The Shadows of Power [Mass Market Paperback]

This latest effort deals with a Hornet pilot who, in a confused encounter with Algerian MiGs who are enforcing their unilateral "no fly zone," shoots down a Foxbat. Not only does he become a national hero, get recommended for a Silver Star (yes, a Silver Star), but winds up flying with the Blue Angels! All of this, just as in a comic book or bad movie, really annoys the brother of the dead Foxbat pilot. He, along with assorted terrorists, sets out to get revenge on the Navy aviator and the Blues. Oh, did I mention that there's a SEAL working with the CIA and tracking the terrorists? He is coincidentally the aviator's USNA roommate and now his personal bodyguard. On and on and on... Sadly, not much is told about the Blues other than running names and it is clear that they are just wallpaper for the story. The unbelievable conclusion at the Paris Airshow removes any doubt that none of this is to be taken very seriously. By the way, the "Power" in the title has to do with some political maneuvering in the White House and the cabinet, one of a number of sub-plots.

There are the now expected typos as all editing is done by machines: "site" for "sight," for example. A read by the old "Mark One, Mod O" eyeball, operated by an actual person, would help the publishing industry.

All that said, the flying sequences are good. They have been in all Huston's books, including the abysmal FALLOUT, and somewhat redeem this novel. As a RIO graduate of TopGun, he knows naval aviation. Hopefully, he will take some care with his next book and produce a straight-forward account of carrier flying.

Lt. Ed Stovic while involved in testing Algeria's claim to a 200 mile territorial limit shoots down an Algerian MIG-23. While the circumstances of the shoot down are less than heroic to my thinking, Stovic is treated as a hero by his nation and the Navy and Stovic himself is more than happy to bask in the glory. This changes when he learns that Ismael Nezzar, the brother of the Algerian pilot who was killed in the action is not taking the loss well and in fact has decided to kill Stovic.

Ismael was studying in the United States (where else) when all of this begins and he therefore gets to watch the combat camera film of his brother's MIG being blown out of the sky every 10 minutes on CNN. He later learns of the fairly horrific way his brother died as he tried to escape from his burning plane. Initially, if one is to have sympathy between the two characters, Ismael has some things going for him.

Enter Kent Rathman, the third major character in the book. Rathman a/k/a "Rat". Rathman is the consumate counter-terrorist operative whose prior history (Navy SEAL) is never fully explained, but wherever he acquired the knowledge to put together an anti-terrorist organization which is more effective than those of major governments is beside the point. If the Rat is on your case, you are in serious trouble. The Rat is assigned by the White House to protect Stovic. Just to bring it full circle they were classmates at the Naval Academy.

It isn't long before Rat is earning his money in protecting Stovic. Then, soon after his return to the States Stovic is offerred a chance to fly Number 6 for The Blue Angels. The words "no thanks" never occur to him even though they do to his wife, who is less than thirlled with this assignment.

Ismael sees the opportunity, not only to avenge his brother, but to make a poitical statement in organizing an attack against the flying team at one of the most prestigioius air shows in the world, The Paris Air Show.

The balance of the book is a cat and mouse hunt for the Algerians whom everyone knows are waiting to bring the Angels to earth which focuses more on Rat's character who educates Stovic about how the war against terrorisim is fought. After a particularly brutal interrogation of an Algerian by Rat which Stovic witnesses and complains about, Rat advises him: " Look. What you do is important. I'm just telling you that today, most of the defense of the United States is done where you don't see it. And now that you've seen just a little of it, you're shocked...The world used to fight with armies, and uniforms, and rules... Not anymore. Ever since the World Trade Center, when the War on Terrorism got going, we started seeing that things were going to be different. Snake eaters like me ARE the front lines, because there aren't any front lines. And it's dirty and it's ugly. And we're wrong now and then, just like pilots are. But were where the fight is."

He has a point and he continues to make it throughout the book. Plenty of action for those who like this type of book. I do and I did. I think you will too.