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Mushroom Cloud Reviews

Very well done and highly recommended!      ~ Bruce Miller​​​

Five Stars. I enjoyed reading Mushroom Cloud: Book I of the First Strike series by Thomas J. Yeggy who, in my opinion, is a highly intelligent and fascinating writer. I felt the author created a captivating and engrossing book. And as an added plus, the author thoroughly and meticulously researched this story and provided an extensive bibliography and over 70 references in Book I.The author explains at the beginning of the book that the reason he put years of research into this story is to make readers aware of the exceptional people behind the avoidance of a planned first strike and the extreme importance of these brave people. He demonstrates how these courageous selfless persons truly deserve a high place in history, and in my opinion, he accomplished that in an amazingly intriguing manner.

In my view, this story is exceptionally well written, and I found it to be eye-opening. I feel this author has written an intriguing story with high action, suspense, drama, strong emotional events, and much more.

I liked the protagonist, Dr. Caleb Young, the chief scientist of the CIA, and as an example of how the author develops this character, here is a brief excerpt from the beginning of the story, with Dr. Young speaking,

“…The sum of my life’s experiences has me convinced of how close we are to a limited strategic or global war. I believe it is time to go into survival mode.”

“Why can’t we just stop that from happening with the right information from you?” Forde raised his voice with each word. “The way you are talking, it seems you are holding something back. Your reluctance indicates that you think war is imminent. What the hell are you not telling me? I want specifics, not generalized paranoid ideations. If you are afraid, I want to know of whom and about what!”

The sound of palms slapping the table made Forde jump. Young’s eyes burned with evangelical fire. “You do not understand,” Young bellowed. “No one understands. There are hundreds of situations where a deliberate act like the firing of a TNW—that’s a tactical nuclear weapon in case you didn’t know—with a 20-kiloton yield that isn’t secured by a PAL—oh, and that’s a permissive action link—will escalate at a speed beyond our capacity to respond. If the Russians mass thirty divisions on NATO’s border, we cannot afford to let them strike first. It would be suicide! The Soviet Union was embarrassed on the world stage in late ‘62. It will not suffer such an indignity again…”

In my opinion, the author writes in a professional manner, and I enjoyed the very real characters. The author researched the authentic persons involved and based most of the characters on real people (other than the protagonist who the author describes as "composite of the many brilliant scientists of that era").

The extensive research done by this author, in my opinion, certainly increased the enjoyment and thought-provoking aspects of this story, giving it realism and an awakening on how fragile we all are with the real possibility of a nuclear war and the immense threat it poses to our existence.

Kevin Costner realized this well when he said, “We still live with this unbelievable threat over our heads of nuclear war. I mean, are we stupid? Do we think that the nuclear threat has gone, that the nuclear destruction of the planet is not imminent? It's a delusion to think it's gone away.”

I think this book will greatly increase awareness of the real possibility and horrors of nuclear war and unimaginable devastation.

I felt this story most certainly encourages everyone to closely scrutinize the present-day leaders of nuclear-armed countries and their threats and actions.

I also liked the way this author writes in a clear and concise manner with just the right amount of description of the events. I felt the author’s style put me right into the scene. For example, here is another brief excerpt:

About two hours into the mission, Staff Sergeant John Hirsch keyed the intercom. “Captain Dunham, we are being tracked by radar installations with a bearing of 330 degrees and a range of 65 miles.”

“Roger that, Hirsch,” Dunham said. He turned to Brock. “Maintain course and altitude at 31,000.”

Eight minutes later, it was Staff Sergeant Samuel Colgan’s turn. “Captain Dunham, I have picked up communication intercepts from tower control to hostile fighter aircraft. Nemuro radar is tracking two bogeys inbound from 270 degrees at 15,000 feet doing over 400 miles per hour— believed to be Fangs.”

Airman First Class Thomas Shipp spoke. “Captain, be advised that three F-84s are on their way. Intercept should be in twenty-two minutes.”

Dunham did some quick mental calculations. He knew the F-84s would not be able to 314 reach them in time. “Alter course. Full throttle, 90 degrees east.”

Airman Second Class Frank Neil and Airman Second Class Fred Kendrick spotted the incoming hostiles. Five minutes later, they opened fire. Dunham sent out a mayday call and then said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

I also liked the pace of the story which is told at varying paces as the action, suspense, and drama unfolds. Also, I thought this author uses an economy of words and tells the story well as this intensely dramatic story unfolds.

Finally, I felt this stimulating book is one of those that stays with you, and it brought me to a heightened plateau of how I view the threat of nuclear war and its disastrous effects on the entire human race. It is truly a captivating and engrossing story. I felt this book also has more relevance in today's world with the ongoing Ukraine war, issues with China, and North Korea and hopefully will encourage more to speak out.

Very well done and highly recommended!​

This is a fantastic book and one I can highly recommend. ~ Grant Leishman

Mushroom Cloud: Book I of the First Strike series by Thomas Yeggy is a fascinating and deep dive inside the minds and motivations of the leading players in the post-World War II political world, especially as between the two main Cold War opponents, the United States and the USSR. The action revolves around physicist Dr. Caleb Young, the Chief Science Officer of the CIA. Caleb was a true child prodigy, the home-schooled son of two Hungarian refugees; his father was a physicist, and his mother was a chemist. After achieving his doctorate at the tender age of just 18 and being a student and colleague of the great Albert Einstein, Caleb’s goal was to serve his country in whatever capacity he could. This he would do as a scientist in the CIA and its earlier iterations. He is hauled before the Department of Justice in 1964 for a deposition, after speaking publicly about the dangers of nuclear war and potential destruction. The true depth of Caleb’s involvement in the clandestine spy organ of the U.S. government and the bag of “dirty tricks” it utilized to fool the Soviets into believing that the U.S. could deliver a crippling nuclear strike against the Soviet Union, when, in fact, they couldn’t, began to become apparent.

Mushroom Cloud is a riveting read for someone who has a bent for history, especially that murky political period of post-World War II tensions. Author Thomas Yeggy reminds us that Dr. Caleb Young is a fictional character and yet the book has such a ring of authenticity and true history that it is easy to forget Young never existed and is probably a composite of several real historical figures. The depth of knowledge and research displayed in the writing is simply mind-blowing and the tension created by the many actual incidents covered is real and compelling. I truly have to commend the author for his ability to weave Dr. Young’s story into the real events of the time. I particularly appreciated that the author tried to include the perspectives of both parties to this “Cold War” in his narrative. It was fascinating to read the perceptions or indeed misperceptions that both sides had of each other’s capabilities at various points in the race to be the aggressor or the one able to successfully deliver a first strike of nuclear weapons should it ever be deemed necessary. I am excited that this is just Book I of the series and I eagerly anticipate reading more of this incredible tale of deception, smoke and mirrors, and backstabbing. This is a fantastic book and one I can highly recommend.
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This stimulating book is one of those that stays with you. ~ ​K.C. Finn

Mushroom Cloud is a work of fiction in the historical and military intrigue subgenres. Penned by author Thomas Yeggy, it forms the first novel of the thrilling First Strike series. It is best suited to mature teen and adult readers owing to some references to wartime violence, explicit language, and adult content. Kicking off this intelligent and exciting series with a bang, we find ourselves amidst the Cold War and the development of devastating technologies that could change the face of the planet as we know it. Dr. Caleb Young, the protagonist, is a highly educated and sought-after mind in the field of physics, and his harsh learning experience during wartime is documented alongside real events.

Author Thomas Yeggy offers much for fans of historical and military fiction to sink their teeth into in this highly engrossing opening to a promising new series. One of the most surprising features for me was how accessible and educational the content is because you needn’t know very much at all about the Cold War or any kind of physics or weapons development to dive right in and enjoy the story. I certainly learned a lot, and this was cleverly woven into the dialogue and plot-relevant scenes, never overwhelming the reader with exposition or prose. Caleb was also a highly relatable and admirable protagonist, and it was interesting to see him grow emotionally as well over the course of his career. Overall, I would certainly recommend Mushroom Cloud for fans of historical fiction and interpersonal drama, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for First Strike.

​Highly recommended. ~ Pikasho Deka

Mushroom Cloud is the first installment of the First Strike Series by Thomas Yeggy, and covers the period between 1947 to 1953 during the advent of the Cold War. It showcases the burgeoning tensions between the United States of America and the Soviet Union that brought them close to an all-out nuclear war. It is narrated from the perspective of a character named Caleb Young, a Princeton-graduated prodigy who works for the mathematics division of the Manhattan Project. The events unfold as Caleb tells his story before a Justice Department deposition, revealing his top-secret assignments for multiple American administrations, including one where he worked for the CIA and maneuvered the Russians. Caleb also discloses the circumstances surrounding Kennedy's assassination, the use of Russia as a proxy during the Korean war, and finally, the conspiracy that led to the death of Stalin.

Historical aficionados and history buffs in general are in for a treat with Mushroom Cloud. Thomas Yeggy gives a well-researched and in-depth account of the earlier part of the Cold War, when America and the Soviet Union came too close to conflict multiple times, only to be thwarted by the actions of some unsung heroes who put their careers on the line to prevent nuclear Armageddon. Although a novel, Yeggy incorporates actual historical events and personalities into the narrative, which raises the stakes and makes the story all the more captivating. The characters feel real and believable, primarily because most of them are actual historical people.

Overall, it gives you a fascinating glimpse into one of the most significant periods of the post-World War II era. Highly recommended.

a gripping historical thriller that delves into the complex world of nuclear warfare and its devastating consequences. ~ Karen Almeida

Mushroom Cloud: Book 1 of the First Strike series by Thomas J. Yeggy is a gripping historical thriller that delves into the complex world of nuclear warfare and its devastating consequences. The novel follows the life of Dr. Caleb Young, a highly intelligent and thoughtful American who goes from working for the CIA to advocating for bomb shelter construction in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. In the wake of Kennedy's death, Marshall and Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach visit Dr. Young to learn what he knows about the CIA's potential role in the tragedy. Identified as the likely source of a National Security Council leak regarding the heightened danger of nuclear war, Dr. Young finds himself embroiled in a web of conspiracy and deceit.

Throughout the book, historical figures such as Harry S. Truman, Albert Einstein, and Adolf Hitler come to life, adding a rich layer of authenticity to the narrative. The protagonist, Dr. Young, is a complex and multifaceted character whose life story reveals the profound consequences of the development of nuclear weapons and the power struggles between nations in the mid-1900s. As a history buff, I found the book to be a compelling and engaging read. However, I must note that some of the technical information regarding military equipment and procedures and the plans and instructions are intricately detailed. Additionally, the protagonist has a particular disposition that will have readers experiencing a love him / hate feeling. This character development serves to make Dr. Young a more complex and nuanced character, adding depth to his personality and motivations.

​Mushroom Cloud is a thought-provoking and timely read that raises serious concerns about power, ambition, and the devastating impact of nuclear warfare. It is a gripping and entertaining read that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.

Mushroom Cloud by Thomas Yeggy is the most delicious form of literary red meat for those who cannot get enough serious fiction. ~ Jamie Michele

Mushroom Cloud by Thomas Yeggy is a political military fiction novel and the first book in the author's First Strike Series. The novel is set primarily in the mid-twentieth century, but the timeline does reach back earlier to fill in the backstory of the book's main character and protagonist, Caleb Young, and his years as a Princeton student under the tutelage of Dr. Albert Einstein, and several other prominent moments with other characters both real and imagined. Caleb is eventually hired by the United States State Department which spares him from the draft and, like his father before him, he becomes an intrinsic piece in the chess game of American politics and global warfare. Caleb's brilliance as a physicist fast-tracks his career through agencies and places him in the top tier of government machinations. In this capacity, he ultimately becomes central to nuclear posturing in all its forms, including Operation Dropshot, a pre-emptive first-strike plan aimed at the Soviets that involved 300 nuclear weapons.

​“When your opponent is down, son, don’t help him up. Step on his neck.” Mushroom Cloud by Thomas Yeggy is the most delicious form of literary red meat for those who cannot get enough serious fiction to read in the military, science, and history genres. Yeggy clearly knows a great deal about the politics that gave rise to a period when an arms race was ratcheting up faster than most agencies knew what to do with, and about multiple branches of physics. The writing style leans heavily on dialogue that transitions between several point of view characters, including, but definitely not limited to, Dr. Albert Einstein, President Truman, and even Stalin. Most of the technical aspects are written as dialogue and readers who have a low tolerance for the disposal of swaths of information in monologue format will be weeded out almost immediately. Yeggy weaves an interesting fly-on-the-wall sequence to the arc of the novel and Caleb does become a well-developed character, and a welcome one at that, against the backdrop of a textbook account of American history.

Intelligently written and immersive. Very highly recommended. ~ Asher Syed

Thomas Yeggy goes for a full and complete crisis immersion in the methodical science and political book Mushroom Cloud. Doctor Caleb Young grew up among intellectuals which carried into his adult professional life. He graduated from Princeton University where Professor Einstein taught and he became a standout in physics and philosophy that parleyed into work with US intelligence and the executive branch. The book's title is a nod to the iconic mushroom-shaped smoke trail that appears when a nuclear fireball is compressed back down in the atmosphere. This is relevant in a book where the President of the United States is Harry Truman, who dropped the only atomic bombs used against a country in world history, and where meetings on strategy will have pointed statements like the US “...bombing seventy Soviet cities with a total of 133 atomic bombs, eight of which would be dropped on Moscow.” Caleb gets pulled in a lot of different directions with conferences on nuclear physics and the infamous lost super plane of the Cold War, the B-36.

​Mushroom Cloud by Thomas Yeggy takes time to get into and I could not call it a quick page-turner but it is exhaustively researched. Yeggy is intentional in Mushroom Cloud's pacing so as not to gloss over small but important facts and details. I learned a lot more than I have read in any other novel like this, such as how greatly the Soviet military outsized the United States, the formation of NATO, and that creating an aircraft to carry a nuclear bomb is as complicated as creating the bomb itself. Two things I very much liked about what Yeggy puts into the book are references that prove the parts written into the story are true and verifiable, and that Yeggy does not give only the US perspective of what transpired. Conversations between characters like Malenkov and Bulganin, part of Stalin's inner circle, discuss the situations and I saw another parallel between the book's title and content: both sides showed that the exceptionalism demonstrated to the public was routinely a mushroom cloud smokescreen for genuine uncertainty. Intelligently written and immersive. Very highly recommended.

Fascinating Look at the Early Years of the Cold War ~ ​Mr R A Scott

​well written with an interesting "narrator" and believable moments with the leaders of the west and the communist world. How much is true and how much is supposition is hard to know and more importantly hard to tell. Certainly a lot of facts some of which I knew, many of which I checked and found to be true. Highly recommended for anyone who asks "what if?"

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 19 July 2023

Engaging and Thrilling ... A Must-Read!​ ​​~ Anthony Avina

This was a compelling and captivating read. The blend of almost spy thriller tactics with historical fiction and government intrigue made the story feel larger than life, and the powerful imagery brought the horrors and terror of the Cold War and nuclear war as a whole made this a truly atmospheric read.

The heart of the narrative was in the history and the character growth of the story. The struggle that Caleb went through will play well with fans of the recently released film Oppenheimer, as the character struggles with his role in the development of nuclear warheads and the journey of redemption he finds himself on made this story so compelling, and the amount of detail the author was able to put into the story from a historical standpoint made the story shine with realism and heart.

Finding Designated Ground Zero Reviews

Thomas J. Yeggy's meticulous research and storytelling make this a must-read for fans of the genre. ~ Natalie Soine

Finding Designated Ground Zero by Thomas J. Yeggy is a historical novel, the sequel to Mushroom Cloud. In April 1964, Dr. Caleb Young, Chief Science Officer for the CIA, finds himself in a clandestine meeting with William Forde, Chief of the Criminal Division and CIA Liaison. The interrogation revolves around the possible CIA involvement in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, beginning just a month after Kennedy's death. Caleb presents a compelling narrative, focusing on the events of March 5th, 1953, when a power struggle erupted in Moscow following Stalin's death. Caleb's knowledge, acquired from his meetings with key figures and logical deductions, points to a plot to kill Stalin rather than a CIA conspiracy.

The narrative weaves together elements of history and espionage, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they delve into the complex web of political conspiracies and covert operations. The tension between Forde and Caleb adds depth to the plot, highlighting the clash between academia and intelligence work. Yeggy's storytelling is both informative and engaging, providing readers with insights into the political landscape of the time and the moral dilemmas faced by those involved in espionage. The inclusion of photos, historical documents, and quotes adds authenticity to the narrative. Finding Designated Ground Zero is a well-crafted and thought-provoking historical novel that will appeal to readers interested in espionage, military history, and political intrigue. I especially enjoyed learning about the technical aspects of reconnaissance planes and the historical photos. Taking quality photos at a distance of 70,000 feet while remaining undetected must have seemed impossible. Thomas J. Yeggy's meticulous research and storytelling make this a must-read for fans of the genre.

Armageddon Reviews

ARMAGEDDON IS AN ACCOMPLISHED IMMERSIVE JOURNEY INTO THE INTRICACIES OF COLD WAR POLITICS ~ K.C. FINN

Armageddon is a work of fiction in the historical, military, and action subgenres. It is best suited to adult readers and was penned by author Thomas J. Yeggy as the third installment of the First Strike series. The book continues the experience of delving into Dr. Young's involvement with pivotal moments in history, including covert operations, aerospace engineering, and his efforts to avert the first nuclear strike by misleading the National Security Establishment. As the Cold War tensions escalated and President Kennedy grappled with the Berlin crisis, Dr. Young became entangled in the web of political intrigue, deception, and nuclear brinksmanship. Yeggy's narrative explores the complexities of international relations, military strategy, and the personal sacrifices made by individuals who seek to prevent a global catastrophe.

​Author Thomas J. Yeggy brings together real historical events and fictional elements to offer something part-invented but totally realistic and plausible, creating a gripping narrative in the process that offers a fresh perspective on the challenges faced during this turbulent period. The book provides a thought-provoking exploration of the motivations, fears, and actions of key individuals involved in shaping global policies, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction with a focus on geopolitical tensions and nuclear deterrence. I also found the character work to be well-developed, deeply considered, and varied, spotlighting realistic figures caught in all sorts of interesting crossfires. Overall, Armageddon is an accomplished immersive journey into the intricacies of Cold War politics and the high-stakes decisions that shaped the course of history. I would highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction who want detailed well-considered narratives and vivid descriptions.

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