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Invasion
No foreign army has ever set foot on American soil. Until now. After years of peace, China has awakened.Slowly, it has grown in power, extending its sphere of influence beyond the Asian continent.Now, it has launched a final assault against the only possible obstacle to world domination... The United States of America."A good storyteller...harrowing stuff!"-- New York Times Book Review"Brilliantly conceived."-- San Francisco Chronicle"One of the best reads of the decade."-- Clive Cussler
752 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2000
About the author
Eric L. Harry
13 books152 followersRaised in a small town in Mississippi, Eric L. Harry graduated from the Marine Military Academy in Texas and studied Russian and Economics at Vanderbilt University, where he also earned a J.D. and M.B.A. In addition, he studied in Moscow and Leningrad in the USSR, and at the University of Virginia Law School. He began his legal career in private practice in Houston, negotiated complex multinational mergers and acquisitions around the world, and rose to be general counsel of a Fortune 500 company. He left to raise a private equity fund and co-found a successful oil company. His previous thrillers include Arc Light, Society of the Mind, Protect and Defend and Invasion. His books have been published in eight countries. He and his wife have three children and divide their time between Houston and San Diego. Contact him on Facebook or visit him online at www.EricLHarry.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 8, 2011
(This review is from a corporal in the Army. He doesn't have a Goodreads account, so I'm posting it on mine. I didn't want to read this book until I read his review.)
A book set in the near future depicts a depressing world from the American perspective. America’s power and influence has drastically evaporated, no longer the dominant superpower in the world, now sitting on the very edge of extinction as China has taken over America’s place with an expansionist agenda while America retreated into an isolationist shell discarding allies in attempts to avoid conflict with the Chinese juggernaut. The situation is dire and depressing, and the book continues on with a subsequent Chinese-American War with the destruction of our prized Navy (a situation almost incomprehensible for modern day Americans), defeat in detail of our Marines (a force legendary for their ability to fight), leaving the survival of the country in the hands of the ridiculously outnumbered Army and the Air Force, which is reduced from an offensive position to trying to just defend our own air space. We learn all this within the first few chapters and at the same time a prime lesson that is relevant today is shown. Diplomacy without the threat of force is useless, as we see with N. Korea and Iran in today’s society.
In this depressing setting the war for America’s homeland begins. Normally, I would have discarded this book by now, as I have no interest in anti-American fictional books, but despite the setting, this is a book that will make you proud of being American. Values are shown that are heartening; common decency, love of country, defend at all costs, never surrender, and faith in oneself and one’s fellow countrymen.
The Main characters are Han WuShi, who is basically related to every single person in the political administration for China, depicting his growth from a pampered army recruit to a leader. And Stephanie Baker, daughter of the US President, who unlike Han fights in most of the major battles on the east coast, rising from a Private to a Captain. Also we see the war from the perspective of Captain Jim Hart, a Green Beret fighting behind the lines giving us the viewpoint of someone fighting with no support, and finally returning to Free America, protecting civilians who want out of Occupied America.
It’s through Stephanie and her fellow soldiers that we see all the amazing things about our country; pride, love, loyalty, willingness to fight and die for her. All qualities that Americans like to believe are in every single one of us. From the confusion on the Chinese side of why they are even fighting in America to the simple statement on most Americans; “Get the F*** out of my country.” Stephanie’s down-to-Earth attitude, despite being the daughter of the President, and her bravery and refusal to back down injects pride, we see her as the best of America, what we all strive to be. A typical US Teenager, who instead of going to college to have fun and learn is fighting battles to save our country. We watch as the momentum shifts, and finally at the climatic Battle of Washington the war turns around and America goes back to the offensive. Our superweapons (mainly Arsenal Ships that volleyfire 16,000 missiles) are completed or nearly complete, and America is back on the offensive. It’s hard not to read this book without a smile on ones face, Eric L. Harry does an amazing job portraying the darkest time in America in a way that makes you come out re-affirming all the best qualities of our country.
The first time I read it was done all in one sitting, couldn’t put it down…same with the second time and the third time. This book became such a favorite that I rebought it after loosing it. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s feeling depressed of just wants to read a great story in a scary time, made all the more believable by explanations.
A book set in the near future depicts a depressing world from the American perspective. America’s power and influence has drastically evaporated, no longer the dominant superpower in the world, now sitting on the very edge of extinction as China has taken over America’s place with an expansionist agenda while America retreated into an isolationist shell discarding allies in attempts to avoid conflict with the Chinese juggernaut. The situation is dire and depressing, and the book continues on with a subsequent Chinese-American War with the destruction of our prized Navy (a situation almost incomprehensible for modern day Americans), defeat in detail of our Marines (a force legendary for their ability to fight), leaving the survival of the country in the hands of the ridiculously outnumbered Army and the Air Force, which is reduced from an offensive position to trying to just defend our own air space. We learn all this within the first few chapters and at the same time a prime lesson that is relevant today is shown. Diplomacy without the threat of force is useless, as we see with N. Korea and Iran in today’s society.
