Review: A Man of War

"A Man of War" explores every side of war, its glories and horrors, its necessity and inanity, its absolute conflict between life and death. The book begins with two boys playing with their toys. They play with action figures resembling the ultimate weapons platform of the mid 3rd millennium, augmented armor - also called "man o' wars". Man o' wars are huge machines some 30 feet tall with designs based on the human physique. They are highly maneuverable, well-armored and deadly.

David Lusk follows the career of one of the two boys. From his youthful games to a position of command, Chase Aarons is put through his paces to become an intelligent, efficient and talented (if such a word can be used in this context) warrior. The detail and realism that is injected into the character and his career brings events to vivid life. During battle scenes the reader feels himself right in the cockpit of one of the behemoth man o' wars. Though packed with acronyms and military strategy battles are easy to follow and the reader never stops to question whether the events depicted could ever really happen.

The scenes of training could only have been written by a person who has experienced the rigors of training himself or who has tremendous insight into the education that creates a hardened soldier from a soft civilian. Perhaps the most striking episodes in the book revolve around the decisions made by Chase Aarons that must take place within the blink of an eye, decisions that will lose or save a life, win or lose a battle, save or destroy a world.

Mr. Lusk is a story-teller of extraordinary ability. He is also smart and knows how to follow a chain of events logically to its end. The death and destruction that Chase Aarons almost gleefully lays about him has repercussions that go far beyond the man's psyche to scar his very soul.

Accurately and clearly pursuing a logical story line, Mr. Lusk comes to an ultimate conclusion more fascinating than any Greek play. If you want action and adventure and like it mixed with a bit of philosophy you will find healthy helpings here. "A Man of War" is highly recommended. Do not be put off by the cover price. It is well worth the $29.95. It will provide more entertainment and more food for thought than you can buy for the same price in any other medium.

This book is available at Amazon.com.