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Jake Grafton #9
America
Dispatched on a trial run, NASA's SuperAegis satellite has been created as the foundation of an international antimissle defense system. But moments after dispatch, it vanishes. Rear Admiral Jake Grafton fears something worse than a grave malfunction--he suspects sabotage... — The USS America--the world's most technically advanced nuclear submarine--is launched on its maiden voyage. Then shortly after steaming out of harbor, the unthinkable happens. Pirated by terrorists, America disappears beneath the roiling waves of the Atlantic, its Tomahawk warheads aimed directly at the United States...
An ingeniously calculated war has been waged--but the rouge enemy is far more insidious than Jake Grafton ever imagined. His mission: ferret out the core group responsible, overtake the stealth sub, and destroy it. But times is running out, and the race is on for Grafton to blow the covert operation out of the water before an entire nation is brought to its knees.
An ingeniously calculated war has been waged--but the rouge enemy is far more insidious than Jake Grafton ever imagined. His mission: ferret out the core group responsible, overtake the stealth sub, and destroy it. But times is running out, and the race is on for Grafton to blow the covert operation out of the water before an entire nation is brought to its knees.
436 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 8, 2001
247 people are currently reading
1066 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Coonts
181 books757 followersStephen Coonts (born July 19, 1946) is an American thriller and suspense novelist.
Coonts grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town and earned an B.A. degree in political science at West Virginia University in 1968. He entered the Navy the following year and flew an A-6 Intruder medium attack plane during the Vietnam War, where he served on two combat cruises aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He accumulated 1600 hours in the A-6 Intruder and earned a number of Navy commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he served as a flight instructor on A-6 aircraft for two years, then did a tour as an assistant catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). His navigator-bombardier was LTjg Stanley W. Bryant who later became a Rear Admiral and deputy commander-in-chief of the US naval forces in Europe.
After being honorably discharged from duty as a lieutenant in 1977, Coonts pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of Colorado, graduating in 1979. He then worked as an oil and gas lawyer for several companies, entertaining his writing interests in his free time.
He published short stories in a number of publications before writing Flight of the Intruder in 1986 (made into a movie in 1991). Intruder, based in part on his experiences as a bomber pilot, spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in hardcover and launched his career as a novelist. From there he continued writing adventure-mysteries using the character from his first book, Jake Grafton. He has written several other series and stand-alone novels since then, but is most notable for the Grafton books.
Today Coonts continues to write, having had seventeen New York Times bestsellers (out of 20 books), and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife and son.
Taken from Wikipedia
Learn more about Stephen Coonts on the Macmillan website.
Coonts grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town and earned an B.A. degree in political science at West Virginia University in 1968. He entered the Navy the following year and flew an A-6 Intruder medium attack plane during the Vietnam War, where he served on two combat cruises aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He accumulated 1600 hours in the A-6 Intruder and earned a number of Navy commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he served as a flight instructor on A-6 aircraft for two years, then did a tour as an assistant catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). His navigator-bombardier was LTjg Stanley W. Bryant who later became a Rear Admiral and deputy commander-in-chief of the US naval forces in Europe.
After being honorably discharged from duty as a lieutenant in 1977, Coonts pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of Colorado, graduating in 1979. He then worked as an oil and gas lawyer for several companies, entertaining his writing interests in his free time.
He published short stories in a number of publications before writing Flight of the Intruder in 1986 (made into a movie in 1991). Intruder, based in part on his experiences as a bomber pilot, spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in hardcover and launched his career as a novelist. From there he continued writing adventure-mysteries using the character from his first book, Jake Grafton. He has written several other series and stand-alone novels since then, but is most notable for the Grafton books.
Today Coonts continues to write, having had seventeen New York Times bestsellers (out of 20 books), and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife and son.
Taken from Wikipedia
Learn more about Stephen Coonts on the Macmillan website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 25, 2012
Solid, but not an exceptional thriller
The strength of a Stephen Coonts novel is that he provides a thriller like Tom Clancy but not all of the techno-speak. Instead, he provides just enough to give the reader a taste but not enough to overwhelm.
The weakness of Stephen Coonts is that Jake Grafton, likable as he is, makes Star Trek's Captain Kirk look like an underachiever. Grafton is everywhere in this book (like all of them). Who needs specialists, like Navy SEALs or an expert for a rocket launch? Instead, Jake Grafton is your man. Need someone to finagle a Russian spy? He's your man. How about someone to go on a raid, find a spy, fake an attack, go undercover to capture an international super-criminal? He's your man. And then, he gets to beat up the bad guy and pretty much save the world all by himself (and his faithful sidekick Toad Tarkington) - again.
Beyond that, America is a perfectly readable and entertaining book. The premise is that America's newest submarine, the America has been stolen. America is remarkable in that it is the quietest submarine ever built and it has the most sensitive sonar of any sub as well. So, it cannot be found easily and it can easily see everyone who is searching for it. It also comes with a detachable mini-sub as well...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
The strength of a Stephen Coonts novel is that he provides a thriller like Tom Clancy but not all of the techno-speak. Instead, he provides just enough to give the reader a taste but not enough to overwhelm.
The weakness of Stephen Coonts is that Jake Grafton, likable as he is, makes Star Trek's Captain Kirk look like an underachiever. Grafton is everywhere in this book (like all of them). Who needs specialists, like Navy SEALs or an expert for a rocket launch? Instead, Jake Grafton is your man. Need someone to finagle a Russian spy? He's your man. How about someone to go on a raid, find a spy, fake an attack, go undercover to capture an international super-criminal? He's your man. And then, he gets to beat up the bad guy and pretty much save the world all by himself (and his faithful sidekick Toad Tarkington) - again.
Beyond that, America is a perfectly readable and entertaining book. The premise is that America's newest submarine, the America has been stolen. America is remarkable in that it is the quietest submarine ever built and it has the most sensitive sonar of any sub as well. So, it cannot be found easily and it can easily see everyone who is searching for it. It also comes with a detachable mini-sub as well...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
October 5, 2019
An American and European joint venture anti-missile satellite is sabotaged just after being launched. Then America's lasted and most technological nuclear submarine is hijacked on its maiden voyage. Admiral Jake Grafton is tasked with locating the missing and recovering or destroying the missing devices.
May 26, 2015
This two-book set contains two sequential book-length stories. One involves the theft of a new nuclear submarine from the United States Navy just as it heads out for its first assignment. The second involves the desperate effort to track down and disarm four nuclear missle heads purchased from a rogue Russian General by Middle Eastern terrorists, bent on bombing the world back to the stone age. Both books are nail-biters that hold your attention throughout the story.
I'd recommend these to fans of Stephen Coonts and anyone else who likes a good thriller.
I'd recommend these to fans of Stephen Coonts and anyone else who likes a good thriller.
August 24, 2019
Better. Good military yarn about a brand new, state of the art submarine hijacked on its maiden voyage, right about the time a state of the art defense satellite also goes missing. Admiral Jake Grafton ends up in the middle of the investigation and ultimately is vital in bringing the tale to conclusion. More exciting than some of Coonts' others. I still feel his writing is a stifled by his need to perpetuate Jake Grafton. I'm looking forward to the next one, Saucer, which appears to be a stand alone novel not involving his previous characters.
July 4, 2016
Chilling description of what could happen with an EMP attack. I enjoyed the action and suspense.
December 31, 2019
Criminals crash a US satellite and steal a new submarine
January 29, 2022
This was a very fun book to read and one I'd be more than comfortable recommending to fans of Jake Grafton. There is a bit of a pattern emerging in the most recent Jake Grafton novels, rather than behaving as a flag officer of the US Navy is expected to, Admiral Grafton keeps getting thrown into situations more appropriate for a State Department or an intelligence agency employee. That being said, Mr. Coonts has been really consistent with Jake Grafton as an individual, what drives him and how he acts are known commodities at this point. There are even a few pet descriptions of Admiral Grafton at this point which could be plotted on a Jake Grafton bingo board for each book.
This particular book had Admiral Grafton assigned to a international task force for a Space Defense satellite and then assigned by the Secretary of the Navy, his old flying mate Flap Le Beau, to track down a stolen US submarine. The description sounds outlandish, but actually was easy to swallow once all of those involved were introduced and the situation was made clear. In terms of readability, this one was easy to get through and the story kept my attention from start to finish.
One thing I really like about the Jake Grafton series is how Jake often adopts people into his trusted circle. The series didn't start with a team or group supporting Jake, but has stretched from Vietnam to the early 2000s (as of this novel's timeline). Throughout his career, Jake has run into characters due to a variety of circumstances. Some, like Toad Tarkington, are now a fixed part of each book. It seems like Tommy Carmellini is soon to join the "every book" team. Old characters sometime reappear, like Flap in this book, and exit again. It makes investing in the characters of each book worth it as you never know when one of them may make their way back into the narrative. It feels very natural, just as one would expect from anything spanning decades.
This particular book had Admiral Grafton assigned to a international task force for a Space Defense satellite and then assigned by the Secretary of the Navy, his old flying mate Flap Le Beau, to track down a stolen US submarine. The description sounds outlandish, but actually was easy to swallow once all of those involved were introduced and the situation was made clear. In terms of readability, this one was easy to get through and the story kept my attention from start to finish.
