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Soviet Endgame #1
Advance to Contact: 1980
The Cold War threatens to go hot…
…when American hostages are taken in Iran.
Where will this conflict lead?
The Soviets invade Afghanistan, and the governments of Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev jockey for position on the international stage. CIA operative Fred Poole races against the clock to decode the pieces of a Soviet puzzle that could lead to war.
Will he be too late?
US Marines and Soviet paratroopers advance to contact with the enemy on battlefields across the globe, from the jungles of Central America to the deserts of the Middle East.
Can Poole and his ragtag team untangle the Soviet plans?
Or will skirmishes turn into a global nightmare?
You’ll love this gripping opener of the Soviet Endgame alternate history series because the history you remember takes a turn you never expected.
Get it now.
…when American hostages are taken in Iran.
Where will this conflict lead?
The Soviets invade Afghanistan, and the governments of Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev jockey for position on the international stage. CIA operative Fred Poole races against the clock to decode the pieces of a Soviet puzzle that could lead to war.
Will he be too late?
US Marines and Soviet paratroopers advance to contact with the enemy on battlefields across the globe, from the jungles of Central America to the deserts of the Middle East.
Can Poole and his ragtag team untangle the Soviet plans?
Or will skirmishes turn into a global nightmare?
You’ll love this gripping opener of the Soviet Endgame alternate history series because the history you remember takes a turn you never expected.
Get it now.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2022
568 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 12, 2022
Prelude towards the RED DAWN
I’ve read a lot of alt-history novels over the years. That I more or less find few surprises do Kim glad you incropated South America most stories over look that path has they prefer to use that angle in 21 century WW3. I hope you stay in original path of war planning.
I’ve read a lot of alt-history novels over the years. That I more or less find few surprises do Kim glad you incropated South America most stories over look that path has they prefer to use that angle in 21 century WW3. I hope you stay in original path of war planning.
Read
March 18, 2023MWSA Review
Advance to Contact: 1980 is the flagship novel in the series of the same name.
It’s 1980. The Shah may be falling in Iran, and President Carter and his staff are working tirelessly to keep this US ally in place in the volatile Middle East. When the Soviets invade Afghanistan while at the same time Iranian fanatics storm the US Embassy, tensions flare.
The world knows what actually happened in the aftermath, but authors Alex Aaronson and James Rosone take us on a marvelous alternative history journey of what could have happened, and the realism is shocking. Using in-depth knowledge of the historical military dispositions and political personalities, the two weave together an incredible story that shows just how bad things could have gotten, with CIA agent Fred Poole doing everything he can to avoid World War III.
This reviewer was continuously impressed with the military accuracy of the vast weapons platforms mentioned on both the east and west sides. At the same time, there are plenty of “raw grunt” moments that show that any soldier has more in common with his enemies than he thinks. Fans of Dale Brown, the late Tom Clancy, or any military alternative history series will surely find this worth the effort.
Review by Rob Ballister (March 2023)
Advance to Contact: 1980 is the flagship novel in the series of the same name.
It’s 1980. The Shah may be falling in Iran, and President Carter and his staff are working tirelessly to keep this US ally in place in the volatile Middle East. When the Soviets invade Afghanistan while at the same time Iranian fanatics storm the US Embassy, tensions flare.
The world knows what actually happened in the aftermath, but authors Alex Aaronson and James Rosone take us on a marvelous alternative history journey of what could have happened, and the realism is shocking. Using in-depth knowledge of the historical military dispositions and political personalities, the two weave together an incredible story that shows just how bad things could have gotten, with CIA agent Fred Poole doing everything he can to avoid World War III.
This reviewer was continuously impressed with the military accuracy of the vast weapons platforms mentioned on both the east and west sides. At the same time, there are plenty of “raw grunt” moments that show that any soldier has more in common with his enemies than he thinks. Fans of Dale Brown, the late Tom Clancy, or any military alternative history series will surely find this worth the effort.
Review by Rob Ballister (March 2023)
July 20, 2023
This book starts with the Iran hostage affair, providing an alternative outcome from what we know today. Oh, my goodness, the book dives hard into the details of the operation as well as the geopolitical nature of the world at that time. This book really shows how altering one major event in world history could provide a cascade of follow-on changes, simply the domino effect. It takes us in conflicts across the globe, leading us to the one thing we were all fearful of for many years.
Immediately I was captivated by this book. The mission details were impeccable. The characters are built up well, from the President discussing global matters and making pertinent decisions to the lonely soldier on the battlefield, thinking about his wife. I felt I was there in each scene. Although it is alternate history, it shows that changing just one world event could have had monumental consequences.
This is a book that I truly enjoyed. You get lost in the world of changing events and the unknown. I was completely absorbed in it and look forward to reading number #2, 1981 Fire and Maneuver. I would recommend this book for someone that enjoys history and for someone that debates “what if” we just did this.
Immediately I was captivated by this book. The mission details were impeccable. The characters are built up well, from the President discussing global matters and making pertinent decisions to the lonely soldier on the battlefield, thinking about his wife. I felt I was there in each scene. Although it is alternate history, it shows that changing just one world event could have had monumental consequences.
This is a book that I truly enjoyed. You get lost in the world of changing events and the unknown. I was completely absorbed in it and look forward to reading number #2, 1981 Fire and Maneuver. I would recommend this book for someone that enjoys history and for someone that debates “what if” we just did this.
June 28, 2023
Alex Aaronson, a newcomer to military thrillers rushes out of the gate with "Advance to contact 1980." Those of us who love alternate history and 1980s Hollywood blockbusters have been waiting for this book. I even donated to the creation of the audiobook version because I had such high expectations and trust that Aaronson and Rosone (who is a seasoned writer in this Field) would knock the start of this series out of the park.
The creative decision to start the alternative turning point at the successful operation eagle claw in 1980 was genius. Eagle claw is hardly if ever talked about in alternate history settings and especially the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Can't recommend this book enough! It is quite hard to talk about the book without spoiling so definitely check it out!
Thank you to Alex Aaronson and James Rosone for yet another incredible job.
The creative decision to start the alternative turning point at the successful operation eagle claw in 1980 was genius. Eagle claw is hardly if ever talked about in alternate history settings and especially the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Can't recommend this book enough! It is quite hard to talk about the book without spoiling so definitely check it out!
Thank you to Alex Aaronson and James Rosone for yet another incredible job.
December 17, 2022
A fascinating alternative history read it it is really good.
I served in the army during the years this took place and always wondered what if they started dropping airborne troops behind us and had their armor come crashing through the fulda gap how would we have fared against them.
I am not going to give away spoilers but this first book sets up everything in a very believable way and takes you to just hours before the invasion starts. I can not wait to tear into the second book which comes out in Jan 22..
I do not show as a verified purchaser because I belong to the read all you want for 10 dollars a month program in prime.
In closing get the book you will not be disappointed.
I served in the army during the years this took place and always wondered what if they started dropping airborne troops behind us and had their armor come crashing through the fulda gap how would we have fared against them.
I am not going to give away spoilers but this first book sets up everything in a very believable way and takes you to just hours before the invasion starts. I can not wait to tear into the second book which comes out in Jan 22..
I do not show as a verified purchaser because I belong to the read all you want for 10 dollars a month program in prime.
In closing get the book you will not be disappointed.
November 9, 2022
Excellent trip down memory lane.
I spent the years of 1978 - 1989 in West Germany as a British soldier. The information that we had at the time on Warsaw Pact armed forces goes very well with this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I've read all the books that the authors have written and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. So thanks, in advance, for another great series.
I spent the years of 1978 - 1989 in West Germany as a British soldier. The information that we had at the time on Warsaw Pact armed forces goes very well with this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I've read all the books that the authors have written and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. So thanks, in advance, for another great series.
March 17, 2023
The first half of the book was based on hostage rescue and reminded of the US hostages in Iran. The second half was roughly based on Iran-Iraq conflict. The story was ok but still was moving at a very slow pace. I am really not sure if I will be reading the second book in the series, perhaps not in the near future.
March 4, 2023
Great Book
This Book took me about a 1/4 of the way in to get into it. After that I found it to be a Great Book and I have already Downloaded BOOK # 2 Fire an Manever.
This Book took me about a 1/4 of the way in to get into it. After that I found it to be a Great Book and I have already Downloaded BOOK # 2 Fire an Manever.
December 18, 2022
Wow
One of the best alternative histories I have ever read. It really takes someone who knows the real history to write alternative history.
One of the best alternative histories I have ever read. It really takes someone who knows the real history to write alternative history.
December 1, 2022
Nobody Is Left Out of the Action
This book, an enticing first entry into a new series is delivering an artfully portrayed alt history lesson of how things could have played out via a few key decisions (or lack thereof) by the US and\or our adversaries in the very volatile early 80's. From the highest levels of political intrigue to the lowest levels of grunts laying in the mud and filth of the field, waiting to kill or be killed, this story is masterful. Every branch of service gets their moment of shining splendor and heroism while also suffering the crushing moments of defeat and desperation. I cannot wait to see where we go next on this wild, off the rails train ride. Having been a Marine with access to pretty sensitive message traffic throughout my career, some of this is incredibly credible!
This book, an enticing first entry into a new series is delivering an artfully portrayed alt history lesson of how things could have played out via a few key decisions (or lack thereof) by the US and\or our adversaries in the very volatile early 80's. From the highest levels of political intrigue to the lowest levels of grunts laying in the mud and filth of the field, waiting to kill or be killed, this story is masterful. Every branch of service gets their moment of shining splendor and heroism while also suffering the crushing moments of defeat and desperation. I cannot wait to see where we go next on this wild, off the rails train ride. Having been a Marine with access to pretty sensitive message traffic throughout my career, some of this is incredibly credible!
March 4, 2023
I fell into this book by accident (meaning that I had gotten interested in reading some of the other books written by one half of this dynamic team, James Rosone, thanks to a Facebook group Military Thriller Book Group) and I heard news of the second book in the Soviet Endgame series (Fire and Maneuver: 1981) which after some brief conversations with Alex Aaronson (the other half of this dynamic duo), joined his ARC team and reviewed that chapter in this alternate chronology first.
Advance to Contact:1980 begins its story just prior to the taking of the American embassy (which occurred in November 1979) and begins its swerve into alternate history with the successful completion of Operation: Eagle Claw (which occurred in April 1980) and the military mission to rescue of the American hostages.
It was this successful completion of the rescue mission in Iran along with a positive outcome of direct military action in Nicaragua over a period of approximately eight months (April to December), that leads to a second term as President for Jimmy Carter.
This novel details that these military actions, along with some subterfuge and subversive actions on the Caspian Sea coast of Iran, lay the groundwork for the conventional force invasion of Western Europe by the Warsaw Pact forces that dominated the second book in this exciting series. This version of events and plans for the conventional force invasion, which in addition to being an alternate history tale of its own, also represents a deviation of the accepted Warsaw Pact battle plans as according to independent research (using websites such as Globalsecurity.org) allowed and depened upon the usage of thermonuclear weapons to counter the technological advantage (perceived, perhaps) of the NATO armed forces versus the numerical (and possibly) logitical) advantage of the Warsaw Pact.
This novel represents a strong foray into the realm of alternate history and I believe would be a definite favourite for readers of Tom Clancy's "Red Storm Rising" and Harold Coyle's "Team Yankee". I really enjoyed this book, and the opportunity that it gave me to do some independent research in the geopolitical events of the era, and would easily rate this book a solid five stars out of five.
As with all my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents worth.
Advance to Contact:1980 begins its story just prior to the taking of the American embassy (which occurred in November 1979) and begins its swerve into alternate history with the successful completion of Operation: Eagle Claw (which occurred in April 1980) and the military mission to rescue of the American hostages.
It was this successful completion of the rescue mission in Iran along with a positive outcome of direct military action in Nicaragua over a period of approximately eight months (April to December), that leads to a second term as President for Jimmy Carter.
This novel details that these military actions, along with some subterfuge and subversive actions on the Caspian Sea coast of Iran, lay the groundwork for the conventional force invasion of Western Europe by the Warsaw Pact forces that dominated the second book in this exciting series. This version of events and plans for the conventional force invasion, which in addition to being an alternate history tale of its own, also represents a deviation of the accepted Warsaw Pact battle plans as according to independent research (using websites such as Globalsecurity.org) allowed and depened upon the usage of thermonuclear weapons to counter the technological advantage (perceived, perhaps) of the NATO armed forces versus the numerical (and possibly) logitical) advantage of the Warsaw Pact.
This novel represents a strong foray into the realm of alternate history and I believe would be a definite favourite for readers of Tom Clancy's "Red Storm Rising" and Harold Coyle's "Team Yankee". I really enjoyed this book, and the opportunity that it gave me to do some independent research in the geopolitical events of the era, and would easily rate this book a solid five stars out of five.
As with all my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents worth.
July 18, 2024
Alex Aaronson has done a good job creating an Alternative History regarding the Rescue of the Hostages in Iran and Sandinistas in Nicaragua. This created a very good start to the series. I did find it a little dry at first but it started flowing towards the end. I do think that the author should have remembered that Carter was a naval veteran from WW2. It seemed that Carter was ignorant of all things military at the start. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book and the direction it was going. I really enjoyed the book and considering this was Alex Aaronson's first book as the primary writer, he did a fine job. I can't wait to read to the next two books. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys brinkmanship at its best.
November 17, 2022
a good read
Really enjoyed this book. Two good authors who have written a book that clearly is going to be a cracker of a series. This alternative history is a really good concept and makes a reader think about the original history.
This story takes you on a journey to the build up of hostilities creating the characters that will no doubt take us on a journey that I hope will compare with previous books by these authors. Roll on the next book!
Really enjoyed this book. Two good authors who have written a book that clearly is going to be a cracker of a series. This alternative history is a really good concept and makes a reader think about the original history.
This story takes you on a journey to the build up of hostilities creating the characters that will no doubt take us on a journey that I hope will compare with previous books by these authors. Roll on the next book!
December 19, 2022
Awesome military adventure!
I love alternative history stories and this one takes a pivotal moment and asks the age old question, 'what if THIS had happened instead of THAT?'
What if President Carter had pulled off the rescue of the embassy hostages in Iran? What if because of that, there was no President Reagan?
Alex and James blend together this alternative history into a believable story that has you chomping at the bit to get to the next chapter, and the one after that!
I love alternative history stories and this one takes a pivotal moment and asks the age old question, 'what if THIS had happened instead of THAT?'
What if President Carter had pulled off the rescue of the embassy hostages in Iran? What if because of that, there was no President Reagan?
Alex and James blend together this alternative history into a believable story that has you chomping at the bit to get to the next chapter, and the one after that!
November 25, 2022
Excellent Book
I'm a huge fan of alternative military history and this book did not disappoint. It is well written and has a terrific story. The authors create an international crisis between the US and the USSR during the latter part of the Carter administration. What if Eagle Claw turned out differently? I highly recommend this book
I'm a huge fan of alternative military history and this book did not disappoint. It is well written and has a terrific story. The authors create an international crisis between the US and the USSR during the latter part of the Carter administration. What if Eagle Claw turned out differently? I highly recommend this book
December 20, 2022
Nor worth the time.
The author spends to much time on details. Slows the pace of the book way down. Having lived through that period of time I have to say it is pretty accurate from the start. Spend less time on trying to build multiple characters and on tiny details that have no relevance it would of been a good read. The book moves to slow.
The author spends to much time on details. Slows the pace of the book way down. Having lived through that period of time I have to say it is pretty accurate from the start. Spend less time on trying to build multiple characters and on tiny details that have no relevance it would of been a good read. The book moves to slow.
November 10, 2022
WTF!
Carter was a joke. I lived through his presidency thinking we were headed to the FULDA Gap because he was such p*ssy. I don't like changing history. Regan stopped that peanut farmer. I definitely won't spend any money on further books.
Carter was a joke. I lived through his presidency thinking we were headed to the FULDA Gap because he was such p*ssy. I don't like changing history. Regan stopped that peanut farmer. I definitely won't spend any money on further books.
February 18, 2023
Excellent page-turner!
Love the truly global scope of the book.
I usually read several books at one time and this book I read exclusively! I couldn't stop reading it.
Look forward to continuing the series!
Love the truly global scope of the book.
I usually read several books at one time and this book I read exclusively! I couldn't stop reading it.
Look forward to continuing the series!
August 24, 2023
An interesting Alt history twist
Spent quite some time going down memory lane remembering the time period and what happened back then. Lots of speculation at the time from various point.
This is a very well writen book.
Spent quite some time going down memory lane remembering the time period and what happened back then. Lots of speculation at the time from various point.
This is a very well writen book.
December 2, 2022
Great book
Another fun read, looking forward to the next book in the series. The author blends truth and fiction. Love the mu!fills story lines.
Another fun read, looking forward to the next book in the series. The author blends truth and fiction. Love the mu!fills story lines.
December 28, 2022
Very good 1st volume book
It lacks a little on the technical side but at least there is no lengthy character development. I love the alternative history stories.
It lacks a little on the technical side but at least there is no lengthy character development. I love the alternative history stories.
January 13, 2023
Good read
Few errors. Interesting characters for this type of
fiction
Will get the next in this series. Good book for a long flight.
Few errors. Interesting characters for this type of
fiction
Will get the next in this series. Good book for a long flight.
January 15, 2023
Pretty good
Pretty good. Interesting inclusion of actual hardware that seems fictional when mentioned. Jimmy Carter as a 'war time" president though?
Pretty good. Interesting inclusion of actual hardware that seems fictional when mentioned. Jimmy Carter as a 'war time" president though?
January 27, 2023
I wasn’t ready to read a book where Jimmy Carter was re-elected. Not my cup of tea.
March 16, 2023
Good First Read
Good read. Good plot. Good character development. Moving on to book 2 as soon as I finish this task. Based on this book, I highly recommend the rest of the series
Good read. Good plot. Good character development. Moving on to book 2 as soon as I finish this task. Based on this book, I highly recommend the rest of the series
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March 16, 2023Read and scored as part of the Military Writers' Society of America 2023 awards season.
July 27, 2023
great read
Interesting revisionist history. Would have liked to authors have Reagan as President. I highly recommend. Looking forward to Book Two.
Interesting revisionist history. Would have liked to authors have Reagan as President. I highly recommend. Looking forward to Book Two.
April 24, 2024
1980
A rollercoaster of a ride on the way to WW3 intermixing the politicians of the time and the fictional characters of the plot
A rollercoaster of a ride on the way to WW3 intermixing the politicians of the time and the fictional characters of the plot
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews