Review: Probably my favorite of the series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2014
If you were hooked like I was on Clancy and Bond's Red Storm Rising (I've probably read it 8 times now) you'll love the Armageddon's Song series. Despite some editing issues with the earlier releases (which are apparently being corrected and re-released), the story-telling and depiction of realistic fighting are outstanding, resulting in an engrossing, wide-ranging read about what modern war between NATO, our allies in SE Asia, the Chinese, and Russia could be like. I haven't re-read Red Storm Rising in several years, partly because I was getting too familiar with it, but mostly because it seemed unlikely in the 2000s. But extrapolating recent events in Georgia and now Ukraine a couple years into the future, combined with China's growing economic and military power, and then a downsized WWIII seems frighteningly plausible.Advance to Contact might be my favorite volume in the Armageddon's Song series, with fast-moving action all the way through, and excellent pacing of the interweaving air, naval, and ground battles. This is the volume where (in my opinion) the character development is also strongest, with neither bad guys nor good painted in two dimensions (except the very worst and the very best, just like in real life). Unlike Red Storm Rising (or other WWIII novels I've read), Armageddon's Song is not limited to the Mideast or Europe, but ranges around the world, with some surprising allies and enemies arising, and playing pivotal roles in key actions. The author does not simply mention that "things are going on elsewhere in the world, too," but develops characters and subplots involving Singapore's navy, Poland's army, and Australia's air force, to name a few examples. In addition, this version of WWIII isn't limited to conventional munitions, but incorporates realistic situations involving tactical use of nuclear, chemical, and cyber weapons.I'm on my second read of the entire series now, trying to be more critical, but just finding myself enjoying the stories more this time, as I can better relate some of the plot points that I just glossed over on my first read to significant "big picture" events and themes. If others feel I'm not a qualified literature reviewer, perhaps they're right, as I'm just a geologist--not a liberal arts major--and my preferences lean toward Louis L'Amour over the Bronte sisters; Rachmaninoff over the Bachs; The Who over Pink Floyd; and Spielberg over Woody Allen.