Hellfire
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £1.55
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in Hellfire (Jack Tanner 4) for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £1.55, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
Jack Tanner's war takes him to the treacherous sands of the North African desert...
Product Description
August, 1942.North Africa. The desert war hangs in the balance. Although their retreat has finally been halted, morale in the British Army is at rock bottom. When the commander of the Eighth Army, General Gott, is killed, it seems that foul play is at work. An impenetrable Axis spy circuit could be compromising any hope the Allies have of stemming the Nazi tide.
Jack Tanner, recovering from wounds in a Cairo hospital, is astonished to receive a battlefield commission which will propel him into a very different world when he returns to action. Fit once more, he finds himself facing the full onslaught of Rommel's latest offensive.
In its aftermath, Tanner and his trusty sidekick Sykes are recruited to work behind the Axis lines in a desperate attempt to take the fight to the Nazis. But the murky world of subterfuge, deceit and murder they find themselves in is a million miles away from the certainties of the battlefield and somehow they must discover who they can trust in the cat-and-mouse world of counter-espionage.
Hellfire sees Tanner fighting his way through his most dangerous adventure yet - one that takes him from the dark backstreets of Cairo to the open Mediterranean and finally to one of the decisive clashes of the entire war - the Battle of Alamein.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
James Holland's Jack Tanner books have been compared to Commando comics, which is good news, for a start! But now that I've been through El Alamein with man of war Jack Tanner and his band of gritty Brits I have to say that Hellfire was a better experience than any Commando comic I've ever read, and I've read plenty.
We've got a feast here: gripping and accurate chunks of big-battle action, we're in at the start of SAS and SBS operations, we get a spot of old-fashioned class warfare, an education in how the military was run in the desert in WWII, and all woven round an intriguing spy yarn.
Two things I'm liking a lot about Holland. One is the continuity of pace. These days we've grown accustomed to Yank thrillers that deliver their stories in explosive little time-juggling breathless chunks. Mr Holland just gets down to the business in hand and by and large finishes what he starts before moving on. And he manages this without any noticeable loss of tension; it's a taut book, fit for active duty, no flab in it.
Then there are his characters, especially Jack Tanner. Now some say Jack comes across a bit wooden, and I know what they mean but I think they're wrong. I found Jack fitted the book and the times he's set in perfectly, he's as I expected him to be, a fictional war hero. I wanted someone I could respect and admire and share a spot of banter with, and who I could count on when the shells were falling and the bullets flying. Someone with a good old British sense of fair play but not a lot of time for Jerry and his antics. Jack fitted the bill, even if he's a little too good to be true.
On a purely personal level, I smoked my head off reading Hellfire. Supped a few beers, too. And I felt right at home because that's what most of the characters seem to be doing all through the book. How refreshingly real, none of this Hollywood-style politically correct painting out of unhealthy traits.
So now I feel well-placed to deliver a few informed opinions. As great British heroes go, I'm convinced Jack Tanner would have given Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond a good hiding. He's got a murderous right hook. Even Captain Hurricane would have a tough time. He'd have needed a violent "ragin' fury" upon him to even the odds. The good thing, though, is they were all on our side. No wonder we won wars!
As for Hellfire, what a terrific read! As rock-solid a bit of bloke reading a chap can lay his hands on. I've since rushed out and bought the rest of the Jack Tanner books, and I've got my tin hat handy for the next outing, which can't come soon enough. I'm just waiting for the call-up, Mr Holland.
And, by the way, so is my dad.
We've got a feast here: gripping and accurate chunks of big-battle action, we're in at the start of SAS and SBS operations, we get a spot of old-fashioned class warfare, an education in how the military was run in the desert in WWII, and all woven round an intriguing spy yarn.
Two things I'm liking a lot about Holland. One is the continuity of pace. These days we've grown accustomed to Yank thrillers that deliver their stories in explosive little time-juggling breathless chunks. Mr Holland just gets down to the business in hand and by and large finishes what he starts before moving on. And he manages this without any noticeable loss of tension; it's a taut book, fit for active duty, no flab in it.
Then there are his characters, especially Jack Tanner. Now some say Jack comes across a bit wooden, and I know what they mean but I think they're wrong. I found Jack fitted the book and the times he's set in perfectly, he's as I expected him to be, a fictional war hero. I wanted someone I could respect and admire and share a spot of banter with, and who I could count on when the shells were falling and the bullets flying. Someone with a good old British sense of fair play but not a lot of time for Jerry and his antics. Jack fitted the bill, even if he's a little too good to be true.
On a purely personal level, I smoked my head off reading Hellfire. Supped a few beers, too. And I felt right at home because that's what most of the characters seem to be doing all through the book. How refreshingly real, none of this Hollywood-style politically correct painting out of unhealthy traits.
So now I feel well-placed to deliver a few informed opinions. As great British heroes go, I'm convinced Jack Tanner would have given Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond a good hiding. He's got a murderous right hook. Even Captain Hurricane would have a tough time. He'd have needed a violent "ragin' fury" upon him to even the odds. The good thing, though, is they were all on our side. No wonder we won wars!
As for Hellfire, what a terrific read! As rock-solid a bit of bloke reading a chap can lay his hands on. I've since rushed out and bought the rest of the Jack Tanner books, and I've got my tin hat handy for the next outing, which can't come soon enough. I'm just waiting for the call-up, Mr Holland.
