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Atlantic Resolve: The War for Estonia
In the year 2033, a new Russian president seeks to challenge the long-standing convention that an armed attack against one member of NATO is considered an attack against all. Setting his eyes on Estonia, a plan to quickly subjugate the nation is drawn out. As Russian forces mass along the border, a new, untested American president will be forced to make difficult decisions to preserve an already frayed alliance.
Will the experienced Russian military, with its massed artillery, battle-proven drones, modernized fleet of T-90s, freshly built Kurganets, and newly operational SU-57s overwhelm the small NATO force stationed in Estonia as it fights a desperate delaying action? Will NATO stealth aircraft be able to evade Russia’s dense air defense network and provide critical support to a faltering NATO line? Will the coalition of nations within NATO be able to put aside their differences and amass a force large enough to halt the Russian advance?
Find out as you follow the POVs of an American soldier on the front lines, an American brigade commander making tough decisions as his brigade faces Russian armored formations, and a host of different Russian POVs as they contend with their NATO enemy. Written by two U.S. Army veterans, “Atlantic The War for Estonia” seeks to create a realistic scenario that details both the monotony and intensity of military life as described from the viewpoints of the soldiers on the ground to the heads of state that will orchestrate such a conflict.
Will the experienced Russian military, with its massed artillery, battle-proven drones, modernized fleet of T-90s, freshly built Kurganets, and newly operational SU-57s overwhelm the small NATO force stationed in Estonia as it fights a desperate delaying action? Will NATO stealth aircraft be able to evade Russia’s dense air defense network and provide critical support to a faltering NATO line? Will the coalition of nations within NATO be able to put aside their differences and amass a force large enough to halt the Russian advance?
Find out as you follow the POVs of an American soldier on the front lines, an American brigade commander making tough decisions as his brigade faces Russian armored formations, and a host of different Russian POVs as they contend with their NATO enemy. Written by two U.S. Army veterans, “Atlantic The War for Estonia” seeks to create a realistic scenario that details both the monotony and intensity of military life as described from the viewpoints of the soldiers on the ground to the heads of state that will orchestrate such a conflict.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 5, 2025
Good writing, but could use another proofread. I spotted numerous misspellings and there's a ton of inconsistent style in the book.
August 8, 2026
This is not a particularly good book—not only because it isn’t especially gripping and is very predictable, but because it’s simply no longer up to date.
It’s a classic problem with books that have become a little too old in light of the military-technological revolution brought about by the war in Ukraine—both technologically and geopolitically.
The book assumes that America is still fully on board with NATO and would take the lead in a NATO-directed effort to accompany a Russian advance into Estonia.
That is nonsense in 2026.
At the same time, the book does rightly place great emphasis on the role of logistics, since much of it hinges on Operation Somerville—an unorthodox logistics approach meant to defend NATO partner Estonia in the shortest possible time—but the reality of the drone war in Ukraine, the reality of glide bombs, and all the other issues shaping 2026 play only a subordinate role here.
You get the feeling we’re dealing with a version of a NATO-versus-Russia war that feels like it comes from 2022, not 2033.
The war portrayed here is not realistic—clearly outdated and clearly heavy-metal, tank-centric.
That won’t happen in 2033.
Unfortunately, the book is no longer current and, in the world of Tom Clancy-style techno-military thrillers, it isn’t particularly original either.
It’s a classic problem with books that have become a little too old in light of the military-technological revolution brought about by the war in Ukraine—both technologically and geopolitically.
The book assumes that America is still fully on board with NATO and would take the lead in a NATO-directed effort to accompany a Russian advance into Estonia.
That is nonsense in 2026.
At the same time, the book does rightly place great emphasis on the role of logistics, since much of it hinges on Operation Somerville—an unorthodox logistics approach meant to defend NATO partner Estonia in the shortest possible time—but the reality of the drone war in Ukraine, the reality of glide bombs, and all the other issues shaping 2026 play only a subordinate role here.
You get the feeling we’re dealing with a version of a NATO-versus-Russia war that feels like it comes from 2022, not 2033.
The war portrayed here is not realistic—clearly outdated and clearly heavy-metal, tank-centric.
That won’t happen in 2033.
Unfortunately, the book is no longer current and, in the world of Tom Clancy-style techno-military thrillers, it isn’t particularly original either.
September 10, 2025
‘Atlantic Resolve: The War for Estonia’ is written by U.S. Army veterans John Pierson and Thomas Newman. From the very first sentence “In formation inside the motorpool, Specialist Wojak stood with his entire battalion, motionless against the cold wind” you can tell this story would be brimming authenticity and realism. Anyone that’s served in the Army or Marines can tell you how central of a setting the motorpool is 😂 The story is fast paced, as you would expect any political or military thrillers to be. It is about the all too plausible scenario of Russia invading a neighboring NATO country in the not too distant future (2033). The story shifts POVs from an American soldier on the frontline, to a brigade commander negotiating critical tactical decisions, and POVs from the US and Russian presidents and the political strategizing and positioning on both sides.
The authors, both being Army vets, have a native fluency in describing military logistics, SOPs, TTPs, and all the jargon, acronyms and abbreviations that come with that (see what I did there?). Being a vet myself (who coincidentally served in the same division as Newman), this added a layer of familiarity, and to an extent, comfort, while reading the gritty, chaotic war scenes. At times I could almost smell the diesel fuel, or feel the cold hard ground from being prone in a fighting position.
The story is lacking in character depth or development, (you don’t really end caring too much about any one character), however I think the main goal of the authors was too present a very possible situation, dissect it from multiple angles, and then tell the very detailed and authentic story of how it would unfold and the lives it would affect. There were numerous typos and errors in the book but I chatted with Newman about those and he assured he could get those fixed. While there were enough to be noticed, it didn’t get to the point where it detracted from the narrative.
Overall this was a solid debut novel from a couple of vets and I’m excited to see what they come up with next. If you’re into military/political thrillers this book would be worth your time.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for Goodreads.
The authors, both being Army vets, have a native fluency in describing military logistics, SOPs, TTPs, and all the jargon, acronyms and abbreviations that come with that (see what I did there?). Being a vet myself (who coincidentally served in the same division as Newman), this added a layer of familiarity, and to an extent, comfort, while reading the gritty, chaotic war scenes. At times I could almost smell the diesel fuel, or feel the cold hard ground from being prone in a fighting position.
The story is lacking in character depth or development, (you don’t really end caring too much about any one character), however I think the main goal of the authors was too present a very possible situation, dissect it from multiple angles, and then tell the very detailed and authentic story of how it would unfold and the lives it would affect. There were numerous typos and errors in the book but I chatted with Newman about those and he assured he could get those fixed. While there were enough to be noticed, it didn’t get to the point where it detracted from the narrative.
Overall this was a solid debut novel from a couple of vets and I’m excited to see what they come up with next. If you’re into military/political thrillers this book would be worth your time.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for Goodreads.
August 17, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
It’s an interesting and relevant storyline. Overall, it’s not a bad book, but there are some things that prevent it from being great, at least for me.
There’s not a lot of detailed actions seems. Normally, when I read something like this, I’m looking for detailed battle sequences and related content. These are pretty quick and neatly tied up and off. I think expansion of that part of the storyline would make the book more interesting and allow for far more character development.
The single most irritating thing for me was this book needs an editor. There were numerous simple editing errors that distract me from the narrative. For example, 3 soldiers in a foxhole - Pvt. A, Specialist B, Sergeant C. Then you have a sentence like Private B shakes Specialist B to wake him. In a meeting, you have Captain M. The Colonel addresses Captain M and refers to him by both M and T instead of his real name M.
Editing errors like that tend to take me out of the zone as I read. This tends to reduce the fun I have in reading. So, overall, decent story bones, needs more detailed actions sequences, and really needs an editor to review for consistencies and spelling issues.
It’s an interesting and relevant storyline. Overall, it’s not a bad book, but there are some things that prevent it from being great, at least for me.
There’s not a lot of detailed actions seems. Normally, when I read something like this, I’m looking for detailed battle sequences and related content. These are pretty quick and neatly tied up and off. I think expansion of that part of the storyline would make the book more interesting and allow for far more character development.
The single most irritating thing for me was this book needs an editor. There were numerous simple editing errors that distract me from the narrative. For example, 3 soldiers in a foxhole - Pvt. A, Specialist B, Sergeant C. Then you have a sentence like Private B shakes Specialist B to wake him. In a meeting, you have Captain M. The Colonel addresses Captain M and refers to him by both M and T instead of his real name M.
Editing errors like that tend to take me out of the zone as I read. This tends to reduce the fun I have in reading. So, overall, decent story bones, needs more detailed actions sequences, and really needs an editor to review for consistencies and spelling issues.
August 10, 2025
Going into this book, I thought it would be focused on the fighting in a future war scenario, the ground-level battles and such, but it was that and more. I think the book did a good job bringing you into the fray of battle, but it really shined at bringing the political maneuvering of war to light. Making decisions based on intelligence sources, taking risks with the potential for all-out nuclear war in the balance. But most importantly, the value of alliances in the bigger picture of the global stage. Just as no man can survive alone, nations also need allies to survive. Give this one a shot, it may just give you a new picture of our modern global dynamic.
June 9, 2026
This is an interesting book that still has some flaws that could have been avoided. Other than nonexistent proofreading, some plot elements should have been more developed. Although the vertical command layers are nicely described, what lacks is more character depth and actual friction that would ensue in an operation of this scale. Even moderately sized army exercises don't go this smoothly comms and maneuver wise. Also, the locals would have had a much more notable role, since what they lack in numbers they more than compensate in ferocity and determination.
Overall, the scenario is engaging and plausible, maps add to the immersion, and the point the author makes is clear and solid. One star is knocked off the rating as it was hit by an omnipotent drone jamming ray! That was a lazy decision for a near future realistic scenario. However, I hope stories like these serve as a warning, and stay in the realm of fiction.
Overall, the scenario is engaging and plausible, maps add to the immersion, and the point the author makes is clear and solid. One star is knocked off the rating as it was hit by an omnipotent drone jamming ray! That was a lazy decision for a near future realistic scenario. However, I hope stories like these serve as a warning, and stay in the realm of fiction.
April 11, 2025
A ripping yarn that gives the reader authentic insights from two guys who have obviously spent time in the Estonia theater. If you enjoy a good military read, this one’s for you. I’m a veteran, but have been away from the game for awhile - read g this both brought back memories and educated me on the newest capabilities of both Russia and NATO. Realistic, right down to the attitudes of the individual soldiers who find themselves in a deadly situation. The maps were also very helpful - enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews