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USA v Militia #1
Showdown: USA vs. Militia
It's brother against brother, citizen against citizen, soldier against soldier--in a war for the soul of America
All across the nation, well-equipped militias are training for war. They know the hated Federals will be attacking, hell-bent on taking away their guns and their freedom. On the other side, the government knows the militias will be ready to fight to the death for their independence, their land, and their family values. At the next Ruby Ridge, both sides are bringing an army.
Leading the federal forces is General Douglas Freeman, the hard-nosed, flamboyant soldier who commanded American forces during WW III. When war breaks out, Freeman's B-52s bomb militia positions in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Militia and government forces square off in a massive tank battle in the Alvord Desert of southeastern Oregon. The oil fields of Bakersfield, key railroad links in Wyoming, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, are all targets of militia sabotage. Freeman launches the 82nd Airborne in a headlong attack on militia forces gathered near Mount St. Helens. At the mouth of the Columbia River on the Washington-Oregon Border, the two armies fight a climactic battle for the four-mile-long Astoria bridge.
SHOWDOWN is the heart-pounding scenario of a war that could be coming . . . a war in which both sides possess the most advanced and terrifying weapons in the history of combat. . . .
All across the nation, well-equipped militias are training for war. They know the hated Federals will be attacking, hell-bent on taking away their guns and their freedom. On the other side, the government knows the militias will be ready to fight to the death for their independence, their land, and their family values. At the next Ruby Ridge, both sides are bringing an army.
Leading the federal forces is General Douglas Freeman, the hard-nosed, flamboyant soldier who commanded American forces during WW III. When war breaks out, Freeman's B-52s bomb militia positions in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Militia and government forces square off in a massive tank battle in the Alvord Desert of southeastern Oregon. The oil fields of Bakersfield, key railroad links in Wyoming, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, are all targets of militia sabotage. Freeman launches the 82nd Airborne in a headlong attack on militia forces gathered near Mount St. Helens. At the mouth of the Columbia River on the Washington-Oregon Border, the two armies fight a climactic battle for the four-mile-long Astoria bridge.
SHOWDOWN is the heart-pounding scenario of a war that could be coming . . . a war in which both sides possess the most advanced and terrifying weapons in the history of combat. . . .
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 29, 1997
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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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August 1, 2023
USA vs. Militia: Showdown By Ian Slater, is a military techno thriller set within his original WW3 universe, and the first book in his USA vs. Militia series.
When the assassination of a prominent US political figure and a stand off between federal law enforcement and a survivalist community leads to a chain of events that results with various radical militia groups rising up against the US government. As this insurrection spreads a across the country. The government is forced to turn to retired WW3 veteran and war hero General Douglas Freeman to lead the US military against this armed rebellion that threatens to tear the country apart.
Showdown is a gripping novel about the beginnings of a second American Civil War. It’s not only realistic. It's frightening! What if a war with the militias actually happened? How would we all be affected by it? The characters are great, we learn how the militias really act, and the action is spectacular. The tactical and technical side of the book are absoluetly superb. The human story is pretty solid but can be a little dull at times. The plot is thick and cohesive but at times hard to follow, not due to any weakness on the part of the book but rather due the vast scope of characters, events, and locations.
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 “Showdown” is the human element of war. From the battlefield to the homefront he very realistically captures the emotions of everyone even remotely involved. From a racist skinhead joining the militia cause, to two brothers fighting on opposite sides, to FBI agents forced to round up American citizens. Slater covers them all. He treats the characters with respect and shows the impact of a modern day Second Civil War could have on Americans.
In the end, this is an entertaining and suspenseful book with some great action sequences, and definitely a great read for and fan of military techno thrillers.
When the assassination of a prominent US political figure and a stand off between federal law enforcement and a survivalist community leads to a chain of events that results with various radical militia groups rising up against the US government. As this insurrection spreads a across the country. The government is forced to turn to retired WW3 veteran and war hero General Douglas Freeman to lead the US military against this armed rebellion that threatens to tear the country apart.
Showdown is a gripping novel about the beginnings of a second American Civil War. It’s not only realistic. It's frightening! What if a war with the militias actually happened? How would we all be affected by it? The characters are great, we learn how the militias really act, and the action is spectacular. The tactical and technical side of the book are absoluetly superb. The human story is pretty solid but can be a little dull at times. The plot is thick and cohesive but at times hard to follow, not due to any weakness on the part of the book but rather due the vast scope of characters, events, and locations.
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 “Showdown” is the human element of war. From the battlefield to the homefront he very realistically captures the emotions of everyone even remotely involved. From a racist skinhead joining the militia cause, to two brothers fighting on opposite sides, to FBI agents forced to round up American citizens. Slater covers them all. He treats the characters with respect and shows the impact of a modern day Second Civil War could have on Americans.
In the end, this is an entertaining and suspenseful book with some great action sequences, and definitely a great read for and fan of military techno thrillers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review