- Paperback: 704 pages
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd; New edition edition (2 Mar 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 034061773X
- ISBN-13: 978-0340617731
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 10.8 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 216,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
A novel of a Third World War with scenes of combat.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An apocalyptic classic for people who found 'By Dawn's Early Light' a light comedy, 'Arc Light' opens with an accidental nuclear exchange between China, Russia and the US, and builds into a full-scale invasion of Russia, fought on radioactive wastelands by people without much left to go home to.
In the Larry Bond / Tom Clancy / Dale Brown axis it falls between the first two authors - although momentous events occur, the novel concentrates on a handful of characters, including a President who makes the least fortuitous off-hand decision in the history of decision-making, ever. The deaths of millions happen in the background, and nobody has a chance to pause for breath - the novel is fast-paced and, despite its great length, compelling from start to finish.
Downsides? Written in the late 80's, the novel seems to belong to a different world - the Russians are still boo-hiss villains, NATO is a mighty military powerhouse, and there are bits which are clearly filler (the sections dealing with South Korean seem only tangental to the plot). Still, only 'The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy' has as much wanton destruction, and if you've ever wanted to smash things, this book will calm you down.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read Arc Light four years ago, having had it recommended from a friend. I can honestly say to this day that it rates inside my top ten books of all time. The very idea of a World War with the former USSR is not a new concept by any means, but what makes it special is the depth and the width of the war covered. For starters, few books ever offer a war with a nuclear engagement, Harry's book starts off with this subject, and answers it in what in my humble opinion is an excellent manner. There are pages which I found truly frightening, and yet I was forced to read on, such was the pull of the story.
Secondly, I have always had more of an interest in ground combat, rather than Air & Naval, and although authors such as Dale Brown are very good, there has always been something missing from their work. Harry does not have this problem and combines predominate ground warfare with excellent pieces on air and naval warfare.
Thirdly, the political angle is covered in excellent detial, so many stories merely have the white house as a few lines out of necessity. Harry understands that political ramifications will play a predominate part in any war especially a world war.
It should also be noted that Harry is a very good storyteller, providing detailed information when needed, and yet allowing the plot to flow smoothly. Something that other technothriller writers do not necessarily achieve.
I could go on and on, about this book, it really is that good. The only down side, is being British, I would have expected to see more mention of British forces in the book. This obviously is not a negative point, the author is an American, but to truly encompass the global picture 100%, mention of other countries in a more detailed way would be required. At the moment Harry is 90% there, future authors are better.
Secondly, I have always had more of an interest in ground combat, rather than Air & Naval, and although authors such as Dale Brown are very good, there has always been something missing from their work. Harry does not have this problem and combines predominate ground warfare with excellent pieces on air and naval warfare.
Thirdly, the political angle is covered in excellent detial, so many stories merely have the white house as a few lines out of necessity. Harry understands that political ramifications will play a predominate part in any war especially a world war.
It should also be noted that Harry is a very good storyteller, providing detailed information when needed, and yet allowing the plot to flow smoothly. Something that other technothriller writers do not necessarily achieve.
I could go on and on, about this book, it really is that good. The only down side, is being British, I would have expected to see more mention of British forces in the book. This obviously is not a negative point, the author is an American, but to truly encompass the global picture 100%, mention of other countries in a more detailed way would be required. At the moment Harry is 90% there, future authors are better.
Buy the book if you can!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read Arc Light twice. Starting off with an accidental nuclear exchange between the US and Russia the desciption of the effects of a limited nuclear exchange is chilling, but the effects of fallout, or rather its ability to kill quickly and leave its victims looking like they are asleep is a weakness.
However, this aside the book does go where many fear to tread. How many novels have we all read where the risk of nuclear war compaired to the number of pages left leaves the reader in to real doubt to the anwer of the question "are the missiles going to fly?"
From this opening exchange the story falls more into the coventional mode of modern-tecnho-future conflict writing, but is nevertheless a brillant read. Looking for a good story that will chill you at points? Look no further than Arc Light.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Well worth a look
Well written and enough tension to keep you reading through till the end
Plausible plot line which is well executed and is free from the banner waving issues of other... Read more
Plausible plot line which is well executed and is free from the banner waving issues of other... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Brumbar
Book you will not be able to put down
I picked a copy of this book up in a second hand book shop in Spain whilst on holiday. I had never heard of Eric L Harry and wasn't convinced I would like it. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2007 by Mr. J. Lloyd
Worth a read ...
I'm a reader not a writer, therefore I cannot really give any definitive reasons why you might want to read this Eric Harry novel. Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2001
Knocks Tom Clancy of his perch
If you like the political intrigue and detailed battle scenes of Tom Clancy then you'll love this. More in keeping with Clancy's Red Storm Rising than his later books. Read more
Published on 29 Feb 2000
If you like Tom Clancy, you'll love this!
If you have read Red Storm Rising, and were hooked on the 'What if....??' scenario of a Third World War, then this book is what you need to read next. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 1999 by Mr. G. Riggs
Absolutely Brilliant.
This book is absolutely brilliant.
If you enjoy techno thrillers then this is a must.An absolutely brilliant read. I could not put it down. Read more
Published on 10 April 1999
Excellant WW3 story
I came across this book whilst browsing my local bookshop. What attracted me was the title. Any amateur historian of the Vietnam period would know that Arc Light was the code... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 1998
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