Advantages: A good read in the standard MacLean style Disadvantages: Slightly disappointing ending
AlistairMacLean makes his only passage into this 1974 western writing, but before I start for those MacLean fans out there do not worry it is far from a typical western. There are the expected Indians, army, lawmen and villains, but there is none of the gunfights that saturate the normal run of the mill westerns.
Breakheart Pass has all of the elements of the classic MacLean action novels, a strong individual hero, a minor female role, tension and a story that leaves the reader wondering what the role is of each protagonist.
I wouldn't say it is predictable but there are enough hints throughout the novel that if it were a crime novel you could probably work out who had done it. The first time I read this book I was worried that it would turn out to be a repitition of Fear is the Key but in a different setting, but this worry was ...
Advantages: A true tale of tension and suspense Disadvantages: None
One of the all-time classic action thrillers, from one of the best writers in the genre. I am an avid fan of AlistairMacLean as an authour and I am also a big fan of the Burton and Eastwood film. The book is though superior in a number of areas to the film, providing as it does greater detail and slightly differing action at key points of the story.
MacLean returns to one of his most detailed areas to write about, with the book set in the Second World War. This theme can be seen in some of his best works - Guns of Navarone, Force Ten from Navarone, Partisans and San Andreas.
The book starts inside a Lancaster bomber and you are quickly introduced to the main characters in the story - Smith, the leader of the expedition; fellow British soldiers Carraciola, Christainsen, Thomas, Terrance-Smythe and Harrod; as well as token American ...
Advantages: Large number of books of high class action Disadvantages: A few weak links
Rev iew5712174
-Where Eagles Dare (1967) 5 star; WW2 adventure of rescue attempt from impregnable fortress.
http://www.ciao.co.uk/WhereEaglesDareAlistairMacLeanReview 5720132
-Force 10 from Navarone (1968) 4 star; WW2 sequel of sabotage in the Balkans.
-Puppet on a Chain (1969) 4 star; Thriller set in Holland of drug smuggling and murder.
-CaravantoVaccares (1970) 5 star; Cold War adventureset in France of gyspies and murder.
-Bear Island (1971) 4 star; Post WW2 adventure of a movie crew sailing into the Arctic.
-Way to Dusty Death (1973) 3 star; Thriller set in world of Formula 1, accidents and intrigue abound.
-Breakheart Pass (1974) 4 star; MacLean writes a western.
-Circus (1975) 4 star; Cold War thriller of a circus tour of East Germany.
-Golden Gate (1976) 3 star; Novel about the kidnap of the President in San ...
