Review by Jim Bob -- Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater
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- Latest Review: Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater
Review by Jim Bob -- Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater
[Following is a volunteer review of "Conflict on the Yangtze" by Greg Kater.]
Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater is a historical fiction that covers the happenings in the post-world war two China. There is an ongoing civil war in China between the Kuomintang government, the communists and the bandit groups. In order to defeat the communists, the government has entered into pacts with the bandits who provide it with reinforcements to fight the communists. The government in turn protects the bandits in their illegal opium trade. The bandits are planting and processing Opium along the Yangtze River. The Opium is later ferried to other parts of the world like the United States, Philippines and Australia. The Commonwealth Investigation Service has through its spies been tracking the activities of the bandits engaged in the illegal trade. Unfortunately, one of the spies Dan Stafford is shot at and captured while tracking the bandits along Yangtze River. His colleague Lee Drake survives the onslaught. It is this series of events that prompts Johnny Cook, the head of Commonwealth Investigation Service to bring Jamie and Jacko on board in pursuit of their mission, to bring to an end the illegal Opium trade. He hopes that the duo can utilize their bush craft skills to nail down the deadly gang groups.
I enjoyed the history of the ancient China that is captured within the novel. The author discusses the various happenings in China before, during and after world war two. China is a society that is still ailing from the effects of the just ended world war two. Additionally, the author discusses the history of the landmarks buildings and banks in China, the physical sceneries and the elite families. I found such history about China fascinating and educative. I was always looking forward to learning something new about the China society.
Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed is the author’s magnificent use of suspense. Suspense is predominantly used within the novel. For instance, there is suspense when Jamie, Jacko and Lee set on a mission to find out the whereabouts of the gang group that is trading in Opium and has captured Dan Stafford. The suspense is further enhanced by the fact that they are constantly engaged in shooting battles with the members of the gang while travelling along the Yangtze River on ship. The members of the gang group are strategically placed along the river to curtail anybody suspected on plotting fishy missions on the group. The use of suspense increased my desire to learn about the end of the Commonwealth Investigation Service mission to put an end to the illegal activities of the drug lords.
My only low moment in the novel is the fact that the Kuomintang government is allied with the drug lords in the Opium trade. The government is a young government that has been formed after the war to advocate for the interests of the public but is busy colluding with bandits involved in Opium trade. To make matters worse it is sharing in their profits and together, they conspires to against the good citizens. How bad the government can be!
I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars It is properly written and has an amazing content that clearly captures the history of China. I enjoyed the history of the China state. I highly recommend it to all persons interested in historical fictions. The history of the post war china is elaborately explained. However, persons with no interests in historical fictions may try other novels. It is exceptionally well edited.
******
Conflict on the Yangtze
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater is a historical fiction that covers the happenings in the post-world war two China. There is an ongoing civil war in China between the Kuomintang government, the communists and the bandit groups. In order to defeat the communists, the government has entered into pacts with the bandits who provide it with reinforcements to fight the communists. The government in turn protects the bandits in their illegal opium trade. The bandits are planting and processing Opium along the Yangtze River. The Opium is later ferried to other parts of the world like the United States, Philippines and Australia. The Commonwealth Investigation Service has through its spies been tracking the activities of the bandits engaged in the illegal trade. Unfortunately, one of the spies Dan Stafford is shot at and captured while tracking the bandits along Yangtze River. His colleague Lee Drake survives the onslaught. It is this series of events that prompts Johnny Cook, the head of Commonwealth Investigation Service to bring Jamie and Jacko on board in pursuit of their mission, to bring to an end the illegal Opium trade. He hopes that the duo can utilize their bush craft skills to nail down the deadly gang groups.
I enjoyed the history of the ancient China that is captured within the novel. The author discusses the various happenings in China before, during and after world war two. China is a society that is still ailing from the effects of the just ended world war two. Additionally, the author discusses the history of the landmarks buildings and banks in China, the physical sceneries and the elite families. I found such history about China fascinating and educative. I was always looking forward to learning something new about the China society.
Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed is the author’s magnificent use of suspense. Suspense is predominantly used within the novel. For instance, there is suspense when Jamie, Jacko and Lee set on a mission to find out the whereabouts of the gang group that is trading in Opium and has captured Dan Stafford. The suspense is further enhanced by the fact that they are constantly engaged in shooting battles with the members of the gang while travelling along the Yangtze River on ship. The members of the gang group are strategically placed along the river to curtail anybody suspected on plotting fishy missions on the group. The use of suspense increased my desire to learn about the end of the Commonwealth Investigation Service mission to put an end to the illegal activities of the drug lords.
My only low moment in the novel is the fact that the Kuomintang government is allied with the drug lords in the Opium trade. The government is a young government that has been formed after the war to advocate for the interests of the public but is busy colluding with bandits involved in Opium trade. To make matters worse it is sharing in their profits and together, they conspires to against the good citizens. How bad the government can be!
I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars It is properly written and has an amazing content that clearly captures the history of China. I enjoyed the history of the China state. I highly recommend it to all persons interested in historical fictions. The history of the post war china is elaborately explained. However, persons with no interests in historical fictions may try other novels. It is exceptionally well edited.
******
Conflict on the Yangtze
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater
