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Ghost Recon (Book) Review


Scott Mitchell

2,773 views

UNCLASSIFIED

FROM: Scott Mitchell, futuresoldier@ghostrecon.net

TO: Undisclosed Recipients

MEMORANDUM

SUBJ: Ghost Recon Book Review

Introduction

I enjoy reading and I especially enjoy reading fiction based on video games. However, I seldom find time (or make the time) to read anymore. I suppose I’m too busy playing video games, blogging or messing with Facebook and/or Twitter (or as the Commander in Chief might say, being distracted and diverted). Every now and then I’ll get an opportunity where I’m able to read, like on board an airplane. It was during my latest business trip that I was finally able to start and finish a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while now – Ghost Recon.

Yes, there is a Ghost Recon novel. I’m always amazed because some people, even big fans of the game, aren’t aware there is one. But there is. I just recently finished it and thought I’d write a book review (I almost said book report – a flashback to my high school days many moons ago). I’ll try not to post any spoilers, but if you are interested in or currently reading the book, then you might want to skip reading this review.

Official Data

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Berkley; (November 4, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0425220141

ISBN-13: 978-0425220146

Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

Pricing

Kindle Edition

$7.99 - Available for download now.

Paperback

$9.99

Product Description

The U.S. Army’s Special Forces are known for their highly specialized training and courage behind enemy lines. But there’s a group that’s even more stealthy and deadly. It’s comprised of the most feared operators on the face of the earth—the soldiers of Ghost Recon.

Plot summary

In the first novelization of the Ghost Recon franchise by Ubisoft/Tom Clancy, the Ghosts infiltrate China's eastern coast to seek and destroy the Spring Tiger Group. The small band of renegade Chinese military leaders is poised to execute Operation Pouncing Dragon, a plot to seize Taiwan and trigger a battle for dominance in the Pacific. Led by Captain Scott Mitchell, the Ghosts wage war from the Southern Philippines, Northwest Waziristan, and Xiamen, China, coping with the impact of unforeseen tragedy, remembering lessons-learned, and treasuring camaraderie. But during Operation War Wrath in Xiamen, China, a decade-old tragedy resurfaces endangering the mission and the team. The Spring Tiger Group is aided by an old nemesis and for Mitchell, this war is about to get very personal.

Notes

The Ghost Recon novel is written under the pseudonym (ghost writer) David Michaels.

Comments

The Ghost Recon novel is an interesting and entertaining read, but loyalists of the [Ghost Recon] video game will likely be disappointed for the very same reasons they were over later episodes of the game with the inclusion of some rather outlandish technological accomplishments (and yes, red diamonds make an appearance).

The novel adequately develops the characters and instills much more personality than the games ever achieved, especially with the protagonist, Scott Mitchell. You learn about his family, his military career and even that he himself was a gamer and comic book collector in his younger days. You witness his character flaws and the internal struggle he faces over being successful while maintaining his integrity during a few objectionable situations.

Probably the best character was Sergeant Alicia Diaz, the team’s sniper. Not only was her character unique and interesting, the way the author conceptualized the whole sniper component was nicely done. From the non-fiction books published about real snipers that I’ve read, Sgt. Diaz was a “believable” character even if every translation of being a sniper wasn’t entirely accurate.

There are episodes of conflict, as you would expect, and for the most part they are gripping tales of battlefield courage under fire. Some of the conflicts, especially later in the story, become somewhat exaggerated, to the point it almost feels like a cheap Hollywood movie. There are a few moments where the author really cuts loose with the technology components, and these were my least favorite parts of the story, as I’m sure some of the veteran GR fans would agree, as I alluded to in the initial opening comments.

One component of the novel that really surprised me was the Navy presence. There is a lot of Navy related material, subject matter, dialogue and presence in the book. Specifically, there is a significant amount of submarine operations and submarine support included in the book, and surprisingly, much of it is very accurate. Ironically, while the little (and questionable) details might be spot on, many of the broader and more general topics were completely wrong, which might make one question how the author got the little details right and the big details wrong.

The Ghost Recon novel certainly wasn’t the best video game adaptation I’ve ever read but it was worthy enough to recommend to fans of the franchise who liked the Advanced Warfighter series and are interested in the Future Soldier series. If you’re straight up old school Ghost Recon, then save your $9.99 (or $7.99 for the Kindle version) because chances are...you won’t like it.

Happy Reading.

//SIGNED//

Scott Mitchell, futuresoldier@ghostrecon.net

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