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Mac Wingate Series by Bryan Swift

Brian Spross — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:02:31 +0000

I picked up the first book in the Mac Wingate Series by Bryan Swift at my local used book store. This is one of those early 80s paperbacks so it stinks (not the content, the actual book). The cover price is very low on this book so the store just threw it in with my other books. Mac Wingate is a special operations warrior in World War II. He is a man that gets things done so he is given difficult tasks by Allied leadership.

Books

Mission Code: Symbol #1

Glacier Falls – Rocky Mountain National Park

Brian Spross — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:18:17 +0000

I’m not exactly sure if you are supposed to go to Glacier Falls. There were some trees across the trail (if you can call it that), but it was certainly worth it. Glacier Falls is after Alberta Falls and on the trail towards Mills Lake. Alberta Falls is below Glacier Falls on the river and I believe Alberta Falls is after two smaller rivers come together, one of which is Glacier Creek.

If you do not have a pretty accurate GPS I believe it would be really hard to find the cutoff to Glacier Falls. On the trail to Mills Lake, about 2.3 miles from the Glacier Gorge trailhead there is a little cutoff on the trail. The trail that you are on is an “improved” trail, but the Glacier Falls trail is just a little cut. After you cross a stream on a man made bridge you will go around a corner on the trail with some man made steps and the cutoff is right there. After that, follow the small trail or follow the sound of rushing water.

The falls themselves are a lot like Alberta Falls; however, it was completely secluded and unlike Alberta Falls with its big granite boulders, Glacier Falls is surrounded by the trees. You can get right up to the falls and sit on the rocks near the falls. Glacier Falls is a cascade that falls about 30 feet total. It is definitely worth it to try and find this one.

The Broker by John Grisham

Brian Spross — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:12:12 +0000

In The Broker by John Grisham, the President provides a presidential pardon to an ex-Washington power broker who has been in Federal prison. Joel Backman has too much classified information regarding a CIA surveillance system that could be devastating in the wrong hands. The president is assured that the whereabouts of Mr. Backman will be leaked to other security agencies around the world and the “problem” will be taken care of. Backman has other ideas however, and he will use everything at his disposal to stay alive.

Soldiers of War: Tide of Victory Book III – California by William Reed

Brian Spross — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:08:56 +0000

Tide of Victory is the 3^rd book in the Soldiers of War series by William Reed. This book follows the 40^th Infantry Division of California’s National Guard. Even more specifically this book follows the 160^th Infantry Regiment and Black Jack Company. The company heads through the battle for the Philippines Islands and Luzon and then follows the company through the South Pacific battles.

Soldiers of War Series by William Reed

Brian Spross — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:04:32 +0000

The Soldiers of War Series follows American GIs in World War II. Each book takes one division or regiment and follows them through the war’s battles. These books have been pretty hard for me to find, but I really enjoy them.

Books

Tide of Victory Book III – California

The Last Mountain Man: Wrath of the Mountain Man #32 by William W. Johnstone

Brian Spross — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:59:51 +0000

Wrath of the Mountain Man is the 32nd book of the Last Mountain Man series by William W. Johnstone. In this book Pearlie is struck down by a rattler. Smoke Jensen and Cal take him to the closest town with a doctor. While Pearlie is recovering, the sheriff who holds a grudge against Smoke railroads Pearlie into a murder conviction with a hanging sentence. Smoke must prove Pearlie’s innocence.

Black Order by James Rollins

Brian Spross — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:18:56 +0000

Black Order is a Sigma Force novel by James Rollins. This is the second Rollins book I have read and I am now a huge fan. His heroes are much like a Clive Cussler or Matt Reiley hero. In this book, components have the Sigma Force team are all over the world and they must stop a South African family/cartel from their crazy plot. The family has a device that was created by the Nazi’s during World War II and was smuggled out of the country at the end of the war. This book also brings in elements of evolution versus intelligent design and DNA modification. I love how Rollins weaves the scientific and historical record into his novels. If you like adventure novels, I highly recommend this one.

The Judas Strain by James Rollins

Brian Spross — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:43:45 +0000

The Judas Strain by James Rollins is a modern thriller. I have found a new author. In this book, Sigma Force (a secret spy/special forces unit within DARPA), takes on a strange disease in the South Pacific islands. Sigma Force’s nemisis, The Guild, is also after solving the riddle. Throw in a mystery regarding Marco Polo and his trip back from China, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, cooperation with the Vatican and cannibals and you have a suspense thriller. The scary thing about these strange diseases is that they could happen. They just pop up (Swine Flu). This is a good read and I will pick up more Rollins books.

Matt Jensen: The Last Mountain Man Series by William W. Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone

Brian Spross — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:22:33 +0000

Matt Jensen: The Last Mountain Man Series by William W. Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone is a series about Smoke Jensen’s adopted son, Matt Jensen. This is interesting because as far as I know, Matt Jensen appeared after William W. Johnstone’s death, but the books are written in the same spirit as the original Last Mountain Man Series.

Books

Matt Jensen: The Last Mountain Man #1

Deadly Trail #2

Savage Territory #4

Talon Force: Zulu Plus Ten #5 by Cliff Garnett

Brian Spross — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:23:29 +0000

Zulu Plus Ten is the fifth book in the Talon Force Series by Cliff Garnet. In this book, the team must head to Guam to investigate missing women. Tracking down the disappearances takes the team to the tunnels of Iwo Jima and Mt. Suribachi. They must also deal with some Japanese shoguns along the way.

Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly

Brian Spross — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:20:13 +0000

In Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly a team of adventurers are searching for the capstone to the Great Pyramid in Giza. It is a race against groups from Europe and America to gain portions of the capstone in order to avoid one group gaining great power and ruling the world for 1,000. There are a lot of similarities between the 1,000 years described here and the Nazi’s Third Reich goal.

As Reilly says in the interview in the back of the book, this is a fantasy book based in normal times. That is a perfect characterization. I would bet many people do not like the fantastic “toys” that each side has, but I don’t mind. For instance, I am okay with a hovering 747.

I also like West’s hawk, Horus. Horus is brilliantly trained and an incredibly smart bird. West has taught Horus to do things that are also unbelievable, but also enjoyable to me.

I really liked this book.

Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell

Brian Spross — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:45:14 +0000

The Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell follows Richard Sharpe and his adventures with the British Army in the early 1800s. Sharpe fights all across Europe with General Wellington against Napoleon. Who knows, he might even meet Napoleon at some point!

Books

Sharpe’s Eagle #8

Sharpe’s Gold #9

Barry Sadler’s Casca the Liberator #23 by Paul Dengelegi

Brian Spross — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:50:25 +0000

Casca the Liberator by Paul Dengelegi is the 23rd book in Barry Sadler’s Casca Series. This book was written by Paul Dengelegi under Sadler’s name. In this book, the ship Casca is traveling on is sunk by pirates off the coast of Africa. Casca spends years underwater until he is drug up by African fisherman who takes Casca to be a god who is going to free their village. This was my introduction to the Casca Series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m going to track down the other books in the series at some point.

Barry Sadler’s Casca Series

Brian Spross — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:46:59 +0000

The Casca Series of books are about our hero Casca who is immortally cursed to live the life of a warrior for all time. Casca was a Roman soldier who was cursed by Christ on the Cross to fight forever until Christ returns. These books are written by a variety of authors.

Also check out the official Casca Series website at www.casca.net which is run by Tony Roberts who is an author in the later Casca books. I can’t wait to pick up one of the books in the series written by Tony!
Books
The Assassin #13

Casca the Liberator #23 by Paul Dengelegi

Ashes: Escape from the Ashes #34 by William W. Johnstone

Brian Spross — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:36:21 +0000

Escape from the Ashes by William W. Johnstone is the thirty-fourth and last book in the Ashes Series. I must admit, that I had a little tear in my eye in parts of this book. Ben Raines has gone to Canada to track down a terrorist organization. However, his plane is shot down and Ben loses his memory. During Ben’s trek, he runs into Jim LaDoux, to whom he transfers some critical Rebel knowledge. The Last Rebel: Survivor follows on with the tales of Jim LaDoux.

The Devil Gun by J. T. Edson

Brian Spross — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:35:39 +0000

The Devil Gun by J. T. Edson is a Floating Outfit Story. This is a Civil War timeframe story with Captain Dusty Fog. In this book, the Union army has decided to hand over a machine gun over to Texas Indians to create chaos. Dusty Fog learns of the plan and must work with a Union officer to prevent the plan from coming to fruition.

Sidewinders by William W. Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone

Brian Spross — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:23:08 +0000

Sidewinders by William W. Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone is the first book in the Sidewinders series . In this book we are introduced to Bo Creel and Scratch Morton. They beat off stagecoach robbers as they are heading into Red Butte and end up staying awhile to help widow Sutherland run her stage company. While they are at it, they intend to put a stop to the local gang that has been robbing the stagecoach line. This is an entertaining western.

The Rebel Spy by J.T. Edson

Brian Spross — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:51:04 +0000

The Rebel Spy is a Floating Outfit story by J.T. Edson . In this book, Dusty Fog must work with Belle Boyd to break up a Northern spy counterfeiting ring during the Civil War. The ring is discovered after Dusty and the Texas Light Cavalry makes a raid across enemy lines and ends up capturing a trunk full of confederate money. This is a good book.

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Brian Spross — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:31:45 +0000

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane is a historical fiction classic. I read this book in high school for fun, not as required reading. Back in high school, I read anything and everything around the Civil War. I thoroughly enjoyed The Red Badge of Courage when a lot of my friends absolutely hated it. I must admit though that most of them had to read it and I read it for fun. In the book, a young soldier, Henry Fleming, goes into battle, but gets so frightened that he flees (he is considered a deserter). He then rejoins his battalion before the next battle where he becomes a brave soldier and even the flag bearer. This is a very good book.

Brotherhood of War: The Lieutenants #1 by W.E.B. Griffin

Brian Spross — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:09:44 +0000

The Lieutenants is the first book in the Brotherhood of War Series by W.E.B. Griffin . In this book we are introduced to the characters that take us through the series. The series starts in 1943 in Africa in a tank brigade. One of the things I love about the characters in this book is that they do what needs to be done and regulations be damned. They push the envelope of military right and wrong and chain of command. That is not typically the way the military works, but these guys get the job done without regard to whether it will cost them a promotion down the road. This is a good book.