Dark Wing

By: Richard Herman Jr.

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Now in command of the 303rd Fighter Squadron, Colonel Matt Pontowski, grandson of a former US president, attempts to boost the morale of his pilots who know their killer A-10 Warthog aircraft are due to be phased out. When trouble erupts in Hong Kong and southern China, his wing volunteers for a dangerous undercover mission against the world's most feared and volatile superpower. A massacre is looming and millions of innocent people are at risk. Pontowski and his volunteers are now reluctant to withdraw, despite orders, as they initiate their own plans to overthrow the brutal regime that has been gaining power.

Meanwhile back in Washington, National Security Advisor Bill Carroll, Asia specialist Mazie Kamigami, and assistant Wentworth Hazelton fight to ensure plans go accordingly. Mazie is stunned when the conflict brings her closer to her estranged father Victor Kamigami and his lover Jin Chu, an ethereal, young fortune teller.

The fate of Hong Kong - and the survival of the squadron - depends upon the flying skills of all the ace pilots, including the beautiful Denise "Skeeter" Ashton. Along with the "Junkyard Dogs", they exploit the situation to achieve what they now know has to be done.

©1994 Richard Herman, Jr., Inc. (P)2018 Tantor

Superb. Barrett to the rescue again.

Much as he's done with recent do-overs of a few of Brian Haig's Sean Drummond books, Joe Barrett breathes new life into a terrific series that's nearly 25 years old. To say that Barrett is simply in a class by himself is obviously an understatement. And though Herman's books have some years on them, they remain great military action yarns. Technically detailed and realistic without being overwhelming, Herman puts you in the cockpit, on the front lines, and in the backrooms of power, with wonderfully developed characters and rapid action. But it'd all be just words on a page without Joe Barrett's peerless performance to bring these folks to life. The only thing disappointing about Dark Wing is that 16 hours flash by so fast that before you know it it's all over. Here's hoping that there will be more chances for this team to collaborate on recreating previous or future novels in this or other of Herman's series. Soon, please.

Escape a History of Helplessness

If you enjoyed any of the old Pappy Boyington ace flying stories, this will do the trick. This was too long a tale for me, but if you love air battles, how to prepare for war and the tactics needed to win, then this is for you. The Publishers summery is spot on so no need to add to it.
I purchased this book as I love narrator Joe Barrett in all of author Brian Haig, Sean Drummond series, and was hoping to find more of that same type of writing. This was way too long and needed better editing as I would not even attempt another story from this author. This story had all the elements needed to make it a fast action thriller, but the length took out all the suspense and diluted the action. I know Nelson DeMille gets away with lengthy stories eg John Cory series, but this author is not in his league as of yet. A little more Earnest Hemingway style would have done the trick.
I do use the 1.25x speed to match the action.
Were my comments of help?