The Elephant Game (The War Planners)

This series started out great. I was really hooked on the first book. This one, the author describes life on the ships of the US Navy. More than half the book is spent on mundane day to day details of helicopter flying, ship maneuvers ! The space could have been used to describe the Chinese war efforts rather than page filler. Book moves extremely slowly. Only towards the end does the action pick up just to end on another cliffhanger. Till the next book then ?

I enjoyed the Elephant Game but not as much as the earlier books in the series. Don’t let that discourage anyone from reading it. It is continuing the series. I just felt tired of the series. It may be just me. I still look forward to the next book. If you’re enjoyed the earlier books read this one also.

This book is scary real and could absolutely be the future geo-politically! This is Andrew's fourth book in the series and is devastatingly difficult to put down and very Clancy-esque. The books are I think best read in order and they do not disappoint. The author takes great pains to be factually correct with even the tiniest of details whether regarding piloting aircraft, weapons description and capabilities or military or covert logistics and actions. So current and former military and clandestine types will be encouraged by the realism in his efforts, I know I was.

The books revolve around two brother's, both C.I.A., one a former Navy Seal and the other a gifted analyst, their naval helo pilot and Commander sister and Admiral father. The long and short range geo-political plans of China, Russia and North Korea are very plausible and realistic even though these books are fiction! The question is sort out the fiction from the non-fiction!

It is difficult to let any more details out and not spoil this excellent thriller so I will finish with the facts that this series will evoke a multitude of emotional responses from the reader especially the patriot's in the crowd. Frustration, disbelief, confusion, raging anger, retribution, failure, success, righteous joy and determination to succeed and so much more. The author that does this for his and her readers has already won in my belief!

I was priviliged to receive this book complimentry and leave this review happliy on my own volition. Action adventure genre readers there is a new Clancy in town and I believe Tom would be thrilled! Enjoy!

Read the first 3 books, in The War Planners series, and couldn't imagine how the author would keep the tension, intrigue, flowing while continuing excellent character development. I was not disappointed! Andrew Watts has cemented himself, as a best selling author, along with the likes of Tom Clancy and Brad Thor. The War Planners series is must read. Though a bit technical at times, the characters bring the reader into the world that they are living and into events that could, especially in the current state of World affairs, happen.
Well written, except for some typos, The Elephant Game is a must read. Strongly suggest reading the series from the beginning. No gratuitous explicit sex or foul language, for those that will ask. Just a great read by an author that knows his subject and delivers!

The latest installment in Andrew Watts' The War Planners series is an action-packed Page-turner. He has created a series that just gets better with each installment. If you are looking for a story with teh technical detail and action of the early Tom Clancy novels look no further. Be sure to clear your calendar or start reading early in the day because once you start this book you are not going to want to put it down until that final page is read. If you have read the three previous War Planner installments than this a a must read. If you are new to Mr. Watts War Planner series, you would do well to invest the time into reading the previous books so that you get the full impact of the Elephant Game. I received an advance reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.

OUTSTANDING!
Remember when you read this that not all conspiracies are theories.
Is this even possible? The answer would shock you and maybe even Andrew Watts.
Realistic and one of the most accurate depictions of naval war in the 21st Century I could expect in a novel.
Me? I did 23 years in the USN, worked on everything from M1911s to B-61s, that is pistols to nuclear warheads. I have been part of real war planning for nuclear war. This book, this series should be required reading at all the academies and the War Colleges.
That said, it is also a joy to read without reliance on graphic sex and kver-the-top violence.
Bravo Zulu, brown shoe! I can't wait for Book 5.
Not so CE Admiral Dan Gallery has an author kept me wanting more.
WTC Retired.

A worthy successor to Tom Clancy! The Elephant Game (The War Planners Book 4) is my fourth read from author Andrew Watts in the War Planner Series; I highly recommend reading them back-to-back-to-back. This is all in all a family story with Father, 2 sons and a daughter. Each of the earlier books goes more in depth to one of the admiral’s children. An incredibly well developed, well-written story that takes off like a jet from an aircraft carrier blending seamlessly to the first three books. The primary characters are well developed over the course of the books, the lesser characters not so much and now in the fourth book, the developed characters are like old friends and you’re invested in their welfare and story. A must read series! Obviously there’ll be a fifth book.

Watts has several things going for him: First and foremost: Real World Imagination. You read and think, My god, that is a brilliant and it would work. I'm sure the Chinese and other governments are saying either: Why didn't we think of that or How did Watts know we are thinking of that. This book should be required reading for our government leaders.. Watts shows his skill not just with military technology - many can do that - but also with the chess play of international alliances. How one country can bend another to its will. What are the choke points to disrupt a country - not what you think of first. I feared that by this book in the series it would lose momentum. How much story can be written about a pending war? Plenty it turns out. It starts off a little slower than the others but I was soon turning pages quickly.

The War Planners is a fast-paced continuation of The War Planners series. There are many twists and turns to the plot that will keep you guessing where you are being led. The storyline is quick paced, will fully draw you into the story and is so realistic that you can imagine a similar storyline playing out in today's world. Follow the characters introduced in the first three books as they develop in the face of global war and a pending American invasion. The story is fantastic and in my opinion, the books should be "read in order" to fully appreciate the story that the author intended. Highly recommended reading for adventure readers. Andrew Watts is to be commended for his development and presentation of this story.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my feedback and review, whether good, bad, or indifferent. I can truthfully state that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Andrew Watts’ career and experience as a Navy helicopter pilot is happily evident from the very descriptive text in chapters throughout the book. I really enjoyed the description of life aboard an aircraft carrier—a veritable floating city—as well as a Navy destroyer. I also enjoyed the descriptive writing about helicopter pilots—both advanced and tyro—taking off and landing on a moving, rolling ship at sea, in addition to what it feels like to be catapulted off the deck in a fighter jet. Wow! The story line continues from the build-up of the first 3 books in The War Planners series and doesn’t disappoint.

Very engaging, I found the characters well filled out and the story held my attention all the way through. Very intense. The characters are well written and each chapter left me wanting more. Love the character interaction and story development. It is like being in a knife fight that doesn't end until the last page, I love reading his stuff. easy to get caught up in the pages and feel as if you are there.
I really did not appreciate the lack of sleep, so DO NOT pick this up until you are ready to commit to an all-night sleep-defying read!” had a hard time putting the book down.

While I don't have personal expertise in the details of Naval weapons systems, which played such a large part in this book, I DO know something about EMP. The incredible effects it could have on our electronics (basically, anything with an on-off switch) were spot on. The plot is tightly controlled, although I found being able to fly freely about the Pacific in a small two-engine plane during such wide-spread hostilities a bit hard to swallow. I just suspended belief from time to time and pressed on with a very nice read. Enjoy it. I sure did. Cheers... Ed B.

I love this ongoing series. It is based around a group of characters that centers with a family who all serve the USA in some capacity. For anyone who loves the navy this is definitely the series to read. And if you like techno speak reminiscent of Clancy then check Andrew Watts books out. For me I have learned a great deal about the navy and the way it operates, especially when out at sea. My interest when I began was with the helicopters and there is definitely enough of that to keep me interested. This is a quality series and I definitely recommend it.

I must confess the first volume of the war planners series was my favorite by far....till this one. The author strikes the perfect mix between jargon and detail and the plot is plausible enough to make the experience of reading very engaging and addictive. I’m less impressed by his character development. I’d like to care more about the principle characters but I do love my country and the author clearly elucidates the threat and you find yourself rooting hard for the good ole US of A! Can’t wait for the next one....write faster Andrew!

The four books in the series were fairly exciting and hard to put down. However, they were bogged down by a lot of unnecessary military details. I would recommend the series with reservations that some off the descriptions of the training of pilots, the layout of ships, etc. do not really add much to the spirit. I assume that since the author has had quite a bit of real military experience, he wanted to describe everything. I will probably read the next volume when it is released as I want to see what happens in the saga.

Andrew Watts has done it again! This just may be a too realistic read for the average person. You will consistently find yourself saying,”could that really happen?” Could another government do that? Could our own government be doing this now? You know that phrase,”plausible deniability”?, YIKES.

The scenes will keep you turning pages both rapidly and eagerly. Scenarios are well crafted and bring visions easily to your mind. Anxious for the next year installment to be available. I need to go find a relaxing read now.

I enjoyed reading the first three books in the War Planners series, but The Elephant Game was my favorite. The writer seems to have matured and the quality of the writing feels better to me. It was a fast, fun read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I will say that I am not a big fan of a book leaving us in the middle of the action waiting on the next book, but if you are okay with reading a big story arc in multiple books, then I am sure you will enjoy this.

The first three books were great. This one seemed like a filler book with the main action starting in the last 25%. The rest of the book was about people you would never read about again, or very detailed Navy/military information about ships, weapons, etc.. And the Americans are still stupid, slow, uncoordinated, and political. I'll buy the next one, but had to slog through this one.

AW has penned the 4th novel of the War Planners Series, which begins with an attack on American facilities. Once the primary attack of the Chinese is stoped they return too subversive measures to enter the U.S. To destroy the power grid and disrupt movements by creating traffic jams and killing civilians too disrupt the flow. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS

I read the early copy. This book takes back up where book 3 left off. The author does an excellent job of reviewing the story to date in a few sentences so you don't have to re-read book #3. Although I thought the series had ended, the author brings it back with a major bang. The book is well written and edited. The story continues at a fast pace and soon the United States finds itself against the wall once again. I'm not sure how this series will end but I can't wait for the next book to hopefully find out.

You really need to read The War Planners first 3 books to fill in the gaps, but the Elephant Game is the best yet! Watts background as a Navy helicoptor pilot playa a major role in the "authenticity" of the descriptions in this book felt. A Chinese plot to "egg" the US into a major war is the premise. But as a reader I felt how this was playing out! The nuclear capabilities of North Korea are worrisome in our world now - but the twists that Andrew Watts presents in the Elephant Game are way too real - and scary.

The fourth in a series of books about a family (Father, 2 Sons, and a Daughter) all serving the USA in some way. It started out FAST and continued that way to the end. I can't wait for the next installment to find out what will happen next. And a VERY TIMELY premise based on what is happening in the world today! If you like military based adventure books...this is a MUST READ!!!

Having read the other three books in this series, I was thinking this one would bring some closure, but I was wrong. It only gets better. Although this book could stand by itself, I highly recommend that you read the first three. Andrew does a great job of helping you get to know and feel what the characters are feeling. Also he does a great job of making you feel that this could actually happen.

If I didn’t know better The Elephant Game could be happening as I write this review. The characters maybe fiction, but the storyline carries today’s political tensions to an ultimate fate. Clashes between countries and threats, propaganda and deceit, life and death are concurrent themes.

This is an action packed serial novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat and lose sleep because you can’t put it down. If you are a fan of Clancy, Flynn, and Brown then you will enjoy Watts!

OK, the story is good. The action is good. Too much detail in ship life, mechanics, technical. Also, I do enjoy the books but it suffers the flaw all these series do.....too long. By the time the next book comes out you have to take a refresher course. Yes, I'll buy the next book, most likely I'll enjoy it, but sometimes you need finality.

A continuation of the previous War Planner series. This one has all four of the Manning Family characters in the book at one point or another. Excellent plot and something that Tom Clancy might have put together. The ending is a minor cliff hanger which will lead into the next book, but you had to expect that. Excellent addition to the series.

A good series of adventure and action. Plenty of plots and sub-plots keep you interested. You really should read the books in order so you maintain a perspective of the story. My only complaint is that book four ends right in the middle of the action with no idea of when the story (book 5) will be available.

Once again Andrew Watts gives the reader a thriller. Picking up the action from book 3 he continues with his cast defending the US as the Chinese war plot moves forward. Action is fast and keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the shoe to drop. Book 4 ends and you saying "No don't stop now keep going" impatiently waiting for book 5.

The Elephant Game is the forth installment of Andrew's intriguing and all too realistic war story. However, it's not a standalone story. To best understand the players one must read the earlier books. A introductory summary chapter or so would immensely improve "getting into" the story. Once into the story be prepared for a great ride.

For full disclosure I’m a member of the authors book launch team which means I get an advance copy. I joined after reading the first three books in the series, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. As noted by another review, the fourth book does start a bit slow. It gives you a view of day to day life in the military while also building the story and completely pulling you in. After awhile I couldn’t put it down and then I didn’t want to. You can feel the authors story telling grow with each book and this is the best in the series yet and I can’t wait for the next one to be released.

This fourth installment of The War Planners series was worth the wait. I've enjoyed the bold storyline and the author's storytelling (especially from someone who's actually served aboard an aircraft carrier). I've read the series since the first book launched, as well as the author's other novels, and I'm quite pleased at how his writing continues to refine and get better and better with each book. He's not Tom Clancy or W.E.B. Griffin yet - but he's well on his way. And, while I'm generally good at predicting the ending of books after reading the first 75-100 pages, I didn't see this one coming. Keep it up Andrew!

This is number four in the series and they just keep getting better. Even though it is part of a series you can pick this up and not miss a thing. Mr. Watts manages to bring new readers up to date without boring those of us that read all the book. Great plot especially with what is going on in the world right now.

The first 3 volumes in the War Planners were very good! I looked forward with much anticipation to this fourth Volume. It was good but not as good as the first three volumes. At times it gives so much details that it became boring. The development of the storyline was too slow. I really struggled through the detail technical description of the war in the last part. Taking into account the whole series it is worthwhile to read all 4 volumes back-to-back.

It's a very good techno-thriller, but the abrupt ending left me hanging. I read the first three as a series, and it came to a reasonable concluson, so I might be biased. I will probably stuble upon this series again, maybe as a 3 pack "Final Conclusion".

Andrew Watts has done it again! He's written another War Planners book that reads like a thriller. The main characters are well defined and the plot is extraordinary. I definitely wasn't ready for it to end. I highly recommend The Elephant Game!

Military knowledge that is not readily available. The Bone what a cool nickname.
Lena and Chase have it all figured out or do they.
Globalist are Everywhere. Jenshan is Evil and Pathetic with Power.
Enjoyable and a Learning experience

(Kindle Unlimited.) Tensions build as behind the scenes activities develop until the explosive ending of war. I'll download the next installment immediately it becomes available to see how war develops.

Another great Andrew Watts book. I sat on edge the entire book and was disappointed when it ended. In addition to great understanding of the current geopolitical situation the author has a great knowledge of military weapons, planning, strategy and execution. I’m awaiting the sequel.

From beginning to end once again Andrew Watts has kept me up nights totally immersed in this book. Absolute!y fabulous read that could be coming off the front pages of our newspapers. Good job Mr. Watts.

After reading the first three books in the series I though this would be good but it turned out to be exceptional. The best of the series.Full of action and adventure each page brought more thrills. It is a hard book to put down. The only problem is that I have to read book 5 when it comes out to continue the story. Would highly recommend.

Being a 27 year Navy Vet, and working in Combat Information Center for those years, in a DLG, CGN, DDG, CV, Flagship, and CCG-8, his writings are accurate on the thoughts of the men in women in the Display and Decision areas.

The deeper I get into this series the more I like it. The first of the war planners books started a little slow (books 1&2), but books 3 and 4 I could hardly put down. Starting to feel a lot more like Clancy when he was on his prime.

Holy Toledo Andrew will this jerk Jenshan and his evil girl Lena ever give up. Now they torch their president and his wife but also shoot their daughter. They should be happy now with Jenshan president now. But no they conn the pudgy NorKor rocket boy into bombing the US. I got to admit their video impersonation of the US president speech to the US was cleaver. I have to admit the coverage of the US fleet ops was encouraging however you allow action to continue to the discouraging end for future readers.

Once you start reading this book it is difficult to set it down. Every spare second you want to read the next page. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Although, it makes one look at the world a little different, could some of these events really happen? Hope you enjoy it also. It would make a great gift!

A latest continuation of the North Korea/China/US war saga. China is still up to there "GAMES" dragging North Korea into the mess. This is a quickly moving, fast pace read, quickly engaging and maintaining the suspense to the end. Its a must read!!

Andrew deliveries yet another excellent installment in his War Planners series. In this installment he provides a “ripped from the headlines“ scenario of a conflict between the US and China. This book should please bold regular mystery readers and the Tom Clancy/Brad for military mystery crowd.

Awesome series! Started the 4 books a few days ago and literally could not put them down. The books get more and more action oriented as they progress through the series. The characters are interesting with compelling stories. This series is well worth it.

Holy Cow! What a great addition to this series! Andrew continues directly from volume 3. The details make you feel like you’re THERE! Unable to put the book down for the last 200 pages. Can’t wait for volume 5

Watts crafted another great read. In a Clancy-like engrossing and educational military thriller, Watts continues his War Planners series with a plausible scenario that leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Boring, boring, boring. Way too much time spent on unbelievable Chinese plotting. I get it, they are inscrutably evil and hate America. Don’t waste your time or money. The first three were ok. This one, not so much.

4 for 4 on The War Planners series! Andrew has hit another home run! Continued great story and character development. The story is scary and completely plausible in the modern age. Can't wait for the next chapter!

This is simply an excellent book and great read. I do recommend reading the first three books before the most recent to better orient yourself to the universe created. Well done. I can't wait for number 5.