Review of Mushroom Cloud

[Kelsey Roy]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Mushroom Cloud" by Thomas J Yeggy.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Mushroom Cloud by Thomas J. Yeggy is a historical fiction novel focusing on the relations between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War. The author tells this story through the recounted perspective of the fictional Dr. Caleb Young, a renowned particle physicist who worked as the Chief Science Officer for the CIA. Dr. Young was privileged to vast amounts of intelligence information and was the primary consultant for Presidents Truman and Eisenhower regarding the nuclear capabilities of the U.S. during the post-WWII era.

The story bounces between the perspective of Dr. Young and the Soviet government to show all aspects of the political scene. In this story, the Department of Justice puts Dr. Young in the hot seat to explain his involvement in a top-secret mission called Operation Anaconda, designed to fool the Soviets into thinking that the U.S. posed a critical nuclear threat before the Korean War. The shifting POV describes Stalin's hesitancy to start a conflict with the U.S. by provoking them in West Berlin and his increasing paranoia nearing his death in 1953.

I was pleased to see the author's dedication to research for this novel, as seen through the extensive bibliography. This book is not for readers seeking casual entertainment. The level of information about nuclear physics, aircraft capabilities, and military strategy is unmatched by any other historical fiction novel I have ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of knowledge I gained about the military and political situation of the 1940s-50s. I'm not as familiar with the aftermath of WWII in Europe as I am with the war itself, and this book decidedly added to my knowledge on the subject.

Due to the intensity of the information packed into this novel, I found it challenging to get through more than one chapter at a time before needing a break to digest the information. The author provides detailed explanations of the limitations of aircraft and nuclear warheads developed in the 50s and spends time describing the particle physics theories that make atomic weapons possible. However, I did not find that this detracted from my enjoyment of the novel. I found zero grammatical errors within this book, an incredible show of editing for an intense subject. I found nothing to dislike within this story.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. Despite being heavily packed with scientific and political theory, the author provided valuable resources for readers to understand the material. The author includes photographs depicting crucial government players, world leaders, aircraft mentioned in the story, and the devastation of atomic detonations in Japan. The author also provides a guide for the many scientific and government abbreviations found within the text. The complete lack of errors within the text is impressive, and this book deserves a high rating.

I recommend this novel to lovers of history, particularly those who want to know specific facts and details. I was unaware of the delicacy of the political intricacies surrounding the Cold War and the Korean War. This book is the first book in the First Strike series and is followed by book two, Finding Designated Ground Zero. Casual fiction lovers may find the information in this book tedious or complicated. There are significant discussions of the violent acts of WWII and the Korean War, so I caution young readers.

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Mushroom Cloud
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[Amy Luman]

From the review this sounds more like an informational book than a novel. The introduction of fictional characters is a nice touch, though. Thanks!

[Kelvinna]

I appreciate the well-structured review. The author's excellent book and its intriguing title have piqued my interest, prompting me to add it to my bookshelf without a doubt.

[Kelvinna]

The reviewer's critique stands out for me, appreciating both the well-written review, the rating given, and the recommendation provided. I must emphasize the quality of this piece, thoroughly enjoying the content while reading it.

[Chinenye Achilike]

Thanks for this review. It tells that the book is packed with so much information about the historical and political happenings between the Soviet Union and United States during the war. I'm not a fan of either history or politics, so I guess I'll just pass by this one.

[Chandrakant Patel]

Your review of "Mushroom Cloud" by Thomas J. Yeggy provides a comprehensive overview of the book's historical context, plot, and the author's meticulous research. You effectively convey the book's focus on the Cold War era and the portrayal of Dr. Caleb Young as a key figure in the narrative.