Eric L. Harry

Eric L. Harry is an American author and attorney who has written several notable works of fiction, including the military thriller "Arc Light" and the science fiction novel "Invasion." Born in 1958 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, he holds multiple degrees from Vanderbilt University including a BA, MBA, and JD. Harry's legal career has been focused on mergers and acquisitions in Houston, Texas, where he has held positions at major law firms and energy companies. He served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Apache Corporation and later co-founded Sheridan Production Partners, where he worked as Executive Vice President. His literary works span multiple genres including military fiction, science fiction, and techno-thrillers. "Arc Light," published in 1994, depicts a nuclear conflict between the United States and Russia, while "Society of the Mind" explores artificial intelligence themes. "Protect and Defend" and "Invasion" further established his reputation for writing complex, technically detailed narratives. The author combines his extensive legal background and business expertise with detailed technical research to create realistic scenarios in his fiction. His works frequently deal with themes of global conflict, technological advancement, and national security.

Readers value Harry's detailed military and political scenarios, particularly in "Arc Light" and "Invasion." Multiple reviewers note his technical accuracy regarding nuclear weapons and military operations. Positive feedback focuses on: - Fast-paced action sequences - In-depth research and technical details - Complex geopolitical plots - Multiple viewpoint characters that show different sides of conflicts Common criticism includes: - Overly long technical descriptions that slow pacing - Some underdeveloped secondary characters - Dialogue that can feel stiff or expository On Goodreads: Arc Light: 3.95/5 from 1,289 ratings Invasion: 3.84/5 from 847 ratings Society of the Mind: 3.67/5 from 196 ratings On Amazon, his books average 4.2/5 stars across titles. Several readers specifically praised Harry's "attention to military protocol and weapons systems" while others noted the "dense technical passages required patience."

Arc Light (1994) A military thriller depicting a nuclear exchange between the United States and Russia, following multiple characters as they navigate the immediate aftermath of the conflict.

Society of the Mind (1996) A technological thriller about artificial intelligence research gone wrong, centered on a female psychology professor investigating a powerful AI system.

Protect and Defend (1999) A political thriller focusing on a Constitutional crisis that emerges during a presidential succession scenario.

Invasion (2000) A science fiction novel about Earth's response to an overwhelming alien attack from a technologically superior species.

Tom Clancy focuses on military technology and geopolitical conflicts in works like "The Hunt for Red October" and "Red Storm Rising." His background in insurance and deep research into military systems creates technical authenticity similar to Harry's approach.

Dale Brown writes military thrillers centered on aerospace technology and modern warfare scenarios. His experience as a former U.S. Air Force captain informs his technical descriptions of military operations and hardware.

Michael Crichton combines scientific research with thriller plots involving technology gone wrong or out of control. His work in "Sphere" and "Terminal Man" shares Harry's interest in exploring the darker implications of technological advancement.

Stephen Coonts draws on his Vietnam War experience as a naval aviator to craft military thrillers with accurate technical details. His Jake Grafton series demonstrates the same attention to military procedures and hardware specifications found in Harry's work.

Larry Bond creates detailed military scenarios based on extensive research and experience as a former naval intelligence officer. His collaborations with Tom Clancy and standalone works like "Red Phoenix" show similar technical precision in describing military operations and equipment.