From Publishers Weekly Mayer follow up Eyes of the Hammer with a pulsing techno-thriller set in June 1989. As Chinese students are dying in Tiananmen Square, the U.S. stages Dragon SIM-13--a routine computer exercise involving a simulated Special Forces raid on a Chinese oil pipeline. But the program has been written by Doctor Meng, a refugee determined to strike a blow against his onetime tormentors in Beijing, and Sgt. Dave Riley and his Green Beret A-team find themselves actually in China, confronting disaster when a helicopter crash leaves half the men stranded in hostile territory. Mayer, an expert on special warfare operations, convincingly presents a situation in which no one in authority can quite believe the sudden connection between computer screens and real life. He equally successfully demonstrates how lower-echelon uncritical obedience to orders can make sense individually but add up to absurdity. The book's greatest strength, however, is its story line. In particular, the final rescue mission--featuring a hotshot female helicopter pilot--is a nail-biter in the best tradition of adventure fiction. Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Meng, a Chinese computer expert working for a top-secret American facility at Fort Meade, specializes in simulation activities for Special Forces. When he decides to make simulated Dragon SIM-13 real, the buttons he pushes set up an elaborate invasion of mainland China to destroy an oil pipeline. Captains Mitchell and Riley head the team flying in on two helicopters. When one of the helicopters crashes, the repercussions are enormous--no one in the States knows about a real invasion, except Meng; and very few in the Far East have any knowledge. A daring rescue by pilot Jean Long, wife of Mitchell, produces a climax with enough suspense and action to satisfy the most jaded of thriller fans. The author of Eyes of the Hammer delivers another rousing tale. - Robert H. Dona hugh, formerly with Youngstown & Mahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. The Green Beret Series: Eyes of the Hammer Dragon Sim-13 Synbat Cut Out Eternity Base Z