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The Dictator's Revenge
In the summer of 1993, Manuel Noriega sits in a Florida prison, plotting his revenge for the American invasion of Panama more than three years earlier. He offers a large portion of his numbered bank account to the ruthless leader of his favorite drug cartel. The "contract" calls for the destruction of the Panama Canal, the lifeblood of Noriega's homeland and jewel of American engineering. A Panama Canal pilot is kidnapped. The government turns to the US for help, and the mission is given to LDCR Carl Malinowski, a Spanish-speaking Navy SEAL who helped send Noriega to prison. Carl and his men soon discover that the kidnapping is just the beginning of an opaque and complex plot, a web of intrigue where nothing is rational or predictable. As the conspiracy unfolds, Carl demonstrates strategic and tactical brilliance at every turn. Ana Maria Castaneda, his Panamanian police partner and future wife becomes an unexpected hero. Despite their desperate efforts, the former dictator's revenge is about to ruin the country he once ruled... and rock the maritime world. But nobody knows for sure what is happening. Will Carl and his team find out soon enough to stop the attackers? Who are the attackers anyway?
"Paul Shemella has lived the life of his best fictional characters. He knows the people, the places, the politics, and the tactics - and he brings them to life within a most intriguing, exciting, and plausible story. This is action-adventure at its very best."
"Paul Shemella has lived the life of his best fictional characters. He knows the people, the places, the politics, and the tactics - and he brings them to life within a most intriguing, exciting, and plausible story. This is action-adventure at its very best."
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 15, 2021
Why this book: The author Paul Shemella is a good friend of mine and we both served together in the Navy SEALs. I had read and enjoyed one of his previous novels, Jungle Rules, which, like The Dictator’s Revenge, takes place in Panama where we had both served – I followed him in commanding the SEAL Command in Panama in 1992. The Dictator’s Revenge is a prequel to Jungle Rules and serves it well.
Summary in 4 sentences: Manuel Noriega is in prison after having been deposed in the US invasion of Panama in December 1989. He is seething with anger and a desire for revenge against the United States, and finds a way to enlist the aid of one of his drug lord cronies to secretly help him get back at the US by severely damaging or destroying the Panama Canal. Neither the US nor the Panamanians are aware of this, as the steps are taken by the drug lord to earn the money Noriega has promised him for achieving this objective. The US and the Panamanians notice that something very nefarious is going on, and engage a Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander and a few SEALs to help figure it out and prevent a catastrophe of international proportions.
My Impressions: > An engaging and exciting page turner – a very enjoyable read. Paul knows his subject, having commanded the SEAL unit in Panama right after Operation Just Cause, which had deposed Manuel Noriega from power in 1989. While stationed in Panama, Paul explored many of the nooks and cranny’s of the area around Panama City and worked with the Panamanians as they were rebuilding their country after the reign of Noriega and the subsequent invasion by US Forces. The Dictator’s Revenge gives the reader a sense for living in Panama as part of the US forces during the period following Operation Just Cause.
The novel’s main protagonist is Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Carl Malinowski, who is working on the staff of USSOUTHCOM’s Special Operations component. He is brought in to help resolve a complicated situation that appeared ominous. One of the most experienced Panama Canal harbor pilots is mysteriously and violently kidnapped, several people murdered and it seemed to be a lot more than a “mere” ransom operation. It appeared that this crime and its potential implications were more than the Panamanian government felt fully competent to handle effectively while still rebuilding after the US invasion, so they requested US assistance. LCDR Malinowski is given tactical lead, asks for and gets the assistance of several enlisted SEALs he’d worked with in the past, and in conjunction with the Panamanian national police, the CIA, the SEAL Unit in Panama, and other Special Operations resources stationed in Panama, they put together a team to sort who may have done the kidnapping and why.
There are two main stories in The DIctator’s Revenge: The first is about the SEALs and their supporting organizations figuring out that the destruction of the Panama Canal was Noriega’s objective, and then undertaking the various steps and operations necessary to prevent it. In this story we learn of and go along for the ride on many of the special capabilities of SEALs and other special operations forces use to fight those who would harm the US or its allies.
