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Tipping Point #1
Tipping Point: Opening Shots
The Unites States and China vie for supremacy in the international marketplace as China seeks to become the global leader. A pandemic sweeping across the world send the markets spiraling into chaos, increasing the tension between the two superpowers. Armed conflict needs only a spark. Will China’s attempt to expand their territories into the South China Sea be the trigger that plunges the two mighty nations past the rhetoric and into a shooting war?
- GenresFictionMilitary Fiction
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2021
201 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
John O'Brien
45 books285 followersJohn O'Brien is a former Air Force fighter instructor pilot who transitioned to Special Operations for the latter part of his career gathering his campaign ribbon for Desert Storm. Immediately following his military service, John became a firefighter/EMT with a local department. Along with becoming a firefighter, he fell into the Information Technology industry in corporate management. Currently, John is writing full-time.
As a former marathon runner, John lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and can now be found kayaking out in the waters of Puget Sound, mountain biking in the Capital Forest, hiking in the Olympic Peninsula, or pedaling his road bike along the many scenic roads.
As a former marathon runner, John lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and can now be found kayaking out in the waters of Puget Sound, mountain biking in the Capital Forest, hiking in the Olympic Peninsula, or pedaling his road bike along the many scenic roads.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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September 19, 2021Great start
From Washington to China and the South China Sea, O'Brien begins his military/political Tipping Point series with more political background and less military action which he did 'warn' us of in the preface. Most of the military action takes place about 75% in and I didn't mind at all. I found the political maneuvering very interesting and essential to the story. This story is large in scope and therefore there are many characters and we don't have an opportunity to get a great feel for them (yet). Once the military action kicked off, well O'Brien shines. His descriptions are technical (but not too technical) and thrilling, his own military experience brings the story up to another level. Don't miss out on this series.
From Washington to China and the South China Sea, O'Brien begins his military/political Tipping Point series with more political background and less military action which he did 'warn' us of in the preface. Most of the military action takes place about 75% in and I didn't mind at all. I found the political maneuvering very interesting and essential to the story. This story is large in scope and therefore there are many characters and we don't have an opportunity to get a great feel for them (yet). Once the military action kicked off, well O'Brien shines. His descriptions are technical (but not too technical) and thrilling, his own military experience brings the story up to another level. Don't miss out on this series.
December 8, 2022
4/5. This is the first volume in a series of at least four books. I like novels about modern naval warfare. This one posits that China, suffering in the trade war with the United States, decides that the way to improve its economy is at the expense of the rest of the world and so weaponizes the SARS-CoV-2 virus it has created. In addition, it aggressively moves in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, creating islands out of reefs and fortifying them militarily. The first military clashes play-out in the second half of this book. It ends on a cliff-hanger as China sorties its entire submarine fleet with orders to hunt and kill the American subs in and heading to its area of influence.
June 28, 2024
It was good. I loved the geopolitical tension being the center of the story. I have to say tho, there were a few parts (the last 3-4 chapters) that I felt were overdone, particularly because they were too descriptive with A LOT of military jargon – the military planning, positions, operations, etc. A lot of it just went over my head, and my brain was just trying to make sense of everything through context clues.
But I loved everything else – the politics, the tension, the strategy talk, etc. Good start to a series.
But I loved everything else – the politics, the tension, the strategy talk, etc. Good start to a series.
December 13, 2021
The next Tom Clancy?
Been a.long.time.. We've had many make the claim, but this is the only book that had me.up.till 5am reading in a long.time! Glad I'm retired!
Starts a bit slow with a.bunch of news clips setting the stage. Then a bunch of diplospeak and it starts.building to an awesome crescendo at 5:23 in the.AM
So.....if you are an early Clancy fan, this a must read. Now to go get the second book.
Live well all!
Been a.long.time.. We've had many make the claim, but this is the only book that had me.up.till 5am reading in a long.time! Glad I'm retired!
Starts a bit slow with a.bunch of news clips setting the stage. Then a bunch of diplospeak and it starts.building to an awesome crescendo at 5:23 in the.AM
So.....if you are an early Clancy fan, this a must read. Now to go get the second book.
Live well all!
May 23, 2021
I love military/warfare novels along the lines of Tom Clancy and this one fits the bill to a tee. A man made virus is unleashed on the world and China tries to take over control of the China Seas causing immense tension between them and the US. Jockeying for power may just end up in a shooting war between these two world powers. Looking forward to more books to see what happens.
July 6, 2022
Does Not Disapoint
If you like World War III type fiction, you will not be disappointed. In today's world, the plot is very believable and the characters well developed. There is plenty of action is viewed from all sides. Ready to start on the follow-up book.
If you like World War III type fiction, you will not be disappointed. In today's world, the plot is very believable and the characters well developed. There is plenty of action is viewed from all sides. Ready to start on the follow-up book.
August 16, 2022
A shooting war between China and the USA
I’ve always liked much of what John O’Brien writes and this book is a very good read, it’s so realistic you could almost believe he’s reporting the news. I highly recommend this book.
I’ve always liked much of what John O’Brien writes and this book is a very good read, it’s so realistic you could almost believe he’s reporting the news. I highly recommend this book.
February 18, 2023
Very comprehensive view of the movement to war with China from the mechanical standpoint. I think the author avoids the amount of internal influence China has on the American and Western populace thru their command of the social media bots.
March 22, 2023
Great detail on a possible war with China. Quite a bit of repetition of stone of the story points which is what kept this from being a 5 star. I did however buy all 4 remaining books in the series so I did like it a lot.
November 15, 2023
Mediocre
Although having to set the stage I thought the using almost the first half of the book to get into any meaningful dialogue seemed overkill. I haven't read any of the sequels yet but hopefully more dialogue within a small core of character's developes
.
Although having to set the stage I thought the using almost the first half of the book to get into any meaningful dialogue seemed overkill. I haven't read any of the sequels yet but hopefully more dialogue within a small core of character's developes
.
July 9, 2024
Excellent book that slowly got you hooked then suddenly... ACTION!
Good character development. Very realistic and makes you want for more. Detail with the weapons. and fighter aircraft are good. I hope the detail with the submarines is equally as good.
Good character development. Very realistic and makes you want for more. Detail with the weapons. and fighter aircraft are good. I hope the detail with the submarines is equally as good.
April 4, 2025
Slow going
The author relies far too heavily on the many news articles inserted between action scenes. Lots of these articles are very lengthy and really don’t add anything to the plot. I won’t be reading the rest of the series.
The author relies far too heavily on the many news articles inserted between action scenes. Lots of these articles are very lengthy and really don’t add anything to the plot. I won’t be reading the rest of the series.
November 16, 2025
USA vs China
The plot is fine. But the writing, with all those press releases,, speak of sloppy writing, even thou the writer recognizes the awkwardness of it in the preface. It is a long series, let's see what goes on on the second book before making a definite opinion.
The plot is fine. But the writing, with all those press releases,, speak of sloppy writing, even thou the writer recognizes the awkwardness of it in the preface. It is a long series, let's see what goes on on the second book before making a definite opinion.
May 5, 2021
Very prescient
Well written and very relevant to today’s headlines. John O’Brien has written another gem. Recommend this book to everyone. Cannot wait for more.
Well written and very relevant to today’s headlines. John O’Brien has written another gem. Recommend this book to everyone. Cannot wait for more.
May 11, 2021
Great opening book
Been a John O'Brien can for a while now very happy with this new set of books he is writing
Been a John O'Brien can for a while now very happy with this new set of books he is writing
August 4, 2021
Good read
Interesting read. I find the motivations of the Chinese to be a little weak. However the book is good and fun to read.
Interesting read. I find the motivations of the Chinese to be a little weak. However the book is good and fun to read.
May 3, 2022
Gets real good slowly
Starts a little slow with all the news reports and such, then wham, the battles start and you can't put it down!
Starts a little slow with all the news reports and such, then wham, the battles start and you can't put it down!
September 30, 2022
Great Book
The author did a lot of great research and it shows!! Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.
The author did a lot of great research and it shows!! Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.
June 5, 2023
Enjoyed this book. Got next one too.
October 27, 2023
A good yarn
Well written and kept my attention. Looking forward to this series. I need nine more words to make the censors happy.
Well written and kept my attention. Looking forward to this series. I need nine more words to make the censors happy.
July 19, 2024
great.
A little bit of a slow burn but awesome once it gets going. Highly recommended. And I can’t wait to read more.
A little bit of a slow burn but awesome once it gets going. Highly recommended. And I can’t wait to read more.
January 20, 2022
DejaVu anyone? China creates a virus to slow the rest of the world down and give themselves a chance to pull ahead. Scientists figure out that it is manmade and call them out on it. China plays the victim, as usual, despite continuing with their passive-aggressive posturing. As Chinese and American naval forces play their usual games in the South China Sea during freedom of navigation exercises, the Chinese captain makes a mortal mistake and goes full send on the US destroyer.
That attack, however accidental, fuels a tit-for-tat string of reciprocal attacks and the world comes closer to an all out war between the US and China, and potentially the west vs the east. It's a very interesting book and the political maneuvering along the way makes for both a realistic chain of events and a bit of comedy at just how ridiculous world leaders are when they care more about perceptions than truths.
This is definitely more of a plot-driven story than anything about the development of a main character, but this is the one genre that it's ok, seeing as events take place on such a large scale.
That attack, however accidental, fuels a tit-for-tat string of reciprocal attacks and the world comes closer to an all out war between the US and China, and potentially the west vs the east. It's a very interesting book and the political maneuvering along the way makes for both a realistic chain of events and a bit of comedy at just how ridiculous world leaders are when they care more about perceptions than truths.
This is definitely more of a plot-driven story than anything about the development of a main character, but this is the one genre that it's ok, seeing as events take place on such a large scale.
March 11, 2023
Great first installment to a new series from John O'Brien.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews