Ghost Fleet
Not much in character development, but a very scary novel of possibilities. We are all so dependent on technology--from the individual shopping online to big banks and financial institutions to...the military.
What happens when something cuts the communication? Can you imagine?
It isn't that we aren't aware of the dangers, but I doubt many of us have truly considered all of the ramifications involving an attack on the U.S. that impaired or destroyed our ability to use the computer technology that is a major part of our defense system.
How possible is this scenario? Could a country actually invade our military computers with viruses? Destroy the communication satellites? Let's just say that the military is aware of the possibilities.
The Navy bought fake microchips according to this 2011 article in Business Insider. The problems were discovered, but it does leave a creepy feeling about how hyper-alert the military must be since computers are involved in almost every phase of our defense system.
I will admit to being terrified by the scenario the authors described. It sounded so plausible. As it turns out, it is much more than plausible even if some of the technology is not yet available.
P.W. Singer and August Cole are uniquely qualified to make the predictions of what might occur in a third world war. Singer is a specialist in 21st century warfare and has worked for the Defense Department. Cole also specializes in national security issues. Check the above links to get an idea of expertise each man offers.
Is it a great novel? No, and I wish it had been; but it did scare the bejeezus out of me. :) It is a chilling look at the precarious nature of our dependence on technology--our strength and our weakness.
read in april; review scheduled for June 15.
NetGalley/ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Suspense/Tech thriller. June 30, 2015
Think I'll add this one to my Amazon wish list
ReplyDeleteIt isn't a great novel, but the concepts are extremely interesting. We are not as skilled at protecting our vital military and economic information as we need to be.
DeleteIt really is frightening to think about. It's books like this I find more terrifying than most of what Stephen King writes because it actually could happen. I'm sorry though the book wasn't better.
ReplyDelete:O Exactly. I love novels that frighten me with mysterious and/or supernatural events, but what is truly scary is what can really happen. I wish the novel itself had been better, but the fact that some of these events could happen and that the government is worried about them....
DeleteThe premise sounds good and yes, it does sounds frightening to think what technology can do. Wish this book is better, though.
ReplyDelete