Helpful Score: 2
Excellent Black-ops Thriller from the viewpoint of the operator.
The book caught ny interest right a way. The author develops the characters slowly so that it doesn't overwhelm the reader, giving you just the right info to undertand the stiuation developing. Also have read the second book in the series. Am planning getting the other 3 books in the series.
I enjoyed it so much I ran down to the local used book store and bought the next three in the series, I didn't want to wait for a book swap delivery, of course I will be posting them all real soon.
Janet C. (Mamacop2) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Military action, intrigue with romance thrown in.
Barbara R. (juliannis) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
This new series by W.E.B. Griffin is a wonderful exploration into the heroism and determination required by hard reality, when morals and politics, personal concerns and power-plays force difficult decisions and life-changing actions. As the first of the series it introduces the themes and is full of tension, drama, intellectual stimulation. A truly thought-provoking, ethics- and life- redefining treat. Come on in and meet Carlos Guillermo Castillo, a man with a brain that works, ethics that bite, and skills galore!
W.E.B. Griffin once again has created characters that are fascinating to read about and a story line that keeps you hooked. Whenever he has a new book out, I stop whatever else I may be reading (unless it is by Michael Connelly) and read his books first. Always enjoyable!
Ivan P. (jhawkblu) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Good read, lots of action.
Rita M. (grammadonalfries) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
This book seemed to be faster-paced that some of W.E.B.Griffin's other books. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next in this new series.
Jacky K. (Jacky) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 174 more book reviews
When a 727 is hijacked and flown to parts unknown, the security agencies of the US race to find out what happened. The President turns to Major Carlos Castillo. Undercover in Africa, he is helped and hindered by allies and enemies, and begins to untangle THE PLOT.
Ken D. (potsdamken) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
***** Each new series by Griffin just seems to get better
Mike O. (SCvet) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
I have read several of this authors books and this is not his best work. There is too much character development on some and not enough on others and the book takes forever to get to the point.
When a Boeing 707 is violently highjacked from Angola and flown to parts unknown, the security agencies of the United States race to find out what happened, only to descend into power struggles. Fed up, the President turns to an outsider--Major Carlos Guillermo Castillo. A pilot, West Point graduate, and veteran of Desert Storm, Castillo has a sharp eye for the facts. Undercover 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....
Ruth M. (Magnolia) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
All of his books are great but this one is REALLY good!!!!
a military who done it. If you like W.E.B. Griffin you'll like this one.
David T. (guido) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 23 more book reviews
Great book--will read it again in a year!
W. G. W. (wgw) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 136 more book reviews
A great start for a new series.
Clara G. (nativenewyorker) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 63 more book reviews
This is the 2nd book I read of W.E.B. Griffin, I don't recall the first, but I could say that I did like this book because of its change of events. However, like all his books he is too technical where it times you want to scream "COME ON GET ON WITH IT". However this was a good page turner.
When a Boeing 727 is violently hijacked from Angola and flown to parts unknown, the security agencies of the US race to find out what happened, only to descend into power struggles. Fed up, the President turns to an outsider--Major Carlos Guillermo Castillo. A pilot, West Point graduate, and veteran of Desert Storm, Castillo has a sharp eye for the facts--and the reality behind the facts. Undercover 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...
"Cutting edge military material...Those who love Griffin's stories of past wars will take to this new series based on present and future conflicts." Publishers Weekly
"Plenty of action, high-level intrigue, interesting characters, flip dialogue, romance, and a whole lot of drinking and other carrying on." --Library Journal
When a Boeing 727 is violently hijacked from Angola and flown to parts unknown, the security agencies of the US race to find out what happened, only to descend into power struggles. Fed up, the President turns to an outsider--Major Carlos Guillermo Castillo. A pilot, West Point graduate, and veteran of Desert Storm, Castillo has a sharp eye for the facts--and the reality behind the facts. Undercover 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...
"Cutting edge military material...Those who love Griffin's stories of past wars will take to this new series based on present and future conflicts." Publishers Weekly
"Plenty of action, high-level intrigue, interesting characters, flip dialogue, romance, and a whole lot of drinking and other carrying on." --Library Journal
Scott W. (nursewidener) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Another strong start to a new series from an acclaimed military storyteller. The character development was rich and entertaining, including back stories to help the flow of the story. The main character is decorated soldier that due to familiar military history and self motivation achieves respect and authority coming from no one else but the President of the US.
A stolen plane and possible terrorists plot complicated by the lack of cooperation between intellence agencies is a plot that even today is still close to our thoughts.
