Trial by Fire

Scott Dixon #3

by Harold Coyle

Caught by surprise when the government of Mexico is overthrown, the United States begins diplomatic negotiations with the country's new government, but attacks on civilians could force the U.S. into war. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, Thriller, War, Action, Historical Fiction, Mystery

544 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 15, 1992

About the author

Harold Coyle is an American author of historical, speculative fiction and war novels including Team Yankee, a New York Times best-seller.He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1974 and spent seventeen years on active duty with the U.S. Army.He lives in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Reviews

[Mark Adkins]

This time the fighting is taking place on the Mexico US border. In addition to the fighting, the story also revolves around the US Army getting its first female Infantry officer.

Not a bad book he does at times tend to drag out stuff that does not really have much to do with the story, the depiction of a minor parade that characters are watching can drag on for several paragraphs.

[Bob Conner]

Coyle is an excellent author with a good knowledge of military. His story lines are intriguing and, while fictional, are not only credible, but very possible.

[Fredrick Danysh]

A cartel leader initiates war between Mexico and the United States following a coup in Mexico. National pride on both sides plays a major factor in the conflict. Coyle has done an excellent story set in South Texas and Northern Mexico.

[Ann Amadori]

Good ending but a long time getting there.

[Nate Hendrix]

I'm pretty sure I read this a longbtimevago but I wasn't sure. Coyle is reliably entertaining. The right amount to intrigue to action. I've enjoyed almost everything he has written.

[Dennis P Moore]

Larry's book

[Al]

Read in 1992 great read

[Michael Harris]

Older book, good for its time

[Guillaume]

Moins bon que mon souvenir, après, j'ai sans doute lu trop de coyle à la suite.

[Mandie]

3.25

[Adelaide]

2.25

[Raymond Thomas]

This book is both a product of it's time and, unfortunately, somewhat relevant in today's political landscape. Specifically, every single person (in this book and in real life) who has advocated for U.S. military action in Mexico, uniformly, does not understand the history, context, and culture of Mexico. Any actual attempt by the US to militarily influence its neighbors would be a disaster.

I think this is one of the better Harold Coyle novels since it actually has a valuable message that still resonates today. We'd all be better learning a bit more about our neighbors. I'd give this book 4 stars for that BUT (and this is a large but/content warning: racism) the book has a number of completely unnecessary slurs (usually from a single completely unneeded minor character) that pop up and are off-putting. Is it realistic? Maybe. Is it a product of the time? Probably, but it still limited my enjoyment.

[Mont'ster]

This book is hard to "pigeon-hole" as far as recommendations are concerned. I could easily recommend this to several different groups. Those that come to mind are (in no particular order):
1)Harold Coyle or Tom Clancy fans
2)Anyone interested in political novels
3)Anyone interested in US/Mexico relations
4)Fans of "Alternate reality" books

You can put me in those last two categories but; mainly, I read this because the story revolves around the question "What would happen if the USA and Mexico went to war today?". I have family in Mexico, and I was curious to see what conclusions the author would draw. Other than the "What If..?" aspect of it, this is not the type of novel that I normally read. Despite that, I found the plot to be engaging and it was, overall, a good read. If I could, I'd give it 3 1/2 stars.

[Nicole]

A different kind of war. Not the typical A vs B. Interesting take.

I enjoyed reading about Nancy Kozak, the first female infantry officer. That had some interesting explorations.

Despite the above interesting bits, it was like mos war books. And the ending was a little too neat for my tastes.

[Mike Emett]

Good plot, kinda scary if you grew up near the border and you actually knew a thing or 2 about Mexico and drug lords and such. This had good potential... but the ending... could have been better. a lil more suspense, action, political intrigue and consequences and that jazz.. just felt a bit rushed. Good, but not as good as previous novels like Team Yankee.

[Dave]

Cold War mania! Riding the wave of military techno-thrillers that underscored the post Reagan world.

[Dianne]

This is a book about America getting into a war with Mexico. It is written quite well with personalized details about battles, etc. I thought it was really good.

[John]

Excellent book - a what if on Mexican/US war. Good alternate history.

[Ben Diaz]

Decent. The book over simplifies some of the problems- most notably with the female infantry officer. Overall a fun read, but the ending is both abrupt and not believable.

[Jim Moffett]

03-01

[Gwendolyn]

If you are interested in military plans and the execution of them it is a good book. Also a viewpoint of 2 countries and a drug business at war is interesting. More than one way of looking at things

[John Burnham]

Although it was a faced paced, exciting story, I had a problem with the improbability of a war between the U.S.A. and Mexico.

[Keira F. Adams]

A modern day retelling of the Pancho Villa punitive expedition. Sort of. Harold has amazingly accurate military descriptions, but that is a mixed bag as it can make it really dry.

[Larry]

Good actions scenes but gets a little too wordy sometimes. The author will spend an entire page explaining some detail of military life that doesn't contribute anything to the story.

[Mark]

Another solid entry in the Scott Dixon story line...After a military coup in Mexico, the "narcos" launch attacks in an effort to have the US intervene & get rid of the anti-corruption military junta, ala Poncho Villa just before WWI...the US takes the bait & Dixon and the US military are involved in border skirmishes...Good Read!