An action packed submarine thriller.A German U-boat trapped in the Arctic ice is awakened sixty years later. Her crews one desire is to get home.
A new Russian revolution has occured. The world is on the brink of nuclear war. It is in this new world that the U-boat emerges.
It is a time of crisis. Russia is in revolution. Nations prepare for war. Tensions are high. A wrong move could mean the end of man. Only a spark is needed to ignite Armageddon. Then a deadly relic from the past, is freed from her tomb of ice. A German U-boat is unknowingly about to provide that spark. Three men hold the fate of humankind in their hands. Can they overcome prejudice, hatred, and even time, to save themselves their crews, and the world?
Only a submariner realizes to what great extent an entire ship depends on him as an individual. A land man doesn't understand this and it can be difficult to comprehend, but it is true. A submarine at sea is a different world and in consideration of the protracted and distant operations of submarines, the Navy must place responsibility and trust in the hands of those who take such ships to sea.In each submarine, there are men who in an hour of emergency or peril at sea, can turn to each other. These men are ultimately responsible to themselves and to each other for all aspects of operations of their submarine. They are the crew. They are the ship.This is perhaps the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instance during his tour as a submariner that he can escape the grasp of responsibility. His privileges, in view of his obligations, are ludicrously small, but nevertheless, it is the spur, which has given the Navy its greatest mariners.It is a duty, which most richly deserves the proud and time-honored title of—Submariner.
Hear an interview with techno-thriller author D. Clayton Meadows as he discusses what brought OF ICE AND STEEL to life.
Excerpt
An extremely engaging tale that grabs your attention and doesn't let
go, OF ICE AND STEEL poses a thought-provoking cataclysmic undersea
contest across a vivid fabric of space and time! Don Meadows combines
an impressive natural storytelling gift with a veteran submariner's
powerful grasp of modern and U-boat traditions and tactics!"
-- Joe Buff, author of SEAS OF CRISIS and STRAITS OF POWER
Professional Reviews
Armchair Reviews
Reviewed by Natalie York
"War is the science of destruction." - John S.C. Abbott
Part Hunt for Red October, part Forever Young, Of Ice and Steel by D. Clayton Meadows asks an improbable but powerful question: What would happen if a World War II U-boat and crew was frozen for 60 years and suddenly woke up to a new world?
Meadows served on a submarine himself for 20 years so his knowledge of naval operations is vast. At times it may go over the head of the average reader, but it is still a thrilling tale.
The story opens towards the end of World War II in 1944. The U-761 is battered and bruised after 6 missions. The Captain is not aware that there is a secret cargo on board. Faced with the knowledge that German is losing the war and the evident idea that they are all going to die at sea, the secret is revealed. The Forever Project is put in place and the U-761 is frozen in time in the Arctic Ocean.
Fast forward 44 years to 2008, when a madman executes a coupe in Russia. The new regime wants to see the Communists back in power. The whole world is on edge. An American satellite discovers something lurking in the Arctic Ocean. They presume it is a Russian warhead poised to destroy, in spite of the assurances that Russia isn't looking to take over the world--just their Motherland. A U.S. sub is sent to discover if this craft is a friend or foe. Little do they know it is the U-761.
When told what they found, the President said quietly, "Admiral, if I didn't know you personally, I'd say you've lost your mind."
What would happen if a World War II U-boat woke up to a new world and is still operating under the assumption that they are still at war with Britain and America? Read Of Ice And Steel and find out.
There is a complicated cast of characters and military jargon galore. It takes about half the book to lay the plot, but after that you will find yourself turning the pages in anticipation.
Will the U-761 start World War III? How will NATO respond?
I didn't want to stop reading--I had to know how it ended. This book would make a really good movie.
Armchair Interviews says: It is a fascinating read even for someone who doesn't find military or science fiction their normal cup of tea.
From Our Armchair to Yours ...
D.H. Brown Author of THE MAJOR
I was enthralled, captivated and chained to this book from the first page. I first rate thriller by an author who knows his stuff. Loved the story line and found the ending to be very moving. This is a not to be missed first book. Highly recommended! Can't wait to see how Chief meadows tops this one. Write on, Chief, write on!!! D. H. Brown, author of HONOR DUE
Miltary Writer's Society
There are very few books that you read and tell yourself that this would make for a great action movie. However, in "Of Ice And Steel" author D. Clayton Meadows makes you see and actually feel those visual mental pictures unfolding in your mind as you read his book. He is truly a gifted writer. He displays his creative writing style with the greatest of skill as he treats us to an unbelievable tale that he makes you accept as possible.
This book has a little of everything that a good submarine story should have including a cast of well-defined characters and a great dialog. The real twist to this war adventure is that it crosses over into science fiction. You will not read another story like this one ever! The action and the pace of the book move the plot right along. It is a spellbinding thriller that you will not be able to out down until you find out what happens.
The plot deals with what happens when a German U-Boat crew emerges from suspended animation in the artic ocean. They find themselves in the modern world of the future still trying to carry out their mission from World War II. They go up against a world that has changed and the result is what makes this a great yarn.
If you enjoy thrillers, sci-fi, adventure stories, war stories or just great entertaining reading, then this book is for you. You will not be disappointed. This book receives The Military Writer's Society of America's highest book rating of FIVE STARS! It is also receives this reviewer's personal recommendation. It is a must buy and another winning book from Leatherneck Publishing!
Posted on the MWSA Book Review Web Pages
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Reviews for "Of Ice and Steel"
Reviewed by steve neill
8/15/2006
Steve Neill, Visual Effects Artist, Model maker, August 15, 2006,
Of Ice and Steel...Fantastic!
I have to say this is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. The blend of WW2 and the present day is outstanding! The science fiction twist. Incredible and realistic. It does not feel like science fiction in any way. When I did the book cover for Don I knew very little about the book as it wasn't finished. When I finally read it I was spell bound with every page. The characters are strong and endearing. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat right to the very end. In my opinion there has never been a navel story as original and effective as Of Ice and Steel. Don's 18 years of service on board submarines shows his vast knowledge of these boats and the military that a writer who was not involved could have never written in such an accurate fashion. This book will make you feel good about being a human being. It will give you hope for the future and raise you up. Not down as so many stories do today. And the ending? Well I can't tell you about that but it will move you very deeply. In the spirit of the movie the Enemy Below this is a story about opposing sides of a conflict can pull together to work together as human beings. Every page is pure magic. I couldn't put it down if I tried. This is destine to be on of the greatest books of it's kind. Don hits all the marks just perfectly with his first book and I can't wait to read the 3 other books in this series. Buy it! Read it! This book would appeal to anyone regardless if you have an interest and navel battles, hardware and world conflict. It's about people arising to an occasion in compassion and heroism. And it's a great story. Period. Steve Neill Cover Artist
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