The Arsenal

The Survivalist #16

by Jerry Ahern

Marshal Vladmir Karamatsov is dead, the victim of the fierce undersea battle for Mid-Wake. But with his arch enemy gone, John Thomas Rourke, the ex-CIA Covert Operations Officer, weapons specialist and survival expert, still lives, fighting the elements and the odds.

On an expedition to secure peaceful relations with the Far East, Rourke's son Michael and his ambassadors are imprisoned by the mysterious leader of the Second City of China, a sadistic madman intent on unleashing another nuclear holocaust on an already war-ravaged world.

With Russian Colonel Antonovich, Karamatosov's surviving second-in-command, preparing to mount his own assault on the Second City to gain control of the remainder of China's pre-war atomic arsenal, John Rourke finds himself trapped between two seemingly invincible enemies. And with precious time running out, he is the only man who can rescue his captured son and save what is left of civilization from total destruction. He is The Survivalist.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Jerry Ahern (born Jerome Morrell Ahern) was a science fiction and action novel author best known for his post apocalyptic survivalist series The Survivalist. The books in this series are heavy with descriptions of the weapons the protagonists use to survive and prosecute a seemingly never-ending war amongst the remnants of the superpowers from pre-apocalypse times.

Ahern was also a firearms writer, who published numerous articles in magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Handguns and Gun World.

Jerry Ahern passed away on July 24, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.

Ahern also released books under pseudonym Axel Kilgore.

Reviews

[Joseph B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Arsenal spins right out of the double-length special Mid-Wake, and we deal with the fallout of Karamatsov's death while the rogue Chinese threat looms. We're also introduced to a surviving Nazi element from earlier in the series; adding more dynamics to this new political landscape.

If you were expecting a breather after Mid-Wake, you won't get it. This novel opens up with an assassination attempt against John Rouke that sends his family off in different directions as they attempt to end the Russian communists while simultaneously dealing with a potentially hostile Chinese faction in possession of nukes. Ahern's writing remains the same; a bit repetitive but descriptive enough to enjoy. The characters are developing well, with a regression for Natalia which is completely understandable given her actions in the previous book.

There's plenty of action, twists, and survivalist situations to be had so continue on with the series if you've been liking it so far. The Arsenal gets a solid 3/5 stars and 4/5 for post-apocalyptic pulp fans.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Szesnasta część przyjemnego odzwierciedlenia kina akcji w klimatach postapo z czasów filmów na kasetach wideo.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite adventure series. Dr John Thomas Rourke leads his family and friends through a post apocalyptic world fighting ever step if the way. Fantastic characters and plots. Very detailed weapon descriptions. Excellent series. My highest recommendation

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review under "Total War," Survivalist Book 1.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was fun easy reading in my teens. Would actually like to pick one up again and see what I think now. :D