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USA v Militia #5
Knockout: USA vs. Militia
General Douglas Freeman continues his fierce confrontation with "Lucky" McBride and his militia when the rogue guerrilla strategist plots to seize control of a top-secret American weapon, regardless of the cost in human lives. Original.
- GenresFiction
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 27, 2001
7 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Ian Slater
53 books22 followersIan Slater is a thriller writer based in Vancouver, Canada. He has authored twenty-three adventure thrillers, including Firespill, Sea Gold, Air Glow Red, Storm, Deep Chill, Forbidden Zone, MacArthur Must Die, Showdown, Battle Front, and Manhunt. He is also known for his World War III series, which includes eleven stand-alone books, among them WW III: DARPA Alpha.
In addition to fiction, he has written Orwell: The Road to Airstrip One, a widely praised study of George Orwell’s social and political thought. He served as editor of the academic quarterly Pacific Affairs for twelve years and has contributed book reviews to major North American newspapers. His work also extends to film and radio, having written and produced radio dramas and short stories for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, as well as the screenplay for the National Film Board’s animated film Flash Point.
Before turning to writing, Slater held various roles, including working for the Australian navy, serving as a cipher clerk for the country’s Department of External Affairs, and acting as a defense officer for the Australian Joint Intelligence Bureau. He later worked as a marine geology technician, undertaking research voyages in the Pacific. Holding a doctorate in political science, he has taught courses in the humanities as both an author and lecturer.
In addition to fiction, he has written Orwell: The Road to Airstrip One, a widely praised study of George Orwell’s social and political thought. He served as editor of the academic quarterly Pacific Affairs for twelve years and has contributed book reviews to major North American newspapers. His work also extends to film and radio, having written and produced radio dramas and short stories for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, as well as the screenplay for the National Film Board’s animated film Flash Point.
Before turning to writing, Slater held various roles, including working for the Australian navy, serving as a cipher clerk for the country’s Department of External Affairs, and acting as a defense officer for the Australian Joint Intelligence Bureau. He later worked as a marine geology technician, undertaking research voyages in the Pacific. Holding a doctorate in political science, he has taught courses in the humanities as both an author and lecturer.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 19, 2023
USA vs. Militia: Knockout By Ian Slater, is a military techno thriller set within his original “WW3” universe, and the final book in his “USA vs Militia” trilogy.
Despite the Militia Movements various defeats in the Second American Civil War conflict. The remnants of the Militia Movement led by its most infamous member Lucky McBride come out of hiding and strike back at the federal government by devastating one it’s most powerful weapons platforms. After being humiliated on the world stage the US government recruits retired war hero General Douglas Freeman and his elite commando team to put down the Militia remnants in a final showdown that could decide the fate of the country.
Unlike the previous entry “Force 10” which was a scaled down spy thriller. Slater returns the series to the ongoing conflict between the Federals and the Militia. And it does not disappoint. As he takes a plausible scenario, hypothetical ongoing conflict between militia groups and the US military in the near future, and spins an eminently plausible scenario. The action is fast paced, the characters are believable, and the plot never quite goes where you think it’s going.
Throughout the book Slater is actually very even handed with both the militia and the federal factions. Some militia members are depicted as racist rednecks but others are shown as patriotic Americans striking a blow for freedom. Likewise, not all the federal forces are portrayed as angels in khaki. All the characters have their faults and often the reader is not sure which side to root for. In typical Slater fashion the storyline is carried on the wings of action packed sequences filled with enough detail to keep the reader informed and interested but not so much that the story drags or becomes boring.
The battle details including tactics and weaponry demonstrate that the author has undertaken extensive research and has awareness of the capabilities of modern weaponry and their weaknesses. Combined with a balanced approach to the war objectives and mentalities of opposing sides in near future scenarios the narrative is often disturbing and salutary, whilst eminently readable.
But where Ian Slater succeeds handsomely in “Knockout” is the human element of war. From the battlefield to the homefront he very realistically captures the emotions of everyone even remotely involved. He treats the characters with respect and shows the impact a semi “modern day” Second Civil War conflict could have on the people involved.
Overall, Slater delivers a superb ending to this series that is entertaining and suspenseful book with some great action sequences, and definitely a great read for any fans of military techno thrillers.
Despite the Militia Movements various defeats in the Second American Civil War conflict. The remnants of the Militia Movement led by its most infamous member Lucky McBride come out of hiding and strike back at the federal government by devastating one it’s most powerful weapons platforms. After being humiliated on the world stage the US government recruits retired war hero General Douglas Freeman and his elite commando team to put down the Militia remnants in a final showdown that could decide the fate of the country.
Unlike the previous entry “Force 10” which was a scaled down spy thriller. Slater returns the series to the ongoing conflict between the Federals and the Militia. And it does not disappoint. As he takes a plausible scenario, hypothetical ongoing conflict between militia groups and the US military in the near future, and spins an eminently plausible scenario. The action is fast paced, the characters are believable, and the plot never quite goes where you think it’s going.
Throughout the book Slater is actually very even handed with both the militia and the federal factions. Some militia members are depicted as racist rednecks but others are shown as patriotic Americans striking a blow for freedom. Likewise, not all the federal forces are portrayed as angels in khaki. All the characters have their faults and often the reader is not sure which side to root for. In typical Slater fashion the storyline is carried on the wings of action packed sequences filled with enough detail to keep the reader informed and interested but not so much that the story drags or becomes boring.
The battle details including tactics and weaponry demonstrate that the author has undertaken extensive research and has awareness of the capabilities of modern weaponry and their weaknesses. Combined with a balanced approach to the war objectives and mentalities of opposing sides in near future scenarios the narrative is often disturbing and salutary, whilst eminently readable.
But where Ian Slater succeeds handsomely in “Knockout” is the human element of war. From the battlefield to the homefront he very realistically captures the emotions of everyone even remotely involved. He treats the characters with respect and shows the impact a semi “modern day” Second Civil War conflict could have on the people involved.
Overall, Slater delivers a superb ending to this series that is entertaining and suspenseful book with some great action sequences, and definitely a great read for any fans of military techno thrillers.
September 26, 2021
good series
I’ve enjoyed this series, well written with good characters but to me the series has a major flaw. It mentions over and over the many thousands of militia which are seen in large scale battles in 1 and 2 but then it devotes a whole book to a hunt for one man and the last book is similar but with more action. Where are these many thousands?
I’ve enjoyed this series, well written with good characters but to me the series has a major flaw. It mentions over and over the many thousands of militia which are seen in large scale battles in 1 and 2 but then it devotes a whole book to a hunt for one man and the last book is similar but with more action. Where are these many thousands?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews