Who's on your literary action squad?

EDelahanty said:
Sorry to diverge from the fiction theme, but must recommend Rick Atkinson's extraordinary series known the the "Liberation Trilogy", which I just finished.

This is a well-researched, beautifully written set of books focusing primarily from an American viewpoint on United States involvement during WW2 in North Africa(an Army at Dawn) Italy (The Day of Battle), and Western Europe (The Guns at Last Light).
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A thread wandering amongst a topical variety of good reads cannot be objectionable!
 
How could I forget Gabriel Allon, Daniel Silva's Mossad agent/world-class art restorer? New title just out today: "The Black Widow."
 
As a thinker i'd certainly have George Smiley on my team. Smiley is from John Le Carre, probably best known as the center of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" although he was also a minor character in "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold."
 
LineInTheSand said:
As a thinker i'd certainly have George Smiley on my team. Smiley is from John Le Carre, probably best known as the center of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" although he was also a minor character in "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold."
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Oh yes. Cerebral.
 
Leave it to the Marines to assault the hill directly. I admit to casting my mind back to see what character appeared twice, or if any author's notes mentioned a Coast Guard officer...
 
I was in two services (and the books) and my service with Alex Hawke and Stokely Jones was far more exciting that my real life (and my character hasn't died).

Hint: I first appear in Phantom.

Ted sent me the proof copy signed with a nice message.

I should also take a moment to mention what a nice and thoughtful guy Ted is, how much he loves this country and how much he respects the military. There's a group on Facebook and Ted interacts with fans there. He's a good guy.

My character was not in Warriors, but my old ship, USCGC Vigorous was (and the radio talk is spot on).
 
Thanks Capt. MJ. Found that BBC America has the first season of the chronicles "The Last Kingdom" on three set DVD for $22.00. Eight hours for a rainy day. Site also says that they will continue with the series. We can only hope. Then on to Derfel and Arthur.
 
For an easy but entertaining series, I have been reading the Nathan McBride series by Andrew Peterson. Not necessarily high quality, but definitely good pool/beach reading.
 
I was at the library this afternoon, looking for Harlan Cobens for my DH, and my eye wandered upward to Lee Child, and lo (every so often, a fun word to use) - there was a slim volume, "Jack Reacher's Rules." Quotes, wisdom, facts, rules, in a handy companion guide, are all there, with, of course, sections on coffee, fighting, how much luggage you really need, and the funniest, "things Jack Reacher would never say."

Example: "I need to pick up my suit at the dry cleaners."
 
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Capt MJ said:
Given we are into summer/beach/deck/poolside reading season, I will reveal a weakness for recurring lead or major supporting characters, current or former military, in action thrillers. Not necessarily great literature, but fun reads and kick-butt wish-they-were-real folks. This is what I call my snack reading in between serious reading.

Who are your favorites? Comments? A working criteria would be if they had a military background, past or present. Some may not have, but are heavily enmeshed in government black ops, so go ahead and throw them in. I am hoping for some new authors to follow in this genre.

My top four for a git-'er-done mission:
Mitch Rapp (original author Vince Flynn is dead; Kyle Mills is carrying on)
Scot Harvath (Brad Thor)
Jack Reacher (Lee Child)
Cotton Malone (Steve Berry)

Will Robie and Jessica Reel (David Baldacci), Cassiopeia Witt (Steve Berry), Oliver Stone (David Baldacci), Alex Hawke (Ted Bell), Jason Bourne (original author Robert Ludlum is dead; Eric van Lustbader is carrying on), Dirk Pitt/Kurt Austin/Juan Cabrillo (Clive Cussler), can certainly rotate in.

Ian Fleming's James Bond is, of course, always welcome. Historically, Richard Sharpe (Bernard Cornwell).
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Stephen Hunter - Bob Lee Swagger
Nelson Demille - Detective John Corey. Also highly recommend his book Word of Honor.
 
JMC0759 said:
Stephen Hunter - Bob Lee Swagger
Nelson Demille - Detective John Corey. Also highly recommend his book Word of Honor.
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Gotta read a book with a character named Swagger. New territory!
 
Capt MJ said:
Gotta read a book with a character named Swagger. New territory!
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The movie "Shooter" is based on a Stephen Hunter book about Bob "The Nailer" Swagger, a Marine sniper.
 
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