Jonathan Arnold reviewed The profession by Steven Pressfield
Review of 'The profession' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
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, …
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.