Can a man's ruined duty be restored by bravery in battle? President Nathaniel "Dutch" McAdams saves his family from the apocalypse but sacrifices his duty in the process. With the nation in ruins, he retreats into a brutal regimen of physical fitness and combat training, resolving to fight to the death as a partisan for the country he failed.
His family settles among the Paiute Indians of Northern Nevada, where two months later, a Russian Spetsnaz unit comes searching for the nuclear missile control briefcase from the wreckage of Air Force One. Without any explanation for their trespass, the president rallies Native Americans and fragments of the Idaho National Guard to repel the Russians from American soil. But the implications of the Russian incursion bloom into the terrifying likelihood of a one-sided nuclear strike against the American West.
As the President pleads with Native Americans for assistance, he discovers they have earthshaking secrets of their own. Social justice, indigenous rights and old wounds challenge an alliance that could either save America, or turn it down the path of a long, dark age.
The direct sequel to The Last Air Force One, President Partisan is book eight in the Black Autumn series.
Finally! The sequel to The Last Air Force One, which was (despite its tragically too-short length), was one of my favorites of the entire series, a perfect 5-star rating. Now while this sequel didn't quite reach that same perfect score, it still did a mighty fine job of not only making up for its predecessor's length but expanding on the plot and the primary characters (Dutch and Teddy).
The plot was fortunately easy enough to follow. Dutch has now taken it upon himself to become a partisan warrior in his new army rather than governing them. The new army mostly consists of the Native Americans who've been his comrades after Air Force One's crash. The newest mission is a crucial one, as it involves putting a stop to the Russians who have now stepped foot on American soil in order to seize the nuclear arsenals. Things get dicey, of course, as war tends to be. The AI angle was a nice touch, albeit a somewhat incomplete one, seeing as how we don't know what happens with Bethany and Glenda by the end of it.
I particularly loved the development of Dutch in this entry. His growth was really poignant and thought-provoking, and I loved the depth of his emotional turmoil. His moments of self-reflection are quite stirring, thinking so deeply about his performances as a father, as a president, as a soldier. He's the sort of politician that one can wish exists in real life.
I still did have my gripes, though, the very ones committed in White Wasteland. Important scenes, plot points, and major threats feeling unresolved, left off-page, or pushed in the background. There were many things that seemed like they SHOULD have been big deals that essentially weren't big deals at all, simply because Ross/Kirkman didn't flesh them out enough.
My other quibble is Mika and Teddy's relationship. As much as I love the writing style and storytelling abilities of these authors, they seem to shy away from establishing new romance. Perfect opportunities were there, but never exploited, as if our dual authors didn't want to even broach the subject of getting two characters to convincingly fall in love. I'm not expecting a full-fledged romance since these books are far from it. But to not even have two would-be spouses share a conversation that remotely touches on being together? Come on, guys.
Because of this, the sharp transition of Mika being averse to Teddy for most of the book to suddenly wanting to jump his bones and make babies and devote herself to him in marriage and in life was just not believable. There were hints of her own personal growth, tiny moments here and there that soften her towards Teddy, but it's almost as if the authors said, eh, okay that's enough. Sure, the end result was fine, and I like them together, but...dang, the journey could have definitely used a woman's touch.
At any rate, my complaints were powerless to derail this book for me. I still found it to be a great read with a satisfying ending. I'm not sure how I feel about reading the next book (which looks to be a bunch of short stories), but I'm still looking forward to the next official entry in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The book started off slowly but thankfully turned out to be a very good story. There are 3 storylines. The adventures of the President Dutch McAdams & his family, the Paiute Shoshone Indians from Duck Valley NV, the Navajo’s at Window Rock AZ and the Russians.
AI data system “Glinda the good witch” was really weird. The writing style was so different than previous books that i almost thought there was a ghost writer.
Pres Dutch McAdams really wants to be a good guy, but he’s a politician and a racist. He’s selfish. Even though America is in shambles, he still wants a memorable to his legacy. This is his story of personal redemption, and sacrificing everything he previously believed in for those who would carry on. It was really nice to see him come full circle as his Indian friend Joe said.
I was happy to see Vitaly, the sniper, get his reward in the end.
The book ends with an opening for the story to continue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The story of the president who's Air Force 1 plane crashed continues as he chooses to be a fighter on the front lines, rather than assume his normal responsibilities as a result of his perceived failures at the job. I do like the mindset and perspective change he goes through over time, as well as the other main characters. Micah is a bit of an annoying social justice know-it-all in the beginning, well, most of the book; but ends up gaining a wider perspective on life, herself.
The addition of the AI predictive machine learning software was an interesting touch, and its recommended constitutional amendments make you think how something like that might butterfly effect over time. The characters were starting to get on my nerves a bit too much, but I'm glad I hung in there until the end of the book. Also, the last scene was quite a surprise.
As the title implies the President has become part of a partisan group to fight the Russians who have invaded America after it's collapse initiated by the Russians. The partisan force is composed of primarily American Indians. Later they are able to unite with large forces of the scattered American military. POTUS realizes the mistakes he made prior to the collapse and regains and reshaped his self worth. He dies a warriors death at the hands of a Russian sniper. POTUS was also a sniper and respected by his own people as well as the sniper who killed him. America has transformed into a totally different country and the casualty rate was extremely high. An excellent read!! My highest recommendation!!
The story of the President of the United States and his son is a well told story of pride and guilt. This story above all the others gave hope for the days of the apocalypse. Even though the fighting was brutal between the Americans and the Russians the strength of the American troops was now responsible for wins. Dutch McAdams, the elected President of the US was a remarkable story and l loved this character. He was tough, vulnerable, smart and showed both honesty and guile. His son Teddy and his love Mica gave a well needed tenderness in this massive war novel. Very well written.
Kirkham and Ross have crafted a yarn to please any avid adventure/apocalypse enthusiast. Well written, with the right mix of characters, passion, tragedy, and horror. From the Oval Office to the battlefield, this tale should satisfy fans of the genre.
Including the Native American tribes is a perspective and factor too long absent from apocalyptic scenarios. I, for one, found this aspect of the story well conceived and executed.
Like all the books in this series it is well written, entertaining, informative and stimulating. This is one of the few series—and especially this book in the series—that really make you think and wonder about what would really happen if TSHTF. Moreover, the character development, the authenticity of the combat, and the wonderfully told story are way better than most books in this genre. Thanks, guys for a really great series.
Following the crash of AF 1, Former US President Dutch McAdams becomes a partisan fighter/sniper against invading Russians. His son Teddy is also a well respected combat leader in the resistance. Dutch and family take refuge with a Native American tribe and rally them to fight against the Russians. However, the Indians have developed a powerful AI supercomputer that not only predicted the "Black Autumn" but maps out changes that must occur to reduce the "dark ages" to come.
After reading The Last Air Force One, I decided this was the weakest plotline in this series. This entry was considerably beefier and better. It introduced some new elements that spiced things up a bit. While it's largely consumed with the military stratagems of taking Denver from the Russians, there was some decent character development and threads that I'm anxious to follow into the series' final book.
Spoiler alert: Good read except not a fan of rushed ending. At end of book references 6 weeks later that Mika is elected President with no explanation how and no other details about what happened in the 6 weeks, especially with Bethany & AI. It may all be revealed in last book but I don't like being strung along.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love this series, but this edition kind of got bogged down for me with all the AI detail. It was necessary for the story line but it lacked the rapid fire pace of the other books. The authors are still masters of making you think you know what's going to happen, then switching it up to surprise you.
To many tangents and side stories. This is last one I attempt to read on this series of books, it truly is complete garbage. Cannot continue. Again wanted to love the series but just couldn’t almost feels like they are trying to just build something to get your cash- upsetting to be truthful.
I put off reading the Last Airforce 1, and this book, because reviewers said they weren't necessary to complete the series. I found the first book to be boring, but this book is probably, in my opinion, the best in the entire series. I was very good, and yes, don't skip either book. You need them to read the final book in the series.
I have to put this book near the top of all in the series. Nice pace of action. Good character development. This book has more hope than the other books in the series. Still leaves lots of room for other stories to follow.
Great read realistic action and gritty details.Thoroughly enjoyed story and ending. So real you feel like your actually there in person recommend all Black Autumn stories you will not regret it.
This is the best of the series! I wasn't so sure at first. Dutch definitely "served" the American people. I did not expect the twist and turns that this one took, from an egomaniacal general to the Spetznaz sniper. What a ride this one was. Great job fellas.
I devoured the entire series and was still hungry for more. I would say this would make a fantastic Netflix series but I know I would be disappointed. The transition from page to screen never does the book justice.
You can see the gears shifting in this piece of the saga. It takes you through the utterly chaotic state of the country to a point where things start to resemble a new order. There is hope.
Another chapter in this thrilling series has passed. The siege at Denver is over. Our heroine and her husband are now set to reconstitute the United States. But first the Russians.
I give up they just keep skyrocketing downwards! I have NEVER given up on a book series but this has turned into total crap….every page sounds like the last…blah blah blah. Like the crashing of the end of the world I crashed before finishing this series to see how it ends.
I like military fiction and read quite a bit of it. Jeff & Jason have a knack for it and do it really well. It's an enjoyable story that moves well and is fun to read!