Customer Reviews

Dragon Strike: The Millennium War

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is without doubt the best work done on a possible future conflict. Makes books like the "The Third World War" and "Red Storm Rising" appear amateurish in comparison. Attention given to details of both political and military actions is amazing. Best of all is the fact that the book is free from moralising sermons or two dimensional characters.

As a work of fiction, this novel I think had surpassed its initial intention as book of fiction. Both writers, based on their previous professions as reporters, had suffused politics, war machines (airplanes, warships, etc.), economy, history and geography into this novel. Actually I learned more about stock market, mutual funds and other monetary stuffs from this fiction novel compared to my modest knowledge in money markets.

Should this book is placed into the non-fiction section, I doubt it will make a significant difference. Most of the materials presented in this novel is very convincing, it's hard to differentiate between facts and fiction. The authors had some weaknesses in this writing though. Some pronounced names in Chinese and Japanese are incorrect. But those are small issues.

The plot went around the Red Chinese attacking it Vietnamese neighbor. The story evolves around this issue. Crichton, Grisham, Clancy and Dale Brown's fans take note. Future World War 3 scheme may have similarities with this plot.

For a fiction novel, this book is quite "heavy". Thus, it is not your regular summer reading at the beach. It is much more than that. I would have preferred this novel be written in a lighter fashion.

Anyway, a four-star read for this fiction (or should I say, non-fiction?) book...

In the light of recent events in the region, this book presents a disturbing acount of how this very real conflict may escalate. Refreshingly, attention is given to the political, economic, social and technological consequences of such a conflict. An addictive read.

Don't miss this. I work in the "industry" and this work is accurate, timely and frightening.

It's not "if"...but "when"......

A very good "what if" story about war in Asia. The authors definitely did their homework on this one...

This book is great and well researched.The book takes on an intresting angle of a war that could occur in the far east.IT uses countries like Australia and New Zealand it not just the americans which is quite refreshing. All in all one of the best military thrillers out on the market today

_Dragon Strike's_ 400 pages fly by quickly especially for China watchers out there who have more than once contemplated the rising presence of China in East Asia and the world. The thought that China would ignite a global confrontation as that described in the book throws another log onto the flame of fear that China is rising as a hegemonic power with less than appealing aims for its neighbors.

The book addresses well the political culture that exists today in the Asian region as well as globally. Despite the books label as a fictional thriller, its use of facts and trends in the region verges on nothing less than an actual prediction of the future.

The authors' style is that which one might find in a more formal publication of military strategy. At times it becomes techniqual, and those who tend to glaze over economic and politcal reports might not find this any more interesting than Cspan's coverage of congressional sessions. As a student of international relations I found the book to be most enjoyable and thought provoking, asking the proverbial question "what if?"

Of course, the book was not without flaw. The many typos underminded the seriousness of its content. Also, many scenarios created in the novel can not be easily taken as given as every aspect of future telling and politics can be argued. Nonetheless a very enjoyable and at times enthralling read.

One of the best books I have ever read on the subject. Gives critical analysis, written in a semi-fictional form, based on real world reports.

If you can't understand why so many view China with unease, you have to read this book.