One thing I really like about the Jake Grafton series is how Jake often adopts people into his trusted circle. The series didn't start with a team or group supporting Jake, but has stretched from Vietnam to the early 2000s (as of this novel's timeline). Throughout his career, Jake has run into characters due to a variety of circumstances. Some, like Toad Tarkington, are now a fixed part of each book. It seems like Tommy Carmellini is soon to join the "every book" team. Old characters sometime reappear, like Flap in this book, and exit again. It makes investing in the characters of each book worth it as you never know when one of them may make their way back into the narrative. It feels very natural, just as one would expect from anything spanning decades.
December 18, 2018
Whilst the story line was entertaining, I was disappointed at Coonts poor choice of character names. The brilliant buxom blue eyed brunette called Zelda, her loyal offsides who has a stratospherically high IQ called Zipper Vance, a naval commander called Stuffy, another called Flap and another called Toad. Even the hero's wife gets caught up in Coonts struggle with grammar, spelling Kelly/Kellie with a c. Initially the book seemed written for a seven year old with unbelievable and stupid names which continuously detracted from what is quite a good yarn. In his favour at least Coonts didn't tell me the hero had a world class IQ and was the college quarter back. What is it with American authors that think making their character a track and field star gives them credibility. Brains and braun rarely go together yet other author mix them up regularly ie Cussler. Similar problem - he has a good yarn but really stupid hard to believe characters. It a pity really.
June 5, 2018
Yet another exciting, fun read. Stephen Coonts, similar to Nelson DeMille, writes adventure novels, usually featuring an enemy of the United States, in a 'wise-ass', matter-of-fact style.
America continues the adventures of Admiral Jake Grafton along with his side-kick Tommy Carmellini, and a cast of interesting characters. "America" is the newest, sophisticated nuclear submarine that is confiscated by unknown persons on its maiden voyage. This follows the disappearance of the 'Super Aegis' , a satellite designed as an anti-ballistic missle defense system.
How these two entities were stolen and who has them is the problem that the US has to solve.
Coont's writing makes his novels enjoyable reading as long as you leave your 'believability' behind!
America continues the adventures of Admiral Jake Grafton along with his side-kick Tommy Carmellini, and a cast of interesting characters. "America" is the newest, sophisticated nuclear submarine that is confiscated by unknown persons on its maiden voyage. This follows the disappearance of the 'Super Aegis' , a satellite designed as an anti-ballistic missle defense system.
How these two entities were stolen and who has them is the problem that the US has to solve.
Coont's writing makes his novels enjoyable reading as long as you leave your 'believability' behind!
October 2, 2020
Jake Grafton saves America again. In another recycled plot, Stephen Coonts creates another villain, terrorist, rogue third world leader, etc., who commits some act that threatens some American interest that only Naval officer Jake Grafton and his trusty sidekick Toad Tarkinton along with ex-jewel thief turned CIA operative in lieu of extensive jail time Tommy Carmellini can solve. With another near death experience, Jake saves the day.
Having said that, as a stand alone book, the story is actually pretty interesting. The description of deep sea submarine combat is exciting and well written. I could see and feel the tension in the run silent, run deep scenarios. And our dependency on computer technology, and it's inherent vulnerabilities, is certainly food for thought.
Having said that, as a stand alone book, the story is actually pretty interesting. The description of deep sea submarine combat is exciting and well written. I could see and feel the tension in the run silent, run deep scenarios. And our dependency on computer technology, and it's inherent vulnerabilities, is certainly food for thought.
January 6, 2025
FANTASTIC!
International criminals kidnap the America, first nuclear sub, planning to use it to retrieve a satellite that was deliberately sabotaged to fall into the sea. A collection of computer hackers and agents seeking technological secrets join forces in this scheme. Disabling all electronic devices in New York and Washington, D.C. adds to their fun to distract the CIA from the search for the submarine and satellite. I listened to the audio version, but would have turned pages late into the night had I read a text copy.
International criminals kidnap the America, first nuclear sub, planning to use it to retrieve a satellite that was deliberately sabotaged to fall into the sea. A collection of computer hackers and agents seeking technological secrets join forces in this scheme. Disabling all electronic devices in New York and Washington, D.C. adds to their fun to distract the CIA from the search for the submarine and satellite. I listened to the audio version, but would have turned pages late into the night had I read a text copy.
July 7, 2019
If you want a read just for the fun of it, and with some frighteningly current life possibilities, read this one. It is a well drawn story which races along at breakneck speed, Juxtapositioning the bad guys and the good guys. I won't tell you the story or how it ends. That would spoil your read. I will tell you that I enjoyed it immensely as a second reading. I had forgotten how fast the story goes, how the author takes the reader along at breakneck speed. A really good read.
January 1, 2023
A great book. The threats were carried out brought America to its knees. A band of disgruntled former military men from many countries, including America banded together to steal the biggest prize our nation has… a nuclear sub and a satellite that can stop nuclear missiles.
A story that brings together Navy & Marines with a CIA operative to stop the world from being taken over by the Uber rich who are paying to have it done. Read it!
A story that brings together Navy & Marines with a CIA operative to stop the world from being taken over by the Uber rich who are paying to have it done. Read it!
May 8, 2024
The fact that the super-secret satellite with all the different government involvements went into the drink might have been predictable but followed-up with stealing a super-secret sub … I was confused and bitten by the bug to continue reading . Twists and turns … bits and pieces seemingly unrelated … players and posers added, revealed and then discarded. The more I read the more confused I became. HAD to get to the end! More surprises. This was an enjoyable read.
January 12, 2022
The first satellite for the Star Wars defense is lost under suspicious circumstances. A new stealth submarine is hijacked on its maiden voyage. Jake Grafton is assigned to find the sub. Missiles are fired from the sub hitting Washington DC and causing a blackout. The economy tumbles and Jake, Toad and Carmenelli go to work. This is a good thriller.
April 25, 2023
Stephen Coonts At His Best
It is difficult not to pick up a book written by Stephen Coonts and not be thoroughly mesmerized by it.
“America” is Mr. Coonts at his very best.
If you want to buy a book that will keep you out of your bed at night and on the edge of your seat, then “America” is it.
It is difficult not to pick up a book written by Stephen Coonts and not be thoroughly mesmerized by it.
“America” is Mr. Coonts at his very best.
If you want to buy a book that will keep you out of your bed at night and on the edge of your seat, then “America” is it.
March 20, 2024
While the basis for the plot was highly improbable (hopefully), the book was entertaining and well-written. I gave a one-star demerit for the foul language coming from one salty character. While the use of thar language was typical of the character, I could have done without all that taking of the alord’s name in vain.
February 17, 2019
Wow. High tech espionage and thievery. Pretty unrealistic. Stealing a satellite and a new high tech billion dollar submarine. A new pretty weapon though. An E-grenade. Explosion causing mini electro-magnetic pulses to kill everything with electronics within 50 feet.
July 7, 2020
Haven't read Coonts since "Flight of the Intruder" came out. I wasn't sure about finishing this one, as it seemed to start slow, but it built nicely, and turned into a pleasant read. I might even go back and pick up some of the other "Jake Grafton" novels.
February 22, 2021
A group of armed men board a newly launched submarine and take it over. Soon they launch missiles including an EMP to Washington DC which disable electronics in the area and burns down the White House. Swearing, tech talk. Odd names.
July 21, 2022
A stolen sub with tomahauks was used to flatten DC and New York. Admiral Graften could only watch The Americans search for and finally find the sub. Tommy Camellini finds and frees Zelda Hudsen (who planned the robery), before all is well again.
November 12, 2023
4 stars. I wasn't too hooked with the premise - oh no missing sub oh no - but once again the affable main character and cast of characters is what sold me. Plus the e-bomb aspect piqued back some of my lost interest.
February 1, 2025
Submarine
A refreshing good read, Coonts writes an exciting climax, and fascinating characters. Even the submarine comes alive with a personality of its own, rich with technical details and capabilities.
A refreshing good read, Coonts writes an exciting climax, and fascinating characters. Even the submarine comes alive with a personality of its own, rich with technical details and capabilities.
March 6, 2017
A bit depressing to begin with but lots of action and a good ending.
November 10, 2018
This book was too technical for my tastes. I am all for details but I guess submarines are just not my thing. However, I really enjoyed the action sequences and the ending was worth the wait.
September 11, 2019
America
An excellent story. Constant action, hard to put down. The Make Grafton series has become one of my favorite. I can't wait to start the next book.
An excellent story. Constant action, hard to put down. The Make Grafton series has become one of my favorite. I can't wait to start the next book.
July 7, 2020
Great as always!
May 4, 2021
A little far fetched but sure fun to read! Glad to see Flap back in the picture.
July 10, 2021
Started slow but picked up speed. An American satellite launch sabotaged and the satellite stolen. An American sub, America, stolen. Jake Grafton goes after the bad guys.
September 6, 2021
Very good, a little long and at times almost too much technical detail for a non-military person but overall a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews