WW III: Arctic Front

WW III #4

by Ian Slater

The American tanks smashed through the snow blockades in the terrible minus-seventy-degree Arctic battle. But they were outnumbered by troops of the Siberian Republic by five to one. In this, the worst winter in twenty years, blizzards wreaked havoc with U.S. air cover, and the smart money was on the Siberians. Their forebears had destroyed the Wehrmacht at Stalingrad. Now they would do the same to the Americans--unless the colorful and highly unorthodox U.S. General Feeman could devise a spectacular breakout....

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, Alternate History, War, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 22, 1992

About the author

Ian 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.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm probably done with this series in which the author seems to cook up any idea that comes into his head and throws it on the page to see what sticks - like the pasta chef with overdone spaghetti. At times I wondered if I wasn't actually reading a clever satire of this genre of heavy miltech adventure novels. Your mileage may vary and there's plenty more with this come in this rather extended multi-volume series.

[Brian S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. This is the first book where I really noticed plot and timeline breakdowns, Mr. Slater seems to have forgotten about certain aspects of his books. Please have someone review your timelines so your characters can grow better. Also, have your editors do a better job, seeing some issues.

[Steve Martucio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this series. Each book in the series is definitely a page turner and hard to put down. The books are an interesting look at the what if’s of the Cold War. Having been stationed in Germany before the wall came down we all knew the Fulda Gap was the doorway West for the Warsaw Pact. To read about how intense the fight would have been was in book one but it all started there and has progressed through to where we ended here on the frozen tundra of Siberia and what a trip it has been

[creig speed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best volume of the series so far

This author clearly does his research. This volume was filled with things that are not commonly known. He also has quite an imagination when it comes to his writing.

[Hans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, the war ended and all is quiet again, right? Nope!

Despite Moscow giving up, the Siberians think differently, and so General Freeman has another job to do. Our ‘Super Patton’ will take care of us again.

The writing is fast and furious, but again technical facts are distorted and sometimes makes one wonder how someone with an intelligence background can make such errors. But somehow I still enjoy reading it again.

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Arctic Front, the fourth in Ian Slater's WW3 series the fighting moves onto Siberia where despite Moscow having unconditionally surrendered, Siberia declares independence and fights on as the Union of Soviet Siberian Republics.

The action continues at a level equal to the last however if one hasn't read the earlier 3 books, this one wouldn't be a bad place to start, although you'd be missing a fair bit of background on each character and what's gone on there is enough information given that it would make for an enjoyable military fiction book. It's certainly a lot more in depth with the actual experiences from the earlier books though rather than just the vague call backs which whilst give enough of a background to make it readable solo certainly don't cover all the ins & outs which have occurred in the series thus far.

I'm quite enjoying this series and hope the quality continues at this level.

[Jacob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hard not to compare this to Clancy's Red Storm Rising. While I often found myself wishing for more both times I finished Red Storm Rising, I did enjoy the wide range of knowledge displayed by Clancy as well as the unique theaters of war he explored. He also created and developed characters. They weren't amazing characterizations, but they were given enough life to draw the reader in. Mr. Slater by contrast, has limited depth, both in the scope of the military engagements and character development. Perhaps most laughable is the Pattonesque general who is so archetypal, you know each event and sound byte before you read it. I also love how the general has enough combat knowledge to do HALO jumps AND command an M1 Abrams. Although, Mr. Slater did thankfully draw the line at having him captain a midget sub. Which, partial spoiler alert, was directly related to the great drawback for the general in his campaign. Three midget subs, holding up an entire army. Yeah. Ok. Enough said.

[Kevin Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biggest reason for my rating this a 3-star is that this one seems to completely ignore or re-write the ending of book three. Never really seen that before. The last hundred pages are pretty riveting, Slater has a knack for picking up the pace pretty well towards the end. Overall it feels like there was a lot that may have been cut from the book in the editing process, but it’s an enjoyable read nonetheless.