I read White Star by Mr. Thayer and planned to read more of his writings. A year or so has passed and I saw this book. I could not have been more pleased as I love fiction tied in with true history (i.e. Winds or War, War and Remembrance) I believe there was a attempt on FDR'S life during the war but thwarted. I would recommend this book to all and will go back to the begining to read all of them.

This was a cool story. We have all read a bakers dozen World War Two historical fiction books based in Europe, many even with this type of spy vs. spy hunter chase, but this is the first time I have seen this story line. This is great because I feel like I got a history lesson about what it was like back home during the war. This author's ability to capture details really comes to the forefront in describing what it was like in the states. This is a good book and can be picked up for a song used. It is worth the time.

What a surprise to find that this intriguing story of an assassin and the chase to stop him has not been reviewed at Amazon. Readers are missing out on a thriller and I consider it a public service and my duty to alert anyone interested in WWll historical fiction at its best that James Thayer has written a winner.

Born from desperation, Hitler hatched a plot to have F.D.R. assassinated, believing that in so doing the inevitable defeat of Nazi Germany could be overturned. The story is about the assassin,an escapee from Fort Lewis POW Camp near Tacoma, Washington and the Secret Service agent assigned to capture him. There is action from the beginning when Kurt Monck escapes from the camp to the pulse-pounding finish with a wheelchair-bound F.D.R.

Thayer captures the climate of the United States' domestic front, the fear and concern of the people and the effects of a war economy. He describes the use of innovative investigative techniques in their infancy; the thoughts and feelings of Roosevelt and his relationship with Lucy Mercer and the pressure and anxiety felt by John Wren, the agent with the responsibility to hunt down assassin Monck before he completes his world- altering assignment.

This story was a pleasure to read and is highly recommended for those with a taste for adventure and patriotism.

What a good read. Take a CIA type, throw in a few Malay's, some Chinese, a few brit's, a crossdressing Japanese,a fighting Doctor, inebriated a lot of the time and a Jade elephant and you have quite a story. The actual plot has to do with finding the bones of Emelia Earhart but what they find is much more than they thought. Read it you will enjoy it, I certainly did.

I was not previously familiar with the author, but loved his style. The book reminded me of the movie "Forrest Gump". An incredible life story based on a man chasing his first crush, but continually getting caught up in incredible adventures along the way. A good lesson on history, geography, and different cultures. I wish Woodrow hadn't died before we got to hear the end of his adventures! Two thumbs up.

Traveling through the lintriguing life of Woodrow, I couldn't put this one down until I learned about his world. Excellent change of pace from the one-story thriller, this book has it all!

Very enjoyable book. Well written. Found it fun to follow Woodrow Lowe throughout his life. Great summer time reading. Dry wit, lots of chuckles!

Thayer creates an absorbing and interesting historical "what-if" of a full scale German invasion of England during World War II. It is told from the viewpoint of an officer who had access to the great allied decision makers of the day. "S-Day" is also the story of fictional General Wilson Clay, leader of the American Expeditionary Forces in England. The story is plausible in both its historical setting and its character portrayal of the participants. A very unique look at World War II through the mechanism of a hypothetical campaign. Worth reading!

Instead of invading Russia in the summer of 1941 Hitler decides to knock England out of the war with a full-scale invasion in the spring of 1942. Awaiting the German armada is a hastily assembled American Expeditionary Force and the war-weary Brits. The story is told from the point of view of the American commanding general's aide, Col. Royce. Royce tells more than the story of the invasion as he examines the motives, mistakes, loves, fears, and strategy of General Wilson Clay, a flawed but fearless American leader determined that Britain will not fall to the Nazis. As a fan of alternate history I can tell you that this is one of the best the genre has to offer. Stewart's spins on historical fact make this novel all the more compelling. For instance, Clay and his British superiors have the same arguments about meeting the invaders on the beach that Rommel and Hitler had in the real war. Also, the real-life allies' 'Operation: Fortitude' is turned into a German ruse to fool the allied armies as to where the blow will land. The weakness of this book lies in it's dealing with the war in the whole, outside of the battle. The final outcome the alternate World War is only metioned in passing and isn't as satisfying as it could be. That aside, 'S-Day' is a lot of fun. I looked for nearly four years before I found a copy of this book and it was well worth the wait.

The chilling events in this book serve as a reminder of the grim reality and senseless brutality of war. James Thayer's "Five Past Midnight" is thought provoking; at times riveting; always well written. Jack Cray, an American POW in Germany during WWII, escapes from Colditz Castle as part of an elaborate plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. A German political prisoner, Otto Detrich, formerly chief criminal inspector with the Belin Police, is freed from his inhuman existence in order to track down Cray. The heroes of this story are individual people, rather than nations or political philosophies, for the lines between good and evil are not as clear as hindsight might lead us to believe. I found myself being swept away by this amazing tale and its vivid characters, often wondering how much of this scenario might have a factual basis and how much was a product of meticulous research enhanced by skill and creativity. The violence is graphic and unsettling and no matter how much of this story is from the writer's vivid imagination, it is an eloquent reminder of the nobility of individuals amid the horrors of war. It's also a ripping good yarn

Five Past Midnight is an extremely suspenseful and dramatic fictional story about the Nazi powerhouse in World War II. The author, James Thayer, draws a captivating picture of what might have happened had Adolf Hitler's assassination attempt been successful. The American assassin, Jack Cray, escapes a POW camp and takes the reader on a journey of clever sniper tactics and cold- blooded killing, and he will not stop until he completes his mission. Cray gets aid from a few important characters along the way. Katrina von Tornitz is a young and widowed spy for the allies, adding a perfect dose of romantic spin to the tale. Otto Dietrich is brought back into the world after being imprisoned by the Gestapo to track down the well-known and feared American killer, adding suspense to the story. Thayer makes the characters very real. I could almost hear their voices while reading. The way he described Hitler through the characters emotions and thoughts was remarkable. The bunker scene, where Hitler was residing toward the end of the book, was particularly amazing. I recommend the book to any one with a taste for suspense, and those who enjoy history or war related topics.

Why did it take me so long to find this author? Five Past Midnight is another great World War II novel, that zooms in at a fast pace, on a central hero in the American Rangers. He receives support for his mission from several other unexpected and atypical heroes. As a student of history, particularly military history, I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I learned more about Nazi Germany, at the same time that I raced along with the main hero on his mission. I felt like I was there with him all the way, and glad that I was not the one doing the mission. James Bond has nothing on CPT Jack Cray, but unlike Bond, Cray has the personal problems that go with his type of work. In my mind, this makes Cray more like the real heroes we see in the American military all the time. Being an Army Reservist, I admit to a prejudice in favor of people who serve their country, even if I did start as a draftee.

This was the first Thayer book that I read, in paperback, and I enjoyed it so much that I went out and bought in hardback, so I can reread it for years to come. I now have 11 more Thayer books to look forward to reading. Find his books fast, before everyone else discovers how good Thayer is, because his older books will start to disappear when they do.

Pacific northwest software mogul Rex Wyman (wonder whom he's patterned after?) has created
the ultimate racing yacht. Humans are mearly along for the ride in this craft, which is completely
run by computer, from navigation to the working of the sails. In a bid to save his suddenly
floundering company, Rex organizes the ultimate yacht race across the Bering Sea, with the
hope that his amazing technological wonder will open new markets for his company. As
increasingly dangerous "accidents" begin to happen shortly after the starting line, the race
becomes one to stop Wyman from pulling an Ahab, and getting everyone aboard killed.

A good alternative title for this book could be "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sailing Gear."
The author is obviously fascinated by all things seaworthy, with descriptions of various types of
vessels bordering on obsessive. But there is an adventure/mystery described, as well, which he
does fairly well. The characters aren't new, but the action is worthy of a beach read.

FORCE 12 is a fairly exciting and thrilling story of a billionaire soft-ware magnate who creates a computerized sailboat and enters it in a gruelling and dangerous yacht race from San Francisco to Japan through the Bering Sea. He believes the publicity about the boat's software, which pilots the 155 foot Victory (which has a 30 foot beam and 75 ton keel) and replaces a 20 man crew, will increase revenue and sales in his other companies.

Initially the trip is flawless, but gradually accidents occur on the boat and sabotage is expected. Since there are several video cameras on the boat, every movement is witnessed by millions of viewers from around the world and the persona of a forceful man of wealth and power begins to disintegrate.

Besides a mystery, the highlights of the book are the descriptions of being in a boat at the mercy of the sea. It rivals THE PERFECT STORM for its descriptions of the waves and feelings of helplessness while caught in the power of the open ocean.

FORCE 12 is worth reading if you're a James Thayer fan but he's certainly written better. The plot was a little too unrealistic for me but the sailing scenes made it worth the time, especially if you enjoy seeing powerful men in hopeless situations brought down to earth.

I took this book to Hawaii, and the last 100 pages kept me out of the water. I couldn't go swimming until I finished.

if you can get a hold of this one, it's worth it. All of Thayer's books are gems, including this oldie (although Pursuit is still my all-time favourite of all books!).

I really enjoyed Thayer's book, Terminal Event, that prompted me to buy this attempt at dramatization of an ex-Marine Corps Sniper going one-on-one with an ex-Ruskie Sniper. White Star is an entertaining read but the supposed physical stamina of the players is a bit much for me. The final duel is, shall we say, unbelievable, especially when one considers the geriatrics involved. Both snipers where in Vietnam back 1969, so do the math. I would love to hear what real ex-Marine Corps Snipers have to say about this book. Thayer can do better which he proved in Terminal Event.

this is good book, but the end would never happen. The story line is also not plasable. The book is boring in spots.

But still a very good read

Want to know how juicy the sniping is? This is the one in addition to all of Stephen Hunter's "Earl Swagger Saga". I'v translated this one into Chinese and have published it in Taiwan. During the translation, I've found lot of mistakes, draggings, holes of this book, but I would not blame Mr. Thayer but his not so qualified editor, because those mistakes were just how incompetent the editor was who should not have paired with a great writer. Mr. Thayer has proved himself a multi-layer, multi-dimentional most talented writer and he's continuedly improved himself during the Odyssy of his story tellings and would not border or bond himself in a narrow and small territory. This is one of the books that I've collected and strongly recommanded to others.