Kilo Class

by Patrick Robinson

1999

Status

Available

Publication

HarperTorch (1999), 544 pages

Description

It's one of the stealthiest, most dangerous underwater warships ever built-and it's about to set off World War III. Silent at less than five knots and capable of a massive nuclear warhead punch, it's the 240-foot Russian Kilo Class submarine. Strapped for hard cash, the Russians have produced ten new Kilos for Beijing. The Chinese have already received three of the subs and now the last seven are ready to be delivered-a code-red situation the Pentagon must avert. Armed with a full strike force of Kilos, China can cripple American interests, shatter the balance of power, and successfully achieve the unthinkable in the Pacific Rim. But not if the newly appointed National Security Adviser, wily Texas admiral Arnold Morgan, can stop them-using the navy's deadliest covert forces. In a breathtaking race against time, a team of Navy SEALs penetrates deep inside the remote waters of northern Russia on a daring mission of destruction. And in the icy darkness of the North Atlantic, a brave U.S. captain takes his 7,000-ton nuclear vessel on a hair-raising trip beneath the polar ice cap to head off a powerful Russian cordon determined to transport the Kilos at any cost. Horns locked in a tense game of geomilitary survival, each of the world's three most powerful nations knows that one mistake will mean all-out war.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member rw_flyer
An interesting story, but the quality of the writing and the character development are both poor which considerably lowered my enjoyment.
LibraryThing member HenriMoreaux
Whilst initially a little slow to begin, once started this was an excellent story. Some people may classify it as a "techno thriller" however in my mind it is merely a modern novel about submarine warfare.

The premise is rather straight forward, China intends to purchase a number of Kilo class
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submarines from Russia and the United States view is that this would destabilise the region and as such decides to put a stop to the transaction. Commence undersea submarine shenanigans.

Overall, good plot, within the realm of realism for the most part and well written.
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LibraryThing member buffalogr
Kilo Class' by all means is a very specific military (Navy) action-thriller that catered to that very reader(ship) group. As the title suggests, it's about submarines. I listened to the 2.5 hour version instead of the 16.5 hour version and enjoyed it very much. I imagine that I obviated all the
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submarine detail and clutter that obfuscates the plot with minutiae. Looking forward to continuing the story.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1998

Physical description

544 p.; 6.78 inches

ISBN

0061096857 / 9780061096853

Barcode

1600338
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