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Iron Crucible #3
White Horizon
The year is 1992.
The Soviet Blitzkrieg in Germany has been beaten to a bloody halt along the Rhine River. The Reds rush masses of teenage conscripts and rusty reservists to the front, while NATO scrambles to mount a killing blow against their reeling nemesis.
The flames of war spread north to Scandinavia, embroiling Sweden and threatening Norway. In this grinding war of attrition, both sides endure, and the death toll mounts. Is a breakthrough at hand or has the carnage only begun?
The Soviet Blitzkrieg in Germany has been beaten to a bloody halt along the Rhine River. The Reds rush masses of teenage conscripts and rusty reservists to the front, while NATO scrambles to mount a killing blow against their reeling nemesis.
The flames of war spread north to Scandinavia, embroiling Sweden and threatening Norway. In this grinding war of attrition, both sides endure, and the death toll mounts. Is a breakthrough at hand or has the carnage only begun?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2022
187 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 15, 2025
I recently had the opportunity to read the third book in T.K. Blackwood's Iron Crucible series, where Blackwood examines the world through a "What-If" lens. In this series, Blackwood examines what would happen if back in the early-1990s (1992) that the Russians (and the rest of the Warsaw Pact countries) has attacked the NATO countries.
The years is 1992 and the Russian "Blitzkreig" has stalled as it attempted to cross the Rhine river. This book is primarily concerned with the Warsaw Pact's effort as, in addition to attacking the NATO countries through Germany, an effort is made to attack through the Scandinavian countries (actually, the Soviet Union has signed a "non-aggression pact" with Finland, basically giving their forces a easy "walk-through" and concentrate their attack on Sweden).
One of the things that I appreciated about about this effort by Blackwood is that instead of describing this war through a "Macro" lens (a la textbook style) that the war is examined through a "Micro" lens with lots of character development throughout. The book explains the many issues and problems that make up modern warfare. Despite the awesome technology available to all sides, people still play a strong role in the outcome.
On my self-determined five point scale, I would definitely give this book a solid four stars and would recommend it for fans of Clancy's "Red Storm Rising" and Hackett's "The Third World War". An awesome read.
As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents worth.
The years is 1992 and the Russian "Blitzkreig" has stalled as it attempted to cross the Rhine river. This book is primarily concerned with the Warsaw Pact's effort as, in addition to attacking the NATO countries through Germany, an effort is made to attack through the Scandinavian countries (actually, the Soviet Union has signed a "non-aggression pact" with Finland, basically giving their forces a easy "walk-through" and concentrate their attack on Sweden).
One of the things that I appreciated about about this effort by Blackwood is that instead of describing this war through a "Macro" lens (a la textbook style) that the war is examined through a "Micro" lens with lots of character development throughout. The book explains the many issues and problems that make up modern warfare. Despite the awesome technology available to all sides, people still play a strong role in the outcome.
On my self-determined five point scale, I would definitely give this book a solid four stars and would recommend it for fans of Clancy's "Red Storm Rising" and Hackett's "The Third World War". An awesome read.
As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents worth.
December 9, 2023
The Fight Continues
White Horizon, as book three in this series, continues to highlight the many, many issues and problems that make up modern warfare. Despite the awesome technology available to all sides, people still play a strong role in the outcome, success or failure. You see this in the characters in this book as they struggle to control their fate. Come on book 4!!!!
https://gmail.app.goo.gl/?link=https:...
White Horizon, as book three in this series, continues to highlight the many, many issues and problems that make up modern warfare. Despite the awesome technology available to all sides, people still play a strong role in the outcome, success or failure. You see this in the characters in this book as they struggle to control their fate. Come on book 4!!!!
https://gmail.app.goo.gl/?link=https:...
September 25, 2025
Slightly abrupt ending to book 3 in this series but obviously set up to continue, but overall a very enjoyable entry in this cold war goes hot series.
This time we got to see how the invasion of Sweden would play out, along with the war in central Europe grinding to halt. What stood out to me in White Horizon though compared to Red Front (book 2) was more emphasis on the physical and emotional trauma caused by the events.
I will be hoping into Black Seas (book 4) in the not to distant future.
This time we got to see how the invasion of Sweden would play out, along with the war in central Europe grinding to halt. What stood out to me in White Horizon though compared to Red Front (book 2) was more emphasis on the physical and emotional trauma caused by the events.
I will be hoping into Black Seas (book 4) in the not to distant future.
October 12, 2025
An excellent set of books
A well writen war story told through a large set of characters on all sides of the action. The character development is excellent. The players on all sides seem human they are well discribed, and the reader looks forward to following them again when they next appear in the story. The overall story is very believable. The reader will not want to put any of this set of books down. Just one note of warning the books need to be read in order.
A well writen war story told through a large set of characters on all sides of the action. The character development is excellent. The players on all sides seem human they are well discribed, and the reader looks forward to following them again when they next appear in the story. The overall story is very believable. The reader will not want to put any of this set of books down. Just one note of warning the books need to be read in order.
January 8, 2023
Not a very well written book on ww3
I read all 3 books and was not impressed. Very unenlightened view of Russian military capabilities. Author embellished Russians as perfect military and super soldiers and American and NATO militaries as "keystone cop idiots".
Same with Navy, submarines and Air force.
Nothing goes right for American ships or submarines.
I read all 3 books and was not impressed. Very unenlightened view of Russian military capabilities. Author embellished Russians as perfect military and super soldiers and American and NATO militaries as "keystone cop idiots".
Same with Navy, submarines and Air force.
Nothing goes right for American ships or submarines.
April 12, 2025
This volume better than the last
The story is feasible and probably true enough to real life. The book feels weak though. Character development is ok. I feel the volumes should take on a broader range of warfare. I understand the author wanting to focus on a few main characters. I suppose I'm just a Tom Clancy guy and nobody can live up to him.
The story is feasible and probably true enough to real life. The book feels weak though. Character development is ok. I feel the volumes should take on a broader range of warfare. I understand the author wanting to focus on a few main characters. I suppose I'm just a Tom Clancy guy and nobody can live up to him.
March 8, 2024
Very good read
The author included personal thoughts from the men and women in the battles and governments, and they added to the story for added reality, war is hell, and this story supports that fact.
The author included personal thoughts from the men and women in the battles and governments, and they added to the story for added reality, war is hell, and this story supports that fact.
January 10, 2023
Hate that it just ended.....leaves you hanging
January 28, 2025
great storyline
The story line is very cohesive. Character development is also 1st rate. Will start the next book in minutes. Highly recommend
The story line is very cohesive. Character development is also 1st rate. Will start the next book in minutes. Highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews