The Apocalypse Brigade

by Alfred Coppel

America's power has been humbled by a global tidal wave of terrorism. Its Economic system is held hostage by a triumphant army of fanatics. Its leaders are paralyzed by indecision. Only one force remains to save the country and the world from total disaster or else push it over the brink...........

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

350 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Alfredo Jose de Arana-Marini Coppel was an American author. He served as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After his discharge, he started his career as a writer. He became one of the most prolific pulp authors of the 1950s and 1960s, adopting the pseudonyms Robert Cham Gilman and A.C. Marin and writing for a variety of pulp magazines and later "slick" publishers. Though writing in a variety of genres, including action thrillers, he is known for his science fiction stories which comprise both short stories and novels.

Reviews

[David Lucero · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a former paratrooper, I was drawn to this action-packed novel. The author writes in vivid detail and clarity about how terrorists have stretched America's military resources and now threaten an oil embargo against the West. An ex-American general creates a brigade of highly-trained, gung-ho paratroopers, pilots and military experts to conduct a daring raid on the capitol of a Middle East nation, take over the government and make demands suitable to the West. And how they go about this is as exciting as the scenes depicted in this book. I found it in a used-book store and chose to read it because of my military background, and what the book was about. I no longer have it in my collection, but intend to get it for another read. If you enjoy adventure, action-packed books filled with suspense and a sense of reality, you'll love this book.

[Tokoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really a surprise for me, as the synopsis blurb for some reason had me thinking it was some sort of post-apocalyptic dystopian novel instead of an early political techothriller, though it did have a partially alternative history after the 1979 Islamic revolution. But, seriously, this was just the kind of older paperback story I was looking for! It did remind me at times of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, with some of its themes. But why did it end off with a cliff-hanger! . . .

More 70s and 80s thrillers! I have a lot to get through. 

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My goodness, if this book had been released today, instead of in 1980, the leftists would be screaming "r-a-c-i-s-m!!!!!!" and would burn Alfred Coppel alive on Twitter. Since I believe that an author and a book reflect the mores of the time, his comments about the Russians, and Third World Countries (known as "shit holes" to our current president, which is basically just a statement of fact) and especially the Arabs are a reflection of the Arab terrorism of the time (such as the takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran.) Like this:

Do you know that seven out of ten persons in the world today have no access to television, radio, newspapers, or even a telephone? Most of the planet lives in the dark ages, young man. How long can civilized nations allow their destinies to be ruled by such people?

and

Theirs was a culture based on principles laid down by Mohammed in the seventh century. Giving them jet airplanes and high rise buildings could not change that. It could only cause them cultural shock. ... Change, Western Values, and Western freedoms were to the devout Sunnis of the Arabian Peninsula nothing less than the keys for opening the yawning gates of Gehenna.

and

[The Arabians] have no culture meaningful in our own time. They were a great people once, but they have never advanced beyond the twelfth century in any of the concerns that denote modern nationhood.

I am not sure why Coppel picks the twelfth century for the point at which Arab culture quit advancing. Perhaps because that is when Arab power was subsumed by the Turks?

The "woke" left would also be screaming "S-E-X-I-S-M!!!!" because of the way Coppel writes about Amira, the female star with big boobs, long hair, perfect skin and the beauty of Nefertiti who lies around naked on her bed in a dark room feeling the sweat between her thighs. When clothed, she feels the sweat between her breasts, and unbuttons her blouse to let some air in. None of this imagery is particularly relevant to the story, but I am guessing that Coppel included it to provide some titillation to the male reader.

So is Calder Davis so wrong about the weakness and impotence of the West? Given the ending, I think that Coppel sides with his villain on this one.

[Armin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beginnt ganz verheißungsvoll, allerdings verzettelt sich der Autor ziemlich schnell und lässt die Spannungskurve streckenweise stark absinken ehe er seinen großen Coup aus dem Hut zieht: die Verschwörer planen nämlich sämtliche Ölreserven nuklear zu verseuchen und der Kopf des Anschlags sitzt an einer Stelle, wo eigentlich der Einsatz gegen die Aufständischen koordiniert wird. Und da das Buch Ende der 70er entstanden ist, greift das Wort-Case-Szenario. Das Schlussbild, bei dem die US-Bomber gerade das Ölzeitalter unwiderruflich beenden, entbehrt nicht eines gewissen Reizes. Doch leider ist Coppel zuvor nur phasenweise auf der Höhe seines Schaffens.

[Mcpee Bhosha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left me hanging. What happens to the planes carrying radioactive material, what is the state of the World after that, what happens to Dr Shallai and Rivas?

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 to 4 pluss. Very good thriller.