Choosers of the Slain by James H. Cobb: a book you’ll want to read!

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Richard H. McBee Jr.

Here’s to the US Navy’s response to G.I.Jane and a techy introduction to twenty-first century naval warfare. In an environment more hostile than outer space, America’s Amanda Garrett, Commander of the U.S.S. Cunningham, takes on the Argentine air force and navy to blockade and disrupt an attempt by that nation to make a giant land grab in Antarctica’s mineral rich wastelands. The low level, but definitely going somewhere in later novels, romance between Amanda and helicopter jockey Vince Arkady keep just enough spice in this white knuckle military adventure to keep the reader coming back for more as the ship dodges and decoys its way into the wild waters south of 40 degrees and the oncoming storms of a fierce winter that will give the Argentinians an upper hand in the battle to regain control of invaded British research stations. The book is an eye opener to the variety of decoys, stealth and offensive weapons that can be aboard one top of the line destroyer. It also give insight into the kinds of offense the ship is capable of, not only through its own weaponry, but also through the use of the long range surveillance attack helicopters which are aboard. Author James H. Cobb knows his stuff and keeps all fronts open through a series of chapters switching back and forth between scenes within the Argentinian government, U.S. Defense Department, Argentinian attackers and the massive coordinated responses from The Cunningham. You’ll live in the confined cockpit of Retainer Zero-One from mission to dangerous icy recovery. You’ll understand the stress of naval warfare and the pressures on that single person who must command and take responsibility for everything that happens when a lone ship is at war on the far side of the globe. This book will deserve a second reading by some people who make the films because it’s more about the wiles pressures and intrigues of war than just having a bunch of fireworks going off. Enjoy.

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