The Third World War

by John W. Hackett and Somerset J. Gough Cadogan, Sir George and Calthorpe

Book Overview

Early in 1977 a retired NATO general called together six of his collegues--including an admiral, an airman, an economist and a diplomat--to write a dramatized game-plan for the next world war. A... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0025471600
• ISBN13: 9780025471603
• Release Date: February 1979
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Company
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

So many predictions came true or are coming true

This is a terrific book, read 30 years after publication. Afghanistan is not mentioned, but the end of the USSR and Warsaw Pact are spelled out as they happened over 10 years later. What is predicted is a Japan China Australia economic domination. Is this about to come to pass

The Third World War, August 1985: a Future History

Even though 'dated', it is still an execellent work of writing. And with today's climate: The Russian Republic again flexing it's muscles; The Peoples Democratic Republic of China (aka Mainland China, Communist China), flexing it's muscles and both with large nuclear capabilities, and the Extremists tryng to obtain fission grade Uranium or Plutonium. This is a scenario that is still on the horizon! And, as such is worth reading. When originally published, Primie Minister Margaret Thatcher gave copies away to other Heads of State asking them to read it. And I agreed with her then, and agree with her now.

reads like a real history

An excellent book, the author wove a believable war scenario between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The weapons and tactics were true to what were available at the time and it made fascinating, if scary, reading.

Incredible foresight!

When this work was first published, no one would have believed that the USSR would disappear from the world stage, and few considered the Balkans as a hotbed of political and ethnic conflict. As actual events unfold, however, one is struck by the incredible foresight of the author and the detail to which he describes the evolution of conflict in this region. The author, therefore, deserves much credit because, in 1979, he accurately predicted where we are today. The extent to which the USSR has really disappeared from the world stage has yet to be decided, so it is entirely plausible that Russia may yet become militarily involved in the conflict in Yugoslavia. Of course, Sir John Hackett could not have predicted the weak leadership of the Clinton administration, nor of a time when the United States (or NATO) has no solution to a very complex problem. Herein lies a valuable lesson: If we continue to evolve into a world of non-readers, we deny ourselves the benefit of the experiences and intelligence of others. It is true that in democracies, people deserve who they elect into leadership positions. If this book ever returns to print, it is well worth reading . . . not for its entertainment value, but for a better understanding of the factors that lead to human conflict in what is still a very dangerous world.

u won't believe it when u read it 20 years ago

I first read this book when it was in 1981. No one would believe that the evil empire (the USSR) would be gone. The story began when an American TV crew pictured the crash between the USSR and the Americans fought someone in northern Italy. The crash led to the confrontation between the Warsaw Pact and the NATO forces. The nuclear exchanges were used when the USSR attacked Backmingham in the UK. Then the US and the UK retaliated by blowing up Minsk (the USSR). Things got loose and the USSR broke down. The NATO won the war. Well there was anther alternative ending, the UKsurrendered and the Prince of Wales and the royal brtother all went to different parts of the Commonwealth and became the head of states there. It was hard to believe what the General H had written. However, after 20 years, he was a pioneer of his time. 20 years ago, no one could think of CNN could exist. We knew that CNN had became a strong force behind the June 4, the Sand Storm,. She simply needed several easily mobiled tv crew to broadcast. They used light equipped machines in their work. Thier pictures were powerful than words. They were always at the front. U get wjat u see. This was exactly what the general had forseen. The Americans saw their troops were fighting against the USSR right in front of their eyes. A powerful force indeed. He also mentioned that the NATO was more effiecient than the Warsaw Pact and the USSR which was quite true. He had showed how inefficient of the USSR. The best of all, he simply discussed possible war theatres in the world. Actually it was quite true. His second book was also a very well written work which explained the story in depth. I am sure that when u read the book now, u may not find it exciting but i had read the book 20 years ago long before the real thing had happened and i still amaze how he had such a profound sight at that time.