There is some slow down in the middle of the plot but with some patience is does some together very effective and entertaining to the reader. The ending is wrapped up a little fast as with most of this author's work but hopefully like the rest of his series the next book takes right off and nothing is lost in the abrupt ending to these characters' story.
Overall, 4.5 out of 5 stars
A stolen plane and possible terrorists plot complicated by the lack of cooperation between intellence agencies is a plot that even today is still close to our thoughts.
There is some slow down in the middle of the plot but with some patience is does some together very effective and entertaining to the reader. The ending is wrapped up a little fast as with most of this author's work but hopefully like the rest of his series the next book takes right off and nothing is lost in the abrupt ending to these characters' story.
Overall, 4.5 out of 5 stars
Sandra J. (drsjewell) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 79 more book reviews
Great story. It really moves along.
Allison W. (sealady) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 657 more book reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Proving himself solidly in control of cutting-edge military material, Griffin bases his new series not on wars past but on today's murky exigencies of terrorism and international political intrigue. Army Maj. Carlos Guillermo Castillo, whose Spanish name belies his fair-haired, blue-eyed appearance (he had a German mother), is working as a special assistant to the secretary of homeland security. Because of post-9/11 concerns, when a Boeing 727 is hijacked from a remote airport in Angola, it becomes a top priority for the U.S. government. Vicious infighting between several agencies results in a snafu that leads the U.S. president to assign Charley Castillo to use the search for the plane as an excuse to launch an investigation into the internal workings of all the government agencies and personnel who need to cooperate in terrorist situations. Griffin is more interested in military procedure than in blood, sweat and derring-do, and he resists no urge to meander through scores of pages of backstory to round out the many characters who will be series regulars. In the end, there are a few bodies to account for, but its' the meticulous investigation that leaves readers standing on the tarmac waiting for Charley Castillo and his newly minted band of can-do compatriots to touch down and carry them away again on a new adventure.
Proving himself solidly in control of cutting-edge military material, Griffin bases his new series not on wars past but on today's murky exigencies of terrorism and international political intrigue. Army Maj. Carlos Guillermo Castillo, whose Spanish name belies his fair-haired, blue-eyed appearance (he had a German mother), is working as a special assistant to the secretary of homeland security. Because of post-9/11 concerns, when a Boeing 727 is hijacked from a remote airport in Angola, it becomes a top priority for the U.S. government. Vicious infighting between several agencies results in a snafu that leads the U.S. president to assign Charley Castillo to use the search for the plane as an excuse to launch an investigation into the internal workings of all the government agencies and personnel who need to cooperate in terrorist situations. Griffin is more interested in military procedure than in blood, sweat and derring-do, and he resists no urge to meander through scores of pages of backstory to round out the many characters who will be series regulars. In the end, there are a few bodies to account for, but its' the meticulous investigation that leaves readers standing on the tarmac waiting for Charley Castillo and his newly minted band of can-do compatriots to touch down and carry them away again on a new adventure.
Calmia Y. (underwriter) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 219 more book reviews
IF YOU LIKE MILITARY ACTION THIS BOOKS FOR YOU
Kathleen (GreytMama) -
Another of Griffin's page-turners. All too plausible.
Lynette M. (JakeTheDog) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 34 more book reviews
This one has it all. Hijacked plane with a West Point pilot, military intrigue, romance, interesting characters, all the good stuff.
Gerry L. (remaxluke) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 70 more book reviews
New York Times Bestseller...While the military detail was a little much for me, I enjoyed the book very much.
REALLY good read!
Patrick G. (patnlin2) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
Terrorists have hijacked a 727 and plan to fly it into the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia... By order of the president their plan fails.
It was OK, not great. It was too similar to his other work in particular his main character from Brotherhood of War.
If you are a fan of W.E.B. Griffin (as I am), then you'll probably like this book. It is a good page-turner and appears to lay the groundwork for another interesting series.
Cutting edge military material... those who love Griffin's stories of past wars will take to this new series basedon present and future conflicts. "When a Boeing 727 is violently hijacked from Angola and flown to parts unknow, the security agencies of the US race to find out what happened, only to descend into power struggles. Fed up, the President turns to an outsider - Major Carlos Castillo. A pilot, West Point Graduate, and veteran of Desert Storm, Castillo has a sharp eye for the facts, and the reality behind the facts. Undercover 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...
Paul M. (goreader) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 107 more book reviews
Great read.
Alice M. (alice0427) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 46 more book reviews
A Presidential Agent Novel. A new series with Major Carlos Guillermo Castillo and Major Richard Miller. Another fantastic story, this one set in Africa.
Michele S. (mbooks) reviewed By Order of the President (Presidential Agent, Bk 1) on + 282 more book reviews
A good Griffin.
