Red Alert

6 hrs. 33 min.

Language Russian

Author Peter Bryant

Narrator Irina Sidorova

Description

“Red Alert” is dedicated to the first hours of a war started by the USA—more precisely, a war that almost happened, set in motion single-handedly by a general from the Strategic Air Command base in Texas’ Sonora. A doctor warned him he had only a little time left to live, the command wants to transfer him to paper work at the Pentagon, and he steadfastly adheres to a doctrine that the USA can defeat Russia only by striking first and without warning. And then the 843rd air squadron, having reached the points where it should have turned back, receives orders to move forward, carrying hydrogen bombs to targets in Russia. The plot skillfully combines three parallel threads: events unfold at the SAC base, in the Pentagon, and in the cabin of one of the bombers stubbornly pushing toward its target; meanwhile the criminal general tries to prevent the squadron’s recall, and the president along with the chiefs of staff searches for a way out. (Peter Schuyler-Miller, Astounding stories No. 9 for 1959, p. 145).