Spirit Mission

by Ted Russ

To honor bonds forged twenty-five years ago at West Point, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Avery leads an illegal mission deep into ISIS-held territory.

An MH-47G Chinook helicopter departs formation in the Iraqi night. The mission is unauthorized. Success is unlikely. But to save a friend, Sam Avery and his crew of Night Stalkers have prepared for one last flight.

ISIS operatives in Tal Afar, Iraq, have captured American aid worker Henry Stillmont. Avery knows Stillmont as “the Guru," the West Point squad leader who taught him about brotherhood, loyalty, and when to break the rules as a young cadet twenty-five years ago. Sam will risk his career and his life to save him.

As they near their target, Sam reflects on his time in the crucible of the United States Military Academy. West Point made Sam the leader he is. But his fellow cadets made him the man that he is. The ideals of duty, honor, and country have echoed throughout his life and drive him and his comrades as they undertake their final and most audacious spirit mission.

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Historical Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2016

About the author

Ted Russ is a writer living in the Carolina mountains with his wife, Anna, their dogs, Charlie and Ripple, and a bunch of chickens and bees.

In a distant prior life, he served as an army officer after graduating from West Point. Ted left the military in 2000 with experience as a special operations helicopter pilot and a philosophy degree.

Possessing no marketable skills, he went back to school and got an MBA. His 25 year journey through the business world was winding - from startups to fortune 500s, domestic to expat assignments, general management and sales to M&A.

He discovered writing late in life, publishing his first novel in 2016 and now tries to make a living writing full time.

Exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and the complexities of the human experience, Ted’s works span contemporary fiction and thought provoking sci-fi. Readers praise his novels for their gripping narratives, authenticity, and moral depth.

For new stories, updates, and dispatches from the Ridge — sign up for Ted’s newsletter on his website.

Reviews

[Kami Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was transported back to my rockbound highland home. This story is so wonderfully written. Flashing back to cadet days , intertwined with a modern day mission, was a fantastic way to tell this tale. Ted was able to put into words the unexplainable bond that forms between classmates and company mates. Not an easy task. Read this book. Cherish this book. GO NAKED! BEAT NAVY!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance one might think this is a "guy's" book. It certainly deals with men, their West Point and war experiences.

But in reality, I view this book as a love story. Truly. It expresses/portrays the author's love for West Point, our country, duty, honor and relationships.

When explaining this book to my husband I told him that when I was reading I felt like I was sitting down with a friend who was telling me about his life - including the "back story". The writing was compelling and engrossing. Nothing about this book even hinted that it was the author's first novel.

If there are any shortcomings to the novel they are minor. That includes the ubiquitous (and apparently unavoidable given the setting and the author's history) acronyms. I finally gave up trying to keep track, and mostly they were either verbally or contextually explained.

Probably the only reason I rated this one 4 stars instead of five was the language. Yes, I get that those in the military don't know how to speak to one another without those 4 letter words that are somewhat frowned on in "refined" circles. I know that the intent is to be "realistic". Still, I'm not fond of them. And don't like to feel like I become desensitized to them because they're so prevalent in today's literature. None of the people I associate with speak that way. And to maintain my consistency in protesting them, it pretty much always assures that whenever I come across those words that are - for me - offensive, it always knocks the review down.

That said: I would highly recommend this book to pretty much any adult that can handle the language. It isn't as technical as some other military books I've read, so no skipping over boring details here. I was drawn in from the first page and practically didn't put the book down for two days until I'd read it all. I love his easy conversational-style of writing.

I will eagerly look for Mr. Russ' next novel.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comrades of long standing (back to their West Point days) are determined to rescue one of their own from ISIS. It's a well-written novel about the intersections of duty and honor.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

People who know me know that I love military stories. With this book I was expecting to get action and a good storyline. Having read many of these types of books my standards are really high for this genre. Well I have to tell you that this book far exceeded my expectations. This does not read like a debut novel. It reads like the 10th book from Mr. Russ. Which I can't wait to read Mr. Russ's 10th book. I know he will be around for a long time.

I could not stop reading this book. I literally was connected to all of the Night Stalkers. Yet, to be honest it was not so much about the action that really won me over with this book as it was the comradery involving all of the Night Stalkers that had me from the beginning. It helped by having me the reader get to know them from their time together in the past. Mr. Russ has a winner on his hands with Spirit Mission!

Warning as the "f" word is used in this book. Yet, if you are going to read a military book then you should expect this.

[Megan Backes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. It was a page turner. Taking us through life at West Point and then mixing in the current rescue mission made it all the more suspenseful. Mr. Russ really explained life at a military school well. I went to the Coast Guard Academy and his descriptions were spot on. On page 128-129 he explained it exactly...
"...for the rest of your life, long after you take your uniform off, you will feel more at ease, more understood by other old grads than anyone else in your life. " I highly recommend this book. It was amazing!!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that converted me into an avid reader 34 years ago was Pat Conroy’s classic, The Lords of Discipline. So it should be no surprise that I devoured and loved Ted Russ’ debut novel, Spirit Mission.

The story of West Point classmates who bond at The Academy and reunite for one last perilous quest, Spirit Mission starts strong and never lets up. Pairing Conroy’s love of character with a Clancy-esque passion for tactics, strategy and weaponry, Russ takes the reader from the grind of Plebe year all the way to the modern battlefield.

An action packed coming-of-age story, Spirit Mission will inspire you and leave you hungry for a sequel.

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many will think I am biased in my review because not only was I in company E-4 with then Cadet Russ, we were also roommates at one time. However, that is not the case. In fact, I rarely write book reviews but Spirit Mission was such a captivating and entertaining read that I simply had to offer my show of support. The way Ted writes and portrays humor and tragedy, laughter and sadness, and manages to combine real life anecdotes with fiction brilliantly symbolizes the yin and yang dual existence that cadets exist in during the four years they live and breathe West Point. I wholeheartedly recommend Spirit Mission and I look forward to future tomes from Ted Russ.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my normal genre, but a friend recommended it. After recently attending the USMA '91 reunion at West Point it was great to read a novel that alternated between a "current" mission and the time frame when the main characters were attending West Point as fictional members of the class of '91. I certainly began to feel the weight of the pressure on them in regards to friendship and honor. This book would be helpful for those that haven't experienced the military first hand to understand what those that have go through. Go Naked!

[John WIthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend gave me this book on Saturday and I finished on Tuesday. Very fast moving and interesting book. Although it's fiction, it reads like fact. A very enjoyable read! Hard to believe this is the first book ever published by Ted Russ. I hope he writes another one soon. You will not be sorry if you start reading this one.

[Richie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding first book by Ted Russ. Must read for those interested in military, commaraderie and West Point.

[Tonstant Weader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Spirit Mission according to the mesmerizing West Point cadet Guru who frames this novel in the past and the present, is “an activity undertaken by cadets that is typically somewhat against regulations yet demonstrates qualities that the academy supposedly seeks to develop: audacity, teamwork, creativity, and mission focus.” A good spirit mission does even more, it not only elevates the morale of the cadets involved in the spirit mission, but of the entire Corps. From my understanding of spirit missions in this military adventure novel, this could never be a true spirit mission.

Sam Avery is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, hoping for promotion to Colonel and serving in Iraq in 2015 when old friends from his years in West Point come to ask him to join them in a desperate, last ditch mission to rescue Guru, that cadet who was so important to their development at West Point. This would be an entirely different kind of spirit mission, not just unauthorized, but completely illegal. Their punishment would likely be court-martial and prison, not hours of marching on the weekends, but it would raise morale.

The story, narrated by Avery, goes back and forth between the current rogue mission in Iraq and Avery’s four years at West Point. Both narratives are interesting and full of action, but it’s the years at West Point that will win readers’ hearts. Here’ author Ted Russ really shines, giving us this wonderful novel of male friendship.

★★★★

LibraryThing’s algorithm predicted I would not like Spirit Mission. I assume that is because it is clear from the books I read and like that I am a liberal who advocates for social and economic justice. I don’t see the contradiction. While I wish we had less adventurist foreign policy and fewer politicians eager to send troops here, there, and everywhere to fix the unfixable, I think the military itself plays a relatively positive role in our society. Sure, they were dragged kicking and screaming into integrating people of color, women, gays, lesbians and trans soldiers. Once the decisions were made, however, they carried it out with commitment. Compare the advancement to leadership position of black people and women in the military to their advancement in the police or in corporate America. Glass ceilings crack much faster in the military. Moreover, for people without privilege and favor, the military is a way up and out of opportunity deserts. Many people in my family have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. I have family in the military now, including a niece who has made the military her career.

I would have enjoyed Spirit Mission more if Ted Russ was just slightly more ambitious in defining his audience. He, too, assumes that most of his readers will be soldiers and former soldiers, but this book is not one of those silly genre novels that is nothing but convoluted plot and rah-rah jingoism. It is a novel that should have a large audience, and that audience would enjoy the contemporary Iraq narrative more with fewer acronyms. I just gave up, relying on context clues rather than trying to look them up. It was just a bit too authentic in terms of acronymania. The military can integrate, but it can’t avoid jargon.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book a lot. The spirit missions, both past and present are exciting. The people are complicated and interesting. One of the characters, Avery’s mentor at West Point explains that the cadets are 98% alike and they will recognize that after they are out of school and in the real military. He notes that it’s the 2% difference that gets on their nerves when they are in school. I think Russ succeeded in making that 2% as interesting and complex as possible.

There is a great book of adventure and friendship. Some of the best books of male friendship are military novels, including one of the best books I have ever read, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. He also wrote Going After Cacciato, which was a spirit mission on the grand scale.

This is Ted Russ’ first novel. I hope it won’t be his last and I hope in his future novels, he imagines being read by all kinds of people, not just military aficionados.

Spirit Mission web site: http://spiritmission.net/

Spirit Mission will be released on November 1st by Henry Holt and Co of Macmillan. I received an advance reader copy from the publisher through a LibraryThing drawing.

http://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpres...

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a rather interesting book about what it is like being at West Point. The story goes between what it is like being a student there and the mission Avery is later doing with some others to rescue someone a few years after being at West Point. When The Guru is mentioned on one page about how he was wearing his distinctive robe and blowing smoke from his cigar, I pictured Hawkeye from the TV series, MASH (minus the cigar) when The Guru is explaining a spirit mission.
I love how there is talk and excitement about the Army-Navy games. one year, 1983, the Army-
Navy game was held at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (I can not remember why it was in Pasadena) and since my dad had been in the Army and had been in the Korean War, I decided to buy tickets to the game. My dad, mom and I went to the game and we had a great time!
When Avery and his buddies go to rescue The Guru, Avery tells how the Chinook 458 had been shot at and how he talks to it and refers to the Chinook as 'she' and how at one point, Chinook 458 bucked forward and he felt her tires scrape across the roof as if she were trying to hold them in place, like she knew they depended on her to help in the rescue mission (I almost started crying).
Later after the rescue mission and Avery is talking to Colonel Anderson on Aug. 10, 2015 and Avery mentions ISIS, it reminded me of a female student, Kayla Mueller who was a Human Rights Activist, had attended the Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, Arizona) and was taken captive in Aug. 2013 in Aleppo, Syria. She had been kidnapped by ISIS and was killed by them but her body was never recovered (I mention this as I live in Flagstaff and this happened just before I attended the university).
I really like this book and I am glad that I picked it up and read it and about life at West Point.

[Paul Spence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Russ’s first novel, started shortly after he left West Point and entered US Army Flight School. The final product is a novel that’s split between a war story (Iraq in 2015) and reflection on the lead character’s life as a West Point cadet almost two decades earlier (1987-90).

The two halves don’t mesh perfectly and Russ’s narrative of his growth from wet behind the ears plebe to accomplished firstie doesn’t probe as deeply as it might into why a West Point education is the right, or at least a very good, way to grow our next generation of military leaders, but for the most part this is an enjoyable read –and a sincere one too.

As to the adventure part? It’s about the off the book rescue of an old colleague, now an American aid worker, who has been captured by a group of thugs loosely tied to ISIS. The US government has forbidden any attempt at rescue for fear it would draw attention to how badly the US Army is doing in the region. But West Pointers don’t abandon their old mates.

One problem with the book is that the characters are very superficial. They are little more than types, and pretty much can be summed up by their nicknames, such as 'Guru' and 'Turtle'. I think the impact of the book would have been stronger had the characters had a little more depth and complexity.

Despite this weakness, the book is fast paced and reads well. It is not boring and it offers insights into what life is like at West Point. We can hope that Russ will improve his skills with characterisation with his next novel.

[Phillip Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a group of West Point cadets who closely bond over their 4 year period of trials and tribulations at the Academy. Interspersed among the many student related incidents while enduring the harsh life at West Point are the chapters focusing on the enduring bonds of friendship years later during the conflict in Iraq. The author skillfully relates the connections between the characters as cadets in training and fully fledged participants in the war. The title of the book refers to a type of prank commonly devised by cadets at West Point that is then carried through to an important element of the story in the war years. I highly recommend this book as one of the best I have read in several years for its extremely interesting behind the scenes look at how and why West Point operates as it does over the four years of the narrator's journey from plebe to officer status. The action involving the characters during and after their Academy years is engrossing and thematically satisfying. If you want to learn about West Point and the special breed of friendships that it produces, this book will more than satisfy.

[Kathleen J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a West Point graduate and former officer of the 160th SOAR, Russ tells an exciting, believable and moving story which goes back and forth between Sam Avery’s years at West Point and his unauthorized helicopter flight to rescue a former cadet friend held inside enemy territory in Iraq.

I’m not generally a big fan of stories that go back and forth in time but this one worked. The backstory folded in seamlessly to tell us about what molded Sam and created such a strong bond between him and his cadre of West Pointers leading the rescue mission and their friend, the man they were going in to rescue.

In addition to the good level of tension Russ maintains both through the dangerous mission and the stories of the high jinx they were involved in while at West Point, it was satisfying to see how Sam developed as he went through his West Point years to the man who took on the unauthorized flight which he realized would certainly torpedo his career and put at risk his crew, who weren’t even part of the West Point cadre leading the mission.

I recommend to anyone who likes stories of military exploits.

[Bald Guy Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pros:
Two stories in one book- one set in 2015 and the other set in the late 80s/early 90s.
Transition between the time periods was done well - each transition started with a new chapter so there was no chance of being confused when the time jumps back and forth.
Plenty on conflict - both internal and external.
Revealing perspective of life as a cadet at West Point and dealing with honor vs friendship.

Cons:
[minor issue] Military terminology - sometimes the abbreviations would be confusing . Usually could be figured out based on context or were explained later in the book.

Overall:
I thought this was a great novel, especially as the first book from a new author. It's had the right mix of military action without coming across as a testosterone fueled joyride. Looking forward to his next novel!

Go Naked! (you'll need to read the book to learn what that means )

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected a slightly cheesy, slightly more arrogant narrative from a fellow member of the Long Gray Line. As it turns out, it's an even handed story with just enough autobiography to give me flashbacks (I had the "I'm not going to graduate" dream for the first time in almost 20 years), but not so much inside knowledge and jargon that would limit the potential audience.

Simultaneously over the top and mostly believable, this was an engrossing read that was well written and well paced. You get the sense of the bonds and camaraderie of Cadet gray and Army blue, whether you're a grad, a veteran, or just someone who enjoys stories of friendship. Great read, and I would definitely pick up another Ted Russ book if there were to be another.

BEAT NAVY!!!
USMA '97

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that culminates with the kidnapping of the Navy goat deserves to be a best seller.

Spirit Mission examines how bonds are formed during the cadet experience at West Point and remain strong in the succeeding years. I thought the book offered a fairly accurate depiction of cadet life in the 1990's. As a graduate, the author should certainly know what daily life was like.

I thought taking a Chinook helicopter for an unauthorized rescue mission was implausible even for a group of former goat rustlers. However, this can be overlooked as a necessary device to advance the story line.

All in all, this was an interesting read.

[Michal Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

* "A 'spirit mission', gentlemen, is an activity undertaken by cadets that is typically somewhat against regulations yet demonstrates qualities that the academy supposedly seeks to develop: audacity, teamwork, creativity, and mission focus" [the Guru]
* "...decide who you will be -- then be him" [the Guru]

* Now 25 years later the Guru is in ISIS custody; tactical command does not foresee rescue. His fellow West Point classmates he helped shape and mold into the men they are today do; A CIA operative, a now independent DOD tatctical contractor, a Delta force squadron commander candidate, the best Chinook pilot america has. These 4, and the men under their command have again their 'spirit mission'. The mission is not approved, the risks are high, the brotherhood between the five is unbreakable.

* "... and remember gentleman, GO NAKED!" [the Guru]

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining and fast paced read...definitely a better pick for travel (thanks Mr. Paul!). It was interesting that most of the story focused on the cadet years that revealed more complex relationships explained through the Academy traditions and codes- some silly, some sacred.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable piece of historical fiction.

If you graduated West Point, then you’ll really enjoy this book. The references to cadet life may sound foolish to non-grads, but they will spark both good and bad memories for any old grad.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. I was completely captivated very early on. It was a beautifully written story of honor and friendship and loyalty. I would definitely recommend this one.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spirit Mission is a book about uncommon leadership. The book takes two interesting perspectives, jumping between the main character’s days as a West Point cadet and an “unauthorized spirit mission,” and many years later as an experienced Army aviator. A very entertaining read.

[joseph h. ziebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intense and entertaining book

It was a very educational book about West Point. It was well written and kept my interest by going back and forth between the future and the current

[Colleen Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission Accomplished!

Like listening to a conversation with a good friend. Russ takes you with him, through parallel adventures across time. Honor and hard choices; the boy becomes a worthy man.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book with a great story.

[Jon Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good storyline if a little contrived. What really makes it interesting is the insights into what west point is really like. Quite an eye opener and very believable.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really my genre, but a good read.

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot. Profanity. Loved the spirit of the mission.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a while. Love how the author ties the two different timelines together.