Dancing with the Dragon

by Joe Weber

Book Overview

In the skies above the Pacific, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 from the USS Abraham Lincoln blows up. The question is why? But answers aren't easy to find. When another jet mysteriously explodes in midair, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0891417990
• ISBN13: 9780891417996
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Presidio Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

A must read.

Weber takes his two consultants, Dalton and Sullivan, on a rip roaring adventure that traverses country and the Pacific rim. Fast paced, lots of action and military jargon. Interesting weapon systems. The story centers around a Chinese high technology weapon system developed with technology stolen from the US. Foolish US decisions, such as giving up the Panama Canal and selling high technology to China provides, the backdrop for the story. China wants Taiwan back, and China does now control the Panama Canal, facts, not fiction. Underlining the fast paced plot are serious issues that effect our future. I am looking forward to reading his next book, Assured Response.

Two thumbs up for Dancing With The Dragon......

In what amounts to a decent mix of cloak & dagger, high-tech weaponry, and modern day warfare, Dancing With The Dragon presents an appealing adventure story with slight undertones to events that could actually happen.Upon losing several military aircraft to puzzling explosions, the U.S. president assigns a deep cover troubleshooting team to investigate the losses. As evidence mounts and answers are revealed, the U.S. government learns of a new weapon system possessed by China that has frightening potential. Compounding problems already at hand, China demonstrates its power in a military play for Taiwan while simultaneously wresting control of the strategic Panama Canal. Forcing America to divide its military assets to control both conflicts, escalating tensions push inexorably toward a nuclear showdown.Dancing With The Dragon is an entertaining read from start to finish and delivers the goods for those looking for an action packed and well written novel.

Another Great Weber Novel

I read my first Joe Weber novel (Primary Target) in 1999 and, I must say, I was hooked by his writing style. Weber combines gripping action, a well-thought-out plot, believable characters and a pace that moves at break-neck speed. Unlike some who write military techno-thrillers, he doesn't slow down the action with techno-babble. When I heard he had a new book out (Dancing with the Dragon) I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. I cleared my weekend calendar and dove in headfirst. I was not disappointed. In typical Weber fashion, the action begins on page one with the downing of an F/18 off the coast of Southern California by a strange `bogey.' The pilot of the downed plane was a close friend of Scott Dalton (Primary Target). Dalton and Jackie Sullivan, who have an aviation consulting business as a front for their covert operations, are asked by the pilot's widow to look into the unusual circumstances surrounding the crash. Before you can say, "heat-seeking-missile," they find themselves in the middle of a Pentagon cover-up. Several U.S. military planes have been mysteriously downed by what the Pentagon, stretched thin by the war on terrorism, is calling, "routine training accidents." The President's National Security Advisor suspects something sinister afoot and puts Dalton and Sullivan on the case to find out who and/or what is behind the crashes. Their investigation leads them to a secret Chinese weapon's laboratory in Northern California, which was run by a group of prominent scientists from around the globe. With the exception of a Chinese-American, Dr. Richard Cheung, all the scientists have met an untimely demise. The Chinese are holding Cheung at their weapons development laboratory in Mianyang, China. It soon becomes clear that they plan to make their move on Taiwan, and their newly acquired laser weapon is an integral part of their plan. Dalton and Sullivan are tasked by President Chord Macklin (Primary Target) to rescue Dr. Cheung and, in so doing; to determine how many laser weapons the Chinese have deployed - a critical piece of intelligence to the U.S. if it is to become involved in a shooting war with China. As Dalton and Sullivan prepare to take on their mission, tensions between the U.S. and China heat up to the boiling point. The Chinese trap a U.S. Navy warship and its crew in the locks of the Panama Canal. President Macklin goes toe to toe with the Chinese President and all-out war seems imminent. If you enjoy military action, Dancing with the Dragon is a must read. Be sure to set aside plenty of free time. Once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down.

Another 12 month wait

Well Mr. Weber has done it again. A 300+ page novel of heart stopping action slowing down occasionally so you can catch your breath. Although this book came out last month, last week the actual headlines in various news outlets read, "China beginning preps to reunify Taiwan". Mr. Weber's crystal ball was right on target again. What I like the most about the book was the ability to use my imagination to determine outcomes within the book, IE Scott and Jackie's personal life and the significance of there secret mission. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out these things, but each reader may have a different spin on it. The technical details were accurate and did not bog the story line down (After all who cares what the lat/long is of a microphone on the ocean floor, or how far a photon torpedo will travel in the vacuum of space (If this is information you need get a tech pub).

Worth the Wait

I received my first Joe Weber book (Primary Target) as a gift back in 2000 and loved it. Fast, action-packed reading. Since then have gotten the rest of Joe Weber's books and have read them all. I have been itching for Primary Target's sequel - Dancing with the Dragon - and was not diappointed at all. I finished the book in less than a week. The action and never ending plot twists kept me up late several evenings. President Macklin is a terrifically developed character and the team of Scott and Jackie are a pleasure to follow. The action is non-stop and the plot is frighteningly plausable, especially in today's world. Another excellent addition to my techno-thriller library. A must read!!!