The hero of the novel, instructor Illarion Zabrodov, destroys established stereotypes. Friends and enemies alike call the GRU special forces instructor Zabrodov an ace, because he can do what others cannot. A third world war is not idle speculation by political scientists and analysts—it is already starting to flare up quietly, and people are dying in its fire already. And it won’t be won by the one with more soldiers, rockets, airplanes, and tanks. It will be won by the side where people like the former GRU special forces instructor Illarion Zabrodov are. His nickname—Ace—his friends and enemies speak with awe…