superike's review
4.0
I really liked that geopolitical fiction novel by former Admiral James Stavridis (ex-NATO commander) and Elliott Ackerman, former military with 5 tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Some of the novel is pretty disturbing about how such a war would turn out. Cyber warfare is terrifying, as well as the threat of tactical nuclear weapons. But it felt quite realistic. Character development is really good in this novel, this isn't like the similar WWIII-themed novel "War With Russia" of Richard Shirreff for which I found character development very robotic.
It does stay in your mind for a while, reflecting on how we could stumble into such a catastrophic conflagration.
Some of the novel is pretty disturbing about how such a war would turn out. Cyber warfare is terrifying, as well as the threat of tactical nuclear weapons. But it felt quite realistic. Character development is really good in this novel, this isn't like the similar WWIII-themed novel "War With Russia" of Richard Shirreff for which I found character development very robotic.
It does stay in your mind for a while, reflecting on how we could stumble into such a catastrophic conflagration.
iconoclastthinker's review
Interesting book.
It was a little short to fully explore the concepts it presented; however, it did a very good job of detailing how a potential WW3 style conflict could occur, some of the issues with the reliance on technology and complex systems.
Good book, but Ghost Fleet presents a far more intricate picture of the politics surrounding the start of WW3 and the details of the conflict itself.
It was a little short to fully explore the concepts it presented; however, it did a very good job of detailing how a potential WW3 style conflict could occur, some of the issues with the reliance on technology and complex systems.
Good book, but Ghost Fleet presents a far more intricate picture of the politics surrounding the start of WW3 and the details of the conflict itself.
amysutton's review
4.0
This was such an interesting read - a speculative fiction about what may cause the next world war in 2034. Several different narratives unfold following a US Navy Commodore, Marine aviator, the US president, and interrogators and leaders in India, Iran, and China. I sometimes don't enjoy stories with alternative perspectives, but this was the perfect balance of viewpoints from a very large cast. The background and personal perspectives were so well developed. I could believe that these people were completely real. I felt tender hearted towards so many of these characters; I would easily pick up any one of their autobiographies if it existed.
The only thing I wish was slightly different was that the war was slightly more complex and ended differently. This was beautifully character-focused and an overall great story.
The only thing I wish was slightly different was that the war was slightly more complex and ended differently. This was beautifully character-focused and an overall great story.
mark_lm's review
2.0
Spoiler
The authors are a distinguished retired admiral and a distinguished veteran and accomplished writer. Their premise, and ax to grind, is that the computerized weaponry that makes the US military so powerful is actually their Achilles’ heel. They show this by imagining an undescribed black box invented by the Chinese that can completely inactivate all “cyber” systems without inactivating their own but does not affect traditional radio signals. The story is gripping, but ultimately unsatisfactory, especially when the plot further astounds us by requiring that the Indians have easy access to all of our White House communications and also have dramatic stealth capabilities of which we were completely unaware. Other disturbing peculiarities are present, the misunderstanding of what a tactical nuclear weapon is, and a Chinese character who launches the weapons that destroy Galveston and San Diego but who seems to be a closet American patriot. I suspect that the work is that of two paranoid personalities and it beggars the imagination. I can imagine that atomic weapons might be used as the waters rise around us, but not in this way.abarrera's review
3.0
First off, I did enjoy the book very much. That said, I understand most of the criticism, both from a narrative perspective and the "fact-based" part. I honestly think, though, that most people missed the point of the book. It's not to provide an accurate picture of nuclear war, or even how a campaign is executed. It's also not a book about China either, in the sense that the depictions of Chinese thought and how CCP operates are totally subverted by US imagination.
The whole point of the book is to level major criticism at US, Pentagon, and White House doctrines. It's to highlight the change in how war is conducted and to serve as a cautionary tale about known unknowns and even unknown unknowns and the lack of creativity about foes, especially when you don't even understand foreign thought.
This is a book about internal frustration with US egocentrism and the constant narrative of the mighty US military and some of the current and future weak spots. Is it complete? Not at all. As some point out, there are no "Star Wars", or extensive use of drone swarms to mention some. However, the book drives the point with what it showcases. I can understand why some fans of military novels might be upset, but do take the book more as a narrated warning than a novel. At that, it surely does a great job.
The whole point of the book is to level major criticism at US, Pentagon, and White House doctrines. It's to highlight the change in how war is conducted and to serve as a cautionary tale about known unknowns and even unknown unknowns and the lack of creativity about foes, especially when you don't even understand foreign thought.
This is a book about internal frustration with US egocentrism and the constant narrative of the mighty US military and some of the current and future weak spots. Is it complete? Not at all. As some point out, there are no "Star Wars", or extensive use of drone swarms to mention some. However, the book drives the point with what it showcases. I can understand why some fans of military novels might be upset, but do take the book more as a narrated warning than a novel. At that, it surely does a great job.
adrienneambo's review
4.0
Reading this book, I kept telling myself…it is fiction. Unfortunately, I also kept remembering the book, Wreck of the Titan which eerily foretold the sinking of the Titanic. If you listen to the audio version, listen to the author interview at the end…it is well worth it.
sleepyboi2988's review
2.0
Let's be clear; this is no Tom Clancy Red Storm Rising level of work.
The writing and plot itself are fairly interesting and a different take on 3rd World War books. The characters, though, are pretty one-dimensional. There are no actual battle scenes either until the very end, which is a real shame. The premise of a battle gets set up, and then we change perspective, and once we are back to where the battle happened, it has already gone down. Only having one battle scene puts a lot of weight on that scene's shoulders. Sadly, the writing isn't there to make that scene this gut-wrenching ride to the climax it should have been.
And that, for me personally, is what drove this into 2-star territory. I wouldn't have minded the lack of depth on the characters if it had the chops to make up for this lack of development with heart-pounding battle scenes. Instead, we're treated as if the battle scenes are taboo on a prime time made for television movie and just left with the unfulfilling fade to black just as the action heats up.
The writing and plot itself are fairly interesting and a different take on 3rd World War books. The characters, though, are pretty one-dimensional. There are no actual battle scenes either until the very end, which is a real shame. The premise of a battle gets set up, and then we change perspective, and once we are back to where the battle happened, it has already gone down. Only having one battle scene puts a lot of weight on that scene's shoulders. Sadly, the writing isn't there to make that scene this gut-wrenching ride to the climax it should have been.
And that, for me personally, is what drove this into 2-star territory. I wouldn't have minded the lack of depth on the characters if it had the chops to make up for this lack of development with heart-pounding battle scenes. Instead, we're treated as if the battle scenes are taboo on a prime time made for television movie and just left with the unfulfilling fade to black just as the action heats up.
teddy_farley's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
heidim's review
3.0
An ok read. If half stars were allowed I’d give it a 3.5. This book had some holes but also some interesting perspectives on how the world could come to the brink of a world wide confrontation. It seemed a bit far fetched that China and India developed such advanced technology that the US had to resort to removing all avionics from its planes. I was also a bit annoyed about the portrayal of a female President being so manipulated by a member of her cabinet.
jerrylwei's review
3.0
A quick, entertaining read filled with awkward grammar and cheesy war tropes. Even worse, the book serves as a paean to Modi and a Hindu-revanchist India, which ends up the winner of a US-China confrontation. For all their military and geopolitical showboating, they at times foolishly use "Persian" to refer to post-revolution Iranians.