This Way Madness Comes

In the epic suspense-thriller This Way Madness Comes, a host of sharply etched characters confront the madness of wars, ambition, technology run amok, and out-of-control ideologies. Dr. Alexi Truskov was sure his groundbreaking discovery would bring an end to the cold war, and usher in an era of unprecedented peace an prosperity for the entire world, but his Soviet mentors didn't see it that way. Now he must decide between loyalty to his country and loyalty to humanity -- a decision that could change the course of human history. KGB agents and an undercover CIA agent are just a few of the characters caught up in a desperate quest to control and understand one of nature's most wonderful, and most deadly secrets. All are in a desperate race to find that secret.

About the Author :
Robert Alanspent more than twenty-six years as an officer in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. In addition to his knowledge of air defense operations, he has worked in the aerospace industry as a systems engineer for Hughes Aircraft in Saudi Arabia. He is an experienced SCUBA diver and works as a contractor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Florida.

Review :
"Award-Winning Finalist in the Thriller/Adventure category of the National Best Books 2009 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News." After World War II, the USA and the USSR established themselves as two superpowers. They entered into a tense rivalry that remained equal by matching each other s nuclear weapons proliferation. This strategy is called MAD Mutual Assured Destruction and means that each rival has enough nuclear weaponry to destroy its enemy and, thus, themselves. The doctrine of MAD was part of the Cold War between the two countries during the second half of the twentieth century; a time when each country sought to gain an edge over the other.Robert Alan s novel, This Way Madness Comes, winner of the 2010 International Book Awards Best Fiction Thriller/Adventure, begins in the 1970s during the Cold War. Dr. Alexi Truskov, a Soviet scientist, discovers another type of MAD principle: Matter Antimatter Duality. His discovery appears to be the answer to all of the world s problems. Truskov believes global equality and peace could be achieved through the new MAD s production of limitless energy. The Soviet government, however, sees Truskov s MAD as a weapon that could give them an advantage over other superpowers.Working at a base in Siberia, Dr. Truskov and his team are enlisted by the Soviet Union to design a weapon based on the new principle, code-named GRASER. Like King Lear in Shakespeare s tragedy, Truskov is torn between his duty to the human race and his obligation to his homeland. He must decide whether to save humanity from the weapons of mass destruction his government and military want him to construct, or to make grave sacrifices for the betterment of mankind. The decision could drive him to madness and throw into motion events never dreamed of by anyone in the 1970s.The author s background with the United States Air Force and the aerospace industry lends an air of legitimacy to his writing, much like that of Tom Clancy and Nelson DeMille. Alan sets an incredible pace that will keep readers riveted. He effortlessly puts them into the thick of his epic, movie-like novel; yet This Way Madness Comes by Robert Alan combines two of my favorite genres, the spy thriller and science fiction. The MAD principle, around which the plot revolves, has been a staple of science fiction stories since nearly the beginning. As an Air Force veteran, Alan weaves a story guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat and cause you to lose a lot of sleep. If you are a fan of Clancy, you should read This Way Madness Comes. I give this book 5/5 stars.Jud HansonREVIEWTHEBOOK.com