By Danny Russell
Special to THE DAILY

Harold Coyle’s “Cat and Mouse” is a brilliant portrayal of war in the 21st century. The enemy is radical Islam, with its worldwide roots and hatred of freedom and democracy. American troops are again called upon to subdue an enemy which the host nation is incapable of, or most likely unwilling, to handle itself.

Nathan Dixon, army captain and trained to fight terrorists, is sent with his troop to the Philippines to crush an Islamic uprising. Little does he realize that, in addition to a wily and dedicated enemy, he must also deal with incompetent leadership in the form of a superior officer intent on advancing his career no matter the cost to be paid by the soldiers in his charge.

Dixon must put personal feelings aside — including his grief — when experiencing extreme personal loss, in order to accomplish his mission and support the troops under his command.

This book should be read by every American as an enlightenment to the struggle our nation is presently engaged in. Our enemy is not only in Iraq or Afghanistan, but is entrenched throughout obscure areas of the world. Also, our troops must fight not only armed opponents, but a host of government bureaucrats.

The reader may be shocked at the events portrayed. While this is, indeed, fiction, the War on Terror is vividly and realistically illustrated from the soldier’s perspective.

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