In this depressing setting the war for America’s homeland begins. Normally, I would have discarded this book by now, as I have no interest in anti-American fictional books, but despite the setting, this is a book that will make you proud of being American. Values are shown that are heartening; common decency, love of country, defend at all costs, never surrender, and faith in oneself and one’s fellow countrymen.
The Main characters are Han WuShi, who is basically related to every single person in the political administration for China, depicting his growth from a pampered army recruit to a leader. And Stephanie Baker, daughter of the US President, who unlike Han fights in most of the major battles on the east coast, rising from a Private to a Captain. Also we see the war from the perspective of Captain Jim Hart, a Green Beret fighting behind the lines giving us the viewpoint of someone fighting with no support, and finally returning to Free America, protecting civilians who want out of Occupied America.
It’s through Stephanie and her fellow soldiers that we see all the amazing things about our country; pride, love, loyalty, willingness to fight and die for her. All qualities that Americans like to believe are in every single one of us. From the confusion on the Chinese side of why they are even fighting in America to the simple statement on most Americans; “Get the F*** out of my country.” Stephanie’s down-to-Earth attitude, despite being the daughter of the President, and her bravery and refusal to back down injects pride, we see her as the best of America, what we all strive to be. A typical US Teenager, who instead of going to college to have fun and learn is fighting battles to save our country. We watch as the momentum shifts, and finally at the climatic Battle of Washington the war turns around and America goes back to the offensive. Our superweapons (mainly Arsenal Ships that volleyfire 16,000 missiles) are completed or nearly complete, and America is back on the offensive. It’s hard not to read this book without a smile on ones face, Eric L. Harry does an amazing job portraying the darkest time in America in a way that makes you come out re-affirming all the best qualities of our country.
The first time I read it was done all in one sitting, couldn’t put it down…same with the second time and the third time. This book became such a favorite that I rebought it after loosing it. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s feeling depressed of just wants to read a great story in a scary time, made all the more believable by explanations.
August 27, 2021
2.4⭐ Rounded Down
One of the earlier, modern style Yellow Peril books with the Chinese replacing Russia as America's boogeyman. This author is workmanlike, in that his characters are a step or two above the cardboard cutouts that normally people this genre. Wilful suspension of disbelief required is still heavy; the motivations for the war are largely unconvincing. It's still better than most of these WWIII books, one of the best of which remains Tom Clancy's venerable Red Storm Rising.
One of the earlier, modern style Yellow Peril books with the Chinese replacing Russia as America's boogeyman. This author is workmanlike, in that his characters are a step or two above the cardboard cutouts that normally people this genre. Wilful suspension of disbelief required is still heavy; the motivations for the war are largely unconvincing. It's still better than most of these WWIII books, one of the best of which remains Tom Clancy's venerable Red Storm Rising.
August 27, 2017
Having previously read Arc Light by this author I was thinking this would be pretty decent. Now having finished Invasion I can say its better than just pretty decent.
Whilst the novels background of a Chinese military assault slowly conquering the world requires one to set aside the realities of them actually being able to hold places mentioned like India, putting the background aside the setting for a Chinese invasion of America is quite well done with the manoeuvres being written in such a way that they seem realistic as opposed to fantastic.
The fighting scenes whilst good don't take over the book leaving plenty of space for the Chinese and American political intrigues not to feel like an afterthought that's squeezed in.
My only real complaint is that the ending seemed quite abrupt, would have really liked to see another 100-150 pages or a follow up novel.
Whilst the novels background of a Chinese military assault slowly conquering the world requires one to set aside the realities of them actually being able to hold places mentioned like India, putting the background aside the setting for a Chinese invasion of America is quite well done with the manoeuvres being written in such a way that they seem realistic as opposed to fantastic.
The fighting scenes whilst good don't take over the book leaving plenty of space for the Chinese and American political intrigues not to feel like an afterthought that's squeezed in.
My only real complaint is that the ending seemed quite abrupt, would have really liked to see another 100-150 pages or a follow up novel.
December 11, 2008
One of my favorite books. I read it at least twice each year.
Basically an military thriller where China is invading the US.
Basically an military thriller where China is invading the US.
December 29, 2011
Where is the sequel?
August 8, 2013
Good but lack of closure or sequel makes it a frustrating read.
June 10, 2024
Ik vond het boek "invasie" een redelijk goed boek. Het verhaal was sterk maar ook een beetje schokkend, puur omdat de gruwelijke dingen heel gedetailleerd wordt uitgelegd. Dat is misschien ook een van de redenen dat het boek zo lang was, want persoonlijk vond ik dat wat minder. Het was bijna 500 pagina's! Ik heb dus ook heel het laatste weekend volop moeten lezen! Maar over het algemeen was het een geweldig boek en raad ik het heel hard aan.
October 2, 2016
Abandoned at 86/460
It reads like a description of a really bad war game. China suddenly decides to conquer the world, but it's playing in easy-mode, because Russia doesn't seem to exist, Europe plays dumb by locking its navy up in the Mediterranean Sea, India is easily conquered and keeping it requires no effort (a billion people are easily controlled of course) and most of all: everybody decides not to use nukes. Why? As far as I've read, the reason seems to be that they're afraid of upsetting the Chinese that are slaughtering them!
Oh well, instead of enjoying the read, I keep wondering why the US doesn't use a nuke on the 5 million Chinese that invaded Guantanamo Bay for some reason. And I wonder why they decided to put all their eggs in one basket: the US decided to build 3 huge super missile launching ships, instead of something more traditional that would actually work. These ships would just be huge, juicy targets.
It reads like a description of a really bad war game. China suddenly decides to conquer the world, but it's playing in easy-mode, because Russia doesn't seem to exist, Europe plays dumb by locking its navy up in the Mediterranean Sea, India is easily conquered and keeping it requires no effort (a billion people are easily controlled of course) and most of all: everybody decides not to use nukes. Why? As far as I've read, the reason seems to be that they're afraid of upsetting the Chinese that are slaughtering them!
Oh well, instead of enjoying the read, I keep wondering why the US doesn't use a nuke on the 5 million Chinese that invaded Guantanamo Bay for some reason. And I wonder why they decided to put all their eggs in one basket: the US decided to build 3 huge super missile launching ships, instead of something more traditional that would actually work. These ships would just be huge, juicy targets.
July 3, 2016
This novel is a bit dated as all future military/political fiction written before 9/11. Still the premise of China trying to take over the world is so far hard to believe. This a long novel that starts out well be does starts to drag from half to the end and the personal story lines are to easily tied together. I would still recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Tom Clancy and Larry Bond novels just not as plausible as those.
April 20, 2013
Very interesting story on what would happen should the US and China ever go to war. A 10 million man standing army versus our 800 thousand man standing army....all set right here in the US.....
March 25, 2016
Chinese invade 'Merica. Hijinks ensue. U-S-A! U-S-A!
September 6, 2018
An enjoyable read although I have to admit that I always struggle when authors use vague amorphous military capabilities rather than ones based in fact/science, I'm probably more from the Tom Clancy/Larry Bond genre. Reads like this I find a little surreal, the characters not quite real, perhaps created by someone with limited experience of high-level politics and diplomacy and/or the military.
I don't usually include spoilers in my reviews but in this case I can't really avoid it as the conclusion to the story was so templated. Sadly many of these US versus another super-power/WW3 stories tend to end with the adversary undergoing a coup or other change of political philosophy to adopt a way of thinking more like our own. The first few times, it's novel but after a while it just drags - surely there must be other plot tools to resolve WW3?
I've enjoyed all Eric L. Harry's books that I have read but, of all of them, this is probably the one I would be least likely to reread as it (IMHO) lacks the original plots of others like Protect and Defend and Society of the Mind.
I don't usually include spoilers in my reviews but in this case I can't really avoid it as the conclusion to the story was so templated. Sadly many of these US versus another super-power/WW3 stories tend to end with the adversary undergoing a coup or other change of political philosophy to adopt a way of thinking more like our own. The first few times, it's novel but after a while it just drags - surely there must be other plot tools to resolve WW3?
I've enjoyed all Eric L. Harry's books that I have read but, of all of them, this is probably the one I would be least likely to reread as it (IMHO) lacks the original plots of others like Protect and Defend and Society of the Mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2017
Weitestgehend sehr realistisch (ok, ob die Arsenalschiffe realistisch sind, lasse ich mal offen) geschriebener, spannender Militärroman, der aus Sicht der Entstehung (ca. 1999) in der nahen Zukunft spielt und die Verletzbarkeit der heutigen Zivilisation zeigt.
Im Gegensatz zu vielen in den 90iger Jahren entstandenen Romanen begeht der Autor nicht den Fehler die Leistungsfähigkeit der benutzen Computer (mit aus heutiger Sicht absolut lächerlichen Hardwareangaben wie 16 MB RAM) zu beschreiben. Den einzigen heute etwas kuriose Anachronismus stellt die Verwendung von Palmtops (das sind so etwas wie Smartphone-Neandertaler) dar :-)
Im Gegensatz zu vielen in den 90iger Jahren entstandenen Romanen begeht der Autor nicht den Fehler die Leistungsfähigkeit der benutzen Computer (mit aus heutiger Sicht absolut lächerlichen Hardwareangaben wie 16 MB RAM) zu beschreiben. Den einzigen heute etwas kuriose Anachronismus stellt die Verwendung von Palmtops (das sind so etwas wie Smartphone-Neandertaler) dar :-)
February 13, 2020
It's not a Tom Clancy book, but still does a fair job creating an interesting plot and characters. The beginning and end were a bit ambiguous for me.
September 14, 2021
flimsy plot with too many tropes
May 5, 2024
really liked the first 500 pages, but the last 200 took me forever - so 3 stars it is 🤝🏼
December 22, 2024
Older book (2000), but good story and read.
December 2, 2015
Very well written with accurate military descriptions.
Mr. Harry nails what being a "grunt" is all about. His research and general military knowledge is impressive and well done. The handful of errors related to the military are so minor that few people will notice or care, and certainly does not detract from the story. In fact, I suspect a few were caused by the edit and rewrite processes where a minor manuscript change without changing a prior scene can cause confusion or introduce what appears to be an error. Then again, it is a novel and the author is free to take some minor liberties to make the story easier to read by those without military background.
The political part of the story is also well done, stimulating, and just as frustrating as real life! The underlying threat of a coup on both sides adds to the sense of danger and intrigue.
All in all, it is a complex story with a lot of moving parts which Mr. Harry juggles and handles beautifully. The only disappointment I had was how it ended. I suppose a sequel was or is in the works but I would have enjoyed a more satisfying ending.
Mr. Harry nails what being a "grunt" is all about. His research and general military knowledge is impressive and well done. The handful of errors related to the military are so minor that few people will notice or care, and certainly does not detract from the story. In fact, I suspect a few were caused by the edit and rewrite processes where a minor manuscript change without changing a prior scene can cause confusion or introduce what appears to be an error. Then again, it is a novel and the author is free to take some minor liberties to make the story easier to read by those without military background.
The political part of the story is also well done, stimulating, and just as frustrating as real life! The underlying threat of a coup on both sides adds to the sense of danger and intrigue.
All in all, it is a complex story with a lot of moving parts which Mr. Harry juggles and handles beautifully. The only disappointment I had was how it ended. I suppose a sequel was or is in the works but I would have enjoyed a more satisfying ending.
January 2, 2011
This book is based on an excellent "what if?" scenario and does a good job of handling the complicated geopolitical issues necessary for it to function. However, it ignores many questions that the reader is drawn to such as why would China suddenly become so imperialistic. Also, the author has a habit of introducing big events that seem like very important plot points and then never mentioning them again. But perhaps the most notable problem was the fact that the charachters make a series of idiotic moves. For example, the daughter of the president of the united states is in the infantry. That is absurd and would never be allowed. Overall the book was engrossing and hard to put down, but I believe that is more thanks to the fascinating premise of the book than to the skill of the writer.
June 12, 2015
Set in the near future, when an empire-building China has conquered half the globe and has its eyes on America.
A good premise let down by writing that rarely captured the imagination. The characters had potential, but too often the action seemed slow-paced and unrealistic.
Overly long given the quality of the prose, but possibly a good holiday read.
A good premise let down by writing that rarely captured the imagination. The characters had potential, but too often the action seemed slow-paced and unrealistic.
Overly long given the quality of the prose, but possibly a good holiday read.
August 18, 2015
A good story of hypothetical American invasion
The story was a little over the top and some of the characters were definitely over the top. Like the young female lead who was portrayed as a immature little brat of who I came to dislike and wished for her demise. This character should have been a sympathetic one but the author made her into a bitch
The story was a little over the top and some of the characters were definitely over the top. Like the young female lead who was portrayed as a immature little brat of who I came to dislike and wished for her demise. This character should have been a sympathetic one but the author made her into a bitch
September 12, 2011
Premise was ok, execution of premise was incredibly lame..specifically the axis of advance..seriously, China invading into the SE US instead of the West Coast or even through Mexico? Not believable. Other than that, writing was decent, description of combat was decent.
August 15, 2009
Fighting the Chinese on US soil
January 6, 2012
There is nothing wrong with this book, but I just did not think it was all that good. For some reason I never got involved in the story all that much.
July 27, 2015
Have read before a good read.
February 24, 2016
Very well done all around. Realistic military scenes with some artistic license to make a complex story work.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews