I have read all of Dale Brown's novels and have enjoyed his work. As an author he took his tales a step further than others in the genre by researching/creating believable cutting edge technology that was operated by enjoyable characters. He did not create super heroes that belonged in comic books, rather pilots and their teams that would read as though they could be found in the armed forces of our nation. His political players were also credible and their behavior, however unsettling, never strayed beyond what we might read or hear of in the news. "Air Battle Force", is only the second of his books that I feel is poor, and it is weak because he treads the same ground he covered in his last workm and allowed a gratuitous mean streak that may have a visceral appeal but is out of place in his collected novels.

In the tale it is mentioned that all but 2 of the original crew from his first novel are gone. The majority of members are missing and those that remain are embittered and often place their own personal feelings and vendettas ahead of any manner of rational action. This is not the first book that stretches credibility by having his players break every manner of law without consequence, some now engage in behavior they once would have routinely condemned, and practice conduct the author would not have written of. When some of the, "good guys", engaged in electric shock torture I nearly put the book down. This type of vigilante behavior may appeal to the lowest common denominator of hatred but I don't believe it has any place when it is our armed forces that are portrayed as the practitioners. The armed forces are made of imperfect people but this does not mean their imperfections create monstrous behavior by default. It kills the credibility of the tale even though this is a work of fiction.

Dale Brown is also too established a writer to opportunistically use events in The Middle East for 2 consecutive books. The racist rhetoric went well beyond what was credible until it deteriorated in to simplistic bigotry. To read this book as well as his previous novel is to be subjected to the idea that every person who fights and is a Muslim is a deluded, violent psychopath who believes he is God's Instrument. This type of thinking is simplistic and not worthy of this writer.

I will again pick up his next book with the hope that he will once again bring new high technology and a great tale to readers, and will not recycle the same gadgets that have appeared in previous novels together with clichés about people and their beliefs that are as misguided as they are destructive.

Personally, I liked WINGS OF FIRE BETTER than this one. I do however, admire Brown's technical knowledge and the various plot lines around global politics and warfare. Still worth a shot. Also recommend McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and just about any Tom Clancy novel.

This is more like 3 1/2 stars. I have read them all - From Flight of The Old Dog to this one and while I always enjoy reading of flying of any kind, the more interesting aspect of this story to me was that of the Taliban incursion into Turkmenistan. The characters are interesting, believable and command your attention. However, you don't read Dale Brown without getting your regular dose of Patrick McClanahan and his latest additions to the United States ariel arsenal. Given the realities of todays military and politicians, it is doubtful that McLanahan would still be wearing a uniform unless it was orange, however, in Dale Brown's world he is the Energizer Bunny of the Air Force. The technological explanation of the weapons systems can get a bit daunting and the repeating of past stories to explain current situations and characters gets a little old, but Mr. Brown clearly likes the genre and continues to do it well.

DONT EVER BUY THIS BOOK!!

I love Dale Brown's "Lost Civilizations" series, which I discovered after reading this book. This work really makes you wonder what life was really like in these ancient civilizations, and what other great discoveries might await us. Highly recommended...

Africa's Glorious Legacy (Lost Civilizations) , by Time-LifeBooks, was a historical, somewhat inspiring book. More facts and proof than almost any other "lost history" book I'e read, I found the layout of the different proofs well organized and pretty easy to read. However, although this book was very good historically, I found it lacking in adventure and depth. The width of the story was well off, varying lost civilization to lost civilization, but how much can be actually believed, I don't know. Facts are good, but can those facts be backed up by other facts? Also, this book was in need of a boost around the middle of it-- In my opinion, the whole "amazing", "facinating" edge began to run out; in other words, more interesting notions could have been added. Overall, a good book for "history-buffs" and those who believe in "conspiracies", but everyone else, my suggestion is don't bother.

This is a definite read, and I found myself not being able to take a break in anticipation of seeing the results of each encounter.

Dale Brown surely enters the scene as one who is not afraid to enter a realm that many dare not even think to tread. The book is more autobiographic in nature than apologetical, yet it is balanced in viewpoint. He accounts not only for the successful encounters he has experienced, but also for the unexplained failures. I give 3 stars because at times throughout his account, continuity seems to be lost for favor of documenting his travels through life.

In light of this book, I have examined my core ideologies and asked myself, "From what source are my motives in life derived? Devilish or Divine?"

Overall, I liked Dale Brown's latest. The opening scenes, and Gregory Townsend's planning an execution of the robberies and methamphetamine lab takeovers made for an action-packed start. But what are his real motives? And when Patrick McLanahan's brother, who is a rookie cop, is shot by one of Townsend's fellow terrorists, McLanahan takes the law into his own hands with an assortment of gadgets, James Bond style! The main instrument of the story is that advanced BERP suit, which is made of a special bulletproof material and protects him from gunfire. And the local police don't take too kindly to his vigilante antics, so he becomes a wanted man by everyone while he tries to avenge his brother's shooting and discovers more than he bargained for! Some lively action, awesome technology which might be feasible one day and good characterisations. I read this book twice(as I have with most of Dale Brown's books!) in the past couple of months, and it's better the second time round. The ending might seem daft at times, but the rest of the book makes up for it.

Not your typical Dale Brown techno-thriller. This book was similar to a James Bond story with the gadgets used. Not much aircraft use until the end but maybe Dale is heading in a new writing direction, however, it does look like his next book "Battle Born" heads back to the military skies. Tin Man started slow but picked up the pace midway until the end. Enjoyed the conflict between the Tin Man and the local law enforcement.

First off, I thought the Tin Man wouldn't be a very good book, Dale Brown usually works with bombers and aviation, and this one had not much to do with that. Well, boy was I wrong. This book is amazing. You probably already know Patrick McLanahan. His brother is a rookie cop in Sacremento and is one of the first casualties in this miniature war. Then, Patrick tries to avenge his brothers death using a new armor technology which is stronger and light than Kevlar. He then becomes known as, The Tin Man. If you have read any of Dale Browns' books, you must read this one.

This book was on a suggested bibliography of books to read before visiting China prepared by Longitude Books. I dutifully read it. The Kirkus review is accurate-a lot of description in a non humorous way about the hassles of living in China. However, one does gain a sense of the passage of time and the many civilizations in Xian. Simon Winchester's book cited by the other reviewers is a lot better and you should read that first. Also I would suggest Death of a Red Heroine-a modern day mystery set in Shanghai for a description of modern Chinese life and how politics affects everyday life That book was one of the top five rated new mysteries of 2000 or 2001.

Down and Out in the Middle Kingdom is not the best book on China. In my Opinion "Mandate of Heaven" by Orville Schell is, and Simon Winchester's book on his journey along the Yangtze river are. But Brown is not far from the truth is portraying China as at times gray and depressing. I have been reading and interested in China for years, but my recent trip to China this summer was very anti-climatic. China has some great stuff and people, but the bottom line is that much of China is polluted, gray, and depressing. Anyone going to China and expecting Japan or the China of Mulan is in for a rude awakening. A trip to China is at times wonderful, and at times very trying and depressing. Its a mixed bag. This book acurately shows this aspect of China. Its a place of magical places and people, but its also a place of some not so great things. This book is a good read for its realism.

I suppose if I expected a Bill Bryson-ish essay on China, I may have not rated this book as highly as I do....But over the last 2 years I have gotten to attend classes taught by J. D., and I became interested in his exploits in China as a result of the many episodes he related; and I must say that the book is a faithful representation of J.D.'s experience as HE experienced it. J. D. isn't Pearl Buck, nor is he a paid travel writer. What he is is a teacher/researcher without pretense. He is an articulate, highly intelligent person who happens to be from the USA....and if this clouds his views on China, is it any wonder? Aren't we all indellibly marked with the cultural heritage that we are brought up in? I recommend this book highly, especially if you are a language teacher. I recommend J.D.'s classes even more....

This book is horribly counterproductive. The review section isn't worth the paper it's written on, as it doesn't reflect at all the Physics C material. It appears that they just cut-and-pasted the review for the Physics GRE (given to advanced undergraduates), which is absurd. Avoid this book.

The book provides a thorough description and explanation of all the topics covered on the AP exam. However, it could use a few more additional practice tests and problems to achieve a better sense of the test.

helped me in my course and the test. Some of the questions were a little harder than the actual but got me prepared.

The book showed different gauges but did not fully explain how to read them or how they worked, and why they are needed. This would be a very poor learning tool because it showed alot of things but did not fully explain anything. I could not recommend this book to anyone who did not already have a working knowledge of avionics.

Book might be adiquate for undergraduate level general engineering class. This book lacked detail and contained technical errors. Some of the information was outdated.

It's a moderate book to get in touch with avionics sub system. I think is easy to understand if we have telecommunication / electronics / aviation background.

This book is good for beginner on avionics system. Nevertheless this book is not suitable for deep analysis and lack of information about air data computer, gyro, and black boxes (FDR & CVR).