The Final Countdown

by Martin Caidin

Book Overview

December 7th, 1980. The United States Naval Carrier Nimitz is the finest warship in the world. She is carrying a nuclear payload that can level a continent. And a fleet of fighter jets that can... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553121553
• ISBN13: 9780553121551
• Release Date: August 1980
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Book looks like it was never opened, great read!

Book was delivered quickly and in great condition and certainly the price was right! Smooth transaction.

Book improves on movie

According the the credits in the book it is based on the movie screenplay which in turn was based on a story by some of the screenwriters. Perhaps it would have been better to have Martin Caidin write the novel first and then base the movie on his story. I have seen the movie numerous times. It is a fascinating premise with huge potential which, unfortunately was not fulfilled. The movie has perhaps the worst directing I have ever seen. Some of the acting is incredibly forced and there are unexplained holes in the movie which the book fills in. But I would recommend the book to anyone whether you have seen the movie or not. It is a good, although short read (230 pages). I give it 4 stars because the book contains so many typographical errors that I wonder if anyone proofread it before it was published.

Book is better than the movie

I own both the book and the movie. I read thew book first and enjoyed it immensely. Kasky is a computer expert and is pur aboard an aircraft carrier that is about to go back in time to the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the movie he is an efficiency expert and it is not clear why he is chosen to board the ship. The crew is faced with a dilemma, do they attack the invading Japanese force without a declaration of war, thus making the United States resposible for starting the war? An interesting and exciting "by his bootstraps" type time travel story. Martin Caidin did a good job with this one. By the way, I recommend the movie as well.