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The Profession
Master storyteller and bestselling author Steven Pressfield returns with a stunning, chillinglyplausible near-future thriller about the rise of a privately financed and global military industrial complex.
The year is 2032. The third Iran-Iraq war is over; the 11/11 dirty bomb attack on the port of Long Beach, California is receding into memory; Saudi Arabia has recently quelled a coup; Russians and Turks are clashing in the Caspian Basin; Iranian armored units, supported by the satellite and drone power of their Chinese allies, have emerged from their enclaves in Tehran and are sweeping south attempting to recapture the resource rich territory stolen from them, in their view, by Lukoil, BP, and ExxonMobil and their privately-funded armies.
Everywhere, military force is for hire. Oil companies, multi-national corporations and banks employ powerful, cutting-edge mercenary armies to control global chaos and protect their riches. Even nation states enlist mercenary forces to suppress internal insurrections, hunt terrorists, and do the black bag jobs necessary to maintain the new New World Order.
Force Insertion is the world's merc monopoly. Its leader is the disgraced former United States Marine General James Salter, stripped of his command by the president for nuclear saber-rattling with the Chinese and banished to the Far East. A grandmaster military and political strategist, Salter plans to take vengeance on those responsible for his exile and then come home...as Commander in Chief. The only man who can stop him is Gilbert "Gent" Gentilhomme, Salter's most loyal foot soldier, who launches a desperate mission to take out his mentor and save the United States from self destruction.
Infused with a staggering breadth of research in military tactics and steeped in the timeless themes of the honor and valor of men at war that distinguish all of Pressfield’s fiction, The Profession is that rare novel that informs and challenges the reader almost as much as it entertains.
The year is 2032. The third Iran-Iraq war is over; the 11/11 dirty bomb attack on the port of Long Beach, California is receding into memory; Saudi Arabia has recently quelled a coup; Russians and Turks are clashing in the Caspian Basin; Iranian armored units, supported by the satellite and drone power of their Chinese allies, have emerged from their enclaves in Tehran and are sweeping south attempting to recapture the resource rich territory stolen from them, in their view, by Lukoil, BP, and ExxonMobil and their privately-funded armies.
Everywhere, military force is for hire. Oil companies, multi-national corporations and banks employ powerful, cutting-edge mercenary armies to control global chaos and protect their riches. Even nation states enlist mercenary forces to suppress internal insurrections, hunt terrorists, and do the black bag jobs necessary to maintain the new New World Order.
Force Insertion is the world's merc monopoly. Its leader is the disgraced former United States Marine General James Salter, stripped of his command by the president for nuclear saber-rattling with the Chinese and banished to the Far East. A grandmaster military and political strategist, Salter plans to take vengeance on those responsible for his exile and then come home...as Commander in Chief. The only man who can stop him is Gilbert "Gent" Gentilhomme, Salter's most loyal foot soldier, who launches a desperate mission to take out his mentor and save the United States from self destruction.
Infused with a staggering breadth of research in military tactics and steeped in the timeless themes of the honor and valor of men at war that distinguish all of Pressfield’s fiction, The Profession is that rare novel that informs and challenges the reader almost as much as it entertains.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published June 14, 2011
184 people are currently reading
1191 people want to read
About the author
Steven Pressfield
90 books5,854 followersI was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1943 to a Navy father and mother.
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place again."
Forty years later, to my surprise and gratification, I am far more closely bound to the young men of the Marine Corps and to all other dirt-eating, ground-pounding outfits than I could ever have imagined.
GATES OF FIRE is one reason. Dog-eared paperbacks of this tale of the ancient Spartans have circulated throughout platoons of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since the first days of the invasions. E-mails come in by hundreds. GATES OF FIRE is on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Reading list. It is taught at West Point and Annapolis and at the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico. TIDES OF WAR is on the curriculum of the Naval War College.
From 2nd Battalion/6th Marines, which calls itself "the Spartans," to ODA 316 of the Special Forces, whose forearms are tattooed with the lambda of Lakedaemon, today's young warriors find a bond to their ancient precursors in the historical narratives of these novels.
My struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in my 2002 book, THE WAR OF ART.
I have worked as an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout and attendant in a mental hospital. I have picked fruit in Washington state and written screenplays in Tinseltown.
With the publication of THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE in 1995, I became a writer of books once and for all.
My writing philosophy is, not surprisingly, a kind of warrior code — internal rather than external — in which the enemy is identified as those forms of self-sabotage that I have labeled "Resistance" with a capital R (in THE WAR OF ART) and the technique for combatting these foes can be described as "turning pro."
I believe in previous lives.
I believe in the Muse.
I believe that books and music exist before they are written and that they are propelled into material being by their own imperative to be born, via the offices of those willing servants of discipline, imagination and inspiration, whom we call artists. My conception of the artist's role is a combination of reverence for the unknowable nature of "where it all comes from" and a no-nonsense, blue-collar demystification of the process by which this mystery is approached. In other words, a paradox.
There's a recurring character in my books named Telamon, a mercenary of ancient days. Telamon doesn't say much. He rarely gets hurt or wounded. And he never seems to age. His view of the profession of arms is a lot like my conception of art and the artist:
"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place again."
Forty years later, to my surprise and gratification, I am far more closely bound to the young men of the Marine Corps and to all other dirt-eating, ground-pounding outfits than I could ever have imagined.
GATES OF FIRE is one reason. Dog-eared paperbacks of this tale of the ancient Spartans have circulated throughout platoons of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since the first days of the invasions. E-mails come in by hundreds. GATES OF FIRE is on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Reading list. It is taught at West Point and Annapolis and at the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico. TIDES OF WAR is on the curriculum of the Naval War College.
From 2nd Battalion/6th Marines, which calls itself "the Spartans," to ODA 316 of the Special Forces, whose forearms are tattooed with the lambda of Lakedaemon, today's young warriors find a bond to their ancient precursors in the historical narratives of these novels.
My struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in my 2002 book, THE WAR OF ART.
I have worked as an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout and attendant in a mental hospital. I have picked fruit in Washington state and written screenplays in Tinseltown.
With the publication of THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE in 1995, I became a writer of books once and for all.
My writing philosophy is, not surprisingly, a kind of warrior code — internal rather than external — in which the enemy is identified as those forms of self-sabotage that I have labeled "Resistance" with a capital R (in THE WAR OF ART) and the technique for combatting these foes can be described as "turning pro."
I believe in previous lives.
I believe in the Muse.
I believe that books and music exist before they are written and that they are propelled into material being by their own imperative to be born, via the offices of those willing servants of discipline, imagination and inspiration, whom we call artists. My conception of the artist's role is a combination of reverence for the unknowable nature of "where it all comes from" and a no-nonsense, blue-collar demystification of the process by which this mystery is approached. In other words, a paradox.
There's a recurring character in my books named Telamon, a mercenary of ancient days. Telamon doesn't say much. He rarely gets hurt or wounded. And he never seems to age. His view of the profession of arms is a lot like my conception of art and the artist:
"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."
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October 22, 2017
Τα βιβλία του Steven Pressfield που είχα διαβάσει παλαιότερα, είναι ως επι το πλείστον ιστορικά και έχουν την αρχαία Ελλάδα ως βάση της ιστορίας τους.
Το συγκεκριμμένο κινείται σε διαφορετικό χρονικό πλαίσιο, στο μέλλον και ο κύριος άξονάς του, ειναι ο Τζίλμπερτ και τα διαφορά παιχνίδια πολέμου και στρατηγικής στα οποία εμπλέκεται, είτε αρχικά ως πεζοναύτης, είτε ως μισθοφόρος πολεμιστής στη συνέχεια.
Συστήνεται σε όσους αρέσουν ιδιαιτέρως τα παιχνίδια στρατηγικής και πολέμου..
Το συγκεκριμμένο κινείται σε διαφορετικό χρονικό πλαίσιο, στο μέλλον και ο κύριος άξονάς του, ειναι ο Τζίλμπερτ και τα διαφορά παιχνίδια πολέμου και στρατηγικής στα οποία εμπλέκεται, είτε αρχικά ως πεζοναύτης, είτε ως μισθοφόρος πολεμιστής στη συνέχεια.
Συστήνεται σε όσους αρέσουν ιδιαιτέρως τα παιχνίδια στρατηγικής και πολέμου..
December 29, 2018
This stand-alone novel by the author Steven Pressfield is in my opinion a fantastic futurity story.
Story-telling is of a superb quality from the author, and all the characters come splendidly to life within this tale of war, politics, greed and loyalty.
Also is this story very well written and is the storyline perfectly worked out, and thus making this book such a treat to read.
The story is set in the year 2032, and this futurity tale will show us how the world may look like, and how people and/or countries alike will behave and act between themselves, when important assets, sources and governments are under threat from a powerful leader of men.
The book is divided into seven parts, and the first sets off in August 2032 with the Third Iran-Iraq War fully raging, and in where our main character and narrator, Gilbert "Gent" Gentilhomme, and his men are in the thick of the action, while being supervised and directed under the overall General Command of former US Marine General James Salter, and his merc Force Insertion.
What will follow in the rest of the book is a tour-de-force for Gent to serve and obey his mentor and leader General Salter, but ultimately Gent will have to make to most difficult decision of his life if he wants to preserve the world from chaos, and at the same time to try to save his honour, integrity and his identity.
Really recommended, for this is a tremendous story which is written in a great style and brought to us with verve, and that's why I call this book: "An Absorbing Futurity Political War Story"!
Story-telling is of a superb quality from the author, and all the characters come splendidly to life within this tale of war, politics, greed and loyalty.
Also is this story very well written and is the storyline perfectly worked out, and thus making this book such a treat to read.
The story is set in the year 2032, and this futurity tale will show us how the world may look like, and how people and/or countries alike will behave and act between themselves, when important assets, sources and governments are under threat from a powerful leader of men.
The book is divided into seven parts, and the first sets off in August 2032 with the Third Iran-Iraq War fully raging, and in where our main character and narrator, Gilbert "Gent" Gentilhomme, and his men are in the thick of the action, while being supervised and directed under the overall General Command of former US Marine General James Salter, and his merc Force Insertion.
What will follow in the rest of the book is a tour-de-force for Gent to serve and obey his mentor and leader General Salter, but ultimately Gent will have to make to most difficult decision of his life if he wants to preserve the world from chaos, and at the same time to try to save his honour, integrity and his identity.
Really recommended, for this is a tremendous story which is written in a great style and brought to us with verve, and that's why I call this book: "An Absorbing Futurity Political War Story"!
September 4, 2017
Θεματολογία Πρέσφιλντ διαφορετική από τη συνηθισμένη της αρχαίας Ελλάδας, αλλά βασισμένη πάλι σε πολεμικές συρράξεις... Σε ένα φουτουριστικό σκηνικό, όχι ιδιαίτερα διαφορετικό από το δικό μας, αποδεικνύεται ότι τα πάντα ορίζονται από το χρήμα, ακόμα και τα ιδανικά, οι κυβερνήσεις, το τι είναι αποδεκτό και τι όχι... και για τους οραματιστές τι είναι αυτό που τελικά απομένει; Μια ακόμα αντιπολεμική ελεγεία με ισχυρές δόσεις συμβιβασμού!
Προτείνετε σε όσους αρέσει η στρατηγική και η πολιτική!
Προτείνετε σε όσους αρέσει η στρατηγική και η πολιτική!
May 31, 2011
Set about 20 years into the future, this novel depicts a changed world, where privately funded mercenary armies take the place of national armed forces for handling certain types of conflicts. The author presents some nice imagery that reconciles the climactic ending with the novel’s introductory paragraphs. I liked that very much. And the best part is, the outcome is not what I was expecting as a reader, which leaves open the possibility of this work serving as the start of a series. I think I would enjoy continuing to read the saga of Gent, the marine-turned-mercenary protagonist, as he resumes his mission of taking down the love-him-or-hate-him man who made him who he is. If only the author allows it to happen!
Read
February 19, 2020Did not finish
September 6, 2024
Steven Pressfield, jumps (at the time 21 years; now 8 years) into the future to examine a mercenary world that resembles both 2024 and imperials Rome; a pretty good tale.
August 8, 2016
Βαθμολογία: 7/10
Αν και στην βιβλιοθήκη μου έχω το πιο γνωστό του και ίσως το καλύτερό του μυθιστόρημα, το "Οι πύλες της φωτιάς", προτίμησα η πρώτη μου επαφή με το έργο του συγγραφέα να είναι το "Ο επαγγελματίας", ένα στρατιωτικό θρίλερ που διαδραματίζεται στο άμεσο μέλλον. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι το βιβλίο με κούρασε. Γενικά μου αρέσουν οι στρατιωτικές περιπέτειες -δεν με ξετρελαίνουν ακριβώς, σίγουρα όμως με ψυχαγωγούν-, αλλά στην περίπτωση αυτή δεν μπορώ να πω ότι πέρασα και πάρα πολύ καλά. Περίμενα κάτι καλύτερο, κάτι με περισσότερο βάθος.
Δεν θα γράψω περίληψη, γιατί συμβαίνουν κάμποσα πράγματα, και δεν μπορώ να αναφέρω περιληπτικά σε λίγες γραμμές τι γίνεται. Άλλωστε υπάρχει μια ικανοποιητική περίληψη στο οπισθόφυλλο της ελληνικής έκδοσης. Ο συγγραφέας μας περιγράφει ένα δραματικό μέλλον γύρω από την πολιτική, τις στρατιωτικές επιχειρήσεις, το πετρέλαιο και τις πολυεθνικές. Έχουμε ιδιωτικούς στρατούς, ένα κάρο μισθοφόρους με λίγες ηθικές αξίες, ανθρώπους που θέλουν τα πάντα με οποιοδήποτε τρόπο, ΜΜΕ που παίζουν το παιχνίδι στρατιωτικών, πολιτικών και πολυεθνικών, και πάει λέγοντας. Και στην μέση βρίσκονται απλοί άνθρωποι, σε Ασία, Αφρική κλπ, που υπομένουν τα παιχνίδια πολέμου των μεγάλων.
Κάποια από τα παραπάνω ισχύουν δυστυχώς και στις μέρες μας, κάποια άλλα είναι πιθανόν να γίνουν στο άμεσο μέλλον. Όλα αυτά που περιγράφει ο Πρέσφιλντ δεν είναι καθόλου απίθανα, αν και ορισμένα από αυτά μου φάνηκαν λιγάκι υπερβολικά και όχι τόσο τεκμηριωμένα. Το θέμα είναι ότι το βιβλίο μου φάνηκε σε πολλά σημεία κάπως ρηχό, ακόμα και πληκτικό. Δεν ένιωσα πουθενά να ανεβαίνουν οι σφυγμοί, να νιώθω άγχος για την συνέχεια, να αγωνιώ για τους χαρακτήρες ή τα τεκταινόμενα. Οι χαρακτήρες: Επίπεδοι και μονοδιάστατοι, χωρίς βάθος. Εντελώς, όμως. Δεν λέω να μου αναλύσει τον πρωταγωνιστικό χαρακτήρα σε διακόσιες σελίδες, αλλά ρε φίλε κάνε με να ενδιαφερθώ λιγάκι γι'αυτόν. Επίσης η γραφή δεν με ξετρέλανε. Πολύ μπλα γύρω από οπλικά συστήματα και άλλα στρατιωτικής φύσεως θέματα και βιαστικές περιγραφές γεγονότων και τοπίων. Οι χαρακτήρες πήγαιναν από το ένα μέρος στο άλλο μέσα σε μια σελίδα, μια ανάσα δεν έπαιρναν. Δεν δέθηκα με κανένα μέρος και με κανέναν χαρακτήρα.
Το βιβλίο, φυσικά, απευθύνεται μόνο σε όσους γουστάρουν πολεμικές και στρατιωτικές περιπέτειες. Αλλά ακόμα και αυτοί μπορεί να απογοητευτούν. Κακό βιβλίο δεν είναι, η ματιά του συγγραφέα στο μέλλον έχει το ενδιαφέρον της και διαβάζεται γρήγορα, αλλά θα ήθελα μεγαλύτερη τεκμηρίωση, πιο πειστικές και με μεγαλύτερο βάθος περιγραφές των πολιτικών και στρατιωτικών διαδικασιών. Επίσης: Καλύτερους χαρακτήρες, λιγότερο μπλα μπλα, καλύτερες περιγραφές καταστάσεων και τοπίων. Εννοείται πως θα υπάρξει συνέχεια με τον συγγραφέα, όχι μόνο με το "Οι πύλες της φωτιάς", αλλά και με άλλα βιβλία του.
Αν και στην βιβλιοθήκη μου έχω το πιο γνωστό του και ίσως το καλύτερό του μυθιστόρημα, το "Οι πύλες της φωτιάς", προτίμησα η πρώτη μου επαφή με το έργο του συγγραφέα να είναι το "Ο επαγγελματίας", ένα στρατιωτικό θρίλερ που διαδραματίζεται στο άμεσο μέλλον. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι το βιβλίο με κούρασε. Γενικά μου αρέσουν οι στρατιωτικές περιπέτειες -δεν με ξετρελαίνουν ακριβώς, σίγουρα όμως με ψυχαγωγούν-, αλλά στην περίπτωση αυτή δεν μπορώ να πω ότι πέρασα και πάρα πολύ καλά. Περίμενα κάτι καλύτερο, κάτι με περισσότερο βάθος.
Δεν θα γράψω περίληψη, γιατί συμβαίνουν κάμποσα πράγματα, και δεν μπορώ να αναφέρω περιληπτικά σε λίγες γραμμές τι γίνεται. Άλλωστε υπάρχει μια ικανοποιητική περίληψη στο οπισθόφυλλο της ελληνικής έκδοσης. Ο συγγραφέας μας περιγράφει ένα δραματικό μέλλον γύρω από την πολιτική, τις στρατιωτικές επιχειρήσεις, το πετρέλαιο και τις πολυεθνικές. Έχουμε ιδιωτικούς στρατούς, ένα κάρο μισθοφόρους με λίγες ηθικές αξίες, ανθρώπους που θέλουν τα πάντα με οποιοδήποτε τρόπο, ΜΜΕ που παίζουν το παιχνίδι στρατιωτικών, πολιτικών και πολυεθνικών, και πάει λέγοντας. Και στην μέση βρίσκονται απλοί άνθρωποι, σε Ασία, Αφρική κλπ, που υπομένουν τα παιχνίδια πολέμου των μεγάλων.
Κάποια από τα παραπάνω ισχύουν δυστυχώς και στις μέρες μας, κάποια άλλα είναι πιθανόν να γίνουν στο άμεσο μέλλον. Όλα αυτά που περιγράφει ο Πρέσφιλντ δεν είναι καθόλου απίθανα, αν και ορισμένα από αυτά μου φάνηκαν λιγάκι υπερβολικά και όχι τόσο τεκμηριωμένα. Το θέμα είναι ότι το βιβλίο μου φάνηκε σε πολλά σημεία κάπως ρηχό, ακόμα και πληκτικό. Δεν ένιωσα πουθενά να ανεβαίνουν οι σφυγμοί, να νιώθω άγχος για την συνέχεια, να αγωνιώ για τους χαρακτήρες ή τα τεκταινόμενα. Οι χαρακτήρες: Επίπεδοι και μονοδιάστατοι, χωρίς βάθος. Εντελώς, όμως. Δεν λέω να μου αναλύσει τον πρωταγωνιστικό χαρακτήρα σε διακόσιες σελίδες, αλλά ρε φίλε κάνε με να ενδιαφερθώ λιγάκι γι'αυτόν. Επίσης η γραφή δεν με ξετρέλανε. Πολύ μπλα γύρω από οπλικά συστήματα και άλλα στρατιωτικής φύσεως θέματα και βιαστικές περιγραφές γεγονότων και τοπίων. Οι χαρακτήρες πήγαιναν από το ένα μέρος στο άλλο μέσα σε μια σελίδα, μια ανάσα δεν έπαιρναν. Δεν δέθηκα με κανένα μέρος και με κανέναν χαρακτήρα.
Το βιβλίο, φυσικά, απευθύνεται μόνο σε όσους γουστάρουν πολεμικές και στρατιωτικές περιπέτειες. Αλλά ακόμα και αυτοί μπορεί να απογοητευτούν. Κακό βιβλίο δεν είναι, η ματιά του συγγραφέα στο μέλλον έχει το ενδιαφέρον της και διαβάζεται γρήγορα, αλλά θα ήθελα μεγαλύτερη τεκμηρίωση, πιο πειστικές και με μεγαλύτερο βάθος περιγραφές των πολιτικών και στρατιωτικών διαδικασιών. Επίσης: Καλύτερους χαρακτήρες, λιγότερο μπλα μπλα, καλύτερες περιγραφές καταστάσεων και τοπίων. Εννοείται πως θα υπάρξει συνέχεια με τον συγγραφέα, όχι μόνο με το "Οι πύλες της φωτιάς", αλλά και με άλλα βιβλία του.
March 4, 2014
I'm giving The Profession 4 Stars even though it had plenty of flaws. It was just fantastic SOF-porn, full of military jargon and operations way out on the edge of warfare in the near-future. Some really interesting extrapolations of military equipment and operations while still incorporating plenty of what is familiar. Corporations and news organizations are somewhat familiar with believable merged partners. Characters are just not filled out as much as they needed to be. But the action never stops and so many twists in the plot...I was hooked to the end.
Plot: The US has pretty much withdrawn from world-wide deployments with boots on the ground. Now mercenary armies handle most conflicts, hired by corporations and governments. The big dog in merc corporations is Force Insertion, run by a cashiered USMC general. The general has big plans and his men are devoted to both him and the money. Oil supplies are the main focus of Force Insertion's operations. Ending:
Plot: The US has pretty much withdrawn from world-wide deployments with boots on the ground. Now mercenary armies handle most conflicts, hired by corporations and governments. The big dog in merc corporations is Force Insertion, run by a cashiered USMC general. The general has big plans and his men are devoted to both him and the money. Oil supplies are the main focus of Force Insertion's operations. Ending:
August 6, 2016
Steven Pressfield gathered acclaim for his novel Gates of Fire (among other works). There, he tells the militaristic tale of the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. In The Profession: A Thriller, Pressfield hits fast forward to the near future. It's still a mess of oil, sand, Islam, and mass media. His twist is the evolution of warfare to private armies – the good old mercenary.
The book centers on Gilbert "Gent" Gentilhomme, an accomplished ex-marine from cajun country who rides the literally bleeding edge of Force Insertion, a mercenary conglomerate that makes real world Black Water look like a lemonade stand. Gent is the best of the best, a stand out who glides through terrifying combat action and ethnic strife. Gent narrates in the present tense, adding to the kinetic flair. Pressfield's flashbacks work well as Gent reveals his history with one General Salter, his lifetime leader and mentor.
With Gent, we begin to side with Salter, an apparently principled soul who defies bureaucrats in Washington to do the right thing in Eastern Africa. Pressfield's heart-wrenching details give the novel punch, setting up up a tense, engrossing first half of the novel. Here, he creates plausible situations, tense action, and sympathetic reactions.
Less punchy is Gent's relationship with his estranged wife, A.D. She's a tenacious reporter, a cross between Christiane Amanpour and Lara Logan (complete with South African background, a la Logan). It's clear Gent's still smitten, but she's after her next big story. What's much less clear is why she leaves Gent in the lurch at a crucial point. It's the single biggest head-scratcher in the novel, and comes at an absolutely critical point in the story.
From events in eastern Africa, the novel builds skillfully to an incredible, implausible climax. The larger-than-life Gen. Salter, thrusts himself and his mercenary super army into the role of American Caesar. It puts Gent into a frantic realization he's propped up the elite who will dismantle the United States Constitution and with it the republic. Gent comes to this realization too late, uncovering gruesome conspiracy inside the Beltway. He's party to Salter's rise to power, believing more in a near-mystical warrior poet ethic than any liberal values he once fought for.
The inevitable confrontation between soldiers gives lie to Gent's penchant for superstition, visions of himself as an ancient warrior on an ancient battlefield. Somehow, amid the hyper-real setting, the visions aren't bunk.
Throughout the novel, Pressfield tosses in amusing commentary as color for his near-future landscape. Digital media is ubiquitous, subsuming information brands with The New York Google Times, and a hint of Amazon store fronts. He imagines the macho life of future mercenary warriors, rich with enough details to please military fiction aficionados. And, despite a relatively tidy cast of characters manipulating complex oil markets and the fickle U.S. electorate, the future is a well-realized home for Gent.
If Pressfield's biggest sin here is flying to close to the sun with a over-reaching plot, the story survives (Gent's wife's baffling turn is part and parcel of the big event). Gent's perspective and the well-paced chapters are a pleasure, and I happily recommend the book. Pressfield can definitely do thrillers.
The book centers on Gilbert "Gent" Gentilhomme, an accomplished ex-marine from cajun country who rides the literally bleeding edge of Force Insertion, a mercenary conglomerate that makes real world Black Water look like a lemonade stand. Gent is the best of the best, a stand out who glides through terrifying combat action and ethnic strife. Gent narrates in the present tense, adding to the kinetic flair. Pressfield's flashbacks work well as Gent reveals his history with one General Salter, his lifetime leader and mentor.
With Gent, we begin to side with Salter, an apparently principled soul who defies bureaucrats in Washington to do the right thing in Eastern Africa. Pressfield's heart-wrenching details give the novel punch, setting up up a tense, engrossing first half of the novel. Here, he creates plausible situations, tense action, and sympathetic reactions.
Less punchy is Gent's relationship with his estranged wife, A.D. She's a tenacious reporter, a cross between Christiane Amanpour and Lara Logan (complete with South African background, a la Logan). It's clear Gent's still smitten, but she's after her next big story. What's much less clear is why she leaves Gent in the lurch at a crucial point. It's the single biggest head-scratcher in the novel, and comes at an absolutely critical point in the story.
From events in eastern Africa, the novel builds skillfully to an incredible, implausible climax. The larger-than-life Gen. Salter, thrusts himself and his mercenary super army into the role of American Caesar. It puts Gent into a frantic realization he's propped up the elite who will dismantle the United States Constitution and with it the republic. Gent comes to this realization too late, uncovering gruesome conspiracy inside the Beltway. He's party to Salter's rise to power, believing more in a near-mystical warrior poet ethic than any liberal values he once fought for.
The inevitable confrontation between soldiers gives lie to Gent's penchant for superstition, visions of himself as an ancient warrior on an ancient battlefield. Somehow, amid the hyper-real setting, the visions aren't bunk.
Throughout the novel, Pressfield tosses in amusing commentary as color for his near-future landscape. Digital media is ubiquitous, subsuming information brands with The New York Google Times, and a hint of Amazon store fronts. He imagines the macho life of future mercenary warriors, rich with enough details to please military fiction aficionados. And, despite a relatively tidy cast of characters manipulating complex oil markets and the fickle U.S. electorate, the future is a well-realized home for Gent.
If Pressfield's biggest sin here is flying to close to the sun with a over-reaching plot, the story survives (Gent's wife's baffling turn is part and parcel of the big event). Gent's perspective and the well-paced chapters are a pleasure, and I happily recommend the book. Pressfield can definitely do thrillers.
July 10, 2012
Before i started to write my review I just had a look at the other ratings. While I may be the lowest, I was gratified to see how many others rated this work so low.
It is an analogy for Caesar and the author in the ends admits it. But there is something different here. The author who sells well, forgot that Caesar crossed the Rubicon.
Thinking we can use what will be prevalent in technology and communications in 20 years, that Rubicon moment is gone and populism is what it is all about.
So I have problems with the entire story. It is about 322 pages long. I got an Uncorrected Proof copy to review. When Sadat was clearly spelled wrong that put me off for a while since so often Pressfield was trying to be brainy by telling us what the world will be like in 20 years.
The reason I mention how long the book is, is because so much of the time we are dealing with back story. Way too much. And again on the brainy side, too often we are cited battles and generals of the ancient world where Pressfield has perviously shined. (Stay there. This modern analogy was terrible)
What also detracts is long, really long, exceedingly long paragraphs. Think of all you have read in this review till now, doubled, and doubled again as one paragraph. I fell asleep for lifetimes while reading them.
Were they important to the plot. No. Since most were backstory. An adage for writers is to start the story as close to the action as necessary. This was not. And since we are talking Caesar and his story about crossing the Rubicon, our narrator is someone like Brutus, and so, why do I care to listen to Brutus tell me about his life, when the hero is Caesar, whom Brutus feels is a cop out, but we hear more about Brutus' life along the way.
Do I want to be sympathetic to Brutus? Do I want to hear about an America that has lost its touch to reality so much that it would willingly renege on the Constitution.
Wait, Suspend My Disbelief!!! I do that in a lot of stories, but if I am going to do that here, make it a credible reason to do so. Thinking about Pressfield's future world, nope. Can't do it. Can't even buy these super mercenary armies that he builds up with a little but of Socratic logic.
So, long boring paragraphs that make you sleep. Half the book backstory for not the true focus, an analogy that is not complete, and then my disbelief is still with me. Not a reread. And as for stories that are analogies to Caesar. There are others and done better.
It is an analogy for Caesar and the author in the ends admits it. But there is something different here. The author who sells well, forgot that Caesar crossed the Rubicon.
Thinking we can use what will be prevalent in technology and communications in 20 years, that Rubicon moment is gone and populism is what it is all about.
So I have problems with the entire story. It is about 322 pages long. I got an Uncorrected Proof copy to review. When Sadat was clearly spelled wrong that put me off for a while since so often Pressfield was trying to be brainy by telling us what the world will be like in 20 years.
The reason I mention how long the book is, is because so much of the time we are dealing with back story. Way too much. And again on the brainy side, too often we are cited battles and generals of the ancient world where Pressfield has perviously shined. (Stay there. This modern analogy was terrible)
What also detracts is long, really long, exceedingly long paragraphs. Think of all you have read in this review till now, doubled, and doubled again as one paragraph. I fell asleep for lifetimes while reading them.
Were they important to the plot. No. Since most were backstory. An adage for writers is to start the story as close to the action as necessary. This was not. And since we are talking Caesar and his story about crossing the Rubicon, our narrator is someone like Brutus, and so, why do I care to listen to Brutus tell me about his life, when the hero is Caesar, whom Brutus feels is a cop out, but we hear more about Brutus' life along the way.
Do I want to be sympathetic to Brutus? Do I want to hear about an America that has lost its touch to reality so much that it would willingly renege on the Constitution.
Wait, Suspend My Disbelief!!! I do that in a lot of stories, but if I am going to do that here, make it a credible reason to do so. Thinking about Pressfield's future world, nope. Can't do it. Can't even buy these super mercenary armies that he builds up with a little but of Socratic logic.
So, long boring paragraphs that make you sleep. Half the book backstory for not the true focus, an analogy that is not complete, and then my disbelief is still with me. Not a reread. And as for stories that are analogies to Caesar. There are others and done better.
April 15, 2011
In a near-future world where governments have outsourced war to a wide-flung network of military contractors, a mercenary with an uncanny connection to warriors of the past finds himself caught up in a former mentor's plans to become a modern emperor.
The Profession is fast-paced, scarily well-thought-out, and as erudite as you'd expect from someone whose previous work includes a novel about Thermopylae. At the same time, the point-of-view narrator, "Gent" Gentilhomme, is strangely absent emotionally--stealing some of the impact of the book's final scenes.
What's good about The Profession? Scholars of history and those who've been following the US's recent military adventures (both private and public) in Iraq and Afghanistan will enjoy Pressfield's use of the language of the military and military contractors, as well as their thoughts and attitudes. (Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Army by Jeremy Scahill, is in some ways the non-fiction counterpart to The Professional.) Likewise, readers of military and spy thrillers will enjoy this fast-paced, no-words-wasted read.
What's not so good? That fast pace comes at the cost of character development: while Gent is well-described, it's rare that the reader gets to know what he's thinking about the acts he's undertaking. Gent makes some important decisions about where his loyalty lies by the end of the book, and the reader gets little insight into the emotional state that determines his actions. Likewise, Gent's belief that he's inhabited by an ancient warrior spirit may surprise some thriller readers, as it is the only "supernatural" element in the book. Readers straight from Pressfield's Gates of Fire may have difficulty with Pressfield's extensive use of military vocabulary, which at times borders on jargon.
In summary: readers of military fiction and international thrillers, pick this one up. As a speculative look at military policy, The Profession excels. If you like more character development in your heroes, though, wait for the paperback.
DISCLAIMER! This review refers to an uncorrected proof, which was sent to me for free. So, you know, take all the above with a grain of salt. Thanks, Steven Pressfield/Steven Pressfield's publicist, for letting me read this one early and for free!
The Profession is fast-paced, scarily well-thought-out, and as erudite as you'd expect from someone whose previous work includes a novel about Thermopylae. At the same time, the point-of-view narrator, "Gent" Gentilhomme, is strangely absent emotionally--stealing some of the impact of the book's final scenes.
What's good about The Profession? Scholars of history and those who've been following the US's recent military adventures (both private and public) in Iraq and Afghanistan will enjoy Pressfield's use of the language of the military and military contractors, as well as their thoughts and attitudes. (Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Army by Jeremy Scahill, is in some ways the non-fiction counterpart to The Professional.) Likewise, readers of military and spy thrillers will enjoy this fast-paced, no-words-wasted read.
What's not so good? That fast pace comes at the cost of character development: while Gent is well-described, it's rare that the reader gets to know what he's thinking about the acts he's undertaking. Gent makes some important decisions about where his loyalty lies by the end of the book, and the reader gets little insight into the emotional state that determines his actions. Likewise, Gent's belief that he's inhabited by an ancient warrior spirit may surprise some thriller readers, as it is the only "supernatural" element in the book. Readers straight from Pressfield's Gates of Fire may have difficulty with Pressfield's extensive use of military vocabulary, which at times borders on jargon.
In summary: readers of military fiction and international thrillers, pick this one up. As a speculative look at military policy, The Profession excels. If you like more character development in your heroes, though, wait for the paperback.
DISCLAIMER! This review refers to an uncorrected proof, which was sent to me for free. So, you know, take all the above with a grain of salt. Thanks, Steven Pressfield/Steven Pressfield's publicist, for letting me read this one early and for free!
May 27, 2012
It is the year 2032, employing elite military mercenaries is how the powerful (oil companies, governments, mega corporations and financial institutions) stay in power. The mercenary armies are a well oiled team made for keeping power. The Profession is what happens when just such a mercenary army leader takes the power for himself.
Marine General James Salter is a military master mind who is discharged from the army after a court martial.
Gilbert “Gent” Gentilhomme is a proud marine, serving in the US army. Gent decides he loves the “brotherhood” of fighting more than the political machinations, so he joins Salter in his mercenary endeavors. Gent doesn’t know Salter’s end game, take control of power to gain revenge on those responsible for his exile and return home as Commander in Chief. Very quickly Salter’s maneuvers the balance of power in the middle east. The US must either welcome Salter back or welcome economic disaster. The only person that might be able to stop Salter is Gilbert “Gent” Gentilhomme. Gent realizes he must decide between Salter, a man he loves like a father, and US the country he once swore to defend.
The Profession is action packed, gritty and lots of mind boggling double crosses. This book is filled with lots of twist and turns and power games galore. Pressfield is extremely descriptive and technical with the mechanics of war and equipment which is great for the war techno enthusiasts out there. This being my first military thriller, I found the beginning of this book a little difficult to follow and confusing. The real action and meat of the story started about ½ in for me. That being said, once I got past the technical details, I was hooked into this action packed thrill ride. The plausibility of this story is extremely scary and not farfetched.
This copy was given to me by Goodreads First Reads and Crown Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Marine General James Salter is a military master mind who is discharged from the army after a court martial.
Gilbert “Gent” Gentilhomme is a proud marine, serving in the US army. Gent decides he loves the “brotherhood” of fighting more than the political machinations, so he joins Salter in his mercenary endeavors. Gent doesn’t know Salter’s end game, take control of power to gain revenge on those responsible for his exile and return home as Commander in Chief. Very quickly Salter’s maneuvers the balance of power in the middle east. The US must either welcome Salter back or welcome economic disaster. The only person that might be able to stop Salter is Gilbert “Gent” Gentilhomme. Gent realizes he must decide between Salter, a man he loves like a father, and US the country he once swore to defend.
The Profession is action packed, gritty and lots of mind boggling double crosses. This book is filled with lots of twist and turns and power games galore. Pressfield is extremely descriptive and technical with the mechanics of war and equipment which is great for the war techno enthusiasts out there. This being my first military thriller, I found the beginning of this book a little difficult to follow and confusing. The real action and meat of the story started about ½ in for me. That being said, once I got past the technical details, I was hooked into this action packed thrill ride. The plausibility of this story is extremely scary and not farfetched.
This copy was given to me by Goodreads First Reads and Crown Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2011
One of those books I may have given 3 stars to if Goodreads had 1/2 stars, but it doesn't rate equal to other books I have rated 3 stars. This book tells the story of the near future (2032), where there is upheaval in the Middle East and our protaganist, a mercenary, is in the service of an ex-American general who runs his own high powered mercenary force. Through much exposition and backstory, we learn about Gent's devotion to his superior, as well as the weaponery and political situation. Then the general gets offered the position to lead the US of A out of its international doldrums and back onto the front of the stage, where it belongs. But does Gent go along for the ride or does he have a change of heart?
And you know what? You don't even find out, really. Well, after 300 pages of acronyms, back story, posturing and manly firefights, he does change his mind (it isn't really a spoiler, as that's what the whole book is leading up to). But nothing happens in the end! It is obviously a To Be Continued book, but man, after all that drudgery, I would have liked to get some resolution! And even the future weapons and technology didn't seem very futuristic to me. It is "only" 20 years in the future, but besides some fancy naming schemes, the techology didn't seem all that advanced.
Basically, the book just kind of plodded along, with a few spurts of action, and then just ended. Not interested enough in pursuing the followup myself.
And you know what? You don't even find out, really. Well, after 300 pages of acronyms, back story, posturing and manly firefights, he does change his mind (it isn't really a spoiler, as that's what the whole book is leading up to). But nothing happens in the end! It is obviously a To Be Continued book, but man, after all that drudgery, I would have liked to get some resolution! And even the future weapons and technology didn't seem very futuristic to me. It is "only" 20 years in the future, but besides some fancy naming schemes, the techology didn't seem all that advanced.
Basically, the book just kind of plodded along, with a few spurts of action, and then just ended. Not interested enough in pursuing the followup myself.
May 31, 2011
The Profession by Steven Pressfield
In a not too far distant future America has gotten fed up with wasting their young. Mercenaries have become the popular method of dealing with international crisis. A charismatic general has become the hope of millions. Is he the hope for the nation or a despot in the wings?
The most frightening something about this book is its believability. The weapons technology is an obvious extension of of current technology. The crises faced in the book are also an obvious extension of current world disorder. Sadly it is easy to see how a charismatic leader could be both a savior and a disaster.
There were good characterizations and enough action for practically anyone. Don't get discouraged with the overly verbose details and descriptions early in the book. All the advanced technology and weapons simply come down to the relationship between men.
This book is certainly worth reading and is a sobering appraisal of a possible path for OUR nation.
I highly recommend it.
In a not too far distant future America has gotten fed up with wasting their young. Mercenaries have become the popular method of dealing with international crisis. A charismatic general has become the hope of millions. Is he the hope for the nation or a despot in the wings?
The most frightening something about this book is its believability. The weapons technology is an obvious extension of of current technology. The crises faced in the book are also an obvious extension of current world disorder. Sadly it is easy to see how a charismatic leader could be both a savior and a disaster.
There were good characterizations and enough action for practically anyone. Don't get discouraged with the overly verbose details and descriptions early in the book. All the advanced technology and weapons simply come down to the relationship between men.
This book is certainly worth reading and is a sobering appraisal of a possible path for OUR nation.
I highly recommend it.
July 21, 2011
Didn't like it. The historical based novels I liked very much. Gates of Fire (300) was quite impressive. Legend of Shivas Irons (movie Bagger Vance) was totally different, but interesting. This is a near future mercenary conflict. Too much product placement for products that don't exist yet.
December 23, 2023
“The Profession" is a gripping military thriller that explores a near-future world where private military corporations dominate global conflicts. Pressfield's narrative prowess shines as he weaves a complex tale centered around the enigmatic protagonist, Gent, a seasoned mercenary navigating the morally ambiguous landscape of modern warfare. The author's meticulous research is evident in the vivid and realistic portrayal of military tactics, geopolitics, and the psychology of soldiers. Pressfield delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by mercenaries, challenging readers to confront the blurred lines between duty, loyalty, and personal morality. The narrative is fast-paced, filled with intense action sequences that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. While the plot is undeniably engaging, Pressfield also uses the novel as a platform to explore broader themes such as the privatization of warfare and the potential consequences of unchecked corporate power.
November 22, 2019
Πολυ μετριο-ο συγγραφεας δεν το'χει με το συγχρονο μυθιστορημα
January 23, 2012
BLUF: a great premise marred by flawed execution and negligible character development, and overburdened by exposition and the sheer inertia of plot with little to connect once scene to the other. All the more disappointing because it could have been so good.
Pressfield's novel was simply aggravating, not the least reason for which is that it had so much potential which was ultimately squandered. The premise is sound: the year is 2032 and private military companies are the new face of armed power, especially in the volatile Middle East where the massive oil conglomerates hire mercenaries such as those in Force Insertion to protect and stabilize oil fields. Disgraced Marine LtGen James Salter is the face of Force Insertion, and those men working for him would rather die than let him down. When Salter has a chance to reshape the United States - and the face of the world - it remains to be see just what his men (especially "Gent," the narrator) will do.
But with that established, the book careens all over the place, never lingering long enough on one location or scene to engross a reader at all. We're in Basra; we're in Dushanbe; we're in Washington; and it's all happening much too quickly to care. Pressfield worships at the altar of plot and exposition, and while I would be the first to admit I occasionally find those elements conspicuously absent from certain fiction styles, in this they are first, middle, and last on the author's priority sheet. Events unfold too quickly and without enough attention to context to draw in the reader. The whole book should really have been at least twice as long as it turned out to be, in order to flesh out the (non-existent) character development and elements aside from plot that can make fiction and literature such a delight to read.
It pains me to say this - again, because the premise is such a good start - but The Profession compares rather unfavorably to Tom Clancy. While Clancy's characters may have been one-dimensional, he at least took the time to sketch out that whole dimension, and wrote enough to compel the reader to follow along. Pressfield does neither, and this novel suffers dearly for that.
Though I must say (for those that will know what I'm talking about): it was nice to see "zenpundit.com" get a shout-out as a journalistic outlet of the future.
Pressfield's novel was simply aggravating, not the least reason for which is that it had so much potential which was ultimately squandered. The premise is sound: the year is 2032 and private military companies are the new face of armed power, especially in the volatile Middle East where the massive oil conglomerates hire mercenaries such as those in Force Insertion to protect and stabilize oil fields. Disgraced Marine LtGen James Salter is the face of Force Insertion, and those men working for him would rather die than let him down. When Salter has a chance to reshape the United States - and the face of the world - it remains to be see just what his men (especially "Gent," the narrator) will do.
But with that established, the book careens all over the place, never lingering long enough on one location or scene to engross a reader at all. We're in Basra; we're in Dushanbe; we're in Washington; and it's all happening much too quickly to care. Pressfield worships at the altar of plot and exposition, and while I would be the first to admit I occasionally find those elements conspicuously absent from certain fiction styles, in this they are first, middle, and last on the author's priority sheet. Events unfold too quickly and without enough attention to context to draw in the reader. The whole book should really have been at least twice as long as it turned out to be, in order to flesh out the (non-existent) character development and elements aside from plot that can make fiction and literature such a delight to read.
It pains me to say this - again, because the premise is such a good start - but The Profession compares rather unfavorably to Tom Clancy. While Clancy's characters may have been one-dimensional, he at least took the time to sketch out that whole dimension, and wrote enough to compel the reader to follow along. Pressfield does neither, and this novel suffers dearly for that.
Though I must say (for those that will know what I'm talking about): it was nice to see "zenpundit.com" get a shout-out as a journalistic outlet of the future.
September 13, 2012
While reading Steven Pressfield's latest novel, "The Profession," I kept thinking of a photo posted on his website of several American soldiers serving in the Middle East, all stretched out on their bedrolls, each of them with their noses buried in Pressfield's magnificent "Gates of Fire." The message was pretty clear - soldiers, guys who fight, recognize Pressfield as an author who gets it.
I imagine that "The Profession" is Pressfield's homage to those soldiers.
Set in the near future, Pressfield's latest novel is a complex, violent tale of a young man, Gent, who has an ancient warrior's spirit. Sure, he may live and fight in the early-mid 21st century, but his spirit has fought battles across the centuries. "The Profession" is about that warrior spirit - what it means to give yourself over to a commander, to a squad, and to a battle.
Pressfield writes with his usual power and economy. In these spare 320 pages you'll find battle scenes that will have you holding your breath, but not for long as Pressfield never lingers. He imagines the battlefield - the Middle East in the 2010s-30s - basically as it is now, but with American mercenaries leading the fight. America, a tired, sagging windbag of a republic, has outsourced its military. The politicians are inept and the world is spinning out of control. One General Salter, Gent's commanding officer and father figure, may be teeing himself up to play Caesar and restore order to the republic. He is willing to burn this village in order to save it.
Pressfield has a wickedly clever imagination and it's fun to see how he imagines our world to be in the twenty years. His characters come across as a little "stock" every now and then, but he's really writing the story of Gent rather than weaving a complex tapestry where each character gets his or her own story arc. So that's just fine. Gent probably takes enough of a beating to kill a brigade and somehow keeps on ticking through the story, but part of the story is the Herculean endurance of the true warrior, so that can be forgiven, too.
All in all, I prefer Pressfield's novels of the ancient world, but if he wants to write about the near future, I say let him - "The Profession" is a fine tale of the timeless soldier's spirit.
I imagine that "The Profession" is Pressfield's homage to those soldiers.
Set in the near future, Pressfield's latest novel is a complex, violent tale of a young man, Gent, who has an ancient warrior's spirit. Sure, he may live and fight in the early-mid 21st century, but his spirit has fought battles across the centuries. "The Profession" is about that warrior spirit - what it means to give yourself over to a commander, to a squad, and to a battle.
Pressfield writes with his usual power and economy. In these spare 320 pages you'll find battle scenes that will have you holding your breath, but not for long as Pressfield never lingers. He imagines the battlefield - the Middle East in the 2010s-30s - basically as it is now, but with American mercenaries leading the fight. America, a tired, sagging windbag of a republic, has outsourced its military. The politicians are inept and the world is spinning out of control. One General Salter, Gent's commanding officer and father figure, may be teeing himself up to play Caesar and restore order to the republic. He is willing to burn this village in order to save it.
Pressfield has a wickedly clever imagination and it's fun to see how he imagines our world to be in the twenty years. His characters come across as a little "stock" every now and then, but he's really writing the story of Gent rather than weaving a complex tapestry where each character gets his or her own story arc. So that's just fine. Gent probably takes enough of a beating to kill a brigade and somehow keeps on ticking through the story, but part of the story is the Herculean endurance of the true warrior, so that can be forgiven, too.
All in all, I prefer Pressfield's novels of the ancient world, but if he wants to write about the near future, I say let him - "The Profession" is a fine tale of the timeless soldier's spirit.
November 28, 2011
A little Dull
For those of you like me, who thought the "Gates of Fire" was one of the best historical novels ever written and that "Killing Rommel" was a cracking good read, you might be a little disappointed with the latest Pressfield novel.
The book portrays a vision of the future as a mixture of big oil companies, politics and small mercenary armies. So far so good, but then the main protagonist takes it upon himself to explain to the reader, in 'long-hand', who those power brokers are and how the world has, and continues to change under their political and military influence.
I don't do this often but I gave up on this book three quarters of the way through. In short, I found the book dull. The characters are two dimensional, you just don't care about them, there's no suspense and no thrills. It's more akin to a well researched governmental report on future global power players that the author has struggled to translate into an entertaining novel. Lots of American patriotism, lots of merged companies (Fox/BBC ...), lots of military acronyms, but just no soul.
For those of you like me, who thought the "Gates of Fire" was one of the best historical novels ever written and that "Killing Rommel" was a cracking good read, you might be a little disappointed with the latest Pressfield novel.
The book portrays a vision of the future as a mixture of big oil companies, politics and small mercenary armies. So far so good, but then the main protagonist takes it upon himself to explain to the reader, in 'long-hand', who those power brokers are and how the world has, and continues to change under their political and military influence.
I don't do this often but I gave up on this book three quarters of the way through. In short, I found the book dull. The characters are two dimensional, you just don't care about them, there's no suspense and no thrills. It's more akin to a well researched governmental report on future global power players that the author has struggled to translate into an entertaining novel. Lots of American patriotism, lots of merged companies (Fox/BBC ...), lots of military acronyms, but just no soul.
June 20, 2012
There is little doubt that Pressfield is a proficient writer, or that he does a great deal of research for his stories. However, I found that I much prefer his historicals to this one. I found it depressing. Perhaps because it appears so feasible.
One good thing about this book is that it was broken up into chunks. Listed as books one through seven, each is a nice little read, with a perfect stopping point if the reader is feeling overwhelmed, as was I.
Finally, I was a little surprised by the ending. It was not what I expected and I am not often surprised, so that was nice. No I am not saying what the ending was because I want to leave it for those others who read it.
If Pressfield writes more historicals, I will probably buy them. But, I may be hesitant to purchase any more futuristic militaristic novels.
One good thing about this book is that it was broken up into chunks. Listed as books one through seven, each is a nice little read, with a perfect stopping point if the reader is feeling overwhelmed, as was I.
Finally, I was a little surprised by the ending. It was not what I expected and I am not often surprised, so that was nice. No I am not saying what the ending was because I want to leave it for those others who read it.
If Pressfield writes more historicals, I will probably buy them. But, I may be hesitant to purchase any more futuristic militaristic novels.
November 6, 2012
A thought provoking novel of war of the future where politicians avoid public opinions by getting involved in military confrontations. In stead of war they employ mercenaries to fight their wars, always on the quiet, but ultimately effective. The years center around 2032 where a soldier named Gent and his group are sent to the middle east to conduct operations under the direction of his friend General Salter. Salter is a disgraced Marine Corps general, a military genius he has laid out a plan to piece meal conquer the middle east and become the most powerful man in the world. This is a book filled with the technical terms of the modern military, exciting adventures, close friendships, a great finish. If you like adventure novels you will enjoy this.
August 16, 2013
I new him from Gates of Fire and Bagger Vance. This was a dissappointment. I was in the military and really thought he was a press guy for the military, the way he delivered this book
was as if he were writing a book report for junior high english in which he would recieve extra credit for jargon and acronyms. I understand the purpose and speak jargon fluently, however this was just poor judgement and boring. bleh. dissapointed. Like listening to a sitrep your C.O. thought importent but was business as usual. I could have watched the news if I wanted a sportscaster-like play by play. This is NOT LIKE the other stuff of his I read. Main character should have done his duty and smoked the general-come-tyrant. Duty is heavier than a mountain . . .
was as if he were writing a book report for junior high english in which he would recieve extra credit for jargon and acronyms. I understand the purpose and speak jargon fluently, however this was just poor judgement and boring. bleh. dissapointed. Like listening to a sitrep your C.O. thought importent but was business as usual. I could have watched the news if I wanted a sportscaster-like play by play. This is NOT LIKE the other stuff of his I read. Main character should have done his duty and smoked the general-come-tyrant. Duty is heavier than a mountain . . .
August 12, 2011
While this book has a lot going for it, it ultimately fails on so many levels. The basic plot is well thought up. The story itself is interesting. Yet the execution was lacking.
The author would dive into backstory for unfortunately long stretches. The book felt like exposition 101. It was heavy handed at best. And the dialogue often fell into this staccato rhythm that was impossible to ignore.
I felt that the story itself was marred by the writer's craft.
The author would dive into backstory for unfortunately long stretches. The book felt like exposition 101. It was heavy handed at best. And the dialogue often fell into this staccato rhythm that was impossible to ignore.
I felt that the story itself was marred by the writer's craft.
August 9, 2017
Wandered. Too much description and back-story filler bogged it down. Yet the ending was rushed and left me scratching my head. I think it was an ambitious and well-intentioned swing-and-a-miss from one of my favorite authors.
June 4, 2021
In short this is "Hammers Slammers" placed in near future. In more details ... this is story set a decade in the future, that is warning on what happens when charismatic person shows up during the turbulent times for a nation and unleashes his natural ambition to reach the highest position possible. Author manages to tell the story in very clear and fast paced way, with excellent portrayal of mercenaries themselves, media that will follow whomever pays the more (or whomever they are too much afraid to antagonize) and two-faced politicians. Battle scenes are fast, bloody and merciless as they are, technology is given as part of scenery (which is the way I like it, no constant bombardment of various weapon specs) and you can just visualize light assault vehicles chasing one another and exchanging fire or strike team infiltrating the heavily protected area to destroy their target.
If your first thought when I mentioned charismatic, ambitious military leader was Julius Caesar - you are right. Story revolves around USMC general Salter, military genius, retired (to be more precise dishonorably discharged) who becomes field commander of the largest mercenary forces in the world - Force Insertion. After several successful campaigns in the Middle East he soon becomes the CEO of the freelancer's company. His goals are not know to anyone, officers and soldiers are told only what is required to execute the mission and nothing more. He commands units and equipment sub-contracted from other mercenary troops in the world, light infantry, black ops, artillery, tanks, assault helicopters, fighter crafts, drones ... name it Force Insertion has it. Battle hardened troops are organized along the lines of Roman legions and cover area from Saudi Arabia to former Soviet republics in Central Asia bordering with Russia, China and India. All's good until Salter initiates operation that strikes fear into the Western world because no-one is sure what is happening.
Told from the perspective of Gent (Southern States' surname that I cannot spell :) ), commander under Salter in Marines and then commander of the numerous strike teams in Force Insertion (again under Salter). Through Gent we get details on how Salter lost his USMC commission, how Gent became his confidant and most importantly on ethics and morale when it comes to ruling the men that do fight for money first and foremost but generally they are living for a thrill of action and battle zone. To some it might sound barbarous and macho but in general military life did not change for centuries - only thing that changed in last 100 or so years was decline in number of fielded mercenaries on the battlefields and unfortunately that seems to be changing and mercs (like this fictional Force Insertion) are yet again becoming more and more widespread.
As time goes by and details (and methods) of Salter's and his political allies' actions start to surface Gent will have to make a decision - to fight with or against Salter. Salter, great game-player and manipulator extreme, ready to make a scene from every public event, scene that will bring him more popular support.
Ending was rather realistic (btw if you expect happy ending, you might want to skip this one) - at the end all power structures are mercenaries (as proved by the last year) and ready to do whatever is necessary to stay in power. I could not feel nothing but contempt for former secretary in US government from the book who tried to get place in future Salter's government but lost and then decided to change tactics. People might not like the forces who now form the "rebellion" but again, "enemy of my enemy is my friend".
In difficult times for every nation most dangerous are strong, capable and highly ambitious men and women capable to circumventing the laws of the nation and forcing their rule on the nation. People, masses, who are constantly in fear and having difficulties will always welcome that person (especially if money and gold is mentioned) - and voila, republic is lost and tyranny is born. Problem with tyrannies (kingdoms, empires and likes) is that while they can be established by capable men and women their successors are usually such failures that [following succession] nation find themselves in more precarious position (fast backward to city revolutions in 18th, 19th and 20th centuries...... hopefully in the future we wont have repetition of these same fights for freedom and rights). As Salter himself says, when people start to venerate warrior codes, be it mercenary code or Samurai code, then that signals that something is very very wrong with the society itself, it is indicator of coming turmoil.
And lets be honest - this person (or persons) does not need to come from what is traditional conservative organizations like army (excellent "Seven Days of May" comes to mind when it comes to coup d'etats). If last year proved anything is that all the little bureaucrats, mayors and governors, not to mention high-level politicians and/or their sponsors, are tyrants-in-making, so ready to take off liberties from others and so slow to give their ever greater powers back. And they will cling to power as long as they have convenient crisis at hand to use it to feed and boost that fear and melodrama so present and wanted in the general populace.
If one sentence can describe the book then it is - people that do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.
Excellent book on contemporary politics, mercenaries, warrior code and history. Highly recommended.
If your first thought when I mentioned charismatic, ambitious military leader was Julius Caesar - you are right. Story revolves around USMC general Salter, military genius, retired (to be more precise dishonorably discharged) who becomes field commander of the largest mercenary forces in the world - Force Insertion. After several successful campaigns in the Middle East he soon becomes the CEO of the freelancer's company. His goals are not know to anyone, officers and soldiers are told only what is required to execute the mission and nothing more. He commands units and equipment sub-contracted from other mercenary troops in the world, light infantry, black ops, artillery, tanks, assault helicopters, fighter crafts, drones ... name it Force Insertion has it. Battle hardened troops are organized along the lines of Roman legions and cover area from Saudi Arabia to former Soviet republics in Central Asia bordering with Russia, China and India. All's good until Salter initiates operation that strikes fear into the Western world because no-one is sure what is happening.
Told from the perspective of Gent (Southern States' surname that I cannot spell :) ), commander under Salter in Marines and then commander of the numerous strike teams in Force Insertion (again under Salter). Through Gent we get details on how Salter lost his USMC commission, how Gent became his confidant and most importantly on ethics and morale when it comes to ruling the men that do fight for money first and foremost but generally they are living for a thrill of action and battle zone. To some it might sound barbarous and macho but in general military life did not change for centuries - only thing that changed in last 100 or so years was decline in number of fielded mercenaries on the battlefields and unfortunately that seems to be changing and mercs (like this fictional Force Insertion) are yet again becoming more and more widespread.
As time goes by and details (and methods) of Salter's and his political allies' actions start to surface Gent will have to make a decision - to fight with or against Salter. Salter, great game-player and manipulator extreme, ready to make a scene from every public event, scene that will bring him more popular support.
Ending was rather realistic (btw if you expect happy ending, you might want to skip this one) - at the end all power structures are mercenaries (as proved by the last year) and ready to do whatever is necessary to stay in power. I could not feel nothing but contempt for former secretary in US government from the book who tried to get place in future Salter's government but lost and then decided to change tactics. People might not like the forces who now form the "rebellion" but again, "enemy of my enemy is my friend".
In difficult times for every nation most dangerous are strong, capable and highly ambitious men and women capable to circumventing the laws of the nation and forcing their rule on the nation. People, masses, who are constantly in fear and having difficulties will always welcome that person (especially if money and gold is mentioned) - and voila, republic is lost and tyranny is born. Problem with tyrannies (kingdoms, empires and likes) is that while they can be established by capable men and women their successors are usually such failures that [following succession] nation find themselves in more precarious position (fast backward to city revolutions in 18th, 19th and 20th centuries...... hopefully in the future we wont have repetition of these same fights for freedom and rights). As Salter himself says, when people start to venerate warrior codes, be it mercenary code or Samurai code, then that signals that something is very very wrong with the society itself, it is indicator of coming turmoil.
And lets be honest - this person (or persons) does not need to come from what is traditional conservative organizations like army (excellent "Seven Days of May" comes to mind when it comes to coup d'etats). If last year proved anything is that all the little bureaucrats, mayors and governors, not to mention high-level politicians and/or their sponsors, are tyrants-in-making, so ready to take off liberties from others and so slow to give their ever greater powers back. And they will cling to power as long as they have convenient crisis at hand to use it to feed and boost that fear and melodrama so present and wanted in the general populace.
If one sentence can describe the book then it is - people that do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.
Excellent book on contemporary politics, mercenaries, warrior code and history. Highly recommended.
April 25, 2024
On the PBD podcast, guest Erik Prince recommended “The Profession” by Steven Pressfield (2011) which I got from the library. It’s about private military contractors (PMCs), a hot topic in the year that the book was written. On that note, the book takes place in 2032, so I was in the interesting position of reading the book many years after its publication but several years before it was to take place.
The book is a fictional account of “Gent” a US Marine turned PMC who goes to work for his former Marine commander when he starts up Force Insertion, a huge PMC whose size and strength are seen as a threat to the traditional balance of power in the world. Upsetting this balance was a serious conversation being had 10-20 years ago, a time when the American public was beginning to tire of military adventurism but was also more comfortable with the devil they knew, the government-controlled military, than the devil they didn’t, PMCs.
Like a lot of concerns from that era (e.g.: suicide bombers), these topics seem to have been largely forgotten in 2024; today, novel about a large PMC upsetting the geopolitical balance seems about as odd as predictions that America will be the target of suicide bomb attacks, though such predictions were taken very seriously not very long ago. Another element of the novel that took me out of the story a bit came from Pressfield’s predictions in 2011 that haven’t come true today. A forgivable thing, to be sure, but an almost inevitable consequence of writing a story that takes place in the future and that is sure to be read long after the plot takes place.
War for oil was another central issue in the book as well as in the national discussion a few years back. This was before the USA became the world’s largest hydrocarbon energy producer (and Saudi Arabia fell to third place, after Russia) thanks to the shale revolution. Few saw such a thing coming and it’s easy to see why this would be a topic heavily featured in this story.
To Pressfield’s credit, he did hit on some things that either came true or that are close enough to the truth to raise eyebrows. Much of this was political, including a cultural divide in America that gets expressed at the polling booth as well as (alleged?) election fraud. He also predicted (some) voters being willing to vote for a candidate that many would consider a madman (or just plain under-qualified for the job of US President) in response to “not winning anymore”.
Some things that he missed the mark on include corporate journalism remaining a profession that takes pains to appear objective and whose stated focus is to bring important stories to public attention, no matter who ends up looking bad as a result. One particularly amusing prediction was that there would be a merger resulting in the “Trump/CNN” media company!
Pressfield lightly touches on the concept of what the role of a military, as well as a PMC, should be in a representative republic, but the perspective that most of the story is written from is that of a grunt who might feel unease at the idea of the constitution being trampled on but whose main focus is winning the next fight more so than politics. I think that a conversation about this might have been educational and entertaining and that Pressfield might not be the worst person to have that conversation with.
The plot had lots of twists and this made it a bit confusing at times. Pressfield’s other books that dramatize earlier historical eras seem to come across in a more clear and captivating sense, whether he’s writing about the Six Day War or the conquests of Alexander The Great. Something about trying to project into the future seems to have left Pressfield a little bit adrift. The story was still entertaining and mostly easy to read, but not up to the level I’ve come to expect from him.
If I were to recommend one Pressfield book for anyone to read, this probably wouldn’t be it. That said, he’s still a talented writer and even a book that doesn’t rise to the level of his previous work is still pretty good.
The book is a fictional account of “Gent” a US Marine turned PMC who goes to work for his former Marine commander when he starts up Force Insertion, a huge PMC whose size and strength are seen as a threat to the traditional balance of power in the world. Upsetting this balance was a serious conversation being had 10-20 years ago, a time when the American public was beginning to tire of military adventurism but was also more comfortable with the devil they knew, the government-controlled military, than the devil they didn’t, PMCs.
Like a lot of concerns from that era (e.g.: suicide bombers), these topics seem to have been largely forgotten in 2024; today, novel about a large PMC upsetting the geopolitical balance seems about as odd as predictions that America will be the target of suicide bomb attacks, though such predictions were taken very seriously not very long ago. Another element of the novel that took me out of the story a bit came from Pressfield’s predictions in 2011 that haven’t come true today. A forgivable thing, to be sure, but an almost inevitable consequence of writing a story that takes place in the future and that is sure to be read long after the plot takes place.
War for oil was another central issue in the book as well as in the national discussion a few years back. This was before the USA became the world’s largest hydrocarbon energy producer (and Saudi Arabia fell to third place, after Russia) thanks to the shale revolution. Few saw such a thing coming and it’s easy to see why this would be a topic heavily featured in this story.
To Pressfield’s credit, he did hit on some things that either came true or that are close enough to the truth to raise eyebrows. Much of this was political, including a cultural divide in America that gets expressed at the polling booth as well as (alleged?) election fraud. He also predicted (some) voters being willing to vote for a candidate that many would consider a madman (or just plain under-qualified for the job of US President) in response to “not winning anymore”.
Some things that he missed the mark on include corporate journalism remaining a profession that takes pains to appear objective and whose stated focus is to bring important stories to public attention, no matter who ends up looking bad as a result. One particularly amusing prediction was that there would be a merger resulting in the “Trump/CNN” media company!
Pressfield lightly touches on the concept of what the role of a military, as well as a PMC, should be in a representative republic, but the perspective that most of the story is written from is that of a grunt who might feel unease at the idea of the constitution being trampled on but whose main focus is winning the next fight more so than politics. I think that a conversation about this might have been educational and entertaining and that Pressfield might not be the worst person to have that conversation with.
The plot had lots of twists and this made it a bit confusing at times. Pressfield’s other books that dramatize earlier historical eras seem to come across in a more clear and captivating sense, whether he’s writing about the Six Day War or the conquests of Alexander The Great. Something about trying to project into the future seems to have left Pressfield a little bit adrift. The story was still entertaining and mostly easy to read, but not up to the level I’ve come to expect from him.
If I were to recommend one Pressfield book for anyone to read, this probably wouldn’t be it. That said, he’s still a talented writer and even a book that doesn’t rise to the level of his previous work is still pretty good.
February 23, 2021
What a fascinating book. The basis of the book is of a future war, now I will not give any more details than this, so no spoilers here. But the basis of the book is what makes it so enthralling, captivating, and riveting. Steven Pressfield is hands down the undisputed king of historical fiction, an even though this books narrative is about a future war, the attention to detail made me feel as if it was an event that had to have already taken place. That is the authors gift, his brilliance, artistry, and cleverness. With a the stroke of a pen or tap of a keyboard he amazes me every time he puts his thoughts down. Making the reader feel as if he’s right there, right in the thick if it. Mr. Pressfield takes you on a journey in his books, for some its his prose which tends to jump back and forth, to and fro that might be difficult or frustrating to follow, but the caliber of research, the development of characters, account of war, level of detail, and the ability to effortlessly put it all together is why I enjoy his writing so very much. The very best in his category and class. The world of authors will be hard pressed to find another with such talent.
Let me just add that after reading a bunch of reviews from people I felt the need too add a bit more to this review. A lot of people seem to think that because they read his previous works which are mostly based in the past, that Mr Pressfield is supposed to be pigeonholed into only that style of book. That somehow every book he writes that is different somehow breaks some unwritten code of only writing similar books. I guess I shouldn't be surprised people just cant handle being grateful for a once in a lifetime author let alone a choice book nearly as good as any written before. People don't want things to evolve, they want things to be stuck, mired in the mediocrity of stagnation. Without trying something different its possible his best works could always be behind him instead of, in front. I too, hope he goes back to where his finest books come from, “Historical Fiction” but I cant fault him for staying on his toes and trying something different just because I want what I'm used to.
Let me just add that after reading a bunch of reviews from people I felt the need too add a bit more to this review. A lot of people seem to think that because they read his previous works which are mostly based in the past, that Mr Pressfield is supposed to be pigeonholed into only that style of book. That somehow every book he writes that is different somehow breaks some unwritten code of only writing similar books. I guess I shouldn't be surprised people just cant handle being grateful for a once in a lifetime author let alone a choice book nearly as good as any written before. People don't want things to evolve, they want things to be stuck, mired in the mediocrity of stagnation. Without trying something different its possible his best works could always be behind him instead of, in front. I too, hope he goes back to where his finest books come from, “Historical Fiction” but I cant fault him for staying on his toes and trying something different just because I want what I'm used to.
January 9, 2022
There are many reviews on this site knocking Mr Pressfield's latest work because it's not Gates of Fire. GoF is one of my favorites, too, but this is a very different kind of story. GoF and most of Mr Pressfield's other novels are historical fiction, and this is really a political commentary on a plausible (but hopefully not likely) future path for the United States.
So, accepting that the story is what it is, I found The Profession to be a good read. It has Mr Pressfield's trademark attention to detail which slows the pace of the story, and plenty of action and intrigue - particularly in the latter half of the book - to keep the pages turning. The worst part, for me, was the alphabet soup. For whatever reason, Mr Pressfield didn't think he could write a book telling a modern/future military-centered story without an endless stream of three-letter acronyms. It's as unnecessary as it is annoying.
As a political commentary, Mr Pressfield gives us a Douglas MacArthur turns Julius Caesar scenario set primarily in the Middle East. Back in the Homeland, Americans have turned inward, and are letting the free market execute our foreign policy. Elected representatives are corrupt, and do little but pander to the masses - cash is king. When Caesar prepares to cross the Rubicon, the American experiment willfully accepts its end, although those welcoming their Caesar don't realize it. Our protagonist, and protege of the Caesar character, reluctantly realizes what's happening, but what will he do about it...
If much of that sounds familiar - well - the basis for the political commentary is clear. You don't have to agree with the politics to enjoy the read, but it helps - as long as you're not expecting Gates of Fire.
So, accepting that the story is what it is, I found The Profession to be a good read. It has Mr Pressfield's trademark attention to detail which slows the pace of the story, and plenty of action and intrigue - particularly in the latter half of the book - to keep the pages turning. The worst part, for me, was the alphabet soup. For whatever reason, Mr Pressfield didn't think he could write a book telling a modern/future military-centered story without an endless stream of three-letter acronyms. It's as unnecessary as it is annoying.
As a political commentary, Mr Pressfield gives us a Douglas MacArthur turns Julius Caesar scenario set primarily in the Middle East. Back in the Homeland, Americans have turned inward, and are letting the free market execute our foreign policy. Elected representatives are corrupt, and do little but pander to the masses - cash is king. When Caesar prepares to cross the Rubicon, the American experiment willfully accepts its end, although those welcoming their Caesar don't realize it. Our protagonist, and protege of the Caesar character, reluctantly realizes what's happening, but what will he do about it...
If much of that sounds familiar - well - the basis for the political commentary is clear. You don't have to agree with the politics to enjoy the read, but it helps - as long as you're not expecting Gates of Fire.
Read
December 20, 2024This is a novel but the accounts war and chaos read like a news report rather than fiction - the rise of shadow armies and the wanton violence that goes with massacres and genocide.
This novel tells of how to train a mercenary soldier into a fighting force. Other novels tell of rouge or vigilante soldiers of fortune - this account escalates mercs into world changing diplomacy (albeit diplomacy that comes with firepower).
An efficient mercenary battle group - with troops, air cover and IT backed communications - controls the vast oil fields and thus holds the belligerent nations at ransom. The mercenary army wants peace - really (?) .
One possible geographical inaccuracy (or at least by current nomenclature) - the novel tells of "Indonesia ‘s Straits of Malacca". - the straits should not be described as "Indonesia's". Unless this futuristic novel assumes regional political change.
The thought expressed in the novel that "days of USA as a light of democracy are over" - a strong statement ; though a novel , some readers will agree so in real life
This novel tells of a patriotic soldier’s point of view - his struggles when his dearly beloved country would fall to such a state where democracy fades and force triumphs. What should a patriot do?
This novel tells of how to train a mercenary soldier into a fighting force. Other novels tell of rouge or vigilante soldiers of fortune - this account escalates mercs into world changing diplomacy (albeit diplomacy that comes with firepower).
An efficient mercenary battle group - with troops, air cover and IT backed communications - controls the vast oil fields and thus holds the belligerent nations at ransom. The mercenary army wants peace - really (?) .
One possible geographical inaccuracy (or at least by current nomenclature) - the novel tells of "Indonesia ‘s Straits of Malacca". - the straits should not be described as "Indonesia's". Unless this futuristic novel assumes regional political change.
The thought expressed in the novel that "days of USA as a light of democracy are over" - a strong statement ; though a novel , some readers will agree so in real life
This novel tells of a patriotic soldier’s point of view - his struggles when his dearly beloved country would fall to such a state where democracy fades and force triumphs. What should a patriot do?
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