I have just finished and reviewed Jack Silkstones PRIMAL UNLEASHED. awsome work
I am a writer and reader of all things military. Fiction, non Fiction, memoir down to field manuals on WW2 artillery pieces. I was fortunate enough to make the authors acquaintance through a couple of chats before I read the book. There are many people who have jumped on the Hadji hunting bandwagon due to the GWOT and some are great, others just trying to cash in on the current subject of the day.
I am a natural skeptic and even as a self published author, I find the quality of self published authors to be very low. But the idea behind the book intrigued me. I had always wondered what could happen if elite operators from the worlds special forces ever banded together for operations out from under the cloak of a nation state. I had often thought a rogue special forces unit would become tremendous bank robbers.:)
The book opens shortly into a scene near and dear to me as a writer and person. Issues in Africa. I was gratified immensely by Bishop dealing some justice and flipping the bird to the UN. One thing that makes this book successful is it is user friendly. If you have ever been bogged down in a Clancy diatribe about a firing pin on some exotic rifle or the programming logic behind a super duper computer, you will feel my pain in wondering 'OK, does this mean anything to the story?'
Mr. Silkstone has made his book user friendly by adding search functions for equipment and other things that allow you to pop right up to the pertinent information to set the scene without interrupting the flow of the story. This is a simple yet revolutionary thing to do with Ebooks. Well played, sir.
The story is written in increments that are easily digested but in no way cuts into the depth of the story. Two teams operate under an incredibly run and conceptualized nerve center to dig up the past and bring us into the future. The book flows as well as the SEAL team that flowed into the compound to take out Osama Bin Laden. This writer has the goods of any other mainstream publisher. I wont give away any more of the plot line. For the price, I'll let you get your money's worth 10x over. I have a heads up from his website on the plot for the next adventure and I CANT WAIT.
D.R. Tharp Author of Task Force Intrepid:The Gold of Katanga and TFI Highway to Hell.
http://www.amazon.com/PRIMAL-Unleashed-ebook/dp/B005VG3ATQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334097630&sr=1-1
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
It's FREE
A reminder that April 7-8 ( today and tomorrow - NOT SPAMMING, Just want to remind people ) I will be giving away copies of my new Novella, Task Force Intrepid-Highway to Hell. If you enjoy Action Adventure, Military Fiction, Mercenaries, Rebels, Brutal Dictators and wondered what fighting in Africa might be like, you will get it all in a compact, balls to the wall Novella. Starring Willem Kruger, The Rhodesian God of War.
http://www.amazon.com/Task-Force-Intrepid-Highway-ebook/dp/B007QFZXB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333742696&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Task-Force-Intrepid-Highway-ebook/dp/B007QFZXB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333742696&sr=8-1
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Highway to Hell FREE April 7 and 8
Get on board and get your FREE copy of the new Novella.
Task Force Intrepid is the exciting new series chronicalling the new geneartion of warfare led by Professional Soldiers. Men who fight for their food, shunning the world of 9 to 5. For many, it’s the only life they have ever known. Set across Africa’s chaotic rebel uprisings and wars for profit, South African Willem Kruger leads his men into battle. This band of warriors does the work that no one else can or will do.
After the first in the trilogy, Task Force Intrepid: The Gold of Katanga, this new set of Novellas look deep into the past of Willem Kruger. From the battlefields of Rhodesia and Angola to the constantly changing regimes of West Africa, the past comes alive with little known wars and uprisings and characters that will literally keep you up at night.
In Highway To Hell, the year is 2003 and the worlds attention is focused on Afghanistan and Iraq. In the West African country of Liberia, Charles Taylor has been raping and plundering to the point that the United States has demanded his departure from the country to face his War Crimes. Holding tightly to his base of power in Monrovia, a Rebel group has control of two thirds of the country and is crying for help to finish Taylor off.
With the American public not interested in setting foot in another war, especially one in Africa, Security and Logistics Enterprises, Worldwide is offered a contract by Bentz Exploration to provide Security for their mining operation in Northern Liberia. With deep and long connections to power players in the U.S. Government, it’s clear that there is one man perfectly suited to provide Security to Bentz by helping the Rebels organize a push south from Tubmanburg and into Monrovia.
Appearing to be an easy job for Kruger and his associates, things quickly turn for the worse. With three decades of war under his belt, a little kink in the plans opens up an opportunity to drive headlong down the Highway to Hell.
http://www.amazon.com/Task-Force-Intrepid-Highway-ebook/dp/B007QFZXB8/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333569447&sr=1-6
Task Force Intrepid is the exciting new series chronicalling the new geneartion of warfare led by Professional Soldiers. Men who fight for their food, shunning the world of 9 to 5. For many, it’s the only life they have ever known. Set across Africa’s chaotic rebel uprisings and wars for profit, South African Willem Kruger leads his men into battle. This band of warriors does the work that no one else can or will do.
After the first in the trilogy, Task Force Intrepid: The Gold of Katanga, this new set of Novellas look deep into the past of Willem Kruger. From the battlefields of Rhodesia and Angola to the constantly changing regimes of West Africa, the past comes alive with little known wars and uprisings and characters that will literally keep you up at night.
In Highway To Hell, the year is 2003 and the worlds attention is focused on Afghanistan and Iraq. In the West African country of Liberia, Charles Taylor has been raping and plundering to the point that the United States has demanded his departure from the country to face his War Crimes. Holding tightly to his base of power in Monrovia, a Rebel group has control of two thirds of the country and is crying for help to finish Taylor off.
With the American public not interested in setting foot in another war, especially one in Africa, Security and Logistics Enterprises, Worldwide is offered a contract by Bentz Exploration to provide Security for their mining operation in Northern Liberia. With deep and long connections to power players in the U.S. Government, it’s clear that there is one man perfectly suited to provide Security to Bentz by helping the Rebels organize a push south from Tubmanburg and into Monrovia.
Appearing to be an easy job for Kruger and his associates, things quickly turn for the worse. With three decades of war under his belt, a little kink in the plans opens up an opportunity to drive headlong down the Highway to Hell.
http://www.amazon.com/Task-Force-Intrepid-Highway-ebook/dp/B007QFZXB8/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333569447&sr=1-6
Monday, March 12, 2012
Prologue to TFI-Highway to Hell
In a matter of days, this novella, recalling the past missions of Willem Kruger and other members of Task Force Intrepid will be released for free for 30 days. You will be able to gain access to both The Gold of Katanga and Highway to Hell on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Enjoy
Rhodesia 1979
Operational Area Hurricane
Trooper Willem Kruger loaded into the Alouette Mk-III Helicopter alongside three other men, a machine gunner, carrying a FN MAG and 400 rounds of ammunition, a stop commander with a radio and another Trooper armed with the FN FAL battle rifle like himself.
They lifted off the ground along with three other helicopters carrying identical formations. These soldiers would be part of the first wave of men reacting to a call out against Communist Terrorists invading the borders of Rhodesia. The remaining 16 men would be dropped from a DC-3 they called the Dak.
The call had been sent from a concealed Out Post manned by Reconnaissance Specialists from the Selous Scouts. The insurgency against the Rhodesian people was intensifying each and every day with hordes of ‘gooks’ infiltrating across the borders.
“Nothing to it, Oke. Trust your training and follow our lead,” the powerfully built machine gunner said to Kruger. The men in the chopper knew that Kruger was a new guy and 17 years of age. The vengeance that had pushed him so hard through training was now tempered by the reality of it all. This was his first Fire Force Mission.
The Fire Force would use vertical envelopment on a band of terrorists by locating and encircling the enemy, pushing them into stop groups who would end the lives of men intent on rousting Rhodesia from the Government and giving it to Robert Mugabe. It was a tried and true method that maximized the ability of an outnumbered force to cut down a numerically superior force.
Kruger looked at the ground flying by, the chopper just whisking over the treetops and following the contours of the earth. The chopper pilot flashed his index finger to the men. “One minute.” One minute and he would be in contact. Drills and classrooms were a thing of the past for the time being. He was shaking so bad that he nearly lost his rifle. Focusing and bracing himself he grabbed the rifle tight and looked at the other men. The blank looks on their faces came from having done this dozens of times before.
“There they are,” the machine gunner pointed out to the east. The Alouette landed in formation disgorging the troops who darted out and toward the enemy. They had caught them in a valley with trees and rocky outcrops.
They were too far to start firing their rifles. The RLI demanded that each shot be accounted for and anyone who ran themselves dry without results would be subject to disciplinary action. The stick ran 50 meters to a clump of trees as the chopper lifted off. Rounds starting zinging over their heads. Willem went prone behind the cover of a tree.
“Roger, Roger we have a visual,” the stick leader communicated with the K-car. The K-car was code for the Command and Kill chopper outfitted with dual 20mm cannons that would contain the Terrs until the Dak could drop their men. They would fly high enough to be able to see the movement of all the troops.
“Watch this,” the machine gunner said to Willem. The main body of Terrs were about 200 meters ahead of them hiding in the foliage. Above them the K-car circled and began spitting devastating 20mm fire down on their heads. Willem could see bodies ripped apart and men falling everywhere.
“Alright ouens, skirmish line!” a shout came from a Lieutenant. The 16 troopers spread out and moved forward taking well aimed shots at the scattering terrorists. Staying low and going prone if the rounds started getting close, the stick shot, moved and communicated as a cohesive death machine. In ones and twos, the terrorists died as the Rhodesian Light Infantry moved in bounds, from cover to cover.
Willem shouldered his FN FAL and put his sights on a man who was aiming his AK-47 in his direction. He took to one knee as he felt the wind of bullets flying past him. At that moment there was only one thing in his mind. The primal desire to take revenge for the murder of his family. He drew a bead and slowly broke the trigger. His round went straight and true into the torso of the Terrorist. He stared for a moment. All of the movement and sounds of gunfire around were drowned out. It was just that simple, he thought. The power had changed. He was no longer a victim, he was a soldier.
Rhodesia 1979
Operational Area Hurricane
Trooper Willem Kruger loaded into the Alouette Mk-III Helicopter alongside three other men, a machine gunner, carrying a FN MAG and 400 rounds of ammunition, a stop commander with a radio and another Trooper armed with the FN FAL battle rifle like himself.
They lifted off the ground along with three other helicopters carrying identical formations. These soldiers would be part of the first wave of men reacting to a call out against Communist Terrorists invading the borders of Rhodesia. The remaining 16 men would be dropped from a DC-3 they called the Dak.
The call had been sent from a concealed Out Post manned by Reconnaissance Specialists from the Selous Scouts. The insurgency against the Rhodesian people was intensifying each and every day with hordes of ‘gooks’ infiltrating across the borders.
“Nothing to it, Oke. Trust your training and follow our lead,” the powerfully built machine gunner said to Kruger. The men in the chopper knew that Kruger was a new guy and 17 years of age. The vengeance that had pushed him so hard through training was now tempered by the reality of it all. This was his first Fire Force Mission.
The Fire Force would use vertical envelopment on a band of terrorists by locating and encircling the enemy, pushing them into stop groups who would end the lives of men intent on rousting Rhodesia from the Government and giving it to Robert Mugabe. It was a tried and true method that maximized the ability of an outnumbered force to cut down a numerically superior force.
Kruger looked at the ground flying by, the chopper just whisking over the treetops and following the contours of the earth. The chopper pilot flashed his index finger to the men. “One minute.” One minute and he would be in contact. Drills and classrooms were a thing of the past for the time being. He was shaking so bad that he nearly lost his rifle. Focusing and bracing himself he grabbed the rifle tight and looked at the other men. The blank looks on their faces came from having done this dozens of times before.
“There they are,” the machine gunner pointed out to the east. The Alouette landed in formation disgorging the troops who darted out and toward the enemy. They had caught them in a valley with trees and rocky outcrops.
They were too far to start firing their rifles. The RLI demanded that each shot be accounted for and anyone who ran themselves dry without results would be subject to disciplinary action. The stick ran 50 meters to a clump of trees as the chopper lifted off. Rounds starting zinging over their heads. Willem went prone behind the cover of a tree.
“Roger, Roger we have a visual,” the stick leader communicated with the K-car. The K-car was code for the Command and Kill chopper outfitted with dual 20mm cannons that would contain the Terrs until the Dak could drop their men. They would fly high enough to be able to see the movement of all the troops.
“Watch this,” the machine gunner said to Willem. The main body of Terrs were about 200 meters ahead of them hiding in the foliage. Above them the K-car circled and began spitting devastating 20mm fire down on their heads. Willem could see bodies ripped apart and men falling everywhere.
“Alright ouens, skirmish line!” a shout came from a Lieutenant. The 16 troopers spread out and moved forward taking well aimed shots at the scattering terrorists. Staying low and going prone if the rounds started getting close, the stick shot, moved and communicated as a cohesive death machine. In ones and twos, the terrorists died as the Rhodesian Light Infantry moved in bounds, from cover to cover.
Willem shouldered his FN FAL and put his sights on a man who was aiming his AK-47 in his direction. He took to one knee as he felt the wind of bullets flying past him. At that moment there was only one thing in his mind. The primal desire to take revenge for the murder of his family. He drew a bead and slowly broke the trigger. His round went straight and true into the torso of the Terrorist. He stared for a moment. All of the movement and sounds of gunfire around were drowned out. It was just that simple, he thought. The power had changed. He was no longer a victim, he was a soldier.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Highway to Hell
I've been quiet lately, but I have a novella that I hope will be up within 3 weeks. Got a cover sorted and just finishing up the editing. It is a back story to our main character Willem Kruger and a job he did in Liberia in 2003. The best part for readers besides the story is that it will be absolutely free for 30 days. Stay tuned.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Article on the financing of Rebels and Criminal Syndicates
This is a link to an article that briefly touches on how war is financed in the Eastern DRC. I hope to get more into depth about the Kivu provinces and the worldwide syndicate that works to plunder the DRC. It is a deep and long trail and these type of articles are a primer to go along with my Novel.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201201031157.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201201031157.html
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Red Letter Weekend for TFI
Being the first book I've published, I am experimenting with the market and audiences and finding a way to match up with people who would be my audience. I set a free promotion for Jan 2 for about 6 hours. I had to call a halt at around 200 downloads. The ticker continued the rest of the day and a review went up on Jack Murphy's Reflexive Fire www.reflexivefire.com
Though I missed the profits on those books, I see a bright future for the cast of Task Force Intrepid. A novella should be out within 8 weeks, detailing one of Kruger's missions in 2003 in the Liberian Civil War. Tentatively titled, Hotel Liberia.
Though I missed the profits on those books, I see a bright future for the cast of Task Force Intrepid. A novella should be out within 8 weeks, detailing one of Kruger's missions in 2003 in the Liberian Civil War. Tentatively titled, Hotel Liberia.
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