The Devil's Alternative: A Thriller

I have read several books by Fredrick Forsythe. They are all very hard to put down. The story builds up and in the the climax really gets you.

As long-time readers may already remember, Frederick Forsyth originally vowed that he would only write three novels. "The Devil's Alternative" was the book via which Mr. Forsyth broke that vow, and we the aficionados of thrillers are all the richer and grateful for it!An absolutely fantastic novel with nary a dull moment. Yes, it was written in 1979 and set in the "future" date of 1982 when the Cold War was still raging and the Soviet Union was very much a real entity....yet paradoxically, in 2015 it's surprisingly relevant, given the current crisis in the Ukraine and the renewed animosities between the Ukrainians and the Russians (not to mention the increase in piracy of cargo vessels).Fascinating and detailed insights into the late 70s/early 80s political circles and intelligence communities of the US, UK, USSR, then-West Germany, then-East Germany, the Netherlands, and Israel alike (as well as significant and well-detailed descriptions of historical and geographical landmarks of these countries). And highly-engaging and well-developed characters.A few nitpicks here, though not enough to for me to downgrade my 5-star book rating:--In 20/20 hindsight, The author was obviously a tad bit incorrect in his prediction that OPEC would fall apart by 1982 (p. 99), or that Leonid Brezhnev would have retire of his own accord (as opposed to dying) by 1982.--I'm pretty sure the Soviets would've used grams instead of ounces for measuring weight--The Soviets referred to the Second World War as "The Great Patriotic War."-- On p. 204, he commits two firearms-related technical gaffes, neither of which I would expect from a former British military officer: 1. Using "revolver" and "automatic" interchangeably 2. He lists a 9mm Tokarev and not a 9x18 Makarov as the KGB sidearm."--If I'm not mistaken, the Israelis refer to their Head of State as "Prime Minister" as opposed to "Premier."But enough nitpicking! Enjoy this excellent novel!Regarding certain characters, I get the impression that Mr. Forsyth based them at least partially on real-life historical figures: for example, U.S. President William Matthews = Jimmy Carter, U.S. National Security Advisor Stanislaw Poklewski = Zbigniew Brezezinski, and UK Prime Minster Carpenter = Margaret Thatcher?Also, how ironic that one of the hard-line Soviet characters, Marshal Kerensky, shares his surname with a real-life Russian democrat who fell victim to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.Favorite lines:--"But he knew this front entrance was for congressmen, senators, **and other undesirables.**" [emphasis added](p. 146) Haha, good one!--"You Scotch, Mr. Munro?" "Scottish, yes." "I'm Irish. You a Catholic?" "A what?" "A Catholic, for chrissake." "No, Church of Scotland." "Jesus, twenty years in the United States Air Force and I get to chauffeur a Scottish Protestant." (pp. 422-423) LOL! As a Catholic of Scots-Irish descent, I find this especially amusing.Partial hypothetical Casting Call (had this movie been made in the 1980s when these actors were in their prime):--Roger Moore as Adam Munro--Robert Brown ("M" in five of the 007 films) as Sir Nigel Irvine, head of MI6--Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth in the 1989 version of "Batman") as Sir Julian--John Rhys-Davies as Soviet Premier Rudin--Steven Berkoff as Yefrem Vishnayev--Joss Ackland as Marshal Kerensky--Walter Gotell (KGB General Gogol in several 007 films) as Soviet Foreign Minister Dmitri Rykov--Ed O'Ross (played ruthless Georgian mobster Viktor Rostavili in the Schwarzenegger film "Red Heat") as Chavadze the Georgian)--Curt Jürgens as West German Chancellor Busch--Jack Watson (RSM Sandy Young in "The Wild Geese" and Cpl. Peacock in "The Devil's Brigade") as British Royal Marine Col. Holmes--Richard Harris as British Royal Marine Major Fallon--Shane Rimmer (American submarine skipper CDR Carter in "The Spy Who Loved Me") as USAF Col. O'Sullivan--Anthony Peck (Executive Officer of the USS Dallas in "The Hunt for Red October") as LCDR Chuck Olsen, USN, gunnery officer of the USS Moran

This is the first book I have read by Forsyth and I am very impressed. I don't reach much fiction but this was well written and held my attention right to the end. The basic plot was realistic for this genre and came together with a surprise ending. Although written in 1983 or so, the story deals with Ukrainian "freedom fighters", foreshadowing the current invasion by Russia. I will definitely check out his other books for fun reading.

"The Devil's Alternative" began like many of Forsyth's books. Story lines and character development aren't quite defined and I ditched it after reading 30, 35% of the book (sorry for this percentage based location method, but I read it on the Kindle). After a while reading some other books (including James Bond Solo) I picked up where I had started it, and I began getting more and more immersed in it. Pace started to gain speed and story lines began to mix, and names weren't a mess anymore. In the end I was completely into it, eating novel chunks up every day. The relationship between the russian and british spy, the communist KGB and the hostage situation in the biggest oil ship in the world are definitely the novel's high points.However, I must say that its a rarity for me to consider picking up a book I'd decided to ditch. Actually, its really a matter of chance. So if I decided to pick "Devil's" back up, it was mainly because I couldn't find anything better to read. Having said that, I must confess it was a pleasant surprise after 40%.Wait for it. Be patient, things get faster, messier and more coherent after a while and you wont be able to put it down.

Turgid, grossly implausible, and, for a "thriller", lacking in thrill.

This is a terrific read from the master. The opening subchapter sets the scene and from there, the store moves along with a minimum of distractions. The weaving of the different geopolitical elements are believable for the time and one could easily see how things could have gone. The ending might have been a bit too neat, but the epilogue tied things up nicely.This book screams Frederick Forsyth, it checks the boxes. Not like his most recent title, The Fox, which seemed more bare bones.

Many things can be learned from this well told story. The self-imagery expats radical them self as ultra-patriots and we can learn how things are happen today with the young Muslims born in the western world.The time frame is in the tenure of Yuri Andropov as First Secretary of the USSR. This former head of the KGB sure knew his trade and could outsmart western secret services. Andropov was from Don Cossack family and reform minded. He was followed by other old and sick man, but he promoted Gorbachev to become the future and last General Secretary of the Communist Party.The SALT talks where behind but Ronald Regan introduced The START talks in 1982. We in Iceland followed well upon these negotiations and on Summit between Regan and Gorbachev where held in Reykjavík. There was a lot of goodwill in these talks as the big arms empires where indebting their countries in the armament race.The arms traders were quick to find new canals for their merchandise and the conclusion is that the human race is judged to live with struggle.Elías Kristjánsson, Iceland

A fast moving story with multiple storylines intertwined. Couldn’t put it down. Like most Forsyth novels this one keeps the suspense high.

Unlike his previous thrillers, this has a complex group of characters and it's a long while before you work out how all of the plot lines come together.There's too much backroom meetings and not enough action and I didn't find myself worrying about what happened to each character.It's a bit like The Hunt For Red October, but that does the action and backroom plotting so much better.

It is hard to believe this book was written nearly forty years ago. It is as current today as then. Forsyth is such a powerful, exciting writer that the tension has you on the edge of your chair and biting your nails with all the shocks and twists and turns. I need something light and fluffy after this.

There are lots of characters to remember in this novel but it's manageable, not least because the story grips the reader. The mounting tension in the final third, or so, of the book is at just the right pace building to a nice climax and a plot twist in the final pages. A great read and highly recommended.

I first read this back in the 80's and have always considered it to be one of the best (if not THE best) books I've ever read. For a young guy (as I was back then) and not really an avid reader, I just couldn't put this one down until the end... it was worth every second!A great work of fiction and a very apt title, which I'm about to enjoy again, via Kindle

A very gripping book but all Frederick Forsyth books are of the same genre