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Castro's Bomb
Set in 1963 after the Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro and his army use weapons left behind by the Russians to seize the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay and then plan missile strikes against the U.S. From the corridors of power -- with John F. Kennedy trying desperately to retain his leadership and keep the war from escalating -- to soldiers and civilians both American and Cuban, this high-voltage novel follows the bloody fighting and struggles on the ground while never losing sight of how war can transform people and set in motion some highly unexpected consequences.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2011
19 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Robert Conroy
26 books196 followersRobert Conroy was a best selling author of alternate history novels. His 1942, which is set within a Japanese conquest of Hawaii, won the prestigious Sidewise Award for alternate histories.
After taking early retirement from automotive management, Conroy decided to combine his loves of history and writing. After discovering that Kaiser Wilhelm had plans to invade the U.S., he wrote his first alternate history, 1901 in which the invasion took place. He found alternate history fascinating and the possibilities never-ending. He also wrote for Military History Magazine.
Conroy had a MBA, was a US Army Veteran and was a retired instructor at Macomb Community College. He had a married daughter and two grandsons. He lived in southeastern Michigan with his wife of forty-plus years. He passed away in December 2014 from Cancer.
After taking early retirement from automotive management, Conroy decided to combine his loves of history and writing. After discovering that Kaiser Wilhelm had plans to invade the U.S., he wrote his first alternate history, 1901 in which the invasion took place. He found alternate history fascinating and the possibilities never-ending. He also wrote for Military History Magazine.
Conroy had a MBA, was a US Army Veteran and was a retired instructor at Macomb Community College. He had a married daughter and two grandsons. He lived in southeastern Michigan with his wife of forty-plus years. He passed away in December 2014 from Cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 25, 2016
Okay so Robert Conroy is basically the "Men's Action pulp novel" sort of writer and he does it about alternative-history stuff. In this case he takes a departure point where Castro gets a wild hair up his but that since the Soviets still have tactical nuclear weapons on the island only months after the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He, Raul and Che decide to take back Guantanamo Naval Base in force. They over run the base and in the process steal a number of these tactical nuclear weapons from the Soviets. As per the norm with a Conroy's novels, there is some junior officer or junior enlisted military guy who is stuck in the middle of the events of the world. This is the main character on the American side, there is usually a fairly decent girl on this character's arm or interest, there is usually a fairly human opponent who has morals and then there is a whole slew of historical characters and some standard stock characters to round out the story telling events from over active teenage boys to ruthless murderous criminals.
Realistically, this like many of Conroy's books is good for a plane ride or a beach read while on vacation. One of those books that has scenes which catch your attention and you want to see play out, but then he stumbles them with too many characters or all of a sudden having a scene which distracts from the motion of events. The ending like most of the "Men's Adventure Pulps" (think Mack Bolan novels or any of the other Action Hero Man series style books that you can find in the supermarket book stands) wraps up too nicely and usually the hero and heroine survive and all the loose threads are wrapped up real quick. Yea, there are some anachronisms with regards to word choices, weapons and platforms mentioned, but this is a book that is being churned out by an author in those pulpy style. So I don't hold it that much against him for mistakes like that. Like I said, really a good book for a vacation trip to read on the plane, bus and train or on the beach or in the hotel at the end of the day. Not really something to keep long and if its left behind you aren't out that much hassle. Just enjoy the ride and chuckle at the mistakes and some of the cardboard you know is in there. The same way you chuckle at the B-grade films on cable at times, but get sucked into when there is nothing else to insult your intelligence.
Realistically, this like many of Conroy's books is good for a plane ride or a beach read while on vacation. One of those books that has scenes which catch your attention and you want to see play out, but then he stumbles them with too many characters or all of a sudden having a scene which distracts from the motion of events. The ending like most of the "Men's Adventure Pulps" (think Mack Bolan novels or any of the other Action Hero Man series style books that you can find in the supermarket book stands) wraps up too nicely and usually the hero and heroine survive and all the loose threads are wrapped up real quick. Yea, there are some anachronisms with regards to word choices, weapons and platforms mentioned, but this is a book that is being churned out by an author in those pulpy style. So I don't hold it that much against him for mistakes like that. Like I said, really a good book for a vacation trip to read on the plane, bus and train or on the beach or in the hotel at the end of the day. Not really something to keep long and if its left behind you aren't out that much hassle. Just enjoy the ride and chuckle at the mistakes and some of the cardboard you know is in there. The same way you chuckle at the B-grade films on cable at times, but get sucked into when there is nothing else to insult your intelligence.
September 3, 2012
I will preface this review by stating that for the last three years I have been researching the planned invasion of Cuba for a book I'm writing. I'm also a Conroy fan. His alternate history novels are generally entertaining and enjoyable.
Three years of research on the Cuban Missile Crisis meant that the premise of this book captivated me. After the Cuban Missile Crisis Castro steals a nuke, seizes the US base at Guantanamo, and hands America a reeling defeat.
At least that's the first part of the book.
Conroy does a lot of good character development. I judge this by how the characters appear at the beginning and the end of the book. They grow, evolve, and you get to like them. The story he weaves is entertaining. If you've read his other alternate history novels, this one is worth adding to your collection.
My favorite character in this book is the spy that discovers Castro's plan at the start of the book and acts as a backchannel for talks with the Soviets. Despite my love of the combat scenes, I found this character the most interesting and appealing.
There are a few technical flaws but in all fairness, these are minor nits at best. First, in only one case were the cruise missiles used by the Russians actually married to the nuclear warheads during the crisis and post-crisis. Second, I found it implausible that the US would hold back a full retaliatory invasion of Cuba given what Castro does in the book. Sure, the Soviets apply a lot of diplomatic pressure, but lets get real. Time to break out OP Plan 316 and in 18 days you invade and secure Cuba. Also, post the missile crisis, our military presence in the region was still substantial and on alert in case the Soviets or Cubans revoked the terms of the agreement to remove the missiles.
The counter to these points is simple - Conroy is writing a novel here and there has to be some degree of literary license. So, setting aside my insider knowledge, I accepted the book for what it was - a great ride.
I rate Castro's bomb a four out of five stars. Pick it up and prepare for a great weekend read!
Three years of research on the Cuban Missile Crisis meant that the premise of this book captivated me. After the Cuban Missile Crisis Castro steals a nuke, seizes the US base at Guantanamo, and hands America a reeling defeat.
At least that's the first part of the book.
Conroy does a lot of good character development. I judge this by how the characters appear at the beginning and the end of the book. They grow, evolve, and you get to like them. The story he weaves is entertaining. If you've read his other alternate history novels, this one is worth adding to your collection.
My favorite character in this book is the spy that discovers Castro's plan at the start of the book and acts as a backchannel for talks with the Soviets. Despite my love of the combat scenes, I found this character the most interesting and appealing.
There are a few technical flaws but in all fairness, these are minor nits at best. First, in only one case were the cruise missiles used by the Russians actually married to the nuclear warheads during the crisis and post-crisis. Second, I found it implausible that the US would hold back a full retaliatory invasion of Cuba given what Castro does in the book. Sure, the Soviets apply a lot of diplomatic pressure, but lets get real. Time to break out OP Plan 316 and in 18 days you invade and secure Cuba. Also, post the missile crisis, our military presence in the region was still substantial and on alert in case the Soviets or Cubans revoked the terms of the agreement to remove the missiles.
The counter to these points is simple - Conroy is writing a novel here and there has to be some degree of literary license. So, setting aside my insider knowledge, I accepted the book for what it was - a great ride.
I rate Castro's bomb a four out of five stars. Pick it up and prepare for a great weekend read!
May 26, 2015
Contrary to previous reviews I have read on this work: this is a ridiculous piece of alternate history and nothing more.
My critique of this question is this: why would Fidel Castro-90 miles from the United States steal a Soviet warhead to threaten the largest possessor of nuclear weapons in the entire world? Furthermore outside of perhaps a Batman villain who would wield a nuclear weapon around in such a manner?
If the goal is power, a single nuclear weapon does not supply very much to its possessor. To use it exhausts the supply, and retaining it hardly alters the balance of power, since again it is merely one warhead. Also by a small third world nation such as Cuba controlling such a weapon Cuba automatically isolates itself internationally, which is completely unlike Cuba which has always interacted with the UN and placed its wishes on Guantanamo towards that body. It also isolates itself from the Soviet Union-another unlikely and implausible scenario.
Of course as is typical in Conroy's writing: it doesn't have to make sense, Castro's just insane, and the United States wins in the end.
All in all another poor excuse in alternate history from Robert Conroy.
My critique of this question is this: why would Fidel Castro-90 miles from the United States steal a Soviet warhead to threaten the largest possessor of nuclear weapons in the entire world? Furthermore outside of perhaps a Batman villain who would wield a nuclear weapon around in such a manner?
If the goal is power, a single nuclear weapon does not supply very much to its possessor. To use it exhausts the supply, and retaining it hardly alters the balance of power, since again it is merely one warhead. Also by a small third world nation such as Cuba controlling such a weapon Cuba automatically isolates itself internationally, which is completely unlike Cuba which has always interacted with the UN and placed its wishes on Guantanamo towards that body. It also isolates itself from the Soviet Union-another unlikely and implausible scenario.
