Protect and Defend

A nuclear crisis erupts between Iran and Israel, threatening to escalate into World War III. President Victoria Valent faces intense pressure as she navigates diplomatic negotiations while positioning U.S. military forces for potential conflict. Military commanders, intelligence officers, and foreign leaders become entangled in a web of strategic decisions with global implications. The story moves between the White House Situation Room, Middle Eastern command centers, and nuclear facilities as tensions mount. International alliances shift and military technology takes center stage as multiple nations edge closer to nuclear confrontation. The President must balance political considerations with military necessity while racing against time to prevent catastrophe. The novel examines questions of executive power, the ethics of nuclear deterrence, and the competing interests that drive modern geopolitical conflict. Through its crisis-driven narrative, it portrays the burden of leadership when faced with decisions that could affect the survival of civilization.

Readers describe this as a detailed military thriller focused on a US-China conflict, with extensive coverage of military technology and strategy. Reviews note the book's prescient scenarios about Taiwan and naval warfare in the South China Sea. Readers appreciated: - Technical accuracy and research into weapons systems - Realistic portrayal of military decision-making - Multiple viewpoints from both US and Chinese perspectives - Clear explanations of complex military concepts Common criticisms: - Lengthy technical descriptions slow the pace - Some dialogue feels stiff or expository - Character development takes a back seat to military details - Middle section drags with excessive tactical details Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (189 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (127 reviews) "Like Tom Clancy but with better battle scenes," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user commented that it "reads like a military briefing at times, but the naval combat makes up for it."

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🔹 The novel takes place in the near future and centers on Victoria Kerns, the first female U.S. president, as she faces a potential nuclear war with Iran. 🔹 Author Eric L. Harry holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and has worked as an international lawyer, bringing authenticity to the legal and political aspects of the story. 🔹 The book, published in 1999, predicted several real-world developments in Iran's nuclear program that would later become major international concerns. 🔹 The story explores the complex chain of command for nuclear weapons deployment, including the Presidential Emergency Operations Center beneath the White House. 🔹 Harry extensively researched nuclear weapons capabilities and military protocols while writing the book, consulting with various experts in the field of nuclear strategy.