Product Description
This fresh new angle on the future scenario thriller is presented in a unique new format: the novelzine TM. It's a novel printed in magazine form. Author R.L. Muehlberg spins the clock to 2012 A.D. He pits the world's newest superpowers, United Europe and the Asia-Pacific Confederation, against a world-weary, financially-exhausted United States and a divided Canada. In Jet Stream - Part 1 of Muehlberg's WWIII: The Breakup of America trilogy, an independent Quebec allies with United Europe in a surgical, brutal attack against the United States and Canada. Jet Stream is a cautionary adventure that warns against a frighteningly plausible future.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 72 reviews)

This Book is Not Terrible

"Jet Stream" shows glimmers of raw potential, but the work is sadly unrefined. The author has obvious talent but would benefit enormously from a good editor. The initially promising characters lack appreciable development, and the uneven punctuation (and near-criminal overuse of the exclamation point) and unnecessary repetition prove quite distracting. Sporadic use of the universal omniscient point-of-view (in my opinion) also reflects a certain intellectual laziness. The plot conforms to a pseudo-quest outline genre-standard to the point of predictability: a foreign invader of overwhelming superiority, a decayed and ineffectual government incapable of organized resistance, and small, dissipated groups of "maverick" protagonists. Insert a magic ring, a wizard or three, and a lidless eye, and *presto, change-o* ... you get the idea.

That is not to say that the book is totally worthless: the author gets points for conceptual originality. He dispenses with the genre's "stock" bogeymen (Russia, China, and various Islamic countries, organizations and factions) in favor of a refreshing, albeit highly unlikely, antagonist: an independent Quebec as the cat's paw for a united Europe. Further, the author demonstrates at least a passing familiarity with military affairs, and resists pro-American prejudice by rendering U.S. military forces technologically inferior to contemporary and terrestrial opponents.

While the book (thankfully) does not overtly advance any particular moral or geopolitical agenda, substantial suspension of disbelief - even exceeding the norm for futuristic (the book was written in 1996) military fiction - is required. The idea of an enfeebled U.S. government prostrating itself before a foreign invader, in the foreseeable future at least, challenges even the healthiest of imaginations.

In sum, the book is brilliant in concept, but lackluster in execution. The choppy style and uneven editing magnify the book's not-inconsiderable substantive shortcomings. Two stars.
May 29, 2008

But will we know the outcome?

I've just finished up Jet Stream and it is good enough to want to read the rest of the Trilogy. The copy I bought from Amazon was signed by the author and in the same pin the statement that the two follow ups would be published in '97 and '98.

Were they ever published? If the answer is no I'd say don't buy the book.
January 31, 2008

Sorry but....

I borrowed the book from a friend. It's a pretty good read. But for less than 200 pages and a price nearly $13 it's not worth the money.

The book has been out for over 11 years and the sequel has never showed. I can't wait for 30 years to read the others.

Sorry, it's not worth the $$$ to only read 1/3 of it.
October 27, 2007

Imaginitive vision of the future

I am a huge fan of futurist fiction. Really enjoyed Jet Stream. This is a highly effective, intelligent and chilling vision of the future. I agree with one of the other reviewers that futurist writers should choose dates that won't get old fast! 2012 is right around the corner! But that said, it doesn't really matter. Space Odyssey 2001 for example, is a classic despite not being an entirely accurate predicition for the environ of 2001!

If you enjoyed this book you will love Richard Friar's recent novel "The Keepers: WWIII." The Keepers: Part 1: WWIII
October 09, 2007

Great Read

I stumbled across Jet Stream by accident while browsing Amazon for books having a WWIII/Geo-Policitcal theme to them. When I came across Jet Stream I almost passed it up as it was written in 1996 and the title did not catch my eye.

Was I glad I went back, read a few reviews and then bought the book. I could NOT put it down. Great story line that is not all that far fetched.

If you enjoy Tom Clancy, Harold Coyle or Eric L. Harry then you will enjoy this book!!

Hopefully we will see more from RL Muehlberg!!!!
May 10, 2007

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

World War III: The Beginning
by Joel M. Fulgham

WWIII: Darpa Alpha: A Novel (WWIII)
by Ian Slater

Things Fall Apart...: A novel of survival and honor
by Fred Heiser

WW III: Payback
by Ian Slater

Final Impact (The Axis of Time)
by John Birmingham