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Updated Sunday 15 May, 2011 12:18 PM |
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This Day in Alternate History Blog
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Ten to Midnight
A few years in the future,
according to Toby Murray, the Russians will become involved in a bitter conflict
with their former satellite, the Ukraine. As
the war drags on, a nationalistic Russian general manipulates the Russian
government into using nukes to end the war.
Unfortunately, the Ukrainians have nukes too – and they retaliate. In the confusion, the Russians suspect that the US has
launched a nuclear strike on Russia – and they launch a limited strike
back…The Third World War has begun. This is probably the best book
in its class since Arc Light. The
writer presents a realistic depiction of a nuclear strike on America and the
reactions of the people, from citizens to the US president, who suffers from ill
health and treachery in the ranks. Other
characters have their own role to play in the drama. The books realistic flavour is
enhanced by information interludes (reprinted on the website at http://www.ibp-intl.demon.co.uk/ttm/effects.html)
and news reports. What’s not so
realistic is the inclusion of advanced aircraft in the British arsenal that
makes one of the book’s subplots – the desertation of most of the EU –
solved so quickly. I have no
difficulties in believing that the French and Germans would desert America if
they thought it was in their interests, but I have more difficulty in believing
that they would a) fire on US aircraft and b) Britain would be so quick to
subdue them.
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