Review: A very bad end to a promising series
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 04 1, 2013
I bought this a part of the Boxed set, so that is why it is not a verified purchase.I am sorry if it hurts some ones feelings to have a not good review, like this one, but I call 'em like I read 'emI was very disappointed in the final book of this series.  The first half started well, but the conclusion was an absolute dud.First let me comment on the good parts, the first about one third  of the book, dealing with the Invasion of the USA by a bunch of Narco-insurgents from South America.  The plot moves well, and IMO, the characters are much better fleshed out than in the last book. The action is fast paced and the bad guys are put down in good fashion.I do appreciate the way he has the Marines kick the crap out of the bad guys. (Disclaimer I am former Marine)The rest of this book just plain sucks.Now to the bad points.Any American general that allows American aircraft to enter combat conditions without having a full complement of defensive armaments deserves to be court-martialed! Yet the Air Force general that is supposed to be in charge of the attack of the enemy force in Houston does not load our aircraft with chaff or flares to protect against incoming ground to air missiles. All US aircraft since the 1970's have been outfitted to use these, and all US Airbases are set up to load those on to aircraft as a matter of course.I have published a photo of a US Air Force aircraft dropping flares on this site to show how easy this information is to come by.For the author who apparently is an expert in aircraft not to know this is totally  unbelievable.Second, I was almost willing to give the author, Mr. Wade, a pass on his way-to early hurricane. But his lack of understanding of Texas and the geography of my great state is beyond belief!! Mr. Wade, Look at a map. Abilene is 350 miles from and 2000 feet higher than Houston. I grew up not far from there. The last time a hurricane came close to there was like NEVER.  And the last time it SNOWED in may in Abilene was before then.Now I know that Mr. Wade is not a native US citizen (I read his biography). But come on. If you are going to place a major part of your story in a state, at least have an understanding of geography. Oh yeah, you can't get from Corpus Christi to Houston in 6 hours at 20 mph. It is over 200 miles.I also do not like his idea of taking weapons from law abiding citizens, with no provision for payment of return. Martial law or not, the Constitution still is supposed to be working and it seems to me that a militia would be well needed at this point. But Mr. Wade is a European and does not understand the USA completely.Now to the really really bad bad part of the book, the last half it.The plot is totally unbelievable.  To think that a group of American Citizens and Corporations would conspire with a Chinese company to kill 80% of the US population is unbelievable!! Enough said.No, not enough said.  To think that rabid anti-communist groups like the neo-fascist groups that Wade seems to believe abound in Idaho and Oregon, would ally themselves with the Communist Chinese does not make any sense either.Frankly this whole plotline just does not make any sense to me as American. In fact it just plain SUCKSFinally, the conclusion is as unrealistic as the plot.  We have the Military setting up a new government.  Every US Member of the military is sworn to uphold the US Constitution.  These people went outside it in every way.BTW,  any 10th grade student in high school knows that if you sign a contract under duress it is unenforceable, so why would a corporation have death squads going around having farmers sign those kind of contracts?Lastly, the new president does not want to institute any form of money.  He wants to have a benevolent government take care of the few remaining US Citizens.  From Each according to his abilities to each according to his needs.  I wonder where I have heard that before.Oh yeah, The USSR, China in the 1950's and 60's, North Viet-Nam, North Korea and Cuba.  How does that work out for you guys?  Ask Mr. Mao, Mr. Stalin, Mr. Ho Chi Min, et al.Frankly I had great hope for this series when I read the first 2 books.  I won't read any more in the series.