Stony Man VIII

VanCook's first crack at a Stony Man here, and a job well done. The teams are assigned to different areas of the globe, with a common plot thread connecting them. While the main focus is South Africa, a skyscraper in Amsterdam is one of the bigger set pieces, and the Miami area and East Los Angeles are visited by Able Team. I liked how Calvin James was used with Able Team, and balancing out the forces. Bolan's end of things were good, particularly the action protecting the African leader in the jungle of South Africa. Some moments of undercover roles provided some danger and suspense. Action was nothing too special, but plenty was there in the right places. There was a good balance for each of the teams represented and everything came together in a coordinated effort at the end. Well worth the read.

Set just prior to the voting in South Africa to repeal Aparthied the plot is very good indeed. A billionaire businessman with hundreds of millions of dollars invested into South Africa has decided that it really wouldn't be in his best interests to see this vote going ahead so with the assistance of numerous cronies initiate's a series of actions designed to cause racial tension between different tribes and gain sympathy from the white voter to vote against the referendum when they attack each other. This is excellent, bucketloads of action on every page with all of the Teams in on it. The author excels here I reckon as all of the Teams are involved all of the time with excellent plot threads evolving. Mack is probably the standout due to the ending of the title but everyone else plays outstanding parts in a fantastic plot/storyline which finishes at the same time in three different locations on the planet simultaneously just blew me away. The Zulu leader Lindall Dingaan what an excellent character his interaction with Mack during numerous action scenes is wonderful reading especially where he eventually ends up and how he got there (thank you Phoenix Force). And there again how innovative are these guys? There is a major surprise near the end of the title where something is finally decoded and reveals the identification of some of the major characters involved in the conspiracy (the last name on the list!!) ......... I never picked it? (I couldn't stop thinking about the fighter jet section but didn't pick this relationship <bugger> ) if you did well done. I thought it was stunning HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

South Africa has passed its first anti-apartheid laws. But a repeal referendum is scheduled, and certain interests want to make sure that the measure is repealed. Mercenaries are hired to stir things up. Enter the Stony Man commandos. Good writing on this one. There is a fair amount of character development, including giving actual names and some background info on the generic "blacksuits". Wide-ranging plot keeps the teams globe trotting. (I wonder if the farm awards frequent flyer miles?) Big trio of shootouts at end satisfies. Only complaints are minor. The book just hasn't stood the test of time to well. Apartheid in South Africa is not the push-button issue it was 10 years ago when the book came out. Also, a major clue is the finding of a Los Angeles Raiders keychain. Everyone knows L.A. doesn't have a football team! Buffalo does, but not L.A.. A more substantial complaint involves why a huge corporate executive/criminal mastermind would entrust half of his code to the leader of the American Nazi Party. Obviously, the answer is so that Able Team has a domestic challenge to take care of, but it seems like quite a stretch. Get these guys their passports and let them out of the country once in a while! Other than a few relatively minor complaints, the book is well-written and a good read. Highly recommended. June 2003

This one was very action-packed. Enjoyed it a lot.

I wouldn't necessarily say action packed. The villians were modest but the action scenes were sort of "low-tech" for a Stony man book. I don't recall any explosives being used and not much interesting or exciting moments. I could've of passed on this one.

this book has to be read. trust this. i went to a waterpark last year while reading it and i went back to the car over and over just to read it.