Firestorm

The Survivalist #20

by Jerry Ahern

In a world where all the old evil empires have re-emerged can one man survive? John Rourke, CIA-trained weapons and survival expert had never been better armed for close combat. The Rybka M.O.B. holster, secure on the belt in the small of his back held his old Colt Lawman Mk III .357 Magnum revolver. At his right hip, the Smith 629, at his left hip, the LS-X blade. The little Detonics Combat Masters were holstered in the double Alessi shoulder rig, hidden under his battered brown bomber jacket. The big Detonics Scoremasters were in his belt; the Sting 1A Black Chrome tucked away inside his waistband. He slung the M-16 muzzle down, across his back. Not overkill. Not when the stakes were this high. Not just personal survival but the future of the planet's entire ecosystem.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1990

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

[Mr Greig Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

No20 of the series. Same old stuff. Explosions, 80s style stereotype characters and gun descriptions straight out of soldier of fortune.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firestorm, The Survivalist #20, By Jerry Ahern.

Doctor John Rourke receives intelligence of a new Soviet particle beam weapon developed that could tip the balance of the war between Russia and the allied New Germany and Midwake. Along with Paul Rubenstein and Rourke's son Micheal, he travels to the mountains in Russia to steal one of these weapons to level the playing field.

Meanwhile, a dangerous neo Nazi, secretly allied with Commander Dodd of Eden Base, is out for revenge against Sarah Rourke for killing his brother. Luckily, Sarah has the assistance of her daughter Annie and Natalia, the ex Soviet assassin, to help defend themselves and the secret mountain retreat where they are staying.

I did enjoy this one. It's a great series, but occasionally, a few minor things didn't hit home for me. It's still a good book and would recommend.

[Joseph B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Survivalist series continues to coast along with Firestorm. This is one of the better entries. While it is full of the explosions, intrigue, and nigh invincible heroes in peril; we also get a bit of lampshading about all that as the women of the series get together at John's Retreat and talk about everything. It was some much needed decompressing, while John and Paul take on the threat of Russian particle beam technology.

Solid 3/5.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survivalist books

I was booked after I brought 3 at a boot fair years ago,loved the characters and the family dynamic
,so now on book 21
What more can i say

[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.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Post-apocalyptic pulp goodness.

[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