And, by the way, so is my dad.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have enjoyed the series of Jack Tanner and in the latest outing for our hero i feel that he has come of age.In the first three books he has been on the back foot , as he has been with the retreating army as the Germans have had the upper hand, but in Hellfire the boot is on the other foot,as the tide of the WW11 is turning.The joy for me with James Holland is that not only do you get a rip roaring adventure from a superb historian who knows his stuff,but you also get a well researched page turner that leaves you wanting more. Now that he has been promoted and has another arrow to his bow with his intelligent work,his next outing can not come to soon for me.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There are very few writers producing anything of note for WW2 fiction reader at present, there are certainly very few who are doing it this well (Guy Saville and James Delingpole being the only notable exceptions)
As usual the books are well written with a pace that picks the reader up and carries you along with our heroes, the action is real and visceral, its written with a real passion for the subject and the characters. But with all this it still contains that element of boys own adventure that readers of Commando, Victor and Battle would have come to love and expect from their war stories, Heroes can still be Heroes here without all the sordid parts of the real world crowing in, leaving it real but idealistic at the same time.
Another excellent story from James Holland
Recommended
(Parm)
Product Description (from back of book)
August, 1942.North Africa. The desert war hangs in the balance. Although their retreat has finally been halted, morale in the British Army is at rock bottom. When the commander of the Eighth Army, General Gott, is killed, it seems that foul play is at work. An impenetrable Axis spy circuit could be compromising any hope the Allies have of stemming the Nazi tide.
Jack Tanner, recovering from wounds in a Cairo hospital, is astonished to receive a battlefield commission which will propel him into a very different world when he returns to action. Fit once more, he finds himself facing the full onslaught of Rommel's latest offensive.
In its aftermath, Tanner and his trusty sidekick Sykes are recruited to work behind the Axis lines in a desperate attempt to take the fight to the Nazis. But the murky world of subterfuge, deceit and murder they find themselves in is a million miles away from the certainties of the battlefield and somehow they must discover who they can trust in the cat-and-mouse world of counter-espionage.
As usual the books are well written with a pace that picks the reader up and carries you along with our heroes, the action is real and visceral, its written with a real passion for the subject and the characters. But with all this it still contains that element of boys own adventure that readers of Commando, Victor and Battle would have come to love and expect from their war stories, Heroes can still be Heroes here without all the sordid parts of the real world crowing in, leaving it real but idealistic at the same time.
Another excellent story from James Holland
Recommended
(Parm)
Product Description (from back of book)
August, 1942.North Africa. The desert war hangs in the balance. Although their retreat has finally been halted, morale in the British Army is at rock bottom. When the commander of the Eighth Army, General Gott, is killed, it seems that foul play is at work. An impenetrable Axis spy circuit could be compromising any hope the Allies have of stemming the Nazi tide.
Jack Tanner, recovering from wounds in a Cairo hospital, is astonished to receive a battlefield commission which will propel him into a very different world when he returns to action. Fit once more, he finds himself facing the full onslaught of Rommel's latest offensive.
In its aftermath, Tanner and his trusty sidekick Sykes are recruited to work behind the Axis lines in a desperate attempt to take the fight to the Nazis. But the murky world of subterfuge, deceit and murder they find themselves in is a million miles away from the certainties of the battlefield and somehow they must discover who they can trust in the cat-and-mouse world of counter-espionage.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A cracking exception to my Historical Rules.
Whilst I'm not always a big fan of modern warfare tales, I make an exception for James Holland as for me he's the English Sven Hassel, able to present a believable tale set during... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
A decent enough WWII story.
In this outing, Jack Tanner is seconded to work for secret intelligence, in Cairo. It is the summer of 1942, and the British Eighth Army has been pushed back into Egypt by the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J.Flood
Great Book!
As a Military historian I could'nt wait to read this book. Very well written with the author having immense knowledge of WW2. Jack Tanner books are both exciting and interesting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ScottishWarrior
Best yet
I've read all of the Jack Tanner books, fortunately in sequence which is a great advantage.
It's interesting to watch the development of James Holland as a novelist. Read more
It's interesting to watch the development of James Holland as a novelist. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Edwardo
Good but?
Hellfire is more a book of espianage with bits of action thrown in to keep you entertained.
Still a very good read but for me there was not enough action but I... Read more
Still a very good read but for me there was not enough action but I... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dale
Treachery in the sand
James Holland continues his winning formula with another Jack Tanner story. Holland blends his historical knowledge and expertise with the joyful exuberance of the old Commando... Read more
Published 10 months ago by N. Brett
Outstanding
Once again James Holland has delivered with this novel.
Mr Holland is extremely passionate about his subject & whether writing fiction or non-fiction his pace & style... Read more
Mr Holland is extremely passionate about his subject & whether writing fiction or non-fiction his pace & style... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Robert Ferguson
Cracking Read
It's Jack Tanner's Fourth outing and in this he Hammers the Hun and bashes the Boche in true "Battler Britton" style. Read more
Published 10 months ago by P. Brooks
Excellent read
OK - I've read all the Jack Tanner series now. This is the best one so far. I strongly advise that the books are read in sequence since they continue on from each other. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Southfeild
Tanner gets caught up in all sort in the desert
James has really brought the desert alive here you can tell he is one of our countries foremost ww2 military historians he really conveys what it was like in the desert. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Kent Barker
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Historical
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
