Customer Reviews

Of Ice And Steel: A Cataclysmic International Conflict Across Space And Time.

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"War is the science of destruction." - John S.C. Abbott

Part Hunt for Red October, part Forever Young, Of Ice and Steel by D. Clayton Meadows asks an improbable but powerful question: What would happen if a World War II U-boat and crew was frozen for 60 years and suddenly woke up to a new world?

Meadows served on a submarine himself for 20 years so his knowledge of naval operations is vast. At times it may go over the head of the average reader, but it is still a thrilling tale.

The story opens towards the end of World War II in 1944. The U-761 is battered and bruised after 6 missions. The Captain is not aware that there is a secret cargo on board. Faced with the knowledge that German is losing the war and the evident idea that they are all going to die at sea, the secret is revealed. The Forever Project is put in place and the U-761 is frozen in time in the Arctic Ocean.

Fast forward 44 years to 2008, when a madman executes a coupe in Russia. The new regime wants to see the Communists back in power. The whole world is on edge. An American satellite discovers something lurking in the Arctic Ocean. They presume it is a Russian warhead poised to destroy, in spite of the assurances that Russia isn't looking to take over the world--just their Motherland. A U.S. sub is sent to discover if this craft is a friend or foe. Little do they know it is the U-761.

When told what they found, the President said quietly, "Admiral, if I didn't know you personally, I'd say you've lost your mind."

What would happen if a World War II U-boat woke up to a new world and is still operating under the assumption that they are still at war with Britain and America? Read Of Ice And Steel and find out.

There is a complicated cast of characters and military jargon galore. It takes about half the book to lay the plot, but after that you will find yourself turning the pages in anticipation.

Will the U-761 start World War III? How will NATO respond?

I didn't want to stop reading--I had to know how it ended. This book would make a really good movie.

Armchair Interviews says: It is a fascinating read even for someone who doesn't find military or science fiction their normal cup of tea.

Don Meadows novel is a breath of fresh air in the realm of novels involving submarines. Harking back to the days when novels about the Silent Service were actually written by REAL sub sailors who actually rode the boats in both war and peace time. Men like Edward L. Beach not pretenders who make up stuff like Tom Clancey a wannabe submariner who thinks he knows it all after having a tiger cruise.
Chief Meadows actually served on the boats and brings this to the table. Things mentioned in the book are how things work on both US and Russian boats. And yes the weapons used by the protagonist were real and are the grandparents of todays weapons.
The novel orbits around some projects the Nazi's were actually investigating such as an Artic base of operations. To this day what happened to some German U-boats and some end of the war missions remain unsolved mysteries. There are some detail nuts who will take Mr. Meadows to task but as this is a work of fiction for sake of the story some details are knowingly changed for the stories sake as far as the U-boat is concerned. If anyone doubts Mr. Meadows expertise and resources used they should check out www.subpirates.com and the many articles there from many people in the know. This site is THE site for details on not only R/C submarines but REAL submarines as the majority of people there are either active Submariners or Ex submariners from around the world.
The novel itself while 543 pages long is a very smooth fast read and while some areas may seem to be liberties taken for charecter development they are in fact an insight into the submariners mindset. I should know I rode a Boomer (SSBN) myself.

Every once in a while, you have to kick it up a notch and read a fictional book to keep the juices of your imagination flowing and this was a dandy. Written by D. Clayton Meadows out of Charleston, South Carolina. Clayton knows his subject having served on the USS Ray, Dallas, and Springfield. Matter of fact he was a Torpedoman under COB a well know SubVet who hangs out at the SubVet building in Groton, CT. Perhaps a bit of this COB's personality comes through as the COB of the USS Miami, one of the principles of the book. In any case, the real life COB calls him a funny guy and one type who would be a lot of fun to hit the beach with.

The books premise concerns a U-boat from WWII in suspended animation in the ice of the North Pole. Found and unknowingly awakened by several from the USS Miami 60 years later. The world situation is unraveling at every turn with opposing forces in Russia trying to gain command of the country and the military with little success. The U.S. and England trying to
restrain themselves in a boiling turmoil of world leadership.

The U-boat comes out of the ice and what in what its crew considers self preservation, starts swinging at anything moving and adds dramatically to the decaying world situation. A retired American MMC(SS) gets a ride on a Russian Nuke and even an Iranian target gets involved when a nuclear warhead turns up missing.

The real U-761, used in the book, had an interesting fate. During the attempt to pass the Straits of Gibraltar U-761 was detected by US Catalina aircraft (VP 63/P-15) and attacked by British Catalina aircraft (Sqdn. 202/G) and an American Ventura aircraft (VB-127). It was self scuttled
near Tangier in view of approaching British DDs with 9 dead and 48 survivors.

A good read, technically accurate and it's obvious that the author "rode the boats." I would recommend the work. Movie rights, I understand, are being discussed at my last contact with Clayton. Give yourself a good winter read.

Ron Martini

I was enthralled, captivated and chained to this book from the first page. I first rate thriller by an author who knows his stuff. Loved the story line and found the ending to be very moving. This is a not to be missed first book. Highly recommended! Can't wait to see how Chief meadows tops this one. Write on, Chief, write on!!! D. H. Brown, author of HONOR DUE

Steve Neill, Visual Effects Artist, Model maker, August 15 2006,
Of Ice and Steel...Fantastic!
I have to say this is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. The blend of WW2 and the present day is outstanding! The science fiction twist. Incredible and realistic. It does not feel like science fiction in any way. When I did the book cover for Don I knew very little about the book as it wasn't finished. When I finally read it I was spell bound with every page. The characters are strong and endearing. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat right to the very end. In my opinion there has never been a navel story as original and effective as Of Ice and Steel. Don's 18 years of service on board submarines shows his vast knowledge of these boats and the military that a writer who was not involved could have never written in such an accurate fashion. This book will make you feel good about being a human being. It will give you hope for the future and raise you up. Not down as so many stories do today. And the ending? Well I can't tell you about that but it will move you very deeply. In the spirit of the movie the Enemy Below this is a story about opposing sides of a conflict can pull together to work together as human beings. Every page is pure magic. I couldn't put it down if I tried. This is destine to be on of the greatest books of it's kind. Don hits all the marks just perfectly with his first book and I can't wait to read the 3 other books in this series. Buy it! Read it! This book would appeal to anyone regardless if you have an interest and navel battles, hardware and world conflict. It's about people arising to an occasion in compassion and heroism. And it's a great story. Period. Steve Neill Cover Artist

Interesting, well written work. I'd place it somewhere between Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler (more toward Clancy). Certainly well worth the reader's time. Clearly Mr. Meadows, having served on submarines, knows what he is talking about from a technical point of view. However, he doesn't get bogged down in this, and also does a very good job with both the geopolitical aspects of the novel, as well as the characterizations. All in all, an enjoyable read.

I just finished my copy of "Of Ice and Steel", and what a great ride it was! Chief Meadows weaves a great story; Russian, American and German submarines in a story that crosses time, with plenty of action across the globe.

If you are looking for a fast-paced action novel that keeps you turning page after page, look no further. It's in this book. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy; you will not be disappointed. From WWII to the present, you'll be carried away by Chief Meadows' tale.

My understanding is that Chief Meadows is already at work on a follow up to this story. I'll be ordering my copy the moment it hits the bookstores. Highly Recommended!

Granted, I just started this book and I'm not even through the first hundred pages, which is why I gave it a 3 star, right down the middle rating, as it might actually be a good yarn. But so far, in what I have read, I can't believe the grammar, and lack of spelling and apparent lack of proof-reading. Don't publishers have someone to do this kind of thing any more? I'm finding major screw ups on every other page. Just thought I'd let the author and publisher know, in case they come across this.

I am not usually a fan of military fiction, but this book was fantastic! I couldn't put it down. Mr. Meadows descriptions made this story so easy to visualize and his character development was excellent. I am so happy to see that he brings back some of the characters from this novel in his second book, Epitaph, which I am eager to begin reading. I also can't wait to see this movie. Keep writing, Mr. Meadows!

This was a most fascinating adventure story I have read in a while now. The only gig I give it, is that the Author does not explain any of the naval terms he uses. Example, "THE WATER FALL" in describing sonar. Only after I went on the Web and looked up some Submarines, did I see "THE WATER FALL", and being in electronics all my life, it was only then that I understood the term. There are many other terms that I am not able to understand. The book is worth reading and passing on to someone else to enjoy. Gene ARS W6EAJ