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BBN-63
Andy Turner, an electronics engineer newly retired from the US Navy, has always had a burning desire for a greatness which has continually alluded him during a long career dealing with bureaucrats and political managers in a broken government system. A chance meeting at the USS Missouri Museum spawns a friendship that blossoms into a project to refit the USS Missouri with modern propulsion, weapons and electronics. The storied and once great battleship undergoes a transformation into a sleek modern warship where she takes her place again as a primary ship amidst the US Navy fleet. As a single ship battle group, the USS Missouri completes sea trials with flying colors and rearms just in time to once again prove her metal in battle. As the unrest in the world boils over into a hot shooting war which goes nuclear, the great ship once again answers the call to protect freedom.
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Published August 11, 2025
132 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 28, 2026
Meh
Took a bit of a stretch for this work of fiction to be mildly believable.. Just shut off your mind and read.
Took a bit of a stretch for this work of fiction to be mildly believable.. Just shut off your mind and read.
February 4, 2026
When I read the general description, I was very intrigued. I thought it would be something a bit along the lines of Hunter Goforth’s Tempered Steel. I could not have been more wrong.
As someone with a great affinity for the historical ships of World War 2, there is a fair bit of nostalgia and longing to see one of the beautiful Iowa’s brought back to life, especially the Missouri. So I was interested and willing to give it a chance. In full disclosure, I did this book via Audible. The virtual voice was ok. It doesn’t like military acronyms, abbreviations, and times. When you read certain novels, you have to utilize poetic faith or the willing suspension of disbelief to accept the story. Middle Earth, for example, requires that leap. For this book, you need a lot of poetic faith.
Readers frequently are introduced to an author’s personal belief systems via their writing. Sometimes, it’s subtle or hinted at, others, it’s a blunt instrument hitting you like being kicked in the mouth by an angry horse. For this book, it is definitely the latter and not the former.
When it comes to politics, I believe to each his own. That being said, I found the author’s exceedingly far right value systems and glorification of current political figures overwhelming and too much for me. Had that been toned down, it would have made it better. His depiction of current political figures is disconnected from the reality that I know.
Overall, the writing wasn’t childish as some reviews have mentioned. I would say more sophomoric. Definitely not that polished and definitely not great. It reads high schoolish. And even then, I suspect my English and Composition teacher in the 11th grade would take issues with it. I’ve definitely read worse, which is why it gets 2 stars. But it’s not great. Inconsistencies in names, descriptions, etc.. are there indicating a need for editing and review.
Concluding, not a great book. Interesting and nostalgic story line, but fails in execution. Way too political and in your face views, poor writing, and needs editing. I’ve read the reviews and summaries for other works by Mr. Carson, and based upon those, combined with this experience, I think I can safely say I will not be reading another Ross Carson novel, either in hardback, ebook, or Audible.
As someone with a great affinity for the historical ships of World War 2, there is a fair bit of nostalgia and longing to see one of the beautiful Iowa’s brought back to life, especially the Missouri. So I was interested and willing to give it a chance. In full disclosure, I did this book via Audible. The virtual voice was ok. It doesn’t like military acronyms, abbreviations, and times. When you read certain novels, you have to utilize poetic faith or the willing suspension of disbelief to accept the story. Middle Earth, for example, requires that leap. For this book, you need a lot of poetic faith.
Readers frequently are introduced to an author’s personal belief systems via their writing. Sometimes, it’s subtle or hinted at, others, it’s a blunt instrument hitting you like being kicked in the mouth by an angry horse. For this book, it is definitely the latter and not the former.
When it comes to politics, I believe to each his own. That being said, I found the author’s exceedingly far right value systems and glorification of current political figures overwhelming and too much for me. Had that been toned down, it would have made it better. His depiction of current political figures is disconnected from the reality that I know.
Overall, the writing wasn’t childish as some reviews have mentioned. I would say more sophomoric. Definitely not that polished and definitely not great. It reads high schoolish. And even then, I suspect my English and Composition teacher in the 11th grade would take issues with it. I’ve definitely read worse, which is why it gets 2 stars. But it’s not great. Inconsistencies in names, descriptions, etc.. are there indicating a need for editing and review.
Concluding, not a great book. Interesting and nostalgic story line, but fails in execution. Way too political and in your face views, poor writing, and needs editing. I’ve read the reviews and summaries for other works by Mr. Carson, and based upon those, combined with this experience, I think I can safely say I will not be reading another Ross Carson novel, either in hardback, ebook, or Audible.
December 27, 2025
A political dream by a conservative militarily want-to-be-millionaire. Critical and not realistic view of ethical government behavior. Very republican Trump wearing rose colored glasses future.
Generally an extension of a preper's military industrial complex pipe dream.
Fun engineering, rail gun issues has always been wear of the rails... Book story says issue is with the projectiles. BAE solved the power fast discharge requirements back in 2002 with a capacitor system that worked well especially in combination with a nuclear power charging system.
Mk41 VLS missiles would be very much drop in systems.
Borrowed with Kindle Unlimited, read with Alexa audio assist.
Read with Alexa audio application.
Generally an extension of a preper's military industrial complex pipe dream.
Fun engineering, rail gun issues has always been wear of the rails... Book story says issue is with the projectiles. BAE solved the power fast discharge requirements back in 2002 with a capacitor system that worked well especially in combination with a nuclear power charging system.
Mk41 VLS missiles would be very much drop in systems.
Borrowed with Kindle Unlimited, read with Alexa audio assist.
Read with Alexa audio application.
August 17, 2025
you gotta get through the first part to the second part.
The first part was interesting, but boy was it slow. The last part was a lot more interesting. But I hate when politics is so heavily involved in the book. The first part it certainly let you know the politics of the author. I recognize the right of the author to include politics. However, it’s also the right of the reader to not buy those books anymore.
The first part was interesting, but boy was it slow. The last part was a lot more interesting. But I hate when politics is so heavily involved in the book. The first part it certainly let you know the politics of the author. I recognize the right of the author to include politics. However, it’s also the right of the reader to not buy those books anymore.
December 25, 2025
It Was OK
A few copyediting errors here and there. The G63 became a Hummer a couple of times. And it's set in current day, so there are characters from the current administration, which I think was a mistake. They're also portrayed in a way that shows them how we *wish* they were, and not how they are. A lot of prepped stuff, which I didn't care for, though some would have fit with the story.
If those things don't bother you, or if you can ignore them, its a decent read.
A few copyediting errors here and there. The G63 became a Hummer a couple of times. And it's set in current day, so there are characters from the current administration, which I think was a mistake. They're also portrayed in a way that shows them how we *wish* they were, and not how they are. A lot of prepped stuff, which I didn't care for, though some would have fit with the story.
If those things don't bother you, or if you can ignore them, its a decent read.
April 28, 2026
Did not age well
Bad timing, and I feel for the author - predictions of how the Strait of Hormuz could be controlled by American military power just don’t meet with reality. This is a fantasy novel more than military sci fi, with especially shallow political understanding. More a comic book than a novel. On the good side, some fantasy is fun, and there’s some interesting ideas about updating Missouri….
Bad timing, and I feel for the author - predictions of how the Strait of Hormuz could be controlled by American military power just don’t meet with reality. This is a fantasy novel more than military sci fi, with especially shallow political understanding. More a comic book than a novel. On the good side, some fantasy is fun, and there’s some interesting ideas about updating Missouri….
December 17, 2025
Favorite concept, brought to life…
Russ Carson does it again, with another very well written story. In this one he takes a beloved idea, of modernizing an Iowa Class Battleship and he deftly brings life to the concept. BBN-63 was hard to put down, and fun to pick up. Give this one a try…I think you’ll like it and look forward to the next yarn from Russ Carson.
Russ Carson does it again, with another very well written story. In this one he takes a beloved idea, of modernizing an Iowa Class Battleship and he deftly brings life to the concept. BBN-63 was hard to put down, and fun to pick up. Give this one a try…I think you’ll like it and look forward to the next yarn from Russ Carson.
January 10, 2026
Hope Springs Eternal
Resurrection is great to see. Thanks for sharing a fantastic story with us. I am ex navy and am proud of you for giving the Missouri a new life even if it was only a story. I would like to see more on these people. Waiting!
Resurrection is great to see. Thanks for sharing a fantastic story with us. I am ex navy and am proud of you for giving the Missouri a new life even if it was only a story. I would like to see more on these people. Waiting!
February 11, 2026
I went into BBN-63 expecting a military-leaning techno-thriller with some historical grounding. That hook worked at first. The premise had potential, and the early sections were enough to keep me reading for a while.
That didn’t last.
The pacing is slow to the point of drag, and the story repeatedly stops to make room for the author’s political views. I’m not opposed to politics in fiction, but here it’s heavy-handed and intrusive. It felt less like background texture and more like commentary taking priority over plot, character, and momentum.
I eventually stopped reading because the balance never corrected itself. The narrative didn’t earn the patience it demanded, and I found myself skimming more than reading. At that point, continuing felt like work, not interest.
If you share the author’s political outlook or don’t mind it being front and center, you may get more out of this than I did. For me, the combination of slow pacing and overt messaging was enough to put the book down unfinished.
That didn’t last.
The pacing is slow to the point of drag, and the story repeatedly stops to make room for the author’s political views. I’m not opposed to politics in fiction, but here it’s heavy-handed and intrusive. It felt less like background texture and more like commentary taking priority over plot, character, and momentum.
I eventually stopped reading because the balance never corrected itself. The narrative didn’t earn the patience it demanded, and I found myself skimming more than reading. At that point, continuing felt like work, not interest.
If you share the author’s political outlook or don’t mind it being front and center, you may get more out of this than I did. For me, the combination of slow pacing and overt messaging was enough to put the book down unfinished.
April 8, 2026
A Great Read
The book starts slow but picks up speed. The Navy parts are believable as I am a Navy veteran and was stationed aboard several warships of the destroyer class. Highly recommend this book and want tons more just like it!
The book starts slow but picks up speed. The Navy parts are believable as I am a Navy veteran and was stationed aboard several warships of the destroyer class. Highly recommend this book and want tons more just like it!
April 23, 2026
Meh.
Started slow, had some good sections but most is poorly written. The dialog is stilted and unnatural. Redundant and repetitive. Prep porn really, unbelievable good luck for the protagonist. Very little Mighty Mo and less battle.
Started slow, had some good sections but most is poorly written. The dialog is stilted and unnatural. Redundant and repetitive. Prep porn really, unbelievable good luck for the protagonist. Very little Mighty Mo and less battle.
August 17, 2025
Bbn63
Loved this book. Ross Carson sure knows how to tell a story. Couldn't put it down once I started the book.
Loved this book. Ross Carson sure knows how to tell a story. Couldn't put it down once I started the book.
September 30, 2025
I injoyed this book
A great read. I highly recommend this book. It ended a little early for my taste but well written .
A great read. I highly recommend this book. It ended a little early for my taste but well written .
October 2, 2025
Excellent
This is an Excellent Book, I found it easy to follow the storyline. It is an exciting read. I highly recommend it!!
This is an Excellent Book, I found it easy to follow the storyline. It is an exciting read. I highly recommend it!!
October 7, 2025
BBN-63
The way it should work. An awesome idea, that would be an awesome platform, if the government would do it
Good story, great characters.
Thank you.
The way it should work. An awesome idea, that would be an awesome platform, if the government would do it
Good story, great characters.
Thank you.
October 18, 2025
RECOMMENDED
April 15, 2026
Nicely different military story
This was different from nearly every military story I've read...in a real!y good way. Kudos to Ross Carson on this tale.
This was different from nearly every military story I've read...in a real!y good way. Kudos to Ross Carson on this tale.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews