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"FOR ALERT FORCE...KLAXON, KLAXON, KLAXON": WWIII THROUGH THE EYES OF SAC WARRIORS
It's October 1987. A military coup inside the Soviet Union removes Mikhail Gorbachev from power. What follows is a dangerous, escalating game of saber-rattling against the United States and her allies. Aggressive actions by the Soviets result in retaliation in kind by the United States. With blood shed and losses mounting, total nuclear war could erupt at any moment. While peace is their profession, Strategic Air Command stands ready to slug their way into the enemy's heartland and burn them into oblivion. This is the story of World War III through the eyes of the men who would have fought it.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2020
14 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 16, 2020
Did I enjoy this book? Absolutely.
Is this book well written? Well...that depends on your viewpoint. If you're into technical details of how a B-52 is used in combat , then you're in for a good read. The first half of the book may take a while to get through, but the second half I couldn't put down. Loved it!
The downside: this book needed a good editor. There are times when the author repeats himself, and a few typos (in the Kindle version at least). Did they distract from reading it? No, not really, because I loved the technical side of this. A good editor could have tightened this read down a little, allowed for additional narrative, and maybe some more character development.
If you're a Clancy fan, you'll appreciate this book. It totally feels like it was written by an insider, and the ultimate story is that of SAC, not of the characters or the B-52 in particular. Worth a read? Definitely. Just be aware that it's not perfect. Well done Mr. Clonts!
Is this book well written? Well...that depends on your viewpoint. If you're into technical details of how a B-52 is used in combat , then you're in for a good read. The first half of the book may take a while to get through, but the second half I couldn't put down. Loved it!
The downside: this book needed a good editor. There are times when the author repeats himself, and a few typos (in the Kindle version at least). Did they distract from reading it? No, not really, because I loved the technical side of this. A good editor could have tightened this read down a little, allowed for additional narrative, and maybe some more character development.
If you're a Clancy fan, you'll appreciate this book. It totally feels like it was written by an insider, and the ultimate story is that of SAC, not of the characters or the B-52 in particular. Worth a read? Definitely. Just be aware that it's not perfect. Well done Mr. Clonts!
March 13, 2024
The things you'll buy in the Kindle Store when you're bored...
Honestly, while it's not great, it's considerably better than it could have been. The author presents a sometimes painfully in-depth view of what WWIII would look like from the perspective of the airmen fighting it. While this kind of military techno-thriller can curdle into jingoist chest-thumping (hi, Mr. Clancy!), this book remains fairly apolitical: the war has begun, these men have trained to fight it, and they're going to do what they were trained to do without much in the way of instrospection.
It badly needs an editor: acronyms are thrown out and never explained (a glossary would help); a technical process gets explained, and then rehashed a chapter later; the early chapters move from aircrew to aircrew but the bulk of the book follows a single plane. All of this could have been fixed easily enough, but this definitely feels like a self-published effort. Still, not bad, if you're a Cold War nerd.
Honestly, while it's not great, it's considerably better than it could have been. The author presents a sometimes painfully in-depth view of what WWIII would look like from the perspective of the airmen fighting it. While this kind of military techno-thriller can curdle into jingoist chest-thumping (hi, Mr. Clancy!), this book remains fairly apolitical: the war has begun, these men have trained to fight it, and they're going to do what they were trained to do without much in the way of instrospection.
It badly needs an editor: acronyms are thrown out and never explained (a glossary would help); a technical process gets explained, and then rehashed a chapter later; the early chapters move from aircrew to aircrew but the bulk of the book follows a single plane. All of this could have been fixed easily enough, but this definitely feels like a self-published effort. Still, not bad, if you're a Cold War nerd.
August 15, 2022
Mir ist schon klar, dass dystopische Alternate History Techno-Thriller nicht wirklich Massengeschmack sind. Aber gerade in unseren Zeiten finde ich gut geschriebenes Scenario-Thinking sehr lesenswert. Gerade wenn es um die Frage geht, wie ein Dritter Weltkrieg umgesetzt würde.
Eins vorweg: in diesem Genre gibt es wahnsinnig viel Mist. Alternative Geschichtsschreibung spielt nun mal mit dem Gedanken, dass es eine alternative Geschichte zu unserer geben könnte. Ist die schlecht recherchiert oder falsch durchdacht, macht das Szenario keinen Sinn. Passiert leider häufig.
Dieses ziemlich unbekannte Buch hat mich sehr überrascht, weil es ein dystopisches Subgenre aus der Klamottenkiste rausholt und mit viel Fachwissen neu belebt. Der Flug der letzten B-52. Das, was schon 1962 bei „Dr. Strangelove“ und 1991 bei „By the Dawn‘s Early Light“ anders erzählt wurde, wird hier nochmal aufgenommen und von jemandem neu abgebildet, der selbst lange in einer B-52 saß.
Nach einem Putsch im Moskau des Jahres 1987 eskaliert die Lage zwischen den Atommächten. Im Fokus stehen mehrere B-52 Besatzungen, die sich selbst als militärische Profis verstehen und nicht an das Versagen der Abschreckungsdoktrin glauben. Mit Schrecken erleben sie, wie ihre atomar hochgerüsteten Bomber eben nicht das Ende abschrecken können. Sie erleben das Ende ihres Landes und ihrer Familien, während sie gerade noch rechtzeitig abheben und sie müssen sich mit ihrer eigenen Rolle beim Ende der Welt beschäftigen während sie sich sklavisch an detailliert ausgearbeitete SIOP-Pläne halten müssen, die maximale Professionalität beim Initiieren des Weltendes bedeutet. Viel an dem Buch wirkt technisch. Am Ende ist es ein hervorragend geschriebenes und kenntnisreiches Buch in die Psychologie der Apokalypse.
Eins vorweg: in diesem Genre gibt es wahnsinnig viel Mist. Alternative Geschichtsschreibung spielt nun mal mit dem Gedanken, dass es eine alternative Geschichte zu unserer geben könnte. Ist die schlecht recherchiert oder falsch durchdacht, macht das Szenario keinen Sinn. Passiert leider häufig.
Dieses ziemlich unbekannte Buch hat mich sehr überrascht, weil es ein dystopisches Subgenre aus der Klamottenkiste rausholt und mit viel Fachwissen neu belebt. Der Flug der letzten B-52. Das, was schon 1962 bei „Dr. Strangelove“ und 1991 bei „By the Dawn‘s Early Light“ anders erzählt wurde, wird hier nochmal aufgenommen und von jemandem neu abgebildet, der selbst lange in einer B-52 saß.
Nach einem Putsch im Moskau des Jahres 1987 eskaliert die Lage zwischen den Atommächten. Im Fokus stehen mehrere B-52 Besatzungen, die sich selbst als militärische Profis verstehen und nicht an das Versagen der Abschreckungsdoktrin glauben. Mit Schrecken erleben sie, wie ihre atomar hochgerüsteten Bomber eben nicht das Ende abschrecken können. Sie erleben das Ende ihres Landes und ihrer Familien, während sie gerade noch rechtzeitig abheben und sie müssen sich mit ihrer eigenen Rolle beim Ende der Welt beschäftigen während sie sich sklavisch an detailliert ausgearbeitete SIOP-Pläne halten müssen, die maximale Professionalität beim Initiieren des Weltendes bedeutet. Viel an dem Buch wirkt technisch. Am Ende ist es ein hervorragend geschriebenes und kenntnisreiches Buch in die Psychologie der Apokalypse.
March 23, 2021
The book is very good at detailing the B52 SIOP procedures and an actual nuclear strike. What is missing is the lead up - how did the war start and how did Omaha/DC get taken out, etc. What was the impact on the SIOP, etc. Needed more background details. If you liked this you will want to read Klaxon Klaxon Klaxon on Amazon re a fictional B58 strike in the 60s written by a b58 pilot.
April 7, 2023
A great read for this old SAC combat crew commander
A very fast read. As an old combat crew member I was truly engaged in this, thankfully, work of fiction. I remember these days well. It was nice and sobering to see someone put words to the awesome responsibilities that thankfully never happened. I recommend this book.
A very fast read. As an old combat crew member I was truly engaged in this, thankfully, work of fiction. I remember these days well. It was nice and sobering to see someone put words to the awesome responsibilities that thankfully never happened. I recommend this book.
June 29, 2025
A no-nonsense account of a hypothetical account of nuclear war
If you like B-52s or SAC stories then this is your book. A very well written account of a nuclear war which takes place back in the eighties. The author is obviously well knowledgeable of the ins and out of B-52 operations.
Couldn’t put it down.
If you like B-52s or SAC stories then this is your book. A very well written account of a nuclear war which takes place back in the eighties. The author is obviously well knowledgeable of the ins and out of B-52 operations.
Couldn’t put it down.
May 5, 2022
All About Sky King
Too bad it is very one sided and only shows the bomber boys in all their glory. Us missile dudes get one line for our efforts. The good thing is the crews last stupid heroics open up more promotion opportunities for us “Wingless Ones”.
Too bad it is very one sided and only shows the bomber boys in all their glory. Us missile dudes get one line for our efforts. The good thing is the crews last stupid heroics open up more promotion opportunities for us “Wingless Ones”.
December 25, 2022
I saw where someone earlier described this book as intense. A perfect description in my opinion. Could use some editing but the story is told in a unique manner. Would recommend if you're into WWIII stuff.
August 4, 2023
A very detailed and realistic look at a series of SAC nuclear missions
Highly recommended. The story develops and you read through three separate experiences of a B52 crew conducting a strike both nuclear and non nuclear.
Highly recommended. The story develops and you read through three separate experiences of a B52 crew conducting a strike both nuclear and non nuclear.
February 7, 2021
Riviting story of heroism
Couldn't put this book down. Great images created with a solid story line. Infused with technical details to add realism but not overly done.
Couldn't put this book down. Great images created with a solid story line. Infused with technical details to add realism but not overly done.
March 14, 2021
Impossible to put down
Tense and impossible to put down.
As a former SAC cold warrior it felt real to me, having sat on alert status at an ICBM site for a few years in the 70s.
Tense and impossible to put down.
As a former SAC cold warrior it felt real to me, having sat on alert status at an ICBM site for a few years in the 70s.
April 21, 2021
Fairly boring read.
Way to much technical bomber crew speak. Not enough story development. Makes the book really dry to read, and not very memorable either.
Way to much technical bomber crew speak. Not enough story development. Makes the book really dry to read, and not very memorable either.
July 6, 2021
Great Read!
Clonts realistic portrayal of WWII puts you in the cockpit of a B-52. I read the book in one day because I couldn't put it down.
Clonts realistic portrayal of WWII puts you in the cockpit of a B-52. I read the book in one day because I couldn't put it down.
November 14, 2021
Very interesting
I'm willing to bet good money that Mr Cloths has spent significant time in a BUFF. I'd like to see more stories from him.
I'm willing to bet good money that Mr Cloths has spent significant time in a BUFF. I'd like to see more stories from him.
March 28, 2022
Educational and a fun read
Lets all hope this is just fiction. Tis a pretty grim reminder of what could be. But quite a page turner.
Lets all hope this is just fiction. Tis a pretty grim reminder of what could be. But quite a page turner.
December 2, 2022
Wonderful book
Really enjoyed the story of these brave men. This has to be one of the most intense reading experiences I've ever had.
Really enjoyed the story of these brave men. This has to be one of the most intense reading experiences I've ever had.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews