Global Predator by Jack MacLean

The use of drones is highly controversial.  This author takes that current controversy and turns it into an entertaining novel.   The unlikely combination of a talented financial dilettante and a dewy eyed altruist provide the two main characters.   The stage is the Swat valley, an administrative district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. 

The book provides a modicum of hope through the portrayal of the bulk of the Taliban and al-qaeda as regional thugs more focused on local religious control rather than global domination.  The local people are more enlightened than normally seen in TV and  book portrayals.   They want education for their kids, not just their male children but their female children as well.

The financial aspects were interesting.  The lack of moral values in financial traders seemed a bit stereo-typical.  Wilkins was not likeable, even when he was doing something that ended up good.   Self centered egotism is far too mild a description for his character.   Sally seemed very realistic.   Noting the people willing to put their lives on the line with the Ebola crisis, it isn't a stretch to see Sally willing to do the same.

The use of the Predators and their targeting foibles certainly supports the Humint factors in the government.   All too often what you see isn't actually what you think you see.

The book provided some thought provoking moments.

I recommend the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.