As long-time readers may already remember, Frederick Forsyth originally vowed that he would only write three novels. "The Devil's Alternative" was the book via which Mr. Forsyth broke that vow, and we the aficionados of thrillers are all the richer and grateful for it!
An absolutely fantastic novel with nary a dull moment. Yes, it was written in 1979 and set in the "future" date of 1982 when the Cold War was still raging and the Soviet Union was very much a real entity....yet paradoxically, in 2015 it's surprisingly relevant, given the current crisis in the Ukraine and the renewed animosities between the Ukrainians and the Russians (not to mention the increase in piracy of cargo vessels).
Fascinating and detailed insights into the late 70s/early 80s political circles and intelligence communities of the US, UK, USSR, then-West Germany, then-East Germany, the Netherlands, and Israel alike (as well as significant and well-detailed descriptions of historical and geographical landmarks of these countries). And highly-engaging and well-developed characters.
A few nitpicks here, though not enough to for me to downgrade my 5-star book rating:
--In 20/20 hindsight, The author was obviously a tad bit incorrect in his prediction that OPEC would fall apart by 1982 (p. 99), or that Leonid Brezhnev would have retire of his own accord (as opposed to dying) by 1982.
--I'm pretty sure the Soviets would've used grams instead of ounces for measuring weight
--The Soviets referred to the Second World War as "The Great Patriotic War."
-- On p. 204, he commits two firearms-related technical gaffes, neither of which I would expect from a former British military officer:
1. Using "revolver" and "automatic" interchangeably
2. He lists a 9mm Tokarev and not a 9x18 Makarov as the KGB sidearm."
--If I'm not mistaken, the Israelis refer to their Head of State as "Prime Minister" as opposed to "Premier."
But enough nitpicking! Enjoy this excellent novel!
Regarding certain characters, I get the impression that Mr. Forsyth based them at least partially on real-life historical figures: for example, U.S. President William Matthews = Jimmy Carter, U.S. National Security Advisor Stanislaw Poklewski = Zbigniew Brezezinski, and UK Prime Minster Carpenter = Margaret Thatcher?
Also, how ironic that one of the hard-line Soviet characters, Marshal Kerensky, shares his surname with a real-life Russian democrat who fell victim to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.
Favorite lines:
--"But he knew this front entrance was for congressmen, senators, **and other undesirables.**" [emphasis added](p. 146) Haha, good one!
--"You Scotch, Mr. Munro?" "Scottish, yes." "I'm Irish. You a Catholic?" "A what?" "A Catholic, for chrissake." "No, Church of Scotland." "Jesus, twenty years in the United States Air Force and I get to chauffeur a Scottish Protestant." (pp. 422-423) LOL! As a Catholic of Scots-Irish descent, I find this especially amusing.
Partial hypothetical Casting Call (had this movie been made in the 1980s when these actors were in their prime):
--Roger Moore as Adam Munro
--Robert Brown ("M" in five of the 007 films) as Sir Nigel Irvine, head of MI6
--Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth in the 1989 version of "Batman") as Sir Julian
--John Rhys-Davies as Soviet Premier Rudin
--Steven Berkoff as Yefrem Vishnayev
--Joss Ackland as Marshal Kerensky
--Walter Gotell (KGB General Gogol in several 007 films) as Soviet Foreign Minister Dmitri Rykov
--Ed O'Ross (played ruthless Georgian mobster Viktor Rostavili in the Schwarzenegger film "Red Heat") as Chavadze the Georgian)
--Curt Jürgens as West German Chancellor Busch
--Jack Watson (RSM Sandy Young in "The Wild Geese" and Cpl. Peacock in "The Devil's Brigade") as British Royal Marine Col. Holmes
--Richard Harris as British Royal Marine Major Fallon
--Shane Rimmer (American submarine skipper CDR Carter in "The Spy Who Loved Me") as USAF Col. O'Sullivan
--Anthony Peck (Executive Officer of the USS Dallas in "The Hunt for Red October") as LCDR Chuck Olsen, USN, gunnery officer of the USS Moran
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