The War after Armageddon

The War After Armageddon

Reading Ralph Peters' dark new novel, The War After Armageddon, is, in a way, much like driving by a grisly traffic accident - the view is horrific, but you just can't look away. Peters' novel is, indeed, compellingly horrific, the plot driven along by a realism that only a writer with this author's background, experience and vision can achieve and pass along to the reader in a dramatic narrative. Peters, today's most insightful strategist when observing in print or in his many TV appearances as guest commentator what is really taking place in the dangerous world around us, has the rare ability to think through and vividly imagine the second-, third-, and even fourth-order effects of policy decisions today's world leaders are making. The hellish world vision that Peters' describes in The War After Armageddon may on the surface seem far-fetched; yet, he's skillfully applied his superb insight as a strategist, experienced intelligence officer, and veteran world traveler to show us what might happen in a world where mankind's oldest motivators - faith and blood - have succeeded in trumping reason and good will.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is a powerful cautionary tale

Israel has been nuked back to the Stone Age. Dirty bombs have devastated the major cities of Europe as well as Las Vegas and Los Angeles too. In fact L.A. is a radioactive desert. Muslin extremists are bringing Jihad to the West just like the West brought death squads seeking Islamic extremists.

The United Godfearing States of America elects an extremist Christian government. One of the first acts is to modify the National Guard into the Military Order of the Brothers in Christ (MOBIC). With a mess back home of fundamentalist Christians seeking a new Crusade that they hope will lead to the Rapture, Lieutenant General Gary "Flintlock" Harris commands troops on a beach assault of what is left of Israel. He and his fighting force are bringing the war to the Jihadists. High tech weapons of mass destruction have failed so fighting reverts back to pre electronic command and control. The world is on the brink of pandemic genocide as both sides in this religious war claim the Holy Land even if it is a wasteland.

This is a powerful cautionary tale that warns if present international and internal American relationships continue on the current path hell on earth will occur as religious fundamentalists who proclaim God's mandate makes them right will bring radioactive Crusades to the world. The story line is fast-paced from the moment that Flintlock leads his unit onto the beaches of what was once called Israel, but now is a radioactive wasteland called The Emirate of Al-Quds and Damaskus; a long way from what was Mt. Carmel. Fans will appreciate Ralph Peters' deep thriller except for those who are always righteously right.

Harriet Klausner

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Great Read

This book was fantastic. It takes a 100 pages or so to really develop the plot and get in tune with the main characters. But once completed the story hits you like a ton of bricks. Without giving a lot away, the story centers around religious fanaticism and how fighting a war in the name of God, Allah, etc. can very easily change the world we live in forever. Two of the worlds largest religions, Christianity and Islam are in an all our war after nuclear bombs are detonated in two major US cities. High ranking officials with significant influence are determined to purge their adversaries religion and their people from the world forever. The collapse of the United States Military and it's Constitution are at stake, as US politician's now look to God for advise on how to win the war and run the country. The reality of the concepts presented in this book are scary to say the least. There are scenes that upset me so much I found myself yelling at the pages, saying, "no, please do not let this happen to my country and its military." Given the United States current enemies the concepts the authors present are not as far fetched as we may think. This is a book that will stay with the reader well after the last page is finished.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I thought it would be so much better.

I have always liked books by Ralph Peters. I was looking forward to this book to be on the same level as Harold Coyle or Tom Clancy. A book where you stay up late at night reading because you had to know what was going to happen next. Instead I thought it was a difficult read. I didn't care what would happen next and actually had to force myself to read it. I did not like the story at all and it had nothing to do with the political or religious beliefs portrayed. Throughout the story I kept expecting more. The story would hint at something interesting and you were looking forward to further explaination and you never heard about it again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Like the patton esc war views

Top level war strategy enjoyable with hints of religion and 1984

Very depressing!

I am a born-again Christian and found this book to be both depressing and frightening. Nevertheless, Christians should read this book and remember that God says "Vengeance is Mine". Leave the vengeance to God alone and not to any person who claims to act on His behalf. Instead - work to love your neighbor as instructed.

Fantastic

Excellent book, easy reading, great for a rainy day, recommend this for a book club

Tom Clancy meets L. Ron Hubbard

Ralph Peters description of a future "crusade" in the Holy Land by a U.S. military force (divided into two corps - one of regular Army and Marines and another corps made up of an over-the-top depiction of a fundamental Christian force) is pure keyhole fantasy. Mr. Peters goes into infinite detail on Army and Marine combat operations and tactics while ignoring a much broader scale his story and characters requires to be set in order for his plot to have legs. While looking through this "keyhole" we come away with the impression that Mr. Peters has more interest in squad/battalion level tactics from an Army/Marine "grunt" perspective - albeit while he seemingly takes much pleasure in taking pot-shots at the Air Force. One premise that escapes me is how it could even be possible that at any point in the future (near or far) Arabs could put in the field any semblance of a modern military force - or even use/maintain Chinese provided technology that levels the battlefield (I suppose this is why the Air Force had to be held back by a conservative Christian conspiracy). One thermonuclear device over Mecca/Medina would have shattered Mr. Peters keyhole fantasy plot - the fact that such a logical response (to a nuclear attack on our cities by Islamic state sponsored terrorists) is missing from this book is evident that this book is merely a fantasy that doesn't have legs. Kind of like Tom Clancy meets L. Rod Hubbard

This is a great book!!!

Ralph Peter's ability to weave his extensive military knowledge into the fabric of his story and his use real world geopolitical situations as the backdrop, serve to create a story which moves fluidly and quickly. For those whom have served, his use of military acronyms will lend an air of authenticity to the story. Yet his use of said acronyms is not overwhelming to the uninitiated into the service. His use of said acronyms only serves to further define situations. And he provides a glossary in the back for those who need it.

What I found most amazing was his analysis of certain situations that exist today which he expands on in order to create the scenario which we may find ourselves one day.

It was the worst SCI FI book I have read in decades. The ending was confusing and bad. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Done

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

wonderful

Great reading

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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