Rare Mettle

by Ann Bridges

Ann Bridges hits a bulls-eye in exposing the potential devastation of a Western world reliant on Silicon Valley technology, and ultimately taken hostage by a Chinese embargo of rare metals crucial to sustaining our way of life and how we defend it. The sequel to "Private Offerings," Ms. Bridges debut Silicon Valley novel, "Rare Mettle" is a no-holds-barred depiction of modern U.S. military weapons impeded by myopic political posturing, and double agents so deeply embedded, success dictates a monumental collaboration of unlikely partners high-tech innovators and government agents seemingly the only parties who realize the lethal potential of this new world order.
The reality that American military strength and technology prowess could come under attack if China decides to flex its political muscle, limiting exports of rare components vital to Silicon Valley and defense contractors, is brought to life through Ms. Bridges' exhaustive research, finessed with input from government insiders. In "Rare Mettle," politicians and CEOs busily protect their careers, while special agent Paul Freeman fights to rescue his assigned operative in China, who possesses inside intelligence vital to America. Unexpected alliances bulldoze the status quo with courage and conviction, leveraging state-of-the-art surveillance technology in a breakneck effort to defend and protect all they hold dear: their national pride, their families...and their futures."

416 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2016

About the author

Silicon Valley author Ann Bridges is a native of Chicago and graduate of Stanford University. Settling in San Jose, she embarked on a challenging career spanning operations, finance, and marketing executive positions in the exploding convergence of the technology, communications, and entertainment industries.

A published author of both acclaimed fiction and non-fiction with a style that appeals to both genders, her debut Silicon Valley novel Private Offerings was named in Top 10 Best Business Books of 2015; its sequel, Rare Mettle, has proven its relevancy as a lead-in to her most recent non-fiction book Groundbreaking! America’s New Quest for Mineral Independence, co-authored with respected geologist Dr. Ned Mamula. A new series of Daring California novels begins with another mining and freedom theme with National Pen Women’s Award winning, Kit’s Mine, designed as a sweeping pioneer romance to attract more women to the significance of gold rushes then and now. Her shorter pieces include Shinny’s Journal: The Story of Why, co-authored with Phil Roth, and Mercury’s “Fake” Message. She is also a contributor and columnist for Townhall, National Review, Washington Times, The Hill, Capital Research Center, and LaCorte News.

Ann Bridges is a featured speaker at leading business conferences and universities, talking about the impact of technology worldwide and the emerging role of China. She is also a frequent guest on nationally syndicated radio shows sharing insights on today’s Silicon Valley and the issues affecting consumers, investors, and writers. A fervent believer in mentoring the next generation, she has recently joined ranks with creative organization Taliesin Nexus and think-tank Heartland Institute to promote freedom of ideas and marketplaces.

Reviews

[Lloyd Russell]

As is often the case, I want to start this review with a blurb from the back cover of the book:

Rare Mettle is Ann Bridges' sequel to debut Silicon Valley novel Private Offerings (B7, 2015), and presents a no-holds barred depiction of a modern-day reality: America's reliance on China's processing of a core ingredient for high-tech devices and state-of-the-art military weaponry. When the supply of rare earth is deliberately halted, economic chaos ensues, igniting a race to take back control, led by a monumental collaboration of unlikely partners-high-tech innovators and covert government agents-the only parties who realize the lethal potential of this new world order.

But here's where I depart from my normal review pattern. I want to quote Ann's AUTHOR'S NOTE at the end of the book. Although it has one small spoiler alert, it will not affect your reading/enjoyment of the book. Ann says:

In 2010, China did indeed threaten Japan with its lock on purified rare metals, in retaliation for a territorial dispute, later resolved. In the meantime, commodity prices for various rare earth elements shot up in the worldwide marketplace. While American politicians discussed the implications on our economy long-term and ordered the Pentagon to come up with solutions, they failed to make any policy changes. And Silicon Valley companies, while concerned, continue their dependence on these purified minerals, with no better alternative.

Once again, Ann has given us a book with her unique knowledge of world affairs as they relate to both Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. How often do we get to read an insider's viewpoint while still being entertained? Barry Eisler did it recently with The God's Eye View. But, still, it doesn't happen very often.

Did you guys see the movie The Big Short? If you did, then you all know that you had to pay close attention to what was happening in order to understand it. The same is true with Rare Mettle. It's not confusing or dense. But you need to stay somewhat focused in order to fully appreciate what is happening in the rare metal world. And that's a good thing. It's no fun to feel like a book (movie, TV show, lecture, et al) has been "dumbed down." Better that we should follow along and learn something. Well, if you do that here, you will learn a lot. I guarantee that.

There are some passages in the book that really resonated with me. Here's one of my favorites:

"...War has always been a violent tilt towards a new economic equilibrium. What we're experiencing today is a radical evolution instead, and the Pentagon's career bureaucrats are unwilling to accept this new reality. It's just like boiling frogs-raise the heat slowly, and they never realize the danger they're in until they're too lethargic to jump free."

And how about this one:

"Paul swallowed back the guilty acid that bubbled like a science experiment in his belly."

Did you feel that?

And, of course, I can't get through a review without bringing in some personal elements:

1. The Peter Principle was mentioned. Of course that was a popular saying quite a few years ago. I hadn't heard it in a while. If you don't know what it is, look it up. It's a pretty right-on expression.
2. There is a reference to a taiko drum. I had never heard of that until about 4 months ago. It turns out that a new friend of mine plays one. I got to see her and her group play live in a concert. It's very cool.
3. One of the ancillary characters in the book is Gideon Weinberg. One of my mom's sisters married a Weinberg. I still have a male cousin with that last name. It's just not a name you see very often.

If you want to learn about this very real worldwide issue from someone who knows what she's talking about, then Rare Mettle is for you.