Abrupt to the point it feels incomplete

The story built slowly and then reached a high. It seemed to hint of an event and then in 3 minutes, it ends. It wasn't even a feeling that there was a movement in the story. It seemed like the author gave up and simply put a period and ended the story.

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Under current circumstances, sobering.

A good listen. It wasn't until half way through that it dawned on me that I had actually read this book a few decades ago! But it was riveting to listen too so continued to the conclusion. Currently Russia is invading the Ukraine (March 2022), Putin has, already suggested his Nuclear Force is on a higher alert. It doesn't take much to draw conclusions between this story and the current calamity facing the Western world at this moment. Putin, showing total disregard for his own people's, never mind Ukrainians and the rest of the world. A chilling reminder of how quickly wars can escalate. I hope you have time to stop and listen.

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Nail biting tension and potentially very real

I have not heard Joe Weber before this story. I found it to be very scarily plausible. Lots of tension that left me desperate to hear what happened next.

Excellently written. Loved it.

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A good listed

A good storyline bringing together a number of parallel narratives, only slightly let dow by a rushed sounding performance

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loved it... excellent...

loved it... excellent... This story kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Found it hard to put down.

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Brilliant

Great to listen, could not stop at all. One of the best books I have had

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Fast paeced

Took a chance on this and enjoyed it. fast paced action set in late 80's early 90's but worryingly topical for today.

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A poor man's Tom Clancy

The book is set in 1989, when the reforms of Gorbachev (although he's never named) are swept aside by a new General Secretary of the Communist Party and the threat of nuclear war between the USSR and the USA becomes ever more likely. This is the story of how the tension increases to DEFCON ONE. Although I'm no military expert, the military aspects of the book seem well researched and the battle scenes realistic. However the plot is pretty one dimensional and you always have a good idea of what's going to happen next. It is very, very American in its dialogue, so if Americanisms jar, this isn't for you.
Unfortunately the narration is very much an acquired taste. The narrator seems to take a deep breath before every sentence and until you learn to filter it out, it's quite off-putting. I found myself focusing as much on his breathing as I was on the narrative! His accents are okay but he's not the sort of reader who animates the story and draws you into the action. If you want a book about USSR/US military conflict, then Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy knocks spots off this effort. In summary, DEFCON ONE is not unpleasant but it is only average and there are better ways to spend your money or credit.

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Irritating narrator

Good book but spoilt by the narrator heavy inhalation after every sentence was very irritating

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Nail biting

Great story.
Weber threw everything at this story, there were situation rooms, rockets, submarines, missiles, fighter pilots, spies and CIA agents.
He managed the flow brilliantly and it worked.

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