The second story is the romantic relationship between LCDR Malinowski and his main counterpart with the Panamanian Police force, a beautiful, intelligent, and driven Panamanian woman who is a major in the Panamanian national police force. At the beginning of the novel their relationship is a mutually convenient friendship “with privileges,” but as the story progresses, it grows into a romantic love affair that has them both looking to make it a long term commitment. This becomes a bit awkward as they are both key players on the team planning planning to resolve this critical mission. It also adds additional tension to the story, as she also becomes a target of the drug lords.
Paul Shemella knows his subject well – Panama, fighting drug lords, and Navy SEALs – Paul spent 26 years inspiring, planning and leading SEAL operations around the world. As a retired SEAL myself my only quibble was that the team of SEALs he put together, in both The Dictator’s Revenge and Jungle Rules, was a team of All Stars that any SEAL would aspire to be part of . These were all great SEALs, but unfortunately, not all SEALs are great. But Malinowski’s team was a nice counterpoint to the dysfunctional team that has been in the news lately in the wake of the Eddie Gallagher trial. For me it was nice to read about truly competent SEALs who believe in and follow the SEAL Ethos. After reading ALPHA , it was nice to have Paul remind me of how good a SEAL squad can be, and of the good they can do working well together.
This is an abbreviated version of my review. To read the entire review go to: https://bobsbeenreading.wordpress.com...
Summary in 4 sentences: Manuel Noriega is in prison after having been deposed in the US invasion of Panama in December 1989. He is seething with anger and a desire for revenge against the United States, and finds a way to enlist the aid of one of his drug lord cronies to secretly help him get back at the US by severely damaging or destroying the Panama Canal. Neither the US nor the Panamanians are aware of this, as the steps are taken by the drug lord to earn the money Noriega has promised him for achieving this objective. The US and the Panamanians notice that something very nefarious is going on, and engage a Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander and a few SEALs to help figure it out and prevent a catastrophe of international proportions.
My Impressions: > An engaging and exciting page turner – a very enjoyable read. Paul knows his subject, having commanded the SEAL unit in Panama right after Operation Just Cause, which had deposed Manuel Noriega from power in 1989. While stationed in Panama, Paul explored many of the nooks and cranny’s of the area around Panama City and worked with the Panamanians as they were rebuilding their country after the reign of Noriega and the subsequent invasion by US Forces. The Dictator’s Revenge gives the reader a sense for living in Panama as part of the US forces during the period following Operation Just Cause.
The novel’s main protagonist is Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Carl Malinowski, who is working on the staff of USSOUTHCOM’s Special Operations component. He is brought in to help resolve a complicated situation that appeared ominous. One of the most experienced Panama Canal harbor pilots is mysteriously and violently kidnapped, several people murdered and it seemed to be a lot more than a “mere” ransom operation. It appeared that this crime and its potential implications were more than the Panamanian government felt fully competent to handle effectively while still rebuilding after the US invasion, so they requested US assistance. LCDR Malinowski is given tactical lead, asks for and gets the assistance of several enlisted SEALs he’d worked with in the past, and in conjunction with the Panamanian national police, the CIA, the SEAL Unit in Panama, and other Special Operations resources stationed in Panama, they put together a team to sort who may have done the kidnapping and why.
There are two main stories in The DIctator’s Revenge: The first is about the SEALs and their supporting organizations figuring out that the destruction of the Panama Canal was Noriega’s objective, and then undertaking the various steps and operations necessary to prevent it. In this story we learn of and go along for the ride on many of the special capabilities of SEALs and other special operations forces use to fight those who would harm the US or its allies.
The second story is the romantic relationship between LCDR Malinowski and his main counterpart with the Panamanian Police force, a beautiful, intelligent, and driven Panamanian woman who is a major in the Panamanian national police force. At the beginning of the novel their relationship is a mutually convenient friendship “with privileges,” but as the story progresses, it grows into a romantic love affair that has them both looking to make it a long term commitment. This becomes a bit awkward as they are both key players on the team planning planning to resolve this critical mission. It also adds additional tension to the story, as she also becomes a target of the drug lords.
Paul Shemella knows his subject well – Panama, fighting drug lords, and Navy SEALs – Paul spent 26 years inspiring, planning and leading SEAL operations around the world. As a retired SEAL myself my only quibble was that the team of SEALs he put together, in both The Dictator’s Revenge and Jungle Rules, was a team of All Stars that any SEAL would aspire to be part of . These were all great SEALs, but unfortunately, not all SEALs are great. But Malinowski’s team was a nice counterpoint to the dysfunctional team that has been in the news lately in the wake of the Eddie Gallagher trial. For me it was nice to read about truly competent SEALs who believe in and follow the SEAL Ethos. After reading ALPHA , it was nice to have Paul remind me of how good a SEAL squad can be, and of the good they can do working well together.
This is an abbreviated version of my review. To read the entire review go to: https://bobsbeenreading.wordpress.com...
July 14, 2021
The Dictator's Revenge has shown us how a damaged person can do massive damages to things and all the people around them. The complexity of reasons why Manuel Noriega was in prison is the reason why he spent most of his time planning his vengeful plans towards the person responsible for his defeat in prison.
A damaged person can cause horror, beyond what you can imagine. And it just goes to show that this type of person will not rest until everything is damaged according to his satisfaction and all. Just like in life, if we are damaged and broken, we tend to reciprocate that feeling into battling unwinnable fights and crossing the wide ocean of the unknown.
This story just hits every reader because all of us can relate to this part of holding hate and grudges towards someone or something. This book simply celebrates the value of acceptance than revenge and I, for one, should be reminded of this thought somehow in this point of my life where accepting the things you cannot control and have no power of. The author did teach me a lot from chapter one until the end. I will definitely look forward to more from Paul Shemella.
A damaged person can cause horror, beyond what you can imagine. And it just goes to show that this type of person will not rest until everything is damaged according to his satisfaction and all. Just like in life, if we are damaged and broken, we tend to reciprocate that feeling into battling unwinnable fights and crossing the wide ocean of the unknown.
This story just hits every reader because all of us can relate to this part of holding hate and grudges towards someone or something. This book simply celebrates the value of acceptance than revenge and I, for one, should be reminded of this thought somehow in this point of my life where accepting the things you cannot control and have no power of. The author did teach me a lot from chapter one until the end. I will definitely look forward to more from Paul Shemella.
July 8, 2021
The Dictator's Revenge, for me, is a story of a man who cannot accept defeat and wants to maintain and prove his dominance, even though all of his motives are incredibly dangerous and wrong. Manuel Noriega’s denial of his weakness made his head clouded and blinded with violence and terror.
And because of his ideas and horrifying conventions, many have suffered and died in vain. Truly, he is one great dictator in his judgment and in his time that he cannot penetrate the truths in his being, that his days are over, and he should abide by the law by giving time to his sentences in prison.
With a guy like this, we should expect terrible platforms that will not think about the safety nor the outcomes of such plans. We do not know that he clearly spoke in the story as a narcissistic dictator, but he did portray subtly as one.
This book definitely showed realistic human emotions and aggressions. The subtle truth of narcissism of a person lies within the pages and most importantly, the characters are obviously well-thought-of and well-written to portray one, perfect book!
And because of his ideas and horrifying conventions, many have suffered and died in vain. Truly, he is one great dictator in his judgment and in his time that he cannot penetrate the truths in his being, that his days are over, and he should abide by the law by giving time to his sentences in prison.
With a guy like this, we should expect terrible platforms that will not think about the safety nor the outcomes of such plans. We do not know that he clearly spoke in the story as a narcissistic dictator, but he did portray subtly as one.
This book definitely showed realistic human emotions and aggressions. The subtle truth of narcissism of a person lies within the pages and most importantly, the characters are obviously well-thought-of and well-written to portray one, perfect book!
July 13, 2021
As the title says, The Dictator's Revenge, we have seen the revenge of Manuel Noriega but did not succeed in the end. At some point, I thought Noriega would succeed in this endeavor and Panama Canal would be destroyed, which would pave the way for unsolicited and illegal activities to be conducted all over the coast towards its neighboring coast.
The dictator will just have to render more time in jail with just plans and without any reinforcements from outside. Manuel Noriega did manage to put on a good show for his enemies and opponents. But after all, good always prevails and defeats evil.
Despite all the terrible and horrifying incidents in the story, the author did not fail to bring us the ending that calms our minds and hearts as readers. I love how Paul Shemella portrayed the series of events triggered by the severe emotions of the main characters in the book. The Dictator’s Revenge definitely changed the game in the thriller fiction category! This book deserves recognition; quality and finesse.
The dictator will just have to render more time in jail with just plans and without any reinforcements from outside. Manuel Noriega did manage to put on a good show for his enemies and opponents. But after all, good always prevails and defeats evil.
Despite all the terrible and horrifying incidents in the story, the author did not fail to bring us the ending that calms our minds and hearts as readers. I love how Paul Shemella portrayed the series of events triggered by the severe emotions of the main characters in the book. The Dictator’s Revenge definitely changed the game in the thriller fiction category! This book deserves recognition; quality and finesse.
July 14, 2021
The diplomatic relationship between Panama and the US made them won the battle present in the book. Their bravery in the story helped the flow to be more nerve-wracking and surprising. They did not show any signs of weakness or giving up; instead, they pursued their best to capture the hoodlums behind the senseless attacks at the Panama Canal.
Because of their endless courage, they have won the battle against all the threats present in the story. I, for one, salute all the troops spearheaded by Carl and for all the works they have exerted to proclaim peace in the land. The journey was rough and bumpy. But in the end, courage still pays and they return to their land beaming with pride and joy while Panama is starting to savor the days of peace and tranquility.
The Dictator’s Revenge mirrors the importance of diplomatic relationships with one country to the others. I love how the book embraces and captures the essence of a strong relationship and willingness to fight for unity and peace addressing diplomatic issues. Worth the read!
Because of their endless courage, they have won the battle against all the threats present in the story. I, for one, salute all the troops spearheaded by Carl and for all the works they have exerted to proclaim peace in the land. The journey was rough and bumpy. But in the end, courage still pays and they return to their land beaming with pride and joy while Panama is starting to savor the days of peace and tranquility.
The Dictator’s Revenge mirrors the importance of diplomatic relationships with one country to the others. I love how the book embraces and captures the essence of a strong relationship and willingness to fight for unity and peace addressing diplomatic issues. Worth the read!
July 16, 2021
The social hierarchy of life defines where we stand in society and how we act with the people around us. The high-profile people usually get services and goods from the lower class in the social ladder in society. The dominance of power and fame are often shown in the people living at the top of the bar.
The Dictator's Revenge showed how the drug traffickers own the subordinates in the society - the people who are dependent on the people who have the power and have the money. It is also a sad reflection of the community that we live in. With money, you can control everyone around you. And believe it or not, people always worship money because if the money talks, everyone will listen.
Paul Shemella practically showed the demeanors of the bad cultivating people in the society through the face of the drug kingpins in the story. Their involvement made the story more immersive and realistic than what the modern world is also facing. This book definitely has my eyes and ears and really an eye-opener to each reader out there!
The Dictator's Revenge showed how the drug traffickers own the subordinates in the society - the people who are dependent on the people who have the power and have the money. It is also a sad reflection of the community that we live in. With money, you can control everyone around you. And believe it or not, people always worship money because if the money talks, everyone will listen.
Paul Shemella practically showed the demeanors of the bad cultivating people in the society through the face of the drug kingpins in the story. Their involvement made the story more immersive and realistic than what the modern world is also facing. This book definitely has my eyes and ears and really an eye-opener to each reader out there!
July 14, 2021
Betrayal can change your perspective on someone else’s breed of personality. Metaphorically speaking, Manuel Noriega did a bold move to trust Jorge Mena, a cunning, unpredictable, and notorious drug kingpin on his radar. Manuel Noriega had full confidence that Jorge Mena would keep his end of the bargain.
Unfortunately for Noriega, he did not succeed in striking back at his enemies and in making a difference, even though he is behind bars. Trusting someone who is capable of killing and violating someone is a very huge mistake. And this novel taught us the value of trust, and how we should think twice about involving someone in our lives.
The Dictator’s Revenge reminded us to examine and look closely at one person before we put our whole trust on the plate. For what it’s worth, this book, for me, deepened my understanding of the value of trust. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Unfortunately for Noriega, he did not succeed in striking back at his enemies and in making a difference, even though he is behind bars. Trusting someone who is capable of killing and violating someone is a very huge mistake. And this novel taught us the value of trust, and how we should think twice about involving someone in our lives.
The Dictator’s Revenge reminded us to examine and look closely at one person before we put our whole trust on the plate. For what it’s worth, this book, for me, deepened my understanding of the value of trust. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
July 8, 2021
The Dictator's Revenge is a novel of loyalty and integrity. All throughout the reading, the sense of duty and responsibility are all carried out. From the formidable missions that rise up in North America down to the men who served well in the name of their mission and assignments. This novel is pretty intense and solid in the forms of love, violence, and other predicaments.
The Dictator's Revenge did succeed in giving the readers the backgrounds of each character's undertakings towards each goal for themselves and to the agencies they belong to. The transitions of each happening in the novel significantly provided us with a strong and exceptional ending later on. This is one of the novels worth reading. And just for the record, the author himself is a retired NAVY force himself and he has, of course, a great extent of knowledge in all the situations presented in the novel.
The Dictator's Revenge did succeed in giving the readers the backgrounds of each character's undertakings towards each goal for themselves and to the agencies they belong to. The transitions of each happening in the novel significantly provided us with a strong and exceptional ending later on. This is one of the novels worth reading. And just for the record, the author himself is a retired NAVY force himself and he has, of course, a great extent of knowledge in all the situations presented in the novel.
July 13, 2021
Ignorance of the law exempts no one. This is one of the unforgiving truths in life. The purpose of this is to seek far horizons for knowledge and wisdom so that we can use them for future dilemmas.
The Dictator's Revenge showed that your innocence of the essence of crimes and motives does not exempt you to be in danger and a murder target. Just like Oscar Castillo, who unknowingly delivered the letter from Noriega to Jorge Mena as an act of a friend doing his friends a favor. Because of this, Castillo and Santiago were killed so that they cannot witness the two villains in the story. As you can see, their innocence did not make them any less of a target of extreme violence and horrible and painful death.
This book solidifies the idea of being constantly aware of the negotiations that you are into. I love how the plot progressed chapter by chapter.
The Dictator's Revenge showed that your innocence of the essence of crimes and motives does not exempt you to be in danger and a murder target. Just like Oscar Castillo, who unknowingly delivered the letter from Noriega to Jorge Mena as an act of a friend doing his friends a favor. Because of this, Castillo and Santiago were killed so that they cannot witness the two villains in the story. As you can see, their innocence did not make them any less of a target of extreme violence and horrible and painful death.
This book solidifies the idea of being constantly aware of the negotiations that you are into. I love how the plot progressed chapter by chapter.
July 13, 2021
Money is what keeps the world go round, as they say. We strive and survive for money. We work hard for money. We do things for money. Satisfaction is endless with money. If you have some, you strive for more and more. The main concern of it is that it will never define your existence here on earth if that money will not be put to better use. Noriega had a huge amount of money and properties, but that did not give him the ticket to succeed. No matter how rich he is, he was still defeated. Although Jorge Mena carried out his plans, his money did give him the guarantee to avenge himself by destroying the Panama Canal. The Dictator's Revenge is certainly a one-of-a-kind novel which exposes all the bad and good outcomes of money.
July 13, 2021
In The Dictator's Revenge, justice did prevail at the end; punishing those who did wrong and remembering the ones who died because of the call of their duties. Justice was brought back at the Panama Canal wherein passages are safe from all threats and terrorist attacks. Justice was brought back to Panama with the help of the US government and troops. Justice was served to Noriega. No matter how the story went from being complicated into more complications, justice did prevail at the end. I am glad the author had justifiable reasons to make the novel rest at peace with its good endings for the protagonists in the story. A cheerful applause for Paul Shemella for sharing this unique wisdom to us!
July 14, 2021
Although categorized as thriller fiction, I think this novel is just a subtle and mere reflection of the current events in the world. The Dictator's Revenge is not just any fiction or ordinary fiction-related stuff that you can read in a library. It discusses several pressing and realistic issues in the world.
There are many scenarios and incidents in this book that are familiar to us and have read it somewhere in the history books. This book never goes far from the reality that it was sculpted from. Paul Shemella evidently showed the beauty and horrifying discussions of reality in this book. His writing style is very enticing that you cannot seem to put down the book just for an hour. This will definitely go into the stash of my go-to list books category.
There are many scenarios and incidents in this book that are familiar to us and have read it somewhere in the history books. This book never goes far from the reality that it was sculpted from. Paul Shemella evidently showed the beauty and horrifying discussions of reality in this book. His writing style is very enticing that you cannot seem to put down the book just for an hour. This will definitely go into the stash of my go-to list books category.
July 14, 2021
There will always be no eternal outcome of happiness that revenge can produce. Revenge can only heal the broken pieces of us in a short period of time. As you balance things out, revenge will not always end in your favor. And sometimes, it can damn you more than anything else.
In The Dictator’s Revenge, Manuel Noriega is full of revenge in his mind and soul that he did not hesitate to carry out his plans and tactics to destroy the safety of the people that can be affected by his actions.
This book definitely reminded and opened our minds that there is no good that can come out of revenge. I, for one, appreciate this book for it teaches the definitive values that we need in order to retain peace and harmony in our society. Worth recommending for!
In The Dictator’s Revenge, Manuel Noriega is full of revenge in his mind and soul that he did not hesitate to carry out his plans and tactics to destroy the safety of the people that can be affected by his actions.
This book definitely reminded and opened our minds that there is no good that can come out of revenge. I, for one, appreciate this book for it teaches the definitive values that we need in order to retain peace and harmony in our society. Worth recommending for!
July 16, 2021
A war only becomes a war when there are back and forth attacks from each defending party. The violence of a war is very unimaginable and awful. The Dictator's Revenge showed the unending retaliations and counter attacks of each party that distinctively carries different motives. Given the participation of the US troops in battling the terrorism, the fight did a good run all throughout the story, killing several people. This novel is as violent and full of actions as illustrated in the title. The word revenge was brought to justice in the story because of the vengeful actions portrayed by the characters. Above all, this piece of literature is a good example of violence leading to betterment of one’s country and its people.
July 20, 2021
The distinguished play of characters in the story is one of the author’s greatest strengths in this work. He knows his way around the minds of his readers and what tickles those sleeping minds since the beginning of his book. I, too, found the novel very distinct in its energy and lessons given by the author to his readers. I literally am holding breaths every time I read an intense scene of fight and battle and literally cannot stop smiling if there are positive moments in the story. Given the vulnerability of each character to destruction, the author selectively chose the ones who can be with us until the end. And I am glad that Lieutenant Carl and his troop survived the battle of the century.
July 19, 2021
Jokes on us if we still believe that an ideal and perfect world is attainable. On international news, there are a lot of issues brought up, and people are currently adjusting and debating for its reinforcement or not. Let us grasp the fact that the same with the story in the novel, we live in a world full of selfishness and ego. The one thing that struck me the most in the story is the deep penetration of terrorism to achieve their illegal transactions without any obstacles and sanctions. Imagine what a man can do if he is desperate and loyal to his goals in life, he will do whatever it takes to attain that. Alike with the author, this story is really something and I am craving for more!
July 20, 2021
Jokes on us if we still believe that an ideal and perfect world is attainable. On international news, there are a lot of issues brought up, and people are currently adjusting and debating for its reinforcement or not. Let us grasp the fact that the same with the story in the novel, we live in a world full of selfishness and ego. The one thing that struck me the most in the story is the deep penetration of terrorism to achieve their illegal transactions without any obstacles and sanctions. Imagine what a man can do if he is desperate and loyal to his goals in life, he will do whatever it takes to attain that. Alike with the author, this story is really something and I am craving for more!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews