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Black Ops (The Presidential Agent #5)
The Russian bear is stirringand its hungry in the #1 New York Timesbestselling series thrilling fifth novel.
The first disturbing reports reached Delta Force Lieutenant Colonel Charley Castillo in the form of backchannel messages concerning covert U.S. intelligence assets working for a variety of agencies suddenly gone missing and then, suddenly, inexplicably, found d...more
The first disturbing reports reached Delta Force Lieutenant Colonel Charley Castillo in the form of backchannel messages concerning covert U.S. intelligence assets working for a variety of agencies suddenly gone missing and then, suddenly, inexplicably, found d...more
Hardcover, 464 pages
Published
December 30th 2008
by Putnam Adult
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I think this is one of his best works. I learned quite a few vocabulary words, and phrases, such as "long in the tooth" , he uses a rich vocabulary and includes phrases I have not heard since high school. Any black operations book is always intriguing because it involves espionage. In this case a Russian beauty and her brother who want to defect. Since we had some Russian spies in NJ this past summer running around the neighborhood, this novel doesn't seem very far from the current rea...more
This was the second W.E.B. Griffin book I've listened to. I remembered that a good friend of mine was always on the lookout for books by this author, so I thought I would give him a try.
I got the unabridged version of this audio book. I only gave it three stars because much of it included redundancies and a lot, I mean a TON, of finger-giving instead of verbal responses. The book would have been better with a thorough editing and some actual action, particularly on the part of the he...more
I got the unabridged version of this audio book. I only gave it three stars because much of it included redundancies and a lot, I mean a TON, of finger-giving instead of verbal responses. The book would have been better with a thorough editing and some actual action, particularly on the part of the he...more
Slow going and unsatisfactory end; loss of focus on the mission. Griffin has generally presented a good premise and story line. This one seemed all over the map with Russian defectors and investigation of a "fish farm" operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo becoming more important than pursuing the conspiracy of who was responsible for the murders that occurred in the first book of the series.
Overall I thought the book could have used better editing to move the story along
...more
Bruce
added it
This is the fifth book in the series "A Presidential Agent". I have really liked the series, and I always find something that I really like in each of Griffin's books, but the pace of the books have slowed down and sometimes seem somewhat repetitive. If you've read the previous books in the series, then I recommend you also read this one. You will enjoy it. But I don't believe that this book is good enough to stand on its own.
I was disappointed in this novel. Overall, I liked the presidential agent series, but really, the first one was the best. This 5th installment in the series was loaded with details that did not exactly move the story along. The stage-setting was almost comical at times - I mean, does the author really have to point out that "Chairs had been arranged around the table, and there were lined pads and several ballpoint pends on each pad"? That was just one sentence in three paragraphs t...more
Griffin's books are usually action packed with high-stress situations. Well, this book was different. A very long and very slow story that spent way too much time in character development and useless dialog. As I was listening thru this marathon, I kept hoping something would happen. It didn't. The finale was kinda interesting but seemed short and under-done compared to the long build-up.
Save time, skip this one.
Save time, skip this one.
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Patrick Deyoung
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Black Ops is Number 4 in the Presidential Agents Novels, and a great addition. The same familiar characters, led by Charley Castillo (aka Karl Wilhelm von und zu Gossinger), are out to overcome the bureaucracies of the CIA, Defense Dept, State Dept, FBI and do very well. The new character of the red-headed SVL agent is a great new member of the cast. All Griffin fans will love this new book.
I've read most everything W. E. B. Griffin has written over the years. None of them I would say are great literature. I always view them more as brain candy, something to read and pass the time over the holidays. This one wasn't bad. Like many of his books, it follows a certain formula with bureaucratic backroom fighting mixed in with some bit of arcane history set in the shady world of Black Programs, but enjoyable never the less. I didn't care for the love interest in this book. I found her ...more
Griffin, as usual, excels in his character development. The book is well written and flows quickly. And yet at the end, you can't help but feel somehow unfulfilled. This installment seems to conclude the series, but instead of growing to potential the main character remains tragically flawed and becomes two dimensional. Somewhat disappointing.
You know what you are in for with Griffin. His books are easy reads and a nice diversion. The heroes are heroic, the women are all beautiful and the good guys win. If you're looking for great fiction, try Fitgerald or Hemmingway. If you want a great, fun read, very few can match Griffin.
This was probably the best story line of all these books I have read, but again, the sex and language make it pretty dicey. The story involves a Russian chemical factory being built in the Congo and the efforts to find it and take it out. I think this will be the last book I read by this author.
Black Ops is Number 4 in the Presidential Agents Novels...The same merry band, led by Charley Castillo (aka Karl Wilhelm von und zu Gossinger), are out to overcome the bureaucracies of the CIA, Defense Dept, State Dept, FBI to save the US of A...a love interest is added to the merry band...having followed this series since its inception, I find the back story fillers a drag on the pace of the novel...but still, a fun read!!!
The last in the Presidential Agent series? Castillo is at it again but even further outside the system. The President sees it. He'll have to "retire" but not before he finishes this last mission. Another very good read in the tradition of the others in the series.
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to many characters to keep up with in a short time for my ADD mind to keep up with. I am sure that it was more of an issue with me rather than the author. I have read some of Griffin's work before, no problem or issues. This one just did not do it for me.
Brian Davis
added it
This was my first book by Griffin. I confess, I only got about half way though it and . . .just couldn't take any more. It was just painfully slooooow. Maybe it gets better? But half a book just to set up the story and gather a team?!
The first Charlie Castillo book I read instead of listened to. It was good. Charlie saves the day and then gets screwed by Montvale and the CIA. It's ok because he's rich and gets the chance to keep doing what he's doing when a bunch of rich guys in a
The first Charlie Castillo book I read instead of listened to. It was good. Charlie saves the day and then gets screwed by Montvale and the CIA. It's ok because he's rich and gets the chance to keep doing what he's doing when a bunch of rich guys in a
SirPoochala
added it
I think this is the first book that I've read by this author. I liked the premise and the characters but some of it was annoying - like the love affair with the female defector and some of the stupid moves by the head of the group
W.E.B Griffin writes well and I thoroughly enjoy his books but this one did not measure up to his usual standards. The best selling saga which gained him his initial fame; the 9 volume "Brotherhood of War" Series I have read twice.
This book and series was fantastic...I could not put this book down...the entire time I was waiting to turn the page and see what happened next.
I am hoping there is a #6 in the series.....
I am hoping there is a #6 in the series.....
This was a great book it's one of those books you intend to put down after just one more chapter and can't.First time that I have read any books from this Author kind of like Tom clancy.
The Presidential Agent Novel series is, in my estimation, some of the finest works of W.E.B Griffin, who I think is the premier military author ever to write. Black Ops continues that tradition and was a fantastic read.
Pure escapism. Too many characters to keep up with. An initial complexity turns out to be a fundamentally flawed story. His earlier works were far better than this.
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Dan
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Another exciting read from W.E.B. When are we going to see the Charly Castillo movies? This appears to be the last of this series for Griffin.
This is my first W.E.B. Griffin book, so I'm not too sure what to expect. I'm about 3/4th of the way through. The first few chapters were difficult to follow because they were a series of seemingly unrelated events. Griffin brings them all together throughout the rest of the book but it's difficult to remember who is who and who did what. It's pretty slow with a lot of dialog and not much action. I hope not all of Griffin's books are this disorganized and slow. Overall though, the character's ar...more
it has nothing to do with the ps3 game COD Black Ops.
so therefore it sucks. The game itself sucks anyway. i like battlefield 3 better.
so therefore it sucks. The game itself sucks anyway. i like battlefield 3 better.
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W.E.B. Griffin is one of several pseudonyms for William Edmund Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin is the author of thirty-six epic novels in six series, all of which have been listed on The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and other best-seller lists. More than forty million of his books are in print in more than ten languages...more
More about W.E.B. Griffin...
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin is the author of thirty-six epic novels in six series, all of which have been listed on The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and other best-seller lists. More than forty million of his books are in print in more than ten languages...more
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