Order of Battle

Command and Control, Book 3

By: David Bruns, J.R. Olson

Narrated by: Steve Rausch

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A conflict in Ukraine threatens to escalate into a global power struggle between the United States and Russia.

When mercenaries attack in Eastern Ukraine, the world is thrust into turmoil. Russian President Luchnik is quick to respond, launching a full-scale military invasion to quell this “national emergency” in the former Soviet country.

The United States, reluctant to put boots on the ground in yet another regional conflict, takes a different path. President Serrano hires Sentinel Holdings, a private military contractor, to hold back the Russian threat.

Don Riley, head of the CIA’s Emerging Threats Group, sees trouble ahead. The Russian president is hungry for power, and he’s got the military might to back up his grand ambitions. The Russian attack in Ukraine is the first move in a much larger campaign that will redraw the map of Europe.

Unfortunately, a war-weary president and his closest advisers decide Riley’s input is no longer required. Instead of worrying about his career, Don Riley does what he does best.

Figuring out his enemy’s end game. Before it’s too late.

Order of Battle is the third book in a brand-new series co-written by former submarine officer David Bruns and retired naval intelligence officer J.R. Olson. With rapid-fire pacing, pulse-pounding action, and shocking twists, this electrifying installment to the Command and Control series is sure to keep you up listening late into the night until the very last moment.

©2022 David Bruns and J.R. Olson (P)2022 Severn River Publishing

Action and Intrigue

Great story about war in Eastern Europe. Slow character development but overall good story and excellent narration.

Timely Story About Russia vs Ukraine

Timely with modern warfare aspects makes it interesting
as well as thought provoking
and relevant

Fiction as a portent of fact!

When was the last time you read a fiction story that you could almost watch taking place in real life? Order of Battle is just such a story! If David & J.R. don’t have Doc Brown’s DeLorean stashed in the barn, they must be a pair of awesome futurists. Both previous Command and Control books were more than plausible, in fact at this rate we may get to see them in the news one of these days, but when I began reading Order of Battle, I was mesmerized by how accurate their story was playing out in Ukraine. I kept waiting to see the disclaimer, “the events you are witnessing are real just the names have been changed to protect the innocent” – in this case the not so innocent. If you enjoy military thrillers that are realistic in scope/technology and populated by well-developed characters who are normal flawed people this series is for you, grab the first book, I promise you will get hooked.

After listening to the audiobook for Order of Battle I felt the need to update my original review. My original reading of this book felt like I was reading excerpts from today's newspapers, however with Steve Rausch’s narration I felt like I was viewing the action from behind the lens of an embedded journalist. With some books reading them once is enough, but with the Command and Control series reading and listening to each episode may not be enough, I’d love to see these brought to the screen- big or small doesn’t matter I’d just love to watch these somewhere beside in my mind’s eye. For now, I’ll settle for a second listen. Thanks to Severn River Publishing for providing me with an audiobook review copy of Order of Battle.

Excellent military novel of the 21st century

A well written, and will performed novel of what future military battles and war they will become from two individuals who have performed many scenarios regarding this possibility. Exciting and tragic, but always engrossing and enthralling.

Events are possible NOW

Current situations taken to a possible outcome! Great book! Outstanding authors using history and alternative thinking combined to project forward.

Plot holes

The 3. book series left all kinds of plot holy. It concentrated on Russia but after starting war with Iran and Venezuela the authors just Leave those conflict’s hanging without final resolution.

Hope next is better

Not up to authors standard. Tank action good. Abby character weak. President character not believable. Previous books in series good enough that I’ll try another, but will move on if as weak.