Characters that are so unbelievable they become real, 13 Aug 1999
I enjoyed this book very much, laughing at the antics of the many crazy and interesting characters. The actual plot was secondary - who cares which side won the "war"? What we do care about is the daily life of some of fictions most endearing characters ever created.

I did'nt want this book to end, 31 Jan 1999
I loved this book. Like some of the other reviewers, I found often found myself laughing out loud while reading many of the passages. I have read the entire trilogy and I wish ther were ten more volumes. Nichols has such compassion for people that even the bad folks in this book are portrayed as nothing more than human, with minor character flaws. Each page could almost stand alone as a short story. I just Hope Mr. Nichols is holed up somewhere in some broken down adobe hut in Northern New Mexico, working on the next trilogy.

milagro beanfield opens your eyes, 08 Dec 1998
you see how ethnic and cultural issues color the main themes of life: progress, water & property rights, power, and the struggle to survive. nichols does a great job of showing the reader how life is in that region of new mexico. we see how the different characters relate to each other, and what goes on in their head.

Great book. A read it years ago and continue to read it., 29 Jul 1998
I have lived in northern New Mexico for a long number of years and this book captures what it is like to live here, both the good and the bad. But definately the flavor.

Mark Twain Would Definetly Approve, 15 Jun 1998
Nichols best assest is his ability to develop some of the most interesting and funny characters in modern fiction. I embarrassed myself several times by laughing outloud while reading this book. I have not seen the movie which was directed by Robert Redford. I can't see it working out well because there is such a great deal of charcaters and subplots. If anyone has any comments about the film you should publish them here.

Characters that are so unbelievable they become real, 13 Aug 1999
I enjoyed this book very much, laughing at the antics of the many crazy and interesting characters. The actual plot was secondary - who cares which side won the "war"? What we do care about is the daily life of some of fictions most endearing characters ever created.

I did'nt want this book to end, 31 Jan 1999
I loved this book. Like some of the other reviewers, I found often found myself laughing out loud while reading many of the passages. I have read the entire trilogy and I wish ther were ten more volumes. Nichols has such compassion for people that even the bad folks in this book are portrayed as nothing more than human, with minor character flaws. Each page could almost stand alone as a short story. I just Hope Mr. Nichols is holed up somewhere in some broken down adobe hut in Northern New Mexico, working on the next trilogy.

milagro beanfield opens your eyes, 08 Dec 1998
you see how ethnic and cultural issues color the main themes of life: progress, water & property rights, power, and the struggle to survive. nichols does a great job of showing the reader how life is in that region of new mexico. we see how the different characters relate to each other, and what goes on in their head.

Great book. A read it years ago and continue to read it., 29 Jul 1998
I have lived in northern New Mexico for a long number of years and this book captures what it is like to live here, both the good and the bad. But definately the flavor.

Mark Twain Would Definetly Approve, 15 Jun 1998
Nichols best assest is his ability to develop some of the most interesting and funny characters in modern fiction. I embarrassed myself several times by laughing outloud while reading this book. I have not seen the movie which was directed by Robert Redford. I can't see it working out well because there is such a great deal of charcaters and subplots. If anyone has any comments about the film you should publish them here.

"Nichols is the best American author since John Steinbeck", 14 Sep 1997
A gripping American novel "The Nirvana Blues" captures the richness of the late 20th century. Nichols creates characters that nearly rival Steinbeck's Doc and the entire Joad clan. Nichols excels in both humor and human compassion. You don't know whether to laugh or cry. He is by far one of the best writers to come out in the last 30 years, "The Nirvana Blues" should be considered required reading for colleges and universities.

Historically, ever since all those Edwardian novels about the malign intentions of the Kaiser, one of the functions of the adventure thriller has been to sell the author's opinions and fears about politics and war. Much of John Nichol's thriller is taken up with fluent infodumps about the strategic and economic importance of the Falklands islands--his hero is obsessed with measuring up to the heroism displayed by his older brother in the eighties and is interested in whatever anyone can tell him about the earlier conflict. Nichol is also keen to warn of the possible mechanism of another Argentinian attempt at winning the islands--his account is plausible at a purely war-gaming level. Though it is in some respects a lecture, Nichols never forgets that it is being sold and bought as fiction, and the incidents whereby the attempt is made and then frustrated are genuinely exciting. Sean and his navigator Jane rush around in desperate danger; Nichol has read and learned from not only Alastair Maclean, patron saint of this sort of thing in our time, but also from John Buchan--the terrain of the Falklands is, after all, the sort of moorland on which Richard Hannay had many of his adventures. --Roz Kaveney

Characters that are so unbelievable they become real, 13 Aug 1999
I enjoyed this book very much, laughing at the antics of the many crazy and interesting characters. The actual plot was secondary - who cares which side won the "war"? What we do care about is the daily life of some of fictions most endearing characters ever created.

I did'nt want this book to end, 31 Jan 1999
I loved this book. Like some of the other reviewers, I found often found myself laughing out loud while reading many of the passages. I have read the entire trilogy and I wish ther were ten more volumes. Nichols has such compassion for people that even the bad folks in this book are portrayed as nothing more than human, with minor character flaws. Each page could almost stand alone as a short story. I just Hope Mr. Nichols is holed up somewhere in some broken down adobe hut in Northern New Mexico, working on the next trilogy.

milagro beanfield opens your eyes, 08 Dec 1998
you see how ethnic and cultural issues color the main themes of life: progress, water & property rights, power, and the struggle to survive. nichols does a great job of showing the reader how life is in that region of new mexico. we see how the different characters relate to each other, and what goes on in their head.

Great book. A read it years ago and continue to read it., 29 Jul 1998
I have lived in northern New Mexico for a long number of years and this book captures what it is like to live here, both the good and the bad. But definately the flavor.

Mark Twain Would Definetly Approve, 15 Jun 1998
Nichols best assest is his ability to develop some of the most interesting and funny characters in modern fiction. I embarrassed myself several times by laughing outloud while reading this book. I have not seen the movie which was directed by Robert Redford. I can't see it working out well because there is such a great deal of charcaters and subplots. If anyone has any comments about the film you should publish them here.

"Nichols is the best American author since John Steinbeck", 14 Sep 1997
A gripping American novel "The Nirvana Blues" captures the richness of the late 20th century. Nichols creates characters that nearly rival Steinbeck's Doc and the entire Joad clan. Nichols excels in both humor and human compassion. You don't know whether to laugh or cry. He is by far one of the best writers to come out in the last 30 years, "The Nirvana Blues" should be considered required reading for colleges and universities.

An engaging and involving novel., 01 Dec 1999
This is a book that promises alot and manages to deliver most of it. Dealing with the experiences of Sean Riever, an RAF pilot, and his navigator, Jane, during a tour of the Falklands. The book deals with many differing themes, with parts concentrating on the relationship between Sean and Jane, which swiftly follow into high-paced military action. The setting and characters are believable and evocative, and certain parts of the text are espcially exciting- I.E. the chase and combat sequences. The narrative is on the whole well planned out and this leads to a ultimately solid thriller, whilst not the best ever, is definitly a worthy addition to any thriller lover's bookcase.

The best book I have ever read!, 08 Sep 1999
To quote the words of Andy McNab "John Nichol straps you in and doesn't let you out until the very last page" when talking about one of Johns earlyier books, well this time John leaves you in the plane at mach speeds even after the last words!

An exciting book that combines fact & fiction in a way that you expect to turn on the TV, and hear about what you've just being reading been broadcast as a news flash.

As I said before, one of the best books Ive ever read - I thought Andy McNab had a way with words but this just takes the biscuit! (Sorry Andy!)

Superb techno-thriller, 07 Aug 1999
This book is the best Modern day war novel I have ever read. This beats the novels by authors such as Dale Brown, Tom Clancy, Mike Dimercurio, etc, because not only is Nichol an ex-serviceman, but he is an actual veteran of war. His descriptions are so authentic, and he can convey emotion very well. This book can not be beat. If you enjoy a jolly good read, order a copy of this book. You'll not be disappointed. (By the way, I love Jane!)

Another great novel from Flt Lt Nichol, 03 Jul 1999
Just superp!!! I couldn't put the book down! John Nichol brings the thrilling stories of RAF Aircrew to life with his first hand knowledge. Down to the finest detail John Nichol has you sittting on the edge of your seat once again. I can't wait for the latest book to arrive!

An easy read with good technical detail., 10 Dec 1998
The book is best described as an easy read that will not tax the brain cells. The physical size of the publication will probably put some buyers off but this is a misleading impression. I found it unfortunate that the subject matter had the potential to open up old wounds,but it is after all fiction, however the scenario is' believable'. The strength of the book is in the detail related to the technical aspects of flying a fast jet, which John Nichol is well qualified to relate to the reader. The descriptions of the Falklands are well crafted and do provide enough detail to conjure up a convincing mental picture of that part of the World. An easy 'holiday' read but it does wet the appetite for a more technical work by the same author.

Characters that are so unbelievable they become real, 13 Aug 1999
I enjoyed this book very much, laughing at the antics of the many crazy and interesting characters. The actual plot was secondary - who cares which side won the "war"? What we do care about is the daily life of some of fictions most endearing characters ever created.

I did'nt want this book to end, 31 Jan 1999
I loved this book. Like some of the other reviewers, I found often found myself laughing out loud while reading many of the passages. I have read the entire trilogy and I wish ther were ten more volumes. Nichols has such compassion for people that even the bad folks in this book are portrayed as nothing more than human, with minor character flaws. Each page could almost stand alone as a short story. I just Hope Mr. Nichols is holed up somewhere in some broken down adobe hut in Northern New Mexico, working on the next trilogy.

milagro beanfield opens your eyes, 08 Dec 1998
you see how ethnic and cultural issues color the main themes of life: progress, water & property rights, power, and the struggle to survive. nichols does a great job of showing the reader how life is in that region of new mexico. we see how the different characters relate to each other, and what goes on in their head.

Great book. A read it years ago and continue to read it., 29 Jul 1998
I have lived in northern New Mexico for a long number of years and this book captures what it is like to live here, both the good and the bad. But definately the flavor.

Mark Twain Would Definetly Approve, 15 Jun 1998
Nichols best assest is his ability to develop some of the most interesting and funny characters in modern fiction. I embarrassed myself several times by laughing outloud while reading this book. I have not seen the movie which was directed by Robert Redford. I can't see it working out well because there is such a great deal of charcaters and subplots. If anyone has any comments about the film you should publish them here.

"Nichols is the best American author since John Steinbeck", 14 Sep 1997
A gripping American novel "The Nirvana Blues" captures the richness of the late 20th century. Nichols creates characters that nearly rival Steinbeck's Doc and the entire Joad clan. Nichols excels in both humor and human compassion. You don't know whether to laugh or cry. He is by far one of the best writers to come out in the last 30 years, "The Nirvana Blues" should be considered required reading for colleges and universities.

An engaging and involving novel., 01 Dec 1999
This is a book that promises alot and manages to deliver most of it. Dealing with the experiences of Sean Riever, an RAF pilot, and his navigator, Jane, during a tour of the Falklands. The book deals with many differing themes, with parts concentrating on the relationship between Sean and Jane, which swiftly follow into high-paced military action. The setting and characters are believable and evocative, and certain parts of the text are espcially exciting- I.E. the chase and combat sequences. The narrative is on the whole well planned out and this leads to a ultimately solid thriller, whilst not the best ever, is definitly a worthy addition to any thriller lover's bookcase.

The best book I have ever read!, 08 Sep 1999
To quote the words of Andy McNab "John Nichol straps you in and doesn't let you out until the very last page" when talking about one of Johns earlyier books, well this time John leaves you in the plane at mach speeds even after the last words!

An exciting book that combines fact & fiction in a way that you expect to turn on the TV, and hear about what you've just being reading been broadcast as a news flash.

As I said before, one of the best books Ive ever read - I thought Andy McNab had a way with words but this just takes the biscuit! (Sorry Andy!)

Superb techno-thriller, 07 Aug 1999
This book is the best Modern day war novel I have ever read. This beats the novels by authors such as Dale Brown, Tom Clancy, Mike Dimercurio, etc, because not only is Nichol an ex-serviceman, but he is an actual veteran of war. His descriptions are so authentic, and he can convey emotion very well. This book can not be beat. If you enjoy a jolly good read, order a copy of this book. You'll not be disappointed. (By the way, I love Jane!)

Another great novel from Flt Lt Nichol, 03 Jul 1999
Just superp!!! I couldn't put the book down! John Nichol brings the thrilling stories of RAF Aircrew to life with his first hand knowledge. Down to the finest detail John Nichol has you sittting on the edge of your seat once again. I can't wait for the latest book to arrive!

An easy read with good technical detail., 10 Dec 1998
The book is best described as an easy read that will not tax the brain cells. The physical size of the publication will probably put some buyers off but this is a misleading impression. I found it unfortunate that the subject matter had the potential to open up old wounds,but it is after all fiction, however the scenario is' believable'. The strength of the book is in the detail related to the technical aspects of flying a fast jet, which John Nichol is well qualified to relate to the reader. The descriptions of the Falklands are well crafted and do provide enough detail to conjure up a convincing mental picture of that part of the World. An easy 'holiday' read but it does wet the appetite for a more technical work by the same author.

All too believable, 29 Apr 2004
John Nichol is probably best known as one of the British Tornado crew shotdown in the (first) Gulf War, beaten up & paraded on Iraqi T.V. When heleft the Airforce in 1996 he started writing- first the account of hisexploits in the desert then fiction . There's some obvious comparisionswith Andy MacNab & Chris Ryan, but ironically Nichols fiction is probablymore factual than the "actual events" described by the "heroes" of BravoTwo Zero.
Point of Impact is a good example. The plot is quite simple RAF GS1 & RS3"Tempest" fighters (GR1 & FS3 Tornado's with just enough authormodification to avoid a libel court!) are dropping out of the sky becauseof errors in their fly by wire systems. The RAF & the manufacturers arekeen to hush it up rather than sabotage a multi-billion dollar arms dealto "2 Arab States" (its clearly just coincidence that Saudi Arabia &Kuwait bought Tornadoes.....). Hero Drew Miller is nearly killed in onesuch crash & is implicated in it by a biased court of inquiry... he'sforced to investigate the accidents himself to clear his name.
Add in some air-combat over Bosnia (Nichol's last operational posting) &you've got a very authentic thriller. Clancy & Dale Brown concentrate fartoo much on the technology of war. Nichol's writes first hand about thehuman factor, which makes a welcome change for the genre. This book hasleft me wondering if there's anything REALLY wrong with RAF Tornado's. Italso left me shopping for more of Mike Nichol's books. Well recommended.

Brilliant...you will never put it down!, 20 Jun 2001
This is the second Tom Clancy book I have ever read and I am 13. It is a total thriller about a drug which can take peoples body and minds over. It gives you imunity to pain if it makes you super srtong. (Even the geek at school can be stronger than the big bully)! This drug is being sold over the internet and Net Force have to find out who is selling it. Though a total twist at the end! This is another great book by Tom Clancy and I would advise it to any one who enjoys a good read and a good thriller.

Debut novel, 13 Feb 2001
A fair attempt. In his debut novel John Nichol does a reasonable job. However I remember the story "Rolling Thunder" by John (Templeton) Smith which dealt with the same subject matter as this story way back in the mid-eighties (a better story by half)...



Action at the speed of sound., 07 Oct 2000
An action-packed debut novel. John Nichol sticks to the adage 'write about what you know about', and to very good effect. With a speed-of-sound plot he manages to produce 110% fiction from (almost) 100% fact. He had me up there flying with him and certainly brings the old Biggles dogfights of my youth bang up to date. Will definitely read the follow ups.