By Order of the President (Abridged) Audiobook

" This was a new author for me and I am still trying to convince myself that I need to read the next book in the series. A lot of time was spent on character development, like most first books in a series, but this one dragged on and on at times. The next book better wow me! I have to admit that Castillo's Secret Service code name "Don Juan" was a little much. "

" A fun, thrilling ride. Quick paced and well developed and very well read. On the wait list for the next books in the series. "

" I enjoyed the author's "The Corps" series and thought I would give this one a try. I was very disappointed. One of the things that make a book like this work, at least for me, is confidence that the author has done his homework. In this case that means he has done some research on the military, intelligence community and foreign policy organizations. I was shocked right off the bat when Griffin got almost all the military organization facts wrong. First Angola isn't in CENTCOM's territory it's in EUCOM's. There is no Far East Command (at least since circa 1955) it's Pacific Command, Alaska Command is a subcommand of Pacific Command not a regional command. All this and more on page 26. The CIA sub regional chief (what's that?) for Southwest Africa works for Forbes. OK lets say your an expat or local government official in Angola, Namibia or Zambia and someone gets off the plane from Forbes magazine. What is your first thought?? It's Probably, what in God's name is someone from Forbes doing in Angola (Zambia/Botswana/Namibia). How many articles a decade does Forbes write on Namibia?? That's what I call good, common sense, low key cover for the Agency. An Army Major gets shifted from SOF to COS Luanda, yep happens all the time. In fact it doesn't happen, I doubt that it's ever happened. The COS is black, and as the author knows all black people look alike. As a result the COS/Military Attache can go to the airport wearing an old black suit and get away with pretending to be a local driver. The MILATT probably goes to the airport on official business several times a week and knows the management and security personnel on sight and they know him. Putting on a black suit wouldn't help. Our hero checks into a Luanda hotel using his authentic German identity. This is actually a good ploy. Then the author ruins it by having our boy wonder immediately start sending e-mails to contacts in the states. Of course he uses a clever open code along the lines of "tell uncle Bill that aunt Martha will have the package for him". Even the Angolans would figure out he's using an open code in about 30 seconds; even if they didn't know what it meant. Thus making our boy wonder someone of interest to local security. I could go on and on. I am not saying you have to be a National Security Council staffer to write an international thriller but it would be nice if the author spent an hour on the web researching his topic. "

" Screwed up and read this series out of sequence. The first one(this one) wasn't as good as the second of the series. "

" Overall a pretty good book. It has an interesting plot that makes you want to keep reading. It seems like the book is possible, but pretty unrealistic. "

" I thoroughly enjoy the character interplay as well as the action. "

" Authenticity and attention to deatail make Griffin's books amazing reads... "

" Griffin's storytelling is still strong. His characters more contemporary than the older military tales, but they are wonderfully flamboyant and interesting. Great read. "

" I was excited about this when I bought it then stopped reading 20 pages in. Luckily I found it on audio at the library. Great story, dialog and set up for a series. Waaaay too much back story. I don't think I'll be reading or listening to any more of Griffin's books. "

" Very Good; Continuing character: Charley Castillo (first in series); special agent is assigned to track down a stolen plane that appears is planned for use in a terrorist attack against the US "

" I wanted to read this author as he has a large body of work. He's not going to be one of my favorites. Too deep into military and governmental process for me. He's very knowledgeable about the latest (I suppose) gear. For someone who's interested in this sort of thing, I guess it would be good. "

" Gripping and certainly entertaining. . . .the military aspects of the book grabbed me based on my past experiences. "

" The terrorist target seemed highly improbable, many descriptions went on too long, however I expect I'll read another of this author's books sometime soon. Why? Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters. Nuff said. "

" If you have read anything by this author you have read them all. The plot revolves around a highly decorated, brilliant and courageous Delta force officer who can do EVERYTHING needed to right a wrong and save whoever is in distress. "

" Dialog driven, linear story that was different from most spy/military/thriller but enjoyed the writing/banter and it moved, being well paced. "

" A good beginning to the series. I ended up reading the second and third books before I read this one. The main problem with that is that in the second book the author summarized this book in such detail that there were no surprises when I finally read it. "

" A real paage turner. "

" This is a long book, written with incredible detail. The plot is good and current. Sometimes the story included elements that made it drag. I think this is the first WEB Griffin book I've read and it wasn't bad for the genre. "

" The book was good. A little lengthy and a few too much on details for me but overall, it was a good book. "

" Griffin is a very good storyteller, although I grew tired of his language--I guess people really talk a lot more profanely outside our circles. "

" I could not put this down....every page was fantastic....can't wait to get the next one in the series. "

" I like this Presidential Agent series, and you can't go wrong with a novel from W.E.B. Griffin. "

" Too much like a reference manual about the military. Started off interestingly enough with a plane being hijacked and people being murdered, but then digressed into long flashbacks about characters--why? Get on with the story!! "

" excellent. need to get my dad a copy. "

" Audio Book. Cool. Spies, army, the hero is called Don Juan, and he saves the day. Charlie Castillo was special forces in the army and now he is the Secretary of Homeland Security's helper. He gets ordered by the president to find out how all the intel "

" Audio Book. Cool. Spies, army, the hero is called Don Juan, and he saves the day. Charlie Castillo was special forces in the army and now he is the Secretary of Homeland Security's helper. He gets ordered by the president to find out how all the intel "

" Okay, I ordered it because it was a $4.95 special from audible. I think that men who like airplanes and armed forces "pretend" might think it was a fun book, but very superficial with stereotypical characters and not a subtle or credible plot. "

" Griffins books are becoming repetitive "

" This book was just boring me to tears. I kept on and kept on, but couldn't find a reason to finish. I was well beyond half way, but had to put it down. It's my third try at reading WEB G. and I just don't like his style or his books. Sorry, not my cup of tea. "

" A real contrast & come-down from P.D. James, book read just before this. Looking for something with a little more action & thought this might do. Accumulated the series & thought this might be a good time to read it. Definitely a "guy" book, but I slogged on. "

" excellent. need to get my dad a copy. "

" Good start to a series. "

" Tracy and Amaris told me to stop reading so much trash :) so I am easing back into better books with this action/thriller book. Perfect so far for vacation "

" Too much like a reference manual about the military. Started off interestingly enough with a plane being hijacked and people being murdered, but then digressed into long flashbacks about characters--why? Get on with the story!! "

" Another excellent book by one of my favorite authors---I love his writing style---read it years ago "

" my first web griffin novel. suggested by cousin larry. Carlos "charley " Castillo a character easy to folw and likeable. a big thumbs up!!! "

" a dizzying espionage thriller...this was one of my grandfather's favorite books so i read it in his honor. its got a really multi-faceted take on how covert intel works when faced with a crisis. i want to be a spy! "

" If you've read his others and like military books, Just do it! "