Of course as is typical in Conroy's writing: it doesn't have to make sense, Castro's just insane, and the United States wins in the end.
All in all another poor excuse in alternate history from Robert Conroy.
August 14, 2023
I've enjoyed Conroy's work in the past. Fast-paced, not too deep but goods stories, ideal for something I would consider light reading. However, this effort has even more of what makes me apprehensive when picking up a new title by him - lack of technical knowledge.
The author should really consider having someone with military experience proofread his writing for mistakes and misapprehensions. They crop up frequently, and act as speedbumps to the flow of the narrative to anyone with military and historical knowledge - his target audience.
Examples - He refers to the M-2 Browning as an "ancient machine gun." While the M-2 is a WW1 design (as the M1919), it has been in continuous production in its current form since 1933. There is no way to look at an M-2 and tell when it was manufactured, and the context clues in the narrative point to the specific weapon not being old, but the design being old and out of date.
In another part of the text, the Cuban Air Force attack the base with multiple jet fighters. In DEC 1962. There is no narrative explanation as to how the Cuban Air Force got possession of state of the art Soviet jets two months after the Cuban Missile Crisis. At the time, the Cuban Air Force was composed of Bautista remnants, mostly WW2 vintage piston engine aircraft, with an amazing lack of spare parts.
Also, one of the Marine commanders wishes for TOW missiles, which were not fielded until 1970, during an attack in 1962. Further, he wants to be able to fire them from inside the bunker. Wire-guided missiles of the late 1950s were huge, and were emplaced, not moved about while under attack to an alternate bunker. Likewise, the BTR-60, which the author states was used in the 1962 attack, was not sen in public by non-Soviets until 1961, so how likely is it that Cubans would have any of their own in the field?
There is no 24mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun. There's a 20mm, which has been standard from 1937 to today, and manufactured under license in several countries.
The C-54 did not drop paratroops. One experimental version with two troop doors may have been produced, but the aircraft was used for cargo, not airborne operations. The C-1119 was still being used for paratrooper training, and the new(ish) C-130 was being used in increasing numbers by 1962.
It's a shame that authors who can spin a good tale cannot expend the effort to get the small details correct, for it is in those details that the suspension of disbelief lies. In this aspect of storytelling, Conroy fails for this volume.
The author should really consider having someone with military experience proofread his writing for mistakes and misapprehensions. They crop up frequently, and act as speedbumps to the flow of the narrative to anyone with military and historical knowledge - his target audience.
Examples - He refers to the M-2 Browning as an "ancient machine gun." While the M-2 is a WW1 design (as the M1919), it has been in continuous production in its current form since 1933. There is no way to look at an M-2 and tell when it was manufactured, and the context clues in the narrative point to the specific weapon not being old, but the design being old and out of date.
In another part of the text, the Cuban Air Force attack the base with multiple jet fighters. In DEC 1962. There is no narrative explanation as to how the Cuban Air Force got possession of state of the art Soviet jets two months after the Cuban Missile Crisis. At the time, the Cuban Air Force was composed of Bautista remnants, mostly WW2 vintage piston engine aircraft, with an amazing lack of spare parts.
Also, one of the Marine commanders wishes for TOW missiles, which were not fielded until 1970, during an attack in 1962. Further, he wants to be able to fire them from inside the bunker. Wire-guided missiles of the late 1950s were huge, and were emplaced, not moved about while under attack to an alternate bunker. Likewise, the BTR-60, which the author states was used in the 1962 attack, was not sen in public by non-Soviets until 1961, so how likely is it that Cubans would have any of their own in the field?
There is no 24mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun. There's a 20mm, which has been standard from 1937 to today, and manufactured under license in several countries.
The C-54 did not drop paratroops. One experimental version with two troop doors may have been produced, but the aircraft was used for cargo, not airborne operations. The C-1119 was still being used for paratrooper training, and the new(ish) C-130 was being used in increasing numbers by 1962.
It's a shame that authors who can spin a good tale cannot expend the effort to get the small details correct, for it is in those details that the suspension of disbelief lies. In this aspect of storytelling, Conroy fails for this volume.
February 28, 2022
I don't like to deliver negative reviews because I know how hard most writers work to provide a quality product for readers. This book is not one of them. The is the worst kind of potboiler. It reads like a first draft: characters all speak the same ridiculous language and are about as deep as puddle in the road, the structure is confusing due to lack of breaks in narration, the improbabilities ring stronger that the plot, and there are literally hundreds of copy edit errors. I don't know who published this but no self respecting publisher, or writer for that matter, would accept this for public consumption. Basically, I want my money back.
October 23, 2018
Decent story, poor conversion to Kindle.
The Kindle version has various formatting issues that detract from reading the story. Otherwise, the plot is a bit suspect. A move on Gitmo would have only ended one way. A Third World War.
The Kindle version has various formatting issues that detract from reading the story. Otherwise, the plot is a bit suspect. A move on Gitmo would have only ended one way. A Third World War.
November 14, 2022
An thought provoking book from Mr. Conroy. Always entertaining if not always realistic. Recommended.
June 9, 2024
A slog to get through, could have been 100 pages shorter.
January 19, 2016
Over the years, I have enjoyed reading the quick, well-written, and well-researched alternate history novels produced by Robert Conroy. Although they are by no means Pulitzer Prize-winners, they are nevertheless something that both entertains and informs. "Castro's Bomb" is no different.
As the name implies, Fidel Castro and his cadre of radicals in Cuba have managed to obtain the use of nuclear weapons that were left in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This scenario is one that has only recently been brought up in serious academic circles, as it has/was always been believed that the Soviets almost immediately disbanded their nuclear forces in Cuba once the United States caught wind of their plans.
Without going into too much detail on the plot, suffice it to say that this book was good. In fact, probably Conroy's best so far.
As the name implies, Fidel Castro and his cadre of radicals in Cuba have managed to obtain the use of nuclear weapons that were left in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This scenario is one that has only recently been brought up in serious academic circles, as it has/was always been believed that the Soviets almost immediately disbanded their nuclear forces in Cuba once the United States caught wind of their plans.
Without going into too much detail on the plot, suffice it to say that this book was good. In fact, probably Conroy's best so far.
January 9, 2013
Pretty decent Conroy and AH novel; heavy on the military-fiction side, which is Conroy's specialization, with lots of vile villains and brave heroes (which may make it cartoonish to people looking for a more nuanced story). From my perspective, though, it was fine. Note: the action is essentially after the main crisis is over, as an angry Castro decides that he wants to inflict further damage on the USA.
Some may see the idea of Castro going for blood in the way he does here crazy, as in 'he's going to get creamed, the idiot.' Well, of course, but the historical Castro was like that. And the plan given was about the best that could be pulled off - if you think that the long term damage to you is irrelevant so long as you cause damage to someone else. And Castro did think that way.
Some may see the idea of Castro going for blood in the way he does here crazy, as in 'he's going to get creamed, the idiot.' Well, of course, but the historical Castro was like that. And the plan given was about the best that could be pulled off - if you think that the long term damage to you is irrelevant so long as you cause damage to someone else. And Castro did think that way.
May 3, 2012
I'm only giving this three stars right now. I love alternate history, but for some reason this book is just not holding my interest. I'm about a quarter of the way through but am setting it aside for now and will come back to it later.
I have enjoyed other Conroy novels, 1901 in particular, but this one is just not grabbing me and I have a few book club obligations to get through so I am shelving this one for now.
I have enjoyed other Conroy novels, 1901 in particular, but this one is just not grabbing me and I have a few book club obligations to get through so I am shelving this one for now.
July 20, 2015
Riveting
Mr. Conroy again spins another superb alternative history tale. His handling of the various characters and their well documented views made the political portion all the more credible. The handling of the military action was well done. With exception of a few typos and continuity issues, and very few military bloopers, it is a gripping story and well written. Excellent addition to any alternative history library.
Mr. Conroy again spins another superb alternative history tale. His handling of the various characters and their well documented views made the political portion all the more credible. The handling of the military action was well done. With exception of a few typos and continuity issues, and very few military bloopers, it is a gripping story and well written. Excellent addition to any alternative history library.
November 9, 2011
What if Castro decided after the Cuban missile crisis to invade and take over Guantanamo Bay? A strange premise that leads to an excellent work by Robert Conroy. There are twists and turns here what turn history as we know it on its tail. A great read.
July 9, 2012
This book was OK. I thought it was slow in a lot of parts. Plus I found a lot of grammar errors that annoyed me. Granted I am not a English professor but I expect the publisher to take the time to actually read the book and not depend strictly on spell check.
October 14, 2012
Robert Conroy is my favorite alternative history author, and one of my all around favorite authors as well. I am looking forward to reading another selection from him on my Kindle.
December 15, 2013
Another fun, light read by Mr. Conroy. Kudos!
February 2, 2015
Interesting what if story! Enjoyable read and it made sense ...
March 5, 2016
Good story
A very good story of what could have been. Believable characters a good action sequences. Abrupt ending though. Conroy's storytelling gets better with each book.
A very good story of what could have been. Believable characters a good action sequences. Abrupt ending though. Conroy's storytelling gets better with each book.
December 28, 2011
Decent
January 18, 2018
Absolutely incredible historical fiction. A must-read for anyone who enjoys the genre.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews