, and veteran of Desert Storm, Castillo has a sharp eye for the facts—and the truth behind them. In Africa, he is helped and hindered by unexpected allies and ruthless enemies, and begins to untangle a plot of horrific dimensions—a plot that, unless Castillo acts quickly, will end very, very badly.
June 4, 2020
I really enjoyed "By Order of the President," even though it made me a bit sad as it was the first of Griffin's works that I have read since his passing. That being said, I haven't read a ton of his stuff by any means, so perhaps I cannot comment on whether it is one of his better ones or not (which I see many are claiming it is NOT.)
The story follows 160th SOAR (special forces) pilot Charley Castillo who is on a special assignment working for the Department of Homeland Security, and who also technically works for the Secret Service, and who also owns multiple private companies, and who also holds dual citizenship in Germany and in the United States, and who also has a Tex-Mex last name and was raised mostly by a family that holds dual citizenship in Mexico and the United States. Whoa. That's a lot, but that's really one of the major themes of the book that Griffin executes really well. Castillo often comments both to himself and his close friends around him that he is having trouble understanding who he is, and/or who he actually works for. The answer to that, in part of course, is in the title of the book.
Griffin tells a fairly complex story well, providing both Castillo's unique background (perhaps a little unbelievable but interesting nonetheless) and a fast paced story of Castillo and his close circle of friends and fellow good guys who are racing against the clock to stop a terrorist plot. As he does this, Griffin provides details on just about everything; helicopters, planes, the way rank structure works in the Army, descriptions of jobs, et cet. For some people that is too much, and frankly I understand that. For this reader (and I think probably a lot of former military but certainly not limited to) this was part of what made the read enjoyable.
Half of the plot is not simply Charley and his faithful friends stopping the terrorists, but the confusing and often shadowy operations run by the government and the troubles that come with that confusion. Griffin successfully shows how many countless instances there are of the left arm not knowing what the right is doing within the vast machinery of government, the squabbling between agencies and units (DIA, DOD, CIA, FBI, CENTCOM, Philadelphia PD, ODAs, DELTA) the rivalries between the commanding officers and/or bosses of said agencies and units, and the all too often struggle for people to know just who is in command. Personally, I thought that theme was almost more interesting than the plot of stopping terrorism in and of itself.
I agree with some other reviews, that Griffin doesn't need to include the thoughts in italics of his characters. I also think the "love story" (though it's a stretch to call it that) felt kind of like Griffin said to himself, "uh-oh, I have a story about a super cool agent, I better quickly throw in some woman he's interested in!" That woman's character was not really needed, was predictable and a little annoying. Girl likes Charley. Girl finds out Charley has been with many women before and is nicknamed "Don Juan." Girl decides Charley must be a womanizing jerk. But wait, Charley truly likes her. Hinted at by end of book that Charley may still have a chance with girl. But hey, people like those little sub plots so it's pretty common to see them in books and movies. Perhaps she'll have more of a role in Presidential Agent #2.
Speaking of that, I definitely say the book was good enough to check out the next one. I recommend giving the book a shot.
The story follows 160th SOAR (special forces) pilot Charley Castillo who is on a special assignment working for the Department of Homeland Security, and who also technically works for the Secret Service, and who also owns multiple private companies, and who also holds dual citizenship in Germany and in the United States, and who also has a Tex-Mex last name and was raised mostly by a family that holds dual citizenship in Mexico and the United States. Whoa. That's a lot, but that's really one of the major themes of the book that Griffin executes really well. Castillo often comments both to himself and his close friends around him that he is having trouble understanding who he is, and/or who he actually works for. The answer to that, in part of course, is in the title of the book.
Griffin tells a fairly complex story well, providing both Castillo's unique background (perhaps a little unbelievable but interesting nonetheless) and a fast paced story of Castillo and his close circle of friends and fellow good guys who are racing against the clock to stop a terrorist plot. As he does this, Griffin provides details on just about everything; helicopters, planes, the way rank structure works in the Army, descriptions of jobs, et cet. For some people that is too much, and frankly I understand that. For this reader (and I think probably a lot of former military but certainly not limited to) this was part of what made the read enjoyable.
Half of the plot is not simply Charley and his faithful friends stopping the terrorists, but the confusing and often shadowy operations run by the government and the troubles that come with that confusion. Griffin successfully shows how many countless instances there are of the left arm not knowing what the right is doing within the vast machinery of government, the squabbling between agencies and units (DIA, DOD, CIA, FBI, CENTCOM, Philadelphia PD, ODAs, DELTA) the rivalries between the commanding officers and/or bosses of said agencies and units, and the all too often struggle for people to know just who is in command. Personally, I thought that theme was almost more interesting than the plot of stopping terrorism in and of itself.
I agree with some other reviews, that Griffin doesn't need to include the thoughts in italics of his characters. I also think the "love story" (though it's a stretch to call it that) felt kind of like Griffin said to himself, "uh-oh, I have a story about a super cool agent, I better quickly throw in some woman he's interested in!" That woman's character was not really needed, was predictable and a little annoying. Girl likes Charley. Girl finds out Charley has been with many women before and is nicknamed "Don Juan." Girl decides Charley must be a womanizing jerk. But wait, Charley truly likes her. Hinted at by end of book that Charley may still have a chance with girl. But hey, people like those little sub plots so it's pretty common to see them in books and movies. Perhaps she'll have more of a role in Presidential Agent #2.
Speaking of that, I definitely say the book was good enough to check out the next one. I recommend giving the book a shot.
March 3, 2012
I thought this was a book I had missed out from later in the series, but it turns out to be the very first one of The Presidential Agent series. Having read five other novels in the series already in disorganized order, beginning with a paperback I picked up when I had to spend an hour waiting for my car to be serviced some years ago, I found it interesting to get the beginning straightened out in my head!
The novel begins when two hijackers steal a 727 in Angola and then disappear. Various government agencies, including the CIA, the FBI, and Army Intelligence get involved in the search but very unsuccessfully--mostly because each is trying to out-vie the other without offering any help. Exasperated by this, the President of the United States decides to create his own investigative agency--a one-man agency reporting directly to him, consisting of one Major Carlos G. Castillo, an Army intelligence officer who is on temporary duty as a special assistant to the Secretary of Homeland Security. As it turns out, he could not have picked a better man. Charley Castillo, originally born as Karl von und zu Gossinger, is the illegitimate son of a Tex-Mex warrant officer who was killed in Vietnam without ever knowing that the German girl he spent a weekend with on leave before going to Vietnam became pregnant. Heir to the vast Gossinger family fortune, which includes a chain of newspapers, on his mother’s side, Charley is also half-heir to the vast Castillo holdings in Texas and Central America, so he keeps a suite at the Mayflower while living in Washington. As the son of a hero who was awarded the Medal of Honor, Charley went to West Point and wound up in Delta Force with expertise in helicopters as well as jet planes. He needs that expertise, because the search takes him all over Africa and then to South America, as he tracks down both the true and false rumors that seem to suggest there is much more going on than a simple hijacking. Along the way he meets some very interesting people, some friendly and some very definitely not, some of whom will appear and be more fully developed in the future novels in the series. Meanwhile, of course, all the government agencies who could not find the missing plane are not at all happy to be shown up by this young upstart, which means they are significantly les than cooperative--so Charley just goes around them.
The novel begins when two hijackers steal a 727 in Angola and then disappear. Various government agencies, including the CIA, the FBI, and Army Intelligence get involved in the search but very unsuccessfully--mostly because each is trying to out-vie the other without offering any help. Exasperated by this, the President of the United States decides to create his own investigative agency--a one-man agency reporting directly to him, consisting of one Major Carlos G. Castillo, an Army intelligence officer who is on temporary duty as a special assistant to the Secretary of Homeland Security. As it turns out, he could not have picked a better man. Charley Castillo, originally born as Karl von und zu Gossinger, is the illegitimate son of a Tex-Mex warrant officer who was killed in Vietnam without ever knowing that the German girl he spent a weekend with on leave before going to Vietnam became pregnant. Heir to the vast Gossinger family fortune, which includes a chain of newspapers, on his mother’s side, Charley is also half-heir to the vast Castillo holdings in Texas and Central America, so he keeps a suite at the Mayflower while living in Washington. As the son of a hero who was awarded the Medal of Honor, Charley went to West Point and wound up in Delta Force with expertise in helicopters as well as jet planes. He needs that expertise, because the search takes him all over Africa and then to South America, as he tracks down both the true and false rumors that seem to suggest there is much more going on than a simple hijacking. Along the way he meets some very interesting people, some friendly and some very definitely not, some of whom will appear and be more fully developed in the future novels in the series. Meanwhile, of course, all the government agencies who could not find the missing plane are not at all happy to be shown up by this young upstart, which means they are significantly les than cooperative--so Charley just goes around them.
January 2, 2012
This is an exciting book that introduces Charley Castillo, who becomes the presidential agent hero of this series. I sort of goofed by reading the second novel of this series first and this book gave me a lot of background information to set up this series. The back story is interesting and we get an insight into the intelligence community that appears to be an accurate and realistic depiction of how all these groups work together, or not.
Castillo is more interesting in some ways than James Bond. Though his code name is Don Juan, this is based on his heritage rather than womanizing, though he is frequently accused of thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy. Castillo is involved in a whirlwind that is much more investigation and correlation of information than action... In fact, there is very little action in this story.
What puzzles me is Charley's relationship with the Russian arms dealer who becomes a unique source of intelligence. Why does he decide to work with Charley? A valid reasoning is offered, but it seems a bit weak to me for Charley to receive such support.
Still, I like my initial contact with the first two books of this series and think that unless the author really screws up I will be a fan. This is gritty stuff with lots of information on military and covert operation.
Castillo is more interesting in some ways than James Bond. Though his code name is Don Juan, this is based on his heritage rather than womanizing, though he is frequently accused of thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy. Castillo is involved in a whirlwind that is much more investigation and correlation of information than action... In fact, there is very little action in this story.
What puzzles me is Charley's relationship with the Russian arms dealer who becomes a unique source of intelligence. Why does he decide to work with Charley? A valid reasoning is offered, but it seems a bit weak to me for Charley to receive such support.
Still, I like my initial contact with the first two books of this series and think that unless the author really screws up I will be a fan. This is gritty stuff with lots of information on military and covert operation.
July 21, 2021
W.E.B Griffin should have at least had a 727 pilot proof read.
So many things were wrong.
A few:
2 pilots in their seats cannot startup and fly a 727. Only one pilot needed but you MUST have a flight engineer. It’s a normal 3 man crew. All electrical, APU, fuel and pressurization controls are on the engineers panel.
The cockpit jump seat is behind the captains seat, not folded down from the cockpit door. That’s (A737.)
The landing gear is not operated by a switch. It’s a handle on the copilots side, but the captain can reach it.
One cannot observe the cabin door and the baggage compartment at the same time. Baggage doors are on the opposite side.
( Retired airline pilot with over 24,000 hrs flying the 727.)
So many things were wrong.
A few:
2 pilots in their seats cannot startup and fly a 727. Only one pilot needed but you MUST have a flight engineer. It’s a normal 3 man crew. All electrical, APU, fuel and pressurization controls are on the engineers panel.
The cockpit jump seat is behind the captains seat, not folded down from the cockpit door. That’s (A737.)
The landing gear is not operated by a switch. It’s a handle on the copilots side, but the captain can reach it.
One cannot observe the cabin door and the baggage compartment at the same time. Baggage doors are on the opposite side.
( Retired airline pilot with over 24,000 hrs flying the 727.)
June 27, 2012
I really enjoyed Mr. Griffin's writing. You start out with action that is central to the book then you learn some about the main character through different people and even flashbacks to previous events. What impressed me the most was that his details do not weigh down the action. I also applaud the sense of humor he allows the characters to show.
I would warn that some might consider this a Men's Adventure book because of the language used. There are also some terms being used that some may find "Politically Incorrect". Overall it was a very intriguing book that kept you wondering what was going to happen next.
I would warn that some might consider this a Men's Adventure book because of the language used. There are also some terms being used that some may find "Politically Incorrect". Overall it was a very intriguing book that kept you wondering what was going to happen next.
November 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast action... and really I had to re-read some pages to make sure I got everything. I'm not a super fast reader, but if I find a book I really like, I can't put it down until it's done. This book was like that. (But I'm partial to Griffins books/series)
Yes, he's a play boy, and yes he's military man... I love that. I needed a fast action one. I love Griffins' knowledge of everything military and all the way up through the Presidency. Also, he always brings in a small love story... nothing better than. A military book with a girl in there!!!
I liked it but i would love a series about Castillo... he's worth a few more books... come on Griffin!
Yes, he's a play boy, and yes he's military man... I love that. I needed a fast action one. I love Griffins' knowledge of everything military and all the way up through the Presidency. Also, he always brings in a small love story... nothing better than. A military book with a girl in there!!!
I liked it but i would love a series about Castillo... he's worth a few more books... come on Griffin!
July 21, 2009
I read this to hold up my end of a deal with my dad. To its credit, the story is paced well and (some of) the characters are endearing. It was a very easy read.
I'm troubled, though, that Griffin's characters so frequently and nonchalantly mock homosexual behavioral stereotypes and use derogatory terms for racial/religious groups. He also uses hyphens with reckless abandon. I wouldn't read another of his books for these two reasons.
The LA Daily News calls Griffin the poet laureate of the American military. That makes me sad. May I suggest Tim O'Brien, instead?
I'm troubled, though, that Griffin's characters so frequently and nonchalantly mock homosexual behavioral stereotypes and use derogatory terms for racial/religious groups. He also uses hyphens with reckless abandon. I wouldn't read another of his books for these two reasons.
The LA Daily News calls Griffin the poet laureate of the American military. That makes me sad. May I suggest Tim O'Brien, instead?
May 8, 2011
Though I've read all of Clancy and a number like him ( Coonts, Coyle, etc) this is my first W.E.B. Griffin read. I enjoyed the book but I was left with a nagging feeling that I've read this somewhere before. Anyway, it's good read. Not as realistic as Clancy but the characters are nicely drawn, slightly larger than life. The threat seemed muted, which is actually OK. Every threat doesn't have to end with world annihilation like Clive Cussler prefers. I'm adding the other President agent novels to my list.
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