Tipping Point: OPLAN 5015

Tipping Point #3

by John O'Brien

In the midst of China’s colossal buildup, the undersea battles for control of the South China, East China, and Philippine Seas continues. China and the United States have put a majority of their submarines to sea, both seeking to affect a winning solution.

The dangers of China’s missiles persist, effectively keeping America’s mighty carriers away from the conflict. But time is running out, and an answer to the threat must be found if the United States hopes to retain any hope of keeping the South China Sea out of China’s hands.

There’s also the looming threat coming from North Korea as they mass their troops close to the DMZ. OPLAN 5015 includes contingencies for preemptive strikes against the secretive nation, but with the threat of WMDs, will they view that as a viable option?

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2022

About the author

John 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.

Reviews

[Joel Toppen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series started off in book 1 with an admittedly unusual style. The book would alternate between something like news report clippings and narrative. But it did its job in laying a foundation that later books could leverage for an even better reading experience.

The action really heats up in this third volume of the series. Depictions of air and naval combat make this a highly entertaining read.

[William McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5. Lots of combat action in this third part of this book series. As China gets ready to invade Taiwan, the island nation realizes its inferior air force and navy will have minimal effect once China initiates hostilities and achieves air superiority. In order to get some results, Taiwan launches attacks against the aggressors. The invasion forces, their transport ships, and their air defenses suffer significant losses, but these cost Taiwan almost its entire air force and navy. In addition, China loses the vast majority of its submarines and expends most of its missile inventory. The United States launches preemptive air strikes against North Korea’s massed invasion forces. The North loses most of its antiquated air force and takes hits to its artillery and air defense units. On to book four’s invasions!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

China and Taiwan are at war and North Korea is once again flexing it's muscles against South Korea. Meanwhile the United States is aiding Taiwan, trying to keep the China Seas out of China's grasp and they have preempted a strike against North Korea. This is an action packed story with edge of your seat aerial, naval and submarine battles throughout this tale. Here's hoping none of this occurs in real time in the future. A must read for any fan of the military/warfare genres.

[S.David Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over The Top

The headline says it all. This is one of the best novels of it's type that I've read. You feel like you're in the middle of the action, in the air or on or under the water. The author does a great job of providing both sides viewpoint using different characters as the situation evolves. Can't wait for follow-up.

[Peter Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for the technos amongst us.

This a good story told for the people who like to read the ‘ins and outs’ of a future war from a technical standpoint.
The characters are just byplays in this story but it does show one human thing - pride can make even the most powerful people and nations do things that are morally abhorrent.
Sad story all to likely.

[Edgar Guedez · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHINA CONTINUES TO MAKE BAD DECISIONS

I'm glad the author stopped using press releases to advance the plot. But China leadership continues to make bad decisions, hiding or ignoring its huge loses. Taiwan seems to be under equip for the fight with China. How come the Americans did not replace Taiwan's fighter losses? The plot is advancing slowlyt.

[Charles Holcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite page turner!

A story line that is believable and interesting. In these current days, it makes one think about what could happen and how much of the world could be impacted. A good yarn to contemplate.

[William N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Attention to detail is very good. The plot flows smoothly. The story line is believable and holds the readers attention . Good job John !

[Richard A Lambing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series! Hard to imagine it’s fiction though.

[Chris Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very very detailed battle scenes but I’ll be honest, they get boring after a while because the story stops moving at anywhere near the same pace. Comfortably worse than the first two

[Steve Weina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed

Way to detailed to.point of boring. Ended up turning pages ahead to get to results quicker. Premise good but way to.long to get there

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action, and really brings across how with all the new technology, action happens really really fast.