Storming the Gap: First Strike

World at War 85 Series, Book 1

By: Brad Smith

Narrated by: Keith Tracton, Chelsea Kreines, Mark Singer

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Storming the Gap: First Strike reveals the explosive origins of the Third World War and delves into the opening salvos of the conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in a world where the Cold War turns hot in 1985. This epic story is told from a range of viewpoints - through the eyes of the decision-makers in Washington as well as the tankers and infantry fighting through hills and towns of southern Germany.

Based partly on the scenarios from the smash-hit game by Lock 'n Load Publishing - World at War 85 - each tale is a pulse-pounding narrative of intense armor clashes that will help determine the fate of the most valuable piece of real estate this side of the inner German border - the Fulda Gap.

Caught by a surprise Soviet attack, NATO hastily deploys its men and tanks on the first day of the war. Their mission: protect the bridges over the Fulda River in a desperate bid to halt the onslaught of Soviet Armor before it can strike west and bring the Western alliance to its knees.

As the first book of a series that tells one version of the war's progress, Storming the Gap: First Strike can be enjoyed as a companion to the platoon-scale war game or by casual listeners as a close-up view of mechanized combat in a war that never was.

Excerpt:

"The M1's round carved into the hull deck of the rear tank. A bright emerald glow filled the thermal sight. When, at last, it dissipated, the T-80 was nothing but a heap of smoldering steel. The remaining enemy tank was caught between the two dead T-80s. It pivoted left and right, but the thick woods on either side blocked its progress."

©2019 Lock 'n Load Publishing, LLC. (P)2019 Lock 'n Load Publishing, LLC.

Agree with other reviews

I agree with the other reviews, the book is full of fluff to extend the story. It was still worth buying and listening to. The narrator is excellent. I reccomend this to all.

Fairly accurate

I spent two and a half years as a tank driver and Cavalry scout on the German Czech border at the height of the Cold War This is what we trained for. It is chilling to hear our worst fears played out so well.

Good Short Book

I’m impressed by the quality of this product. I wish the book was longer but so far I’m taken and want to read the next books.

Fun Book to listen to

The book seemed to be well written with lots of descriptions Which gave good mental pictures. I do wish however they would have given the Russians a little bit more credit especially in their use of artillery and ground attack aircraft.

Surprisingly good better than most WWIII novels.

Like the authors info mentions at the end, I am quite interested in late Cold War fiction and gaming. Particularly of the central front/fulda gap scenario pitting V Corp against 8th Guards Army. I would say this is one of the better novels in that genre, up there with Red Storm Rising and Team Yankee.

My only criticism is I would like to see a bit more cohesiveness to the story, maybe a bit more of the higher level. The news report by Dan Rather was great, hope there is more of that in the next book. (I realize this is essentially company/platoon/troop level, but that context was great. I am listening on audible but was wondering if there are maps in the book of the battles and unit deployments. Maybe put those online?

Also a lot of great pop culture cameos....took me back to the 80s.

I may have to get the game at some point.

Thanks Mr Smith!

I'm very partial to cold war alternate history

loved this! loved the build up, the battles the descriptions and the moving from character to character was good in the sense you got a great idea of the scale of the massive engagement. fantastic book will be getting the next one. :)

None Stop Action In The Gap

The story builds from the start giving the reader the background of both the US and USSR. Then the action starts as the USSR storms the Gap at Fulda. Highly recommended from start to finish.

Good content but narration is wanting

Overall I ready enjoyed the story, despite two very small cringe parts and I plan to carry on with the rest of the books. The narration is very robotic though, almost like a computer reciting the words with little inflection and a little too fast. Dumbing down the speed a notch or two was about the right pace to listen to.

Left hanging !!

Great story but did not get to know characters at the beginning of the story. The end of this book just stopped. There was no closure. It just stopped. Also there is not way to know the order of all the books. Much shorter than other similar books. Feels like one book was broken into several smaller ones for more profit. Still absolutely enjoyed it but will not spend so my money is such short stories

Ended to soon.

The ending was to soon. Seem like in needs a few more chapters with a better ending. good listen until then.