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The Knights of the Cold War and the Road to Bin Laden
In 1962 William Hampstead, the CIA Director of European operations opens a secret base in Liberia, West Africa to engineer the ULTIMATE Cold War weapon. Released accidently by the Monster, psychotic CIA agent Emile Beaucroix its release threatens to plunge the world into war. One can never have too much fun!
But in the game there are also good dragons. CIA operatives William Hogan and Max George aided by the free-wheeling army intelligence officer, the Shadow form an unlikely alliance with KGB Special Operations Chief Slava Kurnov to kill Beaucroix the Monster. By doing this, they agree to keep the Cold War cool and prevent the heat of war.
The AIDS virus is now loose on the world and President JFK orders the base closed and evidence destroyed, but William Hampstead has other plans. Soon the world would count one less altar boy, and William Hampstead will pick the new king.
The first in a sweeping series by master storyteller Peter Shadowhawk explores Washington’s out-of-control covert foreign policy, The Knights of the Cold War and The Road to Bin Laden will in turns terrify you, shock you, make you think, and have you laughing out loud at the stark reality that the world of espionage is behind far more than you know.
In this intense, fast-paced, spy-versus-spy tale, one CIA agent takes it upon himself to bring an end, once and for all, to the communist menace—by engineering the ultimate biological weapon.
In a world of lies and deceit, where arrogance and egos run rampant, the AIDS virus is unleashed and you won’t be able to tear yourself away from finding out the chilling truth.
The Knights of the Cold War and The Road to Bin Laden slashes through social ills such as bigotry and third-world exploitation as sharply as it stabs at the excesses of the world of espionage. A master of suspense, Shadowhawk creates a fascinatingly complex web of interrelationships between spies and events that are frightening, sexy, thought-provoking, and laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Action-packed and filled with surprises at every turn, this book will keep you constantly reassessing what you thought you knew. Shadowhawk’s insights into how homophobia, racism, arrogance, and pure greed are the underlying forces that drive world events hit so close to home that readers will wonder who really runs the show in the complex world we live in.
But in the game there are also good dragons. CIA operatives William Hogan and Max George aided by the free-wheeling army intelligence officer, the Shadow form an unlikely alliance with KGB Special Operations Chief Slava Kurnov to kill Beaucroix the Monster. By doing this, they agree to keep the Cold War cool and prevent the heat of war.
The AIDS virus is now loose on the world and President JFK orders the base closed and evidence destroyed, but William Hampstead has other plans. Soon the world would count one less altar boy, and William Hampstead will pick the new king.
The first in a sweeping series by master storyteller Peter Shadowhawk explores Washington’s out-of-control covert foreign policy, The Knights of the Cold War and The Road to Bin Laden will in turns terrify you, shock you, make you think, and have you laughing out loud at the stark reality that the world of espionage is behind far more than you know.
In this intense, fast-paced, spy-versus-spy tale, one CIA agent takes it upon himself to bring an end, once and for all, to the communist menace—by engineering the ultimate biological weapon.
In a world of lies and deceit, where arrogance and egos run rampant, the AIDS virus is unleashed and you won’t be able to tear yourself away from finding out the chilling truth.
The Knights of the Cold War and The Road to Bin Laden slashes through social ills such as bigotry and third-world exploitation as sharply as it stabs at the excesses of the world of espionage. A master of suspense, Shadowhawk creates a fascinatingly complex web of interrelationships between spies and events that are frightening, sexy, thought-provoking, and laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Action-packed and filled with surprises at every turn, this book will keep you constantly reassessing what you thought you knew. Shadowhawk’s insights into how homophobia, racism, arrogance, and pure greed are the underlying forces that drive world events hit so close to home that readers will wonder who really runs the show in the complex world we live in.
344 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2014
3 people are currently reading
762 people want to read
About the author
Peter Shadowhawk
1 book7 followersPeter Shadowhawk was born in Lombard, Ill USA and spent his childhood in Saint Paul, Minn. before moving to California in 1962.
He is is skilled storyteller who enjoys the twists and turns of an artfully told tale.
His current projects are the Road to Bin Laden series and a Secret Project not yet revealed. Stay tuned....
A writer whose style is purely his own Shadowhawk likes to portray the pettiness of man by splashing on the paint of social commentary upon the cruel, the bigoted and the unjust and brightly painting them with their own base motives.
He is is skilled storyteller who enjoys the twists and turns of an artfully told tale.
His current projects are the Road to Bin Laden series and a Secret Project not yet revealed. Stay tuned....
A writer whose style is purely his own Shadowhawk likes to portray the pettiness of man by splashing on the paint of social commentary upon the cruel, the bigoted and the unjust and brightly painting them with their own base motives.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 17, 2014
The Knights of the Cold War and the Road to Bin Laden by Peter Shadowhawk is a first reads win and I am giving my honest opinion. This whole book is about supposition. Supposing the CIA was involved in many of the major events that happened to the world since 1963. It really makes you think is this real or fiction? A person's mind works in mysterious ways and mine tends to want to believe some of these happenings. No ones ever clarified the Kennedy assassination and the Warren Commission was a joke. The only person who truly wanted this resolved was Robert Kennedy and we all know what happened to him.
May 9, 2015
I have been pondering what I wanted to say about Peter Shadowhawk's novel "The Knights of the Cold War and the Road to Bin Laden". It is an intriquing plot that spans over 30 years. During that time you are introduced to numerous people who seem to control the US since they control the CIA. I think it is clear that although Shadowhawk may not believe the structure behind his plot, he seems to believe there are definitely bad guys near the top of the CIA. If not, it is a sign of how well his writing is.
His book starts with a man who named Hogan who is essentially not allowed to leave Africa due to bad habits in his past. Another person you meet is called Beaucroix nicknamed the Monster, because he is. A man named Max adds some drunkeness just to keep the plot more interesting. I chuckled when I saw a character named after the author. It gave you the feeling that he had lived part of this story.
The author writes that Johnson, the CIA and the mob killed Kennedy because he got soft on Communism after the Bay of Pigs. Shadowhawk's detail makes this part of his book fascinating, unless you have believed this all along. I have, but the detail puts the Warren Commission report to shame. That was a "story" I thought could best be used for toilet tissue.
The glue that holds all these decades together is the CIA's placing a genetic scientist in Africa to develop a virus that they could use to control and/or kill Communists. Hogan and the Monster are equally in charge of this until the Monster elevates his status to being Hogan's boss. All this is the substance of the book, but I will leave you to read it yourself rather than spoil your fun.
Altogether Peter's novel is exceedinly well written. I could say the same about the editing. When I reached the end, I was disappointed because I wanted it to continue. I am looking forward to Book #2. I only have one negative. Peter...man-bone...really? Snerk.
Carol Piner
Kindle Book Review
Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Kindle Book Review does not know the author
His book starts with a man who named Hogan who is essentially not allowed to leave Africa due to bad habits in his past. Another person you meet is called Beaucroix nicknamed the Monster, because he is. A man named Max adds some drunkeness just to keep the plot more interesting. I chuckled when I saw a character named after the author. It gave you the feeling that he had lived part of this story.
The author writes that Johnson, the CIA and the mob killed Kennedy because he got soft on Communism after the Bay of Pigs. Shadowhawk's detail makes this part of his book fascinating, unless you have believed this all along. I have, but the detail puts the Warren Commission report to shame. That was a "story" I thought could best be used for toilet tissue.
The glue that holds all these decades together is the CIA's placing a genetic scientist in Africa to develop a virus that they could use to control and/or kill Communists. Hogan and the Monster are equally in charge of this until the Monster elevates his status to being Hogan's boss. All this is the substance of the book, but I will leave you to read it yourself rather than spoil your fun.
Altogether Peter's novel is exceedinly well written. I could say the same about the editing. When I reached the end, I was disappointed because I wanted it to continue. I am looking forward to Book #2. I only have one negative. Peter...man-bone...really? Snerk.
Carol Piner
Kindle Book Review
Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Kindle Book Review does not know the author
June 24, 2015
Dr. Robert Oliver Tindal (PhD, biochemistry, SMU, MD, Harvard) has invested the Wildfire Project (virus) that will minimize or contain the victims affected by AIDS.
There is a lot of clandestine & political espionage going on among countries.
Agent Michael Orman (CIA) & William Hamstead (CIA European operations) monitored a lot of the activity going on in there are or around the world.
The FBI, CDC, KGB, MIB all were involved someway somehow.
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains violent or graphic adult content or vulgar language &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
As a retired social worker working with my former clients mental & medical issues: terminal Cancer, Alzheimer’s, AIDS/HIV, Hepatitis C, etc., I’m not so sure Ebola & unwanted children (pregnancies) to provide for in poverty stricken or war torn 3rd world or other countries is not an frightening epidemic also.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written spy vs, spy book. It wasn’t always very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great spy vs, spy movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. To be continued. Top of my list for 2015. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
There is a lot of clandestine & political espionage going on among countries.
Agent Michael Orman (CIA) & William Hamstead (CIA European operations) monitored a lot of the activity going on in there are or around the world.
The FBI, CDC, KGB, MIB all were involved someway somehow.
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains violent or graphic adult content or vulgar language &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
As a retired social worker working with my former clients mental & medical issues: terminal Cancer, Alzheimer’s, AIDS/HIV, Hepatitis C, etc., I’m not so sure Ebola & unwanted children (pregnancies) to provide for in poverty stricken or war torn 3rd world or other countries is not an frightening epidemic also.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written spy vs, spy book. It wasn’t always very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great spy vs, spy movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. To be continued. Top of my list for 2015. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 22, 2015
This was a complex book with lots off twists and turns, the first part was a bit difficult for me, with all the names and dates, I also had to frequently flip back a page or two to figure out how much time had passed, but it didn't take long for me to be hooked.
As I read this book, and got to "know" the characters, understanding this book is a work of fiction, I wondered which characters were based on reality and which ones were made up to make the story flow, honestly some of the characters have very dark souls and I hope they don't/didn't exist in real life, though I suspect they do exist and our government takes full advantage of their dark "talents", if you have already read this book, you KNOW who I'm talking about...
This book is about the AIDS virus, how our government (and the shadow governments) weaponized it to use against their enemies-whoever "they" may be. As I was really getting into this book, another virus was becoming headline news, ebola. Honestly all I could think about was the fact that you could replace the word AIDS with the word ebola and it would all be the same story. It caused me to really think about what is or what might be going on behind closed doors, now THAT is a real horror story.
As I neared the end of the book, I wondered when and where Bin Laden would show up, at one point I thought the author must have forgotten about the title of the book and omitted that chapter, but rest assured, Bin Laden does show up.
It's pretty clear to me that there will be a part 2 to this book, I for one plan on reading it when it comes out, I could see this being turned into a movie or mini-series.
The author Peter Shadowhawk sent me a copy of this book to read and review, receiving the book for free in no way influenced my review.
As I read this book, and got to "know" the characters, understanding this book is a work of fiction, I wondered which characters were based on reality and which ones were made up to make the story flow, honestly some of the characters have very dark souls and I hope they don't/didn't exist in real life, though I suspect they do exist and our government takes full advantage of their dark "talents", if you have already read this book, you KNOW who I'm talking about...
This book is about the AIDS virus, how our government (and the shadow governments) weaponized it to use against their enemies-whoever "they" may be. As I was really getting into this book, another virus was becoming headline news, ebola. Honestly all I could think about was the fact that you could replace the word AIDS with the word ebola and it would all be the same story. It caused me to really think about what is or what might be going on behind closed doors, now THAT is a real horror story.
As I neared the end of the book, I wondered when and where Bin Laden would show up, at one point I thought the author must have forgotten about the title of the book and omitted that chapter, but rest assured, Bin Laden does show up.
It's pretty clear to me that there will be a part 2 to this book, I for one plan on reading it when it comes out, I could see this being turned into a movie or mini-series.
The author Peter Shadowhawk sent me a copy of this book to read and review, receiving the book for free in no way influenced my review.
May 3, 2015
I did not like this book, because of the constant violence. I suppose spies cannot always rely of cups of tea to get information and one has to expect murders and mayhem in such "jobs". But the amount of threats, risks, danger and violence has to be controlled, or controllable, no? Who would let a loose cannon like the monster more or less dictate the way such a complicated operation is run?
There is an idea behind the repeated (and useless) acts of violence which is interesting and I wish the story would have been more centered on it than on describing the killings, the tortures, the shoving and pushing, etc.
I understand the perpetual load of violence creates an atmosphere, something threatening and oppressing to get the readers into the darkness of the CIA world, but still, it does not make me enjoy it.
The book made me think of The great zoo of China, which I read a few months ago. I found the same universe in the two books, a world without any morals, driven by the idea the end justifies the means. Maybe more than that, it reminded me of All the Pretty Horses by McCarthy, with the same grim detachment toward individual human life.
Of course, don't forget this one is the fist tome of a series and the story will evolve in the future books. I just wished it were not so dark.
There is an idea behind the repeated (and useless) acts of violence which is interesting and I wish the story would have been more centered on it than on describing the killings, the tortures, the shoving and pushing, etc.
I understand the perpetual load of violence creates an atmosphere, something threatening and oppressing to get the readers into the darkness of the CIA world, but still, it does not make me enjoy it.
The book made me think of The great zoo of China, which I read a few months ago. I found the same universe in the two books, a world without any morals, driven by the idea the end justifies the means. Maybe more than that, it reminded me of All the Pretty Horses by McCarthy, with the same grim detachment toward individual human life.
Of course, don't forget this one is the fist tome of a series and the story will evolve in the future books. I just wished it were not so dark.
May 9, 2015
Peter Shadowhawk was kind enough to send me a copy of The Knights of the Cold War and the Road to Bin Laden. It is a jet-propelled pure action, high octane thriller for which there is no match. While lacking any true protagonist throughout, or really any likeable characters at all, it is an exciting and violent read. While it could be considered historical fiction, it seems to caricaturize the players involved and even go so far as to hyperbolize some of the personalities and situations. I would have liked to get to know someone in the story with more than one or two facets. All characters had enormous egos in common. Many were extremely violent. There was little or no back story to any of them, which made the overall believability of events extremely difficult, despite the generalities being in history books. All the same, if you are looking for non-stop manipulation and murder, with some intrigue that may help explain what might have occurred during significant chapters in United States history, this is the book for you.
December 9, 2014
OMG!!! I was so scared of the Monster!! I was so glad he was killed!! I do hope Max is still alive, somehow he missed the shot?? A very good read, it took me a bit to read it, I am a student in Economics, so I could not just sit and read this. But it is one that you have to pull yourself away from!!!! It is very good, I really did not know what it would be about, but once I had started reading it, I am now hooked and waiting for the next book!!! Some of the stuff I don't know if I would agree with, like how President Reagan was portrayed...that said, it does make you think and it does terrify you as the jacket says. I did enjoy reading it, and I am hoping that none of this is in any way true!...but you just never know!! I am so glad and I appreciate winning this book.Thank you for the very good read!!!!
May 29, 2015
Being a retired intelligence officer myself, I've long been a fan of spy novels. This is one of the more complex and interesting examples I've read. The characters are very well developed, and there are quite a few who will be familiar! Nothing about the story, I don't do spoilers... but you won't be disappointed!
May 12, 2015
Talk about an unusual book. This one by Shadowhawn is certainly in that category. Tells us even more than we ever wanted to know about our government (or at least what our government could be and do). Everything you want to keep you pleasantly or unpleasantly occupied.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
May 30, 2015
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A somewhat complex read, with lots of characters and plenty of twists and turns to the plot. This fast-paced thriller was a great read and I would recommend it.
October 13, 2014
I won a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.
December 6, 2014
good book. plot kept me reading and gave me stuff to think about. should've been proof read better as lots of little typos, words out of place, etc but didnt detract from a good read
November 7, 2014
Recommended!
February 1, 2015
What a great read. So enjoyable. This story kept my attention throughout. I highly recommend. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
May 25, 2015
Quite a fascinating read for me. I have let several friends read this book and they loved it as well.
July 20, 2015
it was a good read. So enjoyable.
This could make a great spy movie.
This could make a great spy movie.
February 2, 2016
I would like to thank Peter for reaching out to me and offering to send me his book in return for a review. I am all over the place with how I feel about this novel. I've gone from "this book is fascinating" when immersing myself in the conversations with JFK, to "what the heck is going on now?" when people are killing each other for nothing. The ending was unexpected, as was having new characters thrown in at the end. I am kind of scratching my head about why these characters were added, especially at the end, and am left contemplating if they were even necessary to the story. After reading this novel, I kind of think I have a better idea what someone suffering from ADD goes through, because at times this book was focused and easy to follow, then it went all over the place, zooming from 1 event to the next.
So, did I like this book? Yes, mostly. I thought the characters were well-developed, easy to imagine, and understand Beaucroix may be the most vile, evil character I've ever read! Scary dude, which I do appreciate. What did I not care for? The constant gay bashing. Queer this, queer that. I get it, "manly" men don't like gay people and these characters are "manly men." But for God's sake, enough already. I personally can only take so much before I just don't want to hear another derogatory word or phrase again. I also thought the conversations with the Cowboy president were ridiculous, but that's just my opinion. Bottom line, the constant focus on being gay or perceived as being gay seemed to trivialize the story to a degree that ended up taking away from what was really going on in the story.
So in a nutshell, I thought this story had moments of brilliance, coupled with intense, violently crazy episodes, great dialogue, especially between the worlds best spies, and unfortunately, way too much bigotry.
So, did I like this book? Yes, mostly. I thought the characters were well-developed, easy to imagine, and understand Beaucroix may be the most vile, evil character I've ever read! Scary dude, which I do appreciate. What did I not care for? The constant gay bashing. Queer this, queer that. I get it, "manly" men don't like gay people and these characters are "manly men." But for God's sake, enough already. I personally can only take so much before I just don't want to hear another derogatory word or phrase again. I also thought the conversations with the Cowboy president were ridiculous, but that's just my opinion. Bottom line, the constant focus on being gay or perceived as being gay seemed to trivialize the story to a degree that ended up taking away from what was really going on in the story.
So in a nutshell, I thought this story had moments of brilliance, coupled with intense, violently crazy episodes, great dialogue, especially between the worlds best spies, and unfortunately, way too much bigotry.
June 25, 2015
It's difficult to tell if I really liked this book, thus the three stars. In total the story was interesting and the ending not exactly as expected. However, the book never really grabbed my attention as a page turner, it was just there for me to pick up and read when nothing else to read was at hand and I didn't really feel the need to search it out instead of another book I happened to be reading.
The book is about the CIA operations during the Cold War and took place under several presidents, among them Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Reagan. There are "explanations" of some of the headline events of these time periods which are fairly interesting constructions and glimpses into what the CIA and KGB may have been like.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
The book is about the CIA operations during the Cold War and took place under several presidents, among them Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Reagan. There are "explanations" of some of the headline events of these time periods which are fairly interesting constructions and glimpses into what the CIA and KGB may have been like.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
June 5, 2015
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I honestly disliked this book so much that I could not force myself to read past chapter 18. The extreme excess of demeaning, disturbing, and hateful language towards homosexuals or anyone "different" played a significant factor for my dislike. However, the mass amounts of characters, vivid torture and violence, and jumping off on tangent stories away from the main plot are the primary reasons for my lack of desire to finish this book. Everyone has different opinions and is entitled to them however this will not be a book I recommend to anyone.
June 16, 2015
Mr.Shadowhawk has written a true page-turner. There is enough action here,enough human drama,enough fascinating history to keep you reading until dawn. You simply have to know what happens next.It's an amazing story,written about a world no one knows better than Mr. Shadowhawk himself.
*Thank you for my free Goodreads copy*
*Thank you for my free Goodreads copy*
May 24, 2015
This book was a Goodreads give away.
The book is well written, the characters are well developed, the plot is plausible but terrifying. This is not a fast read too many things to stop and think about but it will keep you reading to see what is going to happen next and what the conclusion will be. Will the good guys ride in and save the day? Are there any good guys?
The book is well written, the characters are well developed, the plot is plausible but terrifying. This is not a fast read too many things to stop and think about but it will keep you reading to see what is going to happen next and what the conclusion will be. Will the good guys ride in and save the day? Are there any good guys?
May 20, 2015
I really liked the premise and the book was at times very interesting. Unfortunately I found it went off track a bit sometimes and probably could have been condensed a bit more to keep the action moving. I found myself putting it down.
July 18, 2017
Reviewed by Michael Shulman for San Diego Book Review
Peter Shadowhawk first novel "Knights of the Cold War and the Road to Bin Laden" is a historical spy thriller that takes place over 20 years. The time period is between 1962 and 1984, during the height of the Cold War.
You can read this entire review and others like it at San Diego Book Review.
Peter Shadowhawk first novel "Knights of the Cold War and the Road to Bin Laden" is a historical spy thriller that takes place over 20 years. The time period is between 1962 and 1984, during the height of the Cold War.
You can read this entire review and others like it at San Diego Book Review.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews