Alistair MacLean's Air Force One Is Down

UNACO

by John Denis

Mister Smith, a criminal genius, escapes from prison and UNACO, the United Nations Anti-Crime Organization, fears his plans involve the kidnapping of OPEC ministers traveling on Air Force One

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Ebooks, Adventure, Action, Suspense, Espionage

215 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 12, 1981

About the author

Pen name for John Edwards (former editor of the BBC That's Life programme) and his collaborator Denis Frost.

Reviews

[Asgrimur Hartmannsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this somewhere between 10-12 years of age.
I recall it being OK.
I don't care to read it again now, since I do recall the plot not really making sense, and that would be worse now.
But if you're 12 this is fine.

[Prince · Rating 1 out of 5]

All tell and no show. A waste of time.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book in the series. The notorious Mr Smith escapes jail and puts in effect a daring plan that hijacks Air Force One when it is hosting OPEC leaders. He is wanting ransom for the OPEC members but also enjoys the fact that he did this under his nemesis, UNACO's, watchful eyes. Though only UNACO can now stop him from getting away with it.

Recommended, has many moving parts that makes it interesting and the characters are well formed. Though only written based on a script by MacLean, it definitely feels like one of his novels.

[Michał Kutyła · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Very naive. Generic super villain which suppose to be a genius yet makes so many mistakes that allows his prisoners to escape. A generic male heroes which eventually win. A generic female hero which is described as a super agent yet achieves nothing except being rescues several time by male heroes. And I could not stand the idea of a director of a powerful international organisation who engages personally in a field.

[Courtenay Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

poor stuff

Nothing like the real Alistair MacLean: plot too fantastic; action stuff unrealistic; weak 2-D characters; quite sexist; only just got through it; was tempted several times to give up.

[Joe Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good paperback book for a fast read with a riveting plot. Interesting plot concept of an elite UN anti-global crime unit. I wonder if the UN would ever allow such a unit.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action throughout this book about spies.

[Mukunthan K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as you would expect a Alistair MacLean

[Brian Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alistair MacLean is one of my all-time favorite adventure writers. The Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare and Ice Station Zrbra are hallmarks in war/espionage fiction. As I've been re-reading some of my favorites, I've come across Air Force One Is Down (1981). Although techically not written by MacLean, John Dennis based his story on a MacLean outline.

This smartly written thrill includes all the elements that make a great Cold War thriller. A rugged hero, a beautiful hero, dastardly villians (including a look-alike), sex, violence all amid a political backdrop. Even at 30-years-old, the issues involving Middle East oil men is still very relevant.

Granted, it's tough to recommend a book that's three decades old and "not really" written by the author, it's still worth a look.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most ingenious international criminal bent on revenge...

-Two men with the same name and the same face...

-And six of the most important men in the world aboard the President's plane...

Who pushed the button that destroyed Air Force One?

Why must everyone be killed?

Are they really dead?

In this game of deception only UNACO and its daring team can be trusted to join the gamble - and win. I really enjoyed this book fast paced.

[David Rivett · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK but not one of his better books

[Wade Mercer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting... Haven't read any of his books in years. Really enjoyed The Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare and Ice Station Zebra! Love his cold themes!

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent

The plot line was fine, but the pacing was really choppy and a little difficult to follow. Will try another one.

[Erik · Rating 1 out of 5]

just...very...bad, and I don't say this too often about a book. Clearly not written by the man himself.

[Aki · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was fooled into reading it...thinking it was actually written by Alistair Maclean.......fuck you !!

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

read SOMETIME in 2004

[Assim · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5