Torpedo

Jeff Edwards
iUniverse Star (2004, 2006)
ISBN 1583484655
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (8/06)

Extraordinary circumstances, including: a catastrophe at a German nuclear plant, a biological warfare attack on the British Embassy in Washington D.C., and an illegal arms deal in the Middle East, provoke an international crisis that threatens to escalate into a worldwide conflagration. Europe, the Middle East, and America fight back to prove their martial supremacy.

Jim Bowie, commander of the USS Towers, with his ship’s crew, joins with other U. S. Naval officer’s, destroyers, and frigates, to counteract the emergent confrontation.  Bowie is going against a myriad of odds in this momentous effort. Retaliation becomes imperative in a race to prove military pre-eminence.  The enemy, formidable, and deceptive, is a NATO ally, trained in U. S. Naval warfare tactics. 

Reminiscent of Tom Clancy’s early writing, Edwards creates a powerful techno-military genre theme throughout this intense, complex narrative.  Edwards does an incredible job of describing shipboard routine and weapons systems.  The combination of politics, vengeance, antisubmarine warfare, and suspense create an amazing story of naval and air combat.

Edwards alternates high-speed action with technically precise, clear-cut descriptions. He has created a believable plot and memorable characters, which demonstrate his skill as a writer. The author uses fast moving dialog to create an ambiance to fit the environment, whether through cultural differences, political protocol, or military procedure.  A rapid pace and an element of suspense draw the reader into this intriguing, exciting adventure novel.  I found myself eagerly anticipating the next dramatic turn of events.

Edwards provides a helpful glossary of Navy terms, acronyms, and abbreviations for the novice reader. “Torpedo: the History and Evolution of a Killing Machine,” excerpted from the unpublished manuscript of Retired Master Chief Sonar Technician David M. Hardy, USN adds an insightful dimension to the authenticity of Edwards’ background material.

Jeff Edwards has years of service with the U. S. Navy. He is an Anti-Submarine Warfare specialist. His experience and extensive research give him the credentials to write this technically impressive masterpiece.

Already highly acclaimed “Torpedo” is destined to become an epic among war combat novels.

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