Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Special Ops
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
W. E. B. Griffin
Class/Genre: Military Thriller Political Intrigue Historical
Series: Brotherhood of War # 9
Putnam, Jan 2001, $25.95, 544 pp.
In 1964 the CIA reports revolutionary Che Guevara plans to replace Belgium influence in the area with Cuban control as a first step in making the continent a Cuban landmass. On the advice of Colonel Sanford Felter, Commander of the Top Secret Special Operations unit, President Johnson wants Che stopped, but not killed, preferring an image of a bungler not a martyr.
President Mobuto agrees to allow Felter's crack unit to complete the task of removing Che from the Republic of the Congo. With professionals like Lowell, Bellmon, Craig, Thomas, and new recruit Portet, the Americans succeed in their mission of kicking Che out of Africa. However, the versatile Che simply shifts continents to South America.
It has been a dozen years since W.E.B. Griffin released a "Brotherhood of War" novel. Fans of the series and newcomers will agree that the wait for SPECIAL OPS was well worth it as this novel is a tremendous military adventure. The men of the Special Forces seem like real people with everyday problems as well as dealing with a deadly mission. The story line rings true because of the numerous historical tidbits circa 1964 and the political involvement of various leaders in what the crack unit is authorized to do or not do. Mr. Griffin has triumphantly brought back a winner that will send many a reader searching for the previous eight novels (aside to Putnam: think reprints).
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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