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Distant Early Warning: A Pennsboro Novel
The Coldest War Lies Within
It is the late 1950s, and the Andersen family is at war with itself.
As back-to-back hurricanes ravage the rural town of Pennsboro, the family suffers an irredeemable loss. Georgia becomes mired in a haze of medication and TV. Marsh retreats into work and fantasies of the redhead next door. Wil, a precocious boy with a fondness for a girl with almond eyes, suspects his parents are possessed by the aliens from his favorite movie.
Adding to their private grief is the collision of consumerism and the Cold War, and the rising threat of Soviet missiles that may render obsolete America’s last hope for defense, the newly completed Distant Early Warning Line.
With the launch of Sputnik, the family’s anguish comes to a head. As the Andersens watch the first man-made satellite write history across the sky, they wonder if they, and the world, will ever find peace.
Based on true events, Distant Early Warning portrays the fears and dreams of a generation as it navigates the promise and perils of mid-century America.
It is the late 1950s, and the Andersen family is at war with itself.
As back-to-back hurricanes ravage the rural town of Pennsboro, the family suffers an irredeemable loss. Georgia becomes mired in a haze of medication and TV. Marsh retreats into work and fantasies of the redhead next door. Wil, a precocious boy with a fondness for a girl with almond eyes, suspects his parents are possessed by the aliens from his favorite movie.
Adding to their private grief is the collision of consumerism and the Cold War, and the rising threat of Soviet missiles that may render obsolete America’s last hope for defense, the newly completed Distant Early Warning Line.
With the launch of Sputnik, the family’s anguish comes to a head. As the Andersens watch the first man-made satellite write history across the sky, they wonder if they, and the world, will ever find peace.
Based on true events, Distant Early Warning portrays the fears and dreams of a generation as it navigates the promise and perils of mid-century America.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2022
1 person want to read
About the author
Jeff Widmer
17 books9 followersJeff Widmer is the author of the Pennsboro Cold War series (Distant Early Warning, Cold Fire, Good People); the CW McCoy and Brinker series of crime novels; and The Spirit of Swiftwater, a history of vaccines in the 20th century. A former journalist, advertising executive, and nationally syndicated reviewer, his work has appeared in publications ranging from Advertising Age to US Airways magazine to National Geographic World. Visit his website at http://jeffwidmer.com and his Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/author/jeffwidmer.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 15, 2022
Powerful Read!
What a powerful story in Distant Early Warning by Jeff Widmer. This is the second book of Widmer's that I've read, and so far, my favorite. Widmer is an exceptional writer and storyteller, and he brings the Andersen family to life. This book is based on true events, and it follows the destruction of the town of Pennsboro, where the Andersen's life. The journey takes the reader back to the 1950s, where tragedy, and loss, affect this family at its core. It's an amazing plot that has multiple subplots, that help the reader get to know the Andersen as a whole and individuals, and the incomprehensible events that have affected their lives. I am a definite fan of this author! The characters had a lot of depth and were very realistic. This book deserves a second read! (And maybe more). It’s definitely un-put-downable! The story brings the reader on a superb journey. This is a magnificent story that kept this reader turning the pages. This read is so engrossing that it brings you right in the middle of the story. This read is more than just words on a page. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! I hope to read more books by this author. Distant Early Warning is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
What a powerful story in Distant Early Warning by Jeff Widmer. This is the second book of Widmer's that I've read, and so far, my favorite. Widmer is an exceptional writer and storyteller, and he brings the Andersen family to life. This book is based on true events, and it follows the destruction of the town of Pennsboro, where the Andersen's life. The journey takes the reader back to the 1950s, where tragedy, and loss, affect this family at its core. It's an amazing plot that has multiple subplots, that help the reader get to know the Andersen as a whole and individuals, and the incomprehensible events that have affected their lives. I am a definite fan of this author! The characters had a lot of depth and were very realistic. This book deserves a second read! (And maybe more). It’s definitely un-put-downable! The story brings the reader on a superb journey. This is a magnificent story that kept this reader turning the pages. This read is so engrossing that it brings you right in the middle of the story. This read is more than just words on a page. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! I hope to read more books by this author. Distant Early Warning is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review