Michael Archer, the author of Firebombers Incorporated,
brings together an impressive list of people to assist him in writing this book. With this he does a good
job of integrating reality with the fantasy of what might be. The story in this novel is born when
personal tragedy strikes billionaire Joseph Talon, a very successful businessman. After the loss of his
family to wildfire, he launches into a 'hobby' within his corporate structure that soon takes on such a
passionate force that it becomes part of the corporate objective. In this effort, he develops a firefighting
strategy that he thinks would have made a difference in the outcome of his personal tragedy. He brings
real systems with leading-edge technology and a pound of future ideas together and develops a very
plausible but expensive resource that has the ability to respond quickly to fires which expand rapidly into
major large fires which can quickly threaten many homes and human lives.
The book is action packed and maintains a substantial level of
suspense that keeps the reader glued to each page with anticipation of what is to come. However, there
are two mysteries that are developed and carried throughout the book that are not answered by the time
you turn the last page. Even though you can lay the book down and mentally review the wonderful story
you have just completed, it is hard to just leave these two mysteries at this point. My first reaction was
that there might very well be a sequel in the works. If so, I anxiously wait to get my eyes on the pages to
see not only where these unsolved mysteries lead, but to see how Firebombers Incorporated is woven into
the future of fire management.
Doug Coyle for Wildland Firefighter Magazine, May 2002.
Billionaire Joseph Talon was a very successful
businessman, who suffered the tragic loss of his family in a forest fire. As a result of this
tragedy, Joe became severely depressed and resorted to drinking. At the Recovering
Alcoholics gathering, he met a man by the name of Pieter Van Vrees, who happened to
be a commercial pilot and had a small air-tanker business during the fire season. As a
result of their conversation, Joe developed a firefighting organization called Firebombers
Incorporated, which became the most advanced firefighting force anywhere in the world.
However, following the mysterious death of an
influential shareholder who had aided Joe Talon in a buyout of Davis Aircraft early in the
story, and another significant discovery regarding the deaths of his family, Firebombers
Incorporated keeps the reader in anticipation of what is to come. Joe Talon also comes
to realize something very important about himself, which gives him a great sense of peace.
Julie Herath for The Nashville News, April 23, 2003
This is the first book of this type I've ever read and I found
the technical aspects very interesting and enlightening as I knew nothing about this industry.
I enjoyed the suspense, the vivid mental pictures I got of the actual planes dropping the fire
repellants and water on the flames. I think the main character is very human and his ability
to overcome the tragedy of his family is very inspiring. I particularly liked the military
personnel being given an opportunity to use the skills they developed in the service once they
went back to civilian life. I did not find the technical aspects overwhelming, rather they
intrigued me. I hope there will be another book using these same characters in the future.
Della Foster from Diamond Bar, Ca USA
Firebombers Incorporated is an excellent book for a first time
writer. The details on firefighting and the techniques used are very interesting to read. The
book is entertaining enough that you don't get bogged down in details. The story has enough
plot twists and non-fire related elements to make the book very enjoyable to all. You get so
involved in the characters that you don't want the story to end. I hope there is a sequel!
Kimberly Ranocchia from Anaheim, California USA
I enjoyed this book and found it very interesting and educational.
Prior to having read this book I had no idea as to the science and techniques involved into
fighting a brush or forest fire to bring it to 100% containment. Can't wait for book number two.
Geoffrey Douglas from Huntington Beach, California USA