Hugely important insight clumsily delivered.

What Sir Richard has to say in this book is extremely important for British defence policy and for stability in Europe. He knows what he's talking about better than almost anyone and concerned citizens and politicians alike should heed what he says. The fictional narrative is an interesting and potentially compelling way of translating a very realistic wargame scenario to a wider popular audience however the story telling itself is a little amateurish and the exposition of Sir Richard's argument is often far too obvious and clumsy, or clunky. The characters are a little stereotypical with bulk described, stock back-stories. The narrative itself just cuts between three essential locations of the same groups of characters (with a few scenes as exceptions).
Very informative and significant, but sometimes feeling like a school boy vehicle for an argument.

5 people found this helpful

Plausible

Great story. Very interesting considering the current political climate. Would recommend to anyone who likes alternative or future history.

4 people found this helpful

A wake up call, captivating but FRUSTRATING ending

This is only half a book but I completely agree with the sentiment. It is a wake up call of the utmost reality; one that I fear will fall on deaf ears. We are repeating the mistakes of the 1930's and the UK, with such a woefully underfunded military and such poor political leadership, will not have a second Dunkirk like deliverance. There will be no "Churchill" to rally and save us this time.

Whilst General Sir Richard Shirreff is right in his thesis, i found this book, as a work of fiction, both enthralling and frustrating.The book describes a realistic scenario, echoing recent Russian military adventures, that lead to war between Nato and Russia.The book ends abruptly, mid battle, mid war. The journey to this point is captivating but what a let down. It's as though all imagination deserted the General at this point and the complexity of how the war is won and the risk of a nuclear exchange is adverted becomes unimaginable. If you want to listen to 13 hours of tense build up to be then told mid story (mid battle/mid war), in a five minute end chapter, that we won and everyone lived happily ever after then go for it.

In summary: It's an important message and General Sir Richard Shirreff is a man to be listened to The book as a work of fiction is a disappointment. I wish he had presented a work of non-fiction putting forward his thesis and what he believes we should be doing as a nation to put things right.That is a book I would buy.

Finally. I wish the General would enter politics. Because if only we could replace our current crop of career politicians with people who had real world expertise, the ability to think clearly and strategically, and were not so self serving we might be saved.. The Camerons, Cleggs, Blairs, Corbyns and Mays of this world are leading us to our doom.

2 people found this helpful

100% relevant and true

Read this book if you want an accurate appraisal of the current NATO situation. General Sir Richard Shirreff gives an open and honest account of the political manoeuvrings within British defence, and further afield throughout NATO which are putting us on the slippery slope towards war with a nationalist Russia led by a totalitarian oligarch.

2 people found this helpful

Worst case scenario stuff, mix of facts and fun.

Fits the US/UK NATO script to the dot as expected, as an ex grunt its interesting to hear it from a Senior British perspective. I thought the Russian demenour, motives, menace and repetitive names (aye we get it Sir, he's Vlad the terrible) were a bit overdone but then this is exercise stuff and the capabilities behind the narrative are real and improving on an annual basis, on all sides.

Good commentary on the defence cuts, dependence on reserves to the cost of combat veterans and the phallacies of trident and nuclear weapons against conventional combat arms .Also a good mention of our focus on COIN to the cost of our "conventional" preparedness and abilities, although certainly in F Recce between herrick tours we still trained with the CVRTs , thankfully not against T90s.....(I wonder how many Javelin we still have).

The military characters feel authentic as LEs and Infantry/RM Sgt Majors, the politicians feel authentic too, useless, blind, ignorant, greedy etc without the first clue about the true realities on the ground...so hats off to you Sir for being able to tolerate such citizens.

1 person found this helpful

A wake up call for those in power

With a real political and frank agenda this book is written with a clear understanding of military and global politics and points to clear and very possible future. Well narrated, explained and just right level of detail to keep either a military or non-military mind on the edge of their seat.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent and informative work of fiction?

Really interesting to hear an up to date narrative based on sound factual knowledge taking into account many global facets, thank you.

1 person found this helpful

Insightful

The UK armed forces have a pride in their history and fighting spirit. Defence cuts have eaten away at its effectiveness to the point of international ridicule.

It is refreshing that the author has written this as a story of fiction based on the stark reality of where we could end up due to complacency.

The Ineffectiveness of the UN in the Balkans highlights the problems inherent with multi national armed forces led by weak Politicians. Now replace that with NATO against a major World Power like Russia and you can only imagine how much of a bureaucratic minefield it would be.

If you want a war story with descriptive battle scenes this is not the book for you. If you want an understanding of tactical insight at strategic level written by an author with personal first hand knowledge then read this.

The audible book narrator does well with his various accents to try and bring the characters to life but it's not easy to replicate a Russian and a Brummie.

The only downside to the book without giving too much away was that I felt it all ended a bit abruptly.

On the whole I enjoyed the read and would recommend this to anyone with an interest in the escalating tensions in Europe.

I only hope for my children's sake that the authors message is heard before it's too late.

2 people found this helpful

Good story with many similarities to 2022 Ukraine

The plot could have been written in 2021/22 as many similar conversations are probably happening between states and people now in 2022.
So many good thought provoking discussions on the cuts to western militarily budgets.
Replace the fictional political characters with some real politicians and many of the thoughts and discussions are probably very similar to the truth.
enjoyable listen.
just hope the nukes don't come out for real.

nicely told, very relevant to today's crisis

nicely told. very relevant to today's crisis in Ukraine. many parallels and informative to help find a solution to the problems faced by the world.