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Critical Mass
What would we do if a nuclear weapon was detonated in Washington, and the US government suddenly disappeared? What would we do if a terrorist organization announced that it had concealed nuclear weapons in ever major western city and then demanded that the entire planet embrace its twisted brand of Muslin fundamentalism?
In Critcal Mass, nuclear interdiction expert James Deutsh and his tormented Muslim wife, Nabila, struggle to stop an impending nuclear attack on an American city. Along the way, they delve deep into the hidden world of nuclear terrorism and the experts who strive to contain it, and get a compelling look at the titanic battle within Islam over its own future--fundamentalist and rejecting, or compassionate and life-embracing?
Like Whitley Strieber's classics Warday and The Coming Global Superstorm, Critical Mass is torn straight from the dark pages of a very dangerous and very possible future.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
In Critcal Mass, nuclear interdiction expert James Deutsh and his tormented Muslim wife, Nabila, struggle to stop an impending nuclear attack on an American city. Along the way, they delve deep into the hidden world of nuclear terrorism and the experts who strive to contain it, and get a compelling look at the titanic battle within Islam over its own future--fundamentalist and rejecting, or compassionate and life-embracing?
Like Whitley Strieber's classics Warday and The Coming Global Superstorm, Critical Mass is torn straight from the dark pages of a very dangerous and very possible future.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Audio CD
First published February 17, 2009
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About the author
Whitley Strieber
142 books1,281 followersAmerican writer best known for his novels The Wolfen,The Hunger and Warday and for Communion, a non-fiction description of his experiences with apparent alien contact. He has recently made significant advances in understanding this phenomenon, and has published his new discoveries in Solving the Communion Enigma.
Strieber also co-authored The Coming Global Superstorm with Art Bell, which inspired the blockbuster film about sudden climate change, The Day After Tomorrow.
His book The Afterlife Revolution written with his deceased wife Anne, is a record of what is considered to be one of the most powerful instances of afterlife communication ever recorded.
Strieber also co-authored The Coming Global Superstorm with Art Bell, which inspired the blockbuster film about sudden climate change, The Day After Tomorrow.
His book The Afterlife Revolution written with his deceased wife Anne, is a record of what is considered to be one of the most powerful instances of afterlife communication ever recorded.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 30, 2026
3.5/5. Just a random book I got from the Jackson library, knew nothing about it other than the cover. I know, judged a book by its cover, my bad
As I started, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it. It didn’t seem like the books I’ve read in the past, just not really my style. But what I got was honestly a very chilling story, scarily believable for our day and age. Very descriptive in its depiction of the chaos and horror mankind can bring upon ourselves out of the name religious zeal.
As I started, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it. It didn’t seem like the books I’ve read in the past, just not really my style. But what I got was honestly a very chilling story, scarily believable for our day and age. Very descriptive in its depiction of the chaos and horror mankind can bring upon ourselves out of the name religious zeal.
January 7, 2012
Meh...the basic premise of this book is generally solid. I think there was too much detail in some places and not enough in others. Strieber spends quite a bit of time explaining how people died instantly when the nuclear bomb was dropped on Las Vegas when a couple examples would have sufficed, but left out some of the detail about what the city and surrounding areas had to deal with as an after effect of the EMP and blast radius. I just felt like he missed a really great opportunity to paint the picture of the destruction. I thought he characterized the different view points from the Muslim American to the Muslim extremist to the power hungry people hiding behind the Muslim extremist point of view.
When I got 70% through, I found myself not caring any more about what happened. I think a good part of this was due to the narrator (I listened to the audio.)
When I got 70% through, I found myself not caring any more about what happened. I think a good part of this was due to the narrator (I listened to the audio.)
February 26, 2010
Very scary book up until the end, which was completely ridiculous. But the sketches he draws of his nuclear scenario are very believable and makes you realize that other countries, not just terrorists, would profit from an attack on the U.S. that looked like terrorism. But as for the characters and the denouement, very disappointing.
May 28, 2017
Had to stop reading this book. Only got about 3-4 pages and quit. It is so poorly written from a grammatical standpoint. I had read several sentences multiple times just to know what was being said. Very poorly written book.
January 16, 2022
This novel was incredibly slow in places. The editor did not do very well with spelling and prose. The ending did give it a nice boost. I have read novels of this author before and this is not her best work.
November 3, 2018
Whitley Strieber crafted an intriguing thriller with Critical Mass. The story of a radical, off-the-grid group of Islamic terrorists holding the world to nuclear blackmail, Strieber follows a divorced pair of American government investigators (one of them a Muslim woman) who try to stop attacks on American soil. Along the way, Strieber employs many spy thriller tropes from grand conspiracies to traitors within, some motivated by ideology, others by pure greed. It's a compelling read, one I largely devoured across a dull Saturday.
Compelling, yes, but not without issues. While the book starts plausible, by the end Strieber's ability to convey events believably runs down a slippery slope. Maybe because of my reading Garret Graff's Raven Rock last autumn, I had a hard time believing the notion that there wasn't a more effective continuity of government plan in place. Or, indeed, that the cabinet would allow certain things to occur without invoking some constitutional authority. Additionally, Strieber paints his narrative a bit too wide at times, cutting away from the main action to reveal events in other parts of the world. Sometimes they're intriguing and add to the story but, often, they seem to hinder the plot.
There is one thing that is indisputable. Strieber's depictions of the incredible destructive power of nuclear weapons are stunning. The man who helped bring readers Warday, the extraordinary tale of a limited Cold War nuclear exchange and its aftermath, conveys the fear of the bomb right up to date for the Age of Terror. Indeed, the best part of the novel are those sequences. Strieber has imagined the unimaginable, and it is terrifying.
Compelling, yes, but not without issues. While the book starts plausible, by the end Strieber's ability to convey events believably runs down a slippery slope. Maybe because of my reading Garret Graff's Raven Rock last autumn, I had a hard time believing the notion that there wasn't a more effective continuity of government plan in place. Or, indeed, that the cabinet would allow certain things to occur without invoking some constitutional authority. Additionally, Strieber paints his narrative a bit too wide at times, cutting away from the main action to reveal events in other parts of the world. Sometimes they're intriguing and add to the story but, often, they seem to hinder the plot.
There is one thing that is indisputable. Strieber's depictions of the incredible destructive power of nuclear weapons are stunning. The man who helped bring readers Warday, the extraordinary tale of a limited Cold War nuclear exchange and its aftermath, conveys the fear of the bomb right up to date for the Age of Terror. Indeed, the best part of the novel are those sequences. Strieber has imagined the unimaginable, and it is terrifying.
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August 30, 2020A page turner. Just a quick intro to generate some interest. A CIA operative finds out that three children have been found on the streets of a border town that are on the verge of death from radiation poisoning. He deducts that someone has either smuggled an atomic bomb or fissionable nuclear material into the United States. Not much of a plot revealer here, as all this is within the first few pages, the hook, that ensures you read the entire book.
September 11, 2019
The unthinkable happens. An atomic bomb is smuggled into the country and detonated in Las Vegas. Millions are killed in horrible devastation.
This plot required inside help at the highest reaches of governement. Can James Deutsch get to the bottom of the plot before more bombs are detonated?
A good, fast paced read.
This plot required inside help at the highest reaches of governement. Can James Deutsch get to the bottom of the plot before more bombs are detonated?
A good, fast paced read.
January 14, 2020
went over long on description of the aftermath of a nuclear explosion on a densely populated city.
The main character didn't feel believable, I couldn't connect with him.
And there's a lot of internal dialogue and narration about comparative religion that I just didn't find informative, or convincing.
The main character didn't feel believable, I couldn't connect with him.
And there's a lot of internal dialogue and narration about comparative religion that I just didn't find informative, or convincing.
November 9, 2022
This book is intense. The descriptions of appalling nuclear events are vivid. The devotional thoughts of Muslims, Christians, and atheists(!) are all credibly presented. I was spellbound.
As a Christian, I think this book provides insight into the mind of devoted Muslims as they contemplate God and eternity. As an American, I’m reminded at how fragile our peace may really be.
As a Christian, I think this book provides insight into the mind of devoted Muslims as they contemplate God and eternity. As an American, I’m reminded at how fragile our peace may really be.
March 10, 2020
THis was a good review, if you're looking for light reading. I commuted at the time on the train to Boston and I spent several hours one week reading this book at the train was continually breaking down....
September 23, 2017
A fast paced thriller of Islamic nuclear terrorism directed at Washington D.C.
October 14, 2022
Read in 2009. A thriller about nuclear terrorism.
August 12, 2023
Another great book from Hagberg
May 25, 2022
Probably a little more plausible now a days than when it was originally published. It was a slower read because so many perspectives were shown and switched around arbitrarily. Sometimes you would stay with a character for a few chapters and then go back to them after numerous other perspectives. It was a bit crazy.
July 20, 2022
The story line is right up my alley. However, I really struggled with this book. I think the main reason was because it was so dark. It was still interesting, so 3 stars.
March 9, 2013
In Whitley Strieber’s Critical Mass, Las Vegas, Nevada is nuked by a new Islamic extremist group. Worse, the same group has planted nuclear devices in national capitals in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, holding them hostage in an attempt to bend the world to Sharia law. As American intelligence operative Jim Deutsh races the clock to find the bomb intended to destroy Washington, DC, he finds betrayal at each step by a national security organization corrupted with deep penetration by enemies of the United States.
Strieber wraps within this book’s pages a myriad of true dangers facing us all: the disappearance of tons of nuclear material from Russia; the collapse of the U.S. intelligence operation aimed at interdicting those lost nukes when the Bush administration outed CIA operative Valerie Palme; and the bureaucratic nightmare created by Bush’s reorganization of the intelligence community, making it slow to respond to emergent dangers, and crowded with potentially corrupted contractors.
The author avoids the pitfalls many writers of such thrillers have made, and avoids painting the Islamic religion with a brush of evil. Instead, he makes it clear extremism of any ilk, political or religious, is dangerous. In one scene, the bombing of Las Vegas – Sin City – is applauded by Christian fundamentalists. In another, the world – Christians, Jews, and Muslims – learns to pray together. Plus the only person Deutsh knows he can trust is his former wife, herself a Muslim.
Strieber’s minutely detailed narrative of the destruction caused by nuclear weapons is both horrifying and overwhelming. At times, I wanted to shout, “Stop!” But I think that was the author’s intention. Critical Mass is a definite page turner, but it is a thinking man’s page turner.
Strieber wraps within this book’s pages a myriad of true dangers facing us all: the disappearance of tons of nuclear material from Russia; the collapse of the U.S. intelligence operation aimed at interdicting those lost nukes when the Bush administration outed CIA operative Valerie Palme; and the bureaucratic nightmare created by Bush’s reorganization of the intelligence community, making it slow to respond to emergent dangers, and crowded with potentially corrupted contractors.
The author avoids the pitfalls many writers of such thrillers have made, and avoids painting the Islamic religion with a brush of evil. Instead, he makes it clear extremism of any ilk, political or religious, is dangerous. In one scene, the bombing of Las Vegas – Sin City – is applauded by Christian fundamentalists. In another, the world – Christians, Jews, and Muslims – learns to pray together. Plus the only person Deutsh knows he can trust is his former wife, herself a Muslim.
Strieber’s minutely detailed narrative of the destruction caused by nuclear weapons is both horrifying and overwhelming. At times, I wanted to shout, “Stop!” But I think that was the author’s intention. Critical Mass is a definite page turner, but it is a thinking man’s page turner.
October 11, 2010
I actually liked this book a lot better than most thrillers. Probably because it involved nuclear weapons so it edges toward my post-apocalyptic interest without actually going there.
It times it felt a little scattered. The beginning of the book focuses pretty narrowly on the agent who is trying to track down the nuclear bomb(s) but later on the POV shifts between him, his wife, her brother, the president of the United States, the Pope, and various conspirators. It was still an engaging read.
I do have a couple of minor complaints though.
1) No one thought Vatican City would be a target? Really? Despite the direct threat to burn all the churches and synagogues? I find that very hard to believe.
2) I don't know my Crusades history as well as I should, but I doubt very much that Christians never invaded Islamic held territories. Or that the Church has never attacked Islamic lands. I'm nearly positive that's complete and utter BS.
3) I think the EMP would have been a lot more damaging than the author suggests. Granted, when you're comparing a nuclear Holocaust with all the lives that were ended it's not as big a deal...but it's still a pretty big deal. I'm especially surprised since he was a co-author of Warday which focused in large part on the damage an EMP could do back in the early 1980's.
I was entertained.
It times it felt a little scattered. The beginning of the book focuses pretty narrowly on the agent who is trying to track down the nuclear bomb(s) but later on the POV shifts between him, his wife, her brother, the president of the United States, the Pope, and various conspirators. It was still an engaging read.
I do have a couple of minor complaints though.
1) No one thought Vatican City would be a target? Really? Despite the direct threat to burn all the churches and synagogues? I find that very hard to believe.
2) I don't know my Crusades history as well as I should, but I doubt very much that Christians never invaded Islamic held territories. Or that the Church has never attacked Islamic lands. I'm nearly positive that's complete and utter BS.
3) I think the EMP would have been a lot more damaging than the author suggests. Granted, when you're comparing a nuclear Holocaust with all the lives that were ended it's not as big a deal...but it's still a pretty big deal. I'm especially surprised since he was a co-author of Warday which focused in large part on the damage an EMP could do back in the early 1980's.
I was entertained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2021
Never read it
July 16, 2013
I'm finding it difficult to express how much I enjoyed this book, actually, enjoy isn't even the right word, because it's a very frightening scenario that's presented. What makes this novel so amazing is its believability. I don't usually read 300 page books in 4 days, but found myself skipping meals and other essential activities while reading Critical Mass. As horrifying as much of this book is, there are some real heartfelt, eye opening moments, where the humanity of the monsters are shown in all their vulnerability. Brilliant storytelling.
June 23, 2009
This is a "fun" read, doesn't require you to work through it. I'm willing to read more by the author.
As for the choices of the destroyed cities: quite interesting with Las Vegas first, then Vatican City (not Rome, ya hump). As with the WTC destruction in 2001, NYNY is always my first thought as the crown jewel of terror targets. But I didn't think the book was about terror so much as about some other idealistic thingy that I can't figure out, (and hope I don't agree with . . I hope).
As for the choices of the destroyed cities: quite interesting with Las Vegas first, then Vatican City (not Rome, ya hump). As with the WTC destruction in 2001, NYNY is always my first thought as the crown jewel of terror targets. But I didn't think the book was about terror so much as about some other idealistic thingy that I can't figure out, (and hope I don't agree with . . I hope).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2012
Overall this was a pretty good book. I don't know if it was because I have another book that I really want to read or what but the last 50 pages seemed to drag on forever. At one point I didn't really care of the if the world was saved or not as long as it meant the end of the book. IF you are a fan I would read this one if not maybe read another one of his books.
January 29, 2013
My biggest complaint about this book is about how much detail the author spends describing the explosions but yet seems to fudge through some other parts of the story line as though he's not exactly sure how to accurately get from point A to point B of his story. Having said that & despite this genre not being my favorite, I did enjoy the book & found it hard to put down at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2014
This is a book with a solid premise, but poor execution.
A secret agent guy complete with boring personal problems and his estranged Muslim wife try to stop terrorists from using nukes to blackmail the world into accepting Sharia law.
Despite the high stakes, there isn't much tension generated, and the whole thing goes off the rails at the end.
A secret agent guy complete with boring personal problems and his estranged Muslim wife try to stop terrorists from using nukes to blackmail the world into accepting Sharia law.
Despite the high stakes, there isn't much tension generated, and the whole thing goes off the rails at the end.
February 27, 2009
A non-stop thriller about an elaborate plot by Islamic radicals and others (conspiracy fans pay heed) to nuke the West into rolling over and submitting to Sharia Law. Well done, from the breathless school of thriller writing.
July 10, 2009
This is a political thriller about nuclear terrorism which, while fast paced and scary in premise, didn't really capture my attention. I didn't find it very believable and sure hope I don't live to eat those words.
June 26, 2011
Nuclear bombs, terrorist, CIA, politicians, what more could you ask for in an exciting novel. Whitley Strieber has wrote a winner with this suspenseful novel that is on target with events that could happen in our world today. One of those books that once I started, it was hard to put down.
March 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. The author laid out a totally plausible scenario of world events leading up to and including a nuclear event. This is the only book I've read by this author, but it was a good read :)
June 10, 2013
Really liked this tale of terror based on nuclear bombs detonating around the world due to Arab terrorists.
My sister recommended it and said that it was so scarey to her based on the believability of the story line. And, I have to agree.
My sister recommended it and said that it was so scarey to her based on the believability of the story line. And, I have to agree.
March 8, 2009
Excellent page-turner thriller, filled with conspiracy, nuclear threat and exploding bombs. Not for the faint of heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews