Review: Interesting fact/history based scenarios for action devotees.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 3, 2014
Special Ops 1, Cool Gus Publishing consists of two books, each written and copyright by Bob Meyer. Book 1 CUT-OUT (The Green Berets), 2010 and THE LINE, Copyright 1996, updated 2011.Cut-Out is the shorter of the two, approximately 39% of the volume and is a little confusing to start. It begins with action involving characters that are important later and next moves to a scene describing an exfiltration action involving Navy Chief, Green Beret Dave Riley. A proper integration of the two evolves, however, and revolves around greed and duplicity in a witness protection program. The action is plentiful and credible producing an enjoyable read.The Line has a plot that quickly calls to mind a picture of a few years back starring Burt Lancaster. It was entitled "Seven Days in May" and based on a plot to take over the United States Government. The present author's plot is somewhat similar but more gradually developed and the emphasis is altered slightly. The basic premise exists, however, and immediately conjures up a totally plausible scenario from the plethora of examples of military/political divergence of opinion appearing daily in the headlines. The action is relentless, the settings, as well as descriptions of military action and equipment are authentic, the presentation of  lack of integrity in trusted individuals is highly credible and the willingness on the part of so many persons in key positions to indulge in treachery all are amply supplied. Perhaps in several sections some description of activity and/or history could have been curtailed, but again, some readers might determine that such editing would have deleted interesting background data.In summary: Meyer has provided two interesting stories with mostly credible characters and scenarios although the action may be a little 'over-the-top, but enjoyable if you are an action devotee. Reviewed by John H. Manhold, award winning author of Fiction/non-Fiction.