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Crisis in the Desert #1
Project 19
. What if Saddam Hussein …
…hadn’t stopped with Kuwait?
Project 19 might have worked.
No one knows how close Iraq came to invading Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They wanted their money, and Saddam wanted revenge. In a world where the USSR ran a lend-lease program with the Iraqis, Saddam felt emboldened.
He ’d convince the world that he was just bringing their 19th province back into the fold.
With an oil war going on, the Soviets threw their hats into the ring behind Iraq. If they’d had all the latest in equipment, the 100 hours war wouldn’t be so easily fought.
It could have changed history.
Would the Americans ultimately decide that this was a problem for the Arab nations to work out amongst themselves?
Would the stakes change?
How would Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm have turned out?
You’ll love this alternate history novel. It’s well-researched and will make you ask what might have been.
Get it now!
…hadn’t stopped with Kuwait?
Project 19 might have worked.
No one knows how close Iraq came to invading Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. They wanted their money, and Saddam wanted revenge. In a world where the USSR ran a lend-lease program with the Iraqis, Saddam felt emboldened.
He ’d convince the world that he was just bringing their 19th province back into the fold.
With an oil war going on, the Soviets threw their hats into the ring behind Iraq. If they’d had all the latest in equipment, the 100 hours war wouldn’t be so easily fought.
It could have changed history.
Would the Americans ultimately decide that this was a problem for the Arab nations to work out amongst themselves?
Would the stakes change?
How would Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm have turned out?
You’ll love this alternate history novel. It’s well-researched and will make you ask what might have been.
Get it now!
521 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2021
379 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Matt Jackson
71 books20 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 18, 2021
Way too wordy
Interesting take on an alternative to the reality but flawed in numerous ways. Completely inaccurate in both strategy and possibility, Clearly trying to sell follow up books. Story bogs down in endless logistics speculation.
Interesting take on an alternative to the reality but flawed in numerous ways. Completely inaccurate in both strategy and possibility, Clearly trying to sell follow up books. Story bogs down in endless logistics speculation.
December 25, 2021
A real task to read if you do not have some military background. The story gets lost in all the military military order of battle descriptions. Too much detail citing identities of the all the units involved.
Most boring parts of the book. Not sure I will continue on the the additional two books in this series.
Most boring parts of the book. Not sure I will continue on the the additional two books in this series.
January 30, 2022
Detailed…
Good twist on the Desert Shield scenario we all know about now but gets into a lot of detail on weapons at the expense of the overall story… Good read overall 👍🏼
Good twist on the Desert Shield scenario we all know about now but gets into a lot of detail on weapons at the expense of the overall story… Good read overall 👍🏼
June 27, 2022
This is a what if? series of a genre of military scifi series. This is also Rosone's bread and butter when it comes to writing. We start off with the original story of Saddam Hussein's attack on Kuwait, with extra military help from the Russians, but in this scenarios he doesn't stop and continues into Saudi Arabia, the UAE and then continuing to capture the whole Arabian Peninsula.
With little to obstruct him, both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have small ineffectual Armed Forces, it is only the American forces in the area, mostly naval and marines, the US is able to slow down the onslaught by landing troops that are able to slow down his armored columns. Between the US Special Forces and the air arm of the Navy, they are able to destroy a lot of the attacking armor.
Unbeknownst to the US the Russians are flying many of the Iraqi Air Force jets and resupplying lost Iraqi material. The Russians have also supplies Hussein with the most advanced SA (surface to air systems) which are decimating the US Air Force. A force of Marines (with the help of an aircraft carrier) are landed at a Saudi base just north of Medina/Mecca. Another force (by way of Diego Garcia) has landed in Oman and is moving to meet the Iraqi forces coming down the Persian Gulf oil fields and Riyahd (the capital).
This is where we leave off and wait for the next two books of what appears to be a trilogy. Like all of Rosone's books, the battles are well described as are the weapons used and the emotions of the soldiers (of both sides) give us a myriad of views of the battles.
With little to obstruct him, both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have small ineffectual Armed Forces, it is only the American forces in the area, mostly naval and marines, the US is able to slow down the onslaught by landing troops that are able to slow down his armored columns. Between the US Special Forces and the air arm of the Navy, they are able to destroy a lot of the attacking armor.
Unbeknownst to the US the Russians are flying many of the Iraqi Air Force jets and resupplying lost Iraqi material. The Russians have also supplies Hussein with the most advanced SA (surface to air systems) which are decimating the US Air Force. A force of Marines (with the help of an aircraft carrier) are landed at a Saudi base just north of Medina/Mecca. Another force (by way of Diego Garcia) has landed in Oman and is moving to meet the Iraqi forces coming down the Persian Gulf oil fields and Riyahd (the capital).
This is where we leave off and wait for the next two books of what appears to be a trilogy. Like all of Rosone's books, the battles are well described as are the weapons used and the emotions of the soldiers (of both sides) give us a myriad of views of the battles.
October 17, 2021
Project 19. James Rosone. Matt Jackson
This excellent book is a "what if scenario." Saddam Hussein has invaded Kuwait and has entered Saudi Arabia. He is trying to tell the world he is freeing the middle east from the kings and princes of the Saudi world who have aligned themselves with the infidels, the West.....America. He thinks of himself as the Liberator. Initially his troops are meeting very little resistance, if any. They have received help from Russia. The latest in all aspects of military equipment. Tanks, fighter jets radar systems.... Russia has also supplied trainers Many of the fighter pilots are Russian. America has now entered the fray. The casualty rate is nearing levels from WWII. The American public strongly supports America's involvement. The draft is initiated similar to what was initiated during Viet Nam and volunteers are responding in the thousands. This is another epic tale and an excellent by James Rosone and Matt Jackson. My highest recommendation!!!
This excellent book is a "what if scenario." Saddam Hussein has invaded Kuwait and has entered Saudi Arabia. He is trying to tell the world he is freeing the middle east from the kings and princes of the Saudi world who have aligned themselves with the infidels, the West.....America. He thinks of himself as the Liberator. Initially his troops are meeting very little resistance, if any. They have received help from Russia. The latest in all aspects of military equipment. Tanks, fighter jets radar systems.... Russia has also supplied trainers Many of the fighter pilots are Russian. America has now entered the fray. The casualty rate is nearing levels from WWII. The American public strongly supports America's involvement. The draft is initiated similar to what was initiated during Viet Nam and volunteers are responding in the thousands. This is another epic tale and an excellent by James Rosone and Matt Jackson. My highest recommendation!!!
October 17, 2021
Excellent What If
I'm a retired Army officer and veteran of the Gulf War and OIF, and I am a huge fan of alternative military history. In The Gulf War we always asked what if the Iraqi's had not stopped in Kuwait but had continued into Saudi Arabia. This book gives a great "what if" scenario. The author also accurately captured the realities of fighting and surviving in the harsh desert environment. One point the author mentioned was the change in temperatures in the desert between day and night. He actually wrote the exact words I tell folks when describing Saudi Arabia that it was 120 in the daytime but it would drop to 80 at night in minutes as soon as the sun went down and you'd feel cold. A very good book that I highly recommend. I'm looking for to the next novel.
I'm a retired Army officer and veteran of the Gulf War and OIF, and I am a huge fan of alternative military history. In The Gulf War we always asked what if the Iraqi's had not stopped in Kuwait but had continued into Saudi Arabia. This book gives a great "what if" scenario. The author also accurately captured the realities of fighting and surviving in the harsh desert environment. One point the author mentioned was the change in temperatures in the desert between day and night. He actually wrote the exact words I tell folks when describing Saudi Arabia that it was 120 in the daytime but it would drop to 80 at night in minutes as soon as the sun went down and you'd feel cold. A very good book that I highly recommend. I'm looking for to the next novel.
November 1, 2021
Very good reading, almost
I enjoyed this quite a bit. Having spent a lot of time in both Desert Sorm and Shield. I also lived in Abu Dhabi 96-98. As a civilian embedded with Army Aviation, names, units, locations are all familiar.
I have two issues though. 1. The briefing are waaaay too long and detailed. While they add some important info, much is often double info to the reader. 2. Yes most of info on thr AH 64 Apache was great, the author must have read info in a book. First, it has a 30mm chain gun not 20mm. No one ever carried 1200 rounds, made aircraft far too heavy. Especially in desert heat. Most mission loads were 30p to 400 rounds. Hellfires could be fired at ranges enemy didn't know they even there. Gun was for trucks and light armor.
Having said all that, damn good book. Already pre-ordered next book. Thank you
I enjoyed this quite a bit. Having spent a lot of time in both Desert Sorm and Shield. I also lived in Abu Dhabi 96-98. As a civilian embedded with Army Aviation, names, units, locations are all familiar.
I have two issues though. 1. The briefing are waaaay too long and detailed. While they add some important info, much is often double info to the reader. 2. Yes most of info on thr AH 64 Apache was great, the author must have read info in a book. First, it has a 30mm chain gun not 20mm. No one ever carried 1200 rounds, made aircraft far too heavy. Especially in desert heat. Most mission loads were 30p to 400 rounds. Hellfires could be fired at ranges enemy didn't know they even there. Gun was for trucks and light armor.
Having said all that, damn good book. Already pre-ordered next book. Thank you
October 31, 2021
Alternative History at it's very best
A must for affectionados of military campaign fighting.
The attention to detail in the book was staggering. I assume long nights of research were involved. Well worth it. The cut and thrust of battle interspersed with the politics was well balanced.
A real worthwhile read. A real honest to goodness old fashioned page turner.
One minor criticism, unit designation description. Too much, honestly at times I found myself flicking pages without reading. It took away and diverted from the story. I realise that unit identification is paramount in the build up, but unless you are a real buff it really doesn't have any meaning after a while.
Other than that, part 2 pre ordered already. Part 1 a tremendous read, best seller status coming up.
A must for affectionados of military campaign fighting.
The attention to detail in the book was staggering. I assume long nights of research were involved. Well worth it. The cut and thrust of battle interspersed with the politics was well balanced.
A real worthwhile read. A real honest to goodness old fashioned page turner.
One minor criticism, unit designation description. Too much, honestly at times I found myself flicking pages without reading. It took away and diverted from the story. I realise that unit identification is paramount in the build up, but unless you are a real buff it really doesn't have any meaning after a while.
Other than that, part 2 pre ordered already. Part 1 a tremendous read, best seller status coming up.
October 31, 2021
As a starter series, this isn't off to a bad start. Fairly believable what-if scenarios. The plot moves along fairly easily without too many questions about tactics and weapons used. Pretty well researched if not maybe proofread before printing. The only questions that come to mind, 1) what about tomahawks? And 2) Where are all our allies for support? There were plenty of both in Desert storm and shield. Other than those two questions, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. And cannot wait for the sequel.
November 6, 2021
Action Unlimited
If you like lots of action you will not be disappointed. You get to see what both sides are thinking and how they plan on achieving their goals. In my opinion the biggest distraction of the book was way too much detail on what units were deployed where. It 's needed in a real world military briefing but gets a little boring in a book. I found myself skipping over the parts listing unit after unit and their position. Overall a good read and I will be starting the next book in the series within a day or two.
If you like lots of action you will not be disappointed. You get to see what both sides are thinking and how they plan on achieving their goals. In my opinion the biggest distraction of the book was way too much detail on what units were deployed where. It 's needed in a real world military briefing but gets a little boring in a book. I found myself skipping over the parts listing unit after unit and their position. Overall a good read and I will be starting the next book in the series within a day or two.
November 20, 2021
Rosone and Jackson creativity have given us an EPIC alt-history novel
The story takes a war easily overlooked and adds new Situations to create a cascade to birth a new time-line of war in the middle that begins to effect the whole world in ways that fill has if there pulled straight from the news. Rosone and Jackson really did there work by take but minor and major players in the world at that time and making really see them making thouse chooses that makes this novel worthy of being made in a tv or mini-series link on Netflix/Amazon prime.
The story takes a war easily overlooked and adds new Situations to create a cascade to birth a new time-line of war in the middle that begins to effect the whole world in ways that fill has if there pulled straight from the news. Rosone and Jackson really did there work by take but minor and major players in the world at that time and making really see them making thouse chooses that makes this novel worthy of being made in a tv or mini-series link on Netflix/Amazon prime.
August 5, 2022
Great Book
I didn't think I would enjoy this book but it was excellent!!! Being Army Brat I liked the reference of Military Brats. It is true there is no race of a person you are all brats. My parents taught all 5 of their children those same values. Today many of my best friends are those brats from different military institutions we lived at all over the world. It is a strong bond!!
I didn't think I would enjoy this book but it was excellent!!! Being Army Brat I liked the reference of Military Brats. It is true there is no race of a person you are all brats. My parents taught all 5 of their children those same values. Today many of my best friends are those brats from different military institutions we lived at all over the world. It is a strong bond!!
November 5, 2021
This is a book specially written for military tacticians. It was written I suppose withe Google Maps in one hand and the computer in the other because it shares with the readers so minuscule details that are overwhelming and useless (unless you´re planning to invade Saudi Arabia). I like other books written by Jame Rosone, but this one lacks action and is not my cup of tea.
November 21, 2021
project 19 #1- good read, “what if” historical fiction is enjoyable. will read anything Rosone writes. enjoy.
Enjoy military fiction. Never military, and enjoy/scratch head about how military operates. Mostly scratch head about bureaucracy involved before fighting occurs. This book shows a side of known military folk not seen by public.
Enjoy military fiction. Never military, and enjoy/scratch head about how military operates. Mostly scratch head about bureaucracy involved before fighting occurs. This book shows a side of known military folk not seen by public.
December 8, 2021
A little different from his usual WW3 series', this one is a throwback to the Gulf War in the days of Bush Sr. The political characters are real and this one reads more like an alternate history novel than a pure fiction. Overall, it's quite well done; finding a balance between covering numerous aspects of the war, while still following a few key characters.
February 14, 2022
A must read alt history
Not since Harry turtledove have i read su gch a realistic depiction of an alternate history. The development of events is believable and the struggle to catch up to the enemy's action and try to regain the initiative is both believable and thought provoking as to how close things in real life are.
Not since Harry turtledove have i read su gch a realistic depiction of an alternate history. The development of events is believable and the struggle to catch up to the enemy's action and try to regain the initiative is both believable and thought provoking as to how close things in real life are.
December 31, 2022
A what if? That could have well happened
I lived in Saudi Arabia and traveled extensively in many of the surrounding countries, so was interested in this book. I was not disappointed, the descriptions of the people, area locations and etc were very accurate. Similar actions were discussed every so often by many of us expatriates and our Saudi and other mid eastern friends .
I lived in Saudi Arabia and traveled extensively in many of the surrounding countries, so was interested in this book. I was not disappointed, the descriptions of the people, area locations and etc were very accurate. Similar actions were discussed every so often by many of us expatriates and our Saudi and other mid eastern friends .
January 17, 2022
Captivating read
I enjoyed reading this first book in the series. I liked the description of the tactics used in combat. Would have been great to have maps of the battle as a reference.
I enjoyed reading this first book in the series. I liked the description of the tactics used in combat. Would have been great to have maps of the battle as a reference.
January 15, 2023
What might be....
The use of plans and post 'what ifs' has been brought to life in a way that seems to read like an after action report. Good story, totally believable, from someone who has read a lot of war diaries.
The use of plans and post 'what ifs' has been brought to life in a way that seems to read like an after action report. Good story, totally believable, from someone who has read a lot of war diaries.
February 11, 2024
Editing
Need to ensure details are consistent and accurate eg pilot on Russian freighter - was he Iraqi or Iranian? He was described as both within three paragraphs. Other minor anomalies take the gloss off. Revise your editing contract.
Need to ensure details are consistent and accurate eg pilot on Russian freighter - was he Iraqi or Iranian? He was described as both within three paragraphs. Other minor anomalies take the gloss off. Revise your editing contract.
Read
August 31, 2025dnf, restarted a few times but couldn't get into this. Starts with detailed descriptions of battles, aircraft weapons etc but not many characters to connect with. maybe more for someone with a military background?
October 22, 2021
Excellent book
Excellent story. A very enthralling story. Well researched and an interesting take on what might have happened is Saddam hadn’t stopped in Kuwait…
Excellent story. A very enthralling story. Well researched and an interesting take on what might have happened is Saddam hadn’t stopped in Kuwait…
October 28, 2021
Great Book
This was a great Book in the Crisis in th Desert Series. I found it really hard to put down. I cannot wait for Book 2 to come out.
This was a great Book in the Crisis in th Desert Series. I found it really hard to put down. I cannot wait for Book 2 to come out.
October 30, 2021
Alternative Gulf War
Interesting alternative take on Desert Storm. Actual people involved appear as the books characters. What might they have done. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Interesting alternative take on Desert Storm. Actual people involved appear as the books characters. What might they have done. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 10, 2021
Dry
An unusually dry, factual read using real characters - but then again whoever said war was “fun” live in an unreal universe.
An unusually dry, factual read using real characters - but then again whoever said war was “fun” live in an unreal universe.
November 12, 2021
Another hit
What a great book, reading it brought me back to the first gulf war. I can't wait to read the next book.
What a great book, reading it brought me back to the first gulf war. I can't wait to read the next book.
November 18, 2021
Awesome book
I really enjoyed the story. The author did a great job describing the build up and ultimately the conflict which took place.
I really enjoyed the story. The author did a great job describing the build up and ultimately the conflict which took place.
January 2, 2022
Great book
In the style of Tom Clancy. Great book with real life characters. These authors did a first class job. Read this all you will not be disappointed!
In the style of Tom Clancy. Great book with real life characters. These authors did a first class job. Read this all you will not be disappointed!
January 8, 2022
America were slow to respond to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and when they did respond they under estimated the ability of the Iraqi forces.
January 20, 2022
Good read
Stated a bit slow. Became a very good page turner. I enjoy it very very much. I have enjoy all of your books.
Stated a bit slow. Became a very good page turner. I enjoy it very very much. I have enjoy all of your books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews