Stinger: Operation Cyclone – a #BookReview

Title: Stinger: Operation Cyclone (A Rick Fontain Novel Book 2) by Bill Fortin

Genre: Currently #2811 on Amazon Best Sellers Rank in Kindle eBooks, Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, War

Publisher: Cold War Publications

Publication Date: February 12, 2018

Source: Direct author request

Title and Cover: Stinger: Operation Cyclone – Obvious military action

It is shortly after the election of Ronald Regan in 1979 that the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, but it was not until 1982 that POTUS set in motion Operation Cyclone.

The wheels of government and governmental agencies move very slowly. The Afghani people are locked in a desperate attempt to avoid total annihilation by an occupying Russian force. Severely out-gunned and with very limited resources they are resisting one of the strongest armies in the world.  Several covert governmental agencies are trying, albeit slowly, to assist.

Embedded within a number of US Corporations such as AT & T are middle management people who serve dual roles as company executives as well as foreign operatives. Rick Fontain is one of those individuals.  By saving the life of a very influential Arab businessman he becomes the spearhead of an attempt to assist the Afghani people in their fight for freedom.

Senator Charlie Wilson from Texas made it his life’s work to assist the downtrodden Afghanistan people in their struggle to free their country from the Russians. The movie, “Charlie Wilson’s War,” documents his effort. This book is a play by play of the struggle to free and assist the people by arming them with our very sophisticated Stinger Missiles.  The weapons are brought into the country using covert sources and operations to distance the US Government from involvement in the affair. Most countries do not have access to these weapons nor the ability to use them. Meanwhile, the Russians have developed one of the most deadly and fearsome helicopter gunships ever developed.  They can remain outside of a city and kill everyone in it with rockets, large caliber guns, and withering cross firing.

This book illuminates the difficulties in supplying arms to foreign countries without the US seemingly being involved. Connections and trust between our CIA and defense departments with third world arms dealers help to arm the struggling Afghani’s and the book is thrilling to read.

Relationships between counties are never easy and the trust developed between Rick Fontain and the armies necessary to deploy the weapon system is engaging and inciteful. The difficulty getting the weapons in the hands of the Afghani Freedom Fighters illuminates the problem with covert operations.

“Joining is hard, belonging is earned, and committing to those you serve with will define you forever.”

This quote from LTC Thomas Brogan illustrates the dedication required to become a part of this honorable quest.

On the whole, I found the narrative fascinating and eye-opening. My one objection to the storyline is the excessive detail given about some of the military operations. I was given this download by the author and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. This is recommended reading for all to would be interested in history, military action, and those who would seek a position who might a difference. Additionally, I suggest the read to all who wonder why the US Military budget is so bloated.

Rosepoint Publishing:  Four of Five Stars 

The Author: (From Goodreads author page) Bill Fortin, a native of Baltimore, Md., retired from Bell Labs in 2001 has served in the United States Army, 3rd Armor Division, from April 1968 to April 1970. He is currently CEO of IBS Inc., specializing in International Marketing and Systems Engineering. Fortin holds a Master Degree in the Management Sciences from the University of Baltimore. He and his wife, Judy, reside in Westminster, Md.

(From Amazon author page) Redeye Fulda Cold… “With a smooth, wry touch, Bill Fortin spins a page-turning Cold War tale capturing both the great bravery and the occasional comic moments — some intentional, some classic SNAFUs — of U.S. military intelligence saving the world from Russia invasion.” — W.E.B. Griffin & William E. Butterworth IV, #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Authors
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http://www.sanfranciscoreviewofbooks.com/2018/03/book-review-stinger-by-bill-fortin_16.html

Bill Fortin places the facts of the Cold War before us in a manner that will prevent us from forgetting that period in history and its impact on global politics today. Not only is he a very fine writer, but he also is a standard bearer who reminds the reader of the atrocities of the Cold War and the manner in which we as a country dealt with it. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, March 18, 2018

©2018  C.E. Williams