Pentagon

PENTAGON is a 1986 political novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Allen Drury, set against the backdrop of Cold War tensions between the United States and Soviet Union. The book follows the internal workings of the American military establishment as it confronts a strategic crisis in the Pacific. The narrative centers on the Pentagon's response when Soviet forces seize and fortify a remote Pacific atoll, transforming it into a missile base. Through multiple viewpoints within the military hierarchy and government, the story tracks the bureaucratic and political maneuvering that shapes America's reaction to this provocative act. The complex web of relationships between military officers, civilian officials, and elected representatives takes center stage as competing agendas and institutional rivalries affect national security decisions. Internal conflicts and bureaucratic obstacles emerge as key factors in determining how the United States handles this direct challenge from its Cold War adversary. The novel examines themes of institutional paralysis and the impact of bureaucratic politics on national defense, raising questions about how organizational dynamics affect a nation's ability to respond to external threats.

Readers describe Pentagon as a behind-the-scenes look at military bureaucracy, though many note it lacks the dramatic tension of Drury's other political novels. Readers appreciate: - Detailed research and insider knowledge of Pentagon operations - Character development of military officials - Portrayal of administrative challenges facing defense leadership Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in first half - Too much focus on procedural details - Less engaging plot compared to Advise and Consent series Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (based on 28 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (based on 12 reviews) Several readers on Goodreads mention abandoning the book partway through due to pacing issues. Amazon reviewers cite its value as a historical document of Pentagon operations in the 1960s, though one notes "the narrative gets bogged down in bureaucratic minutiae." The limited number of online reviews and ratings suggests this is one of Drury's less-discussed works.

Seven Days in May by Fletcher Knebel The story of a planned military coup against the U.S. president provides insight into Pentagon power dynamics and military-civilian tensions during the Cold War era.

Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy This military thriller depicts a conventional war between NATO and Soviet forces through multiple perspectives within the military command structure.

The Bedford Incident by Mark Rascovich A taut Cold War naval story focuses on command decisions and military protocols during a standoff with Soviet forces.

Fail-Safe by Eugene Burdick, Harvey Wheeler The novel examines Pentagon and White House decision-making during a nuclear crisis caused by technical malfunction.

The War of Powers by Robert E. Vardeman, Victor Milan A detailed exploration of military bureaucracy and strategic planning when faced with an emerging superpower conflict in the Pacific region.

🔶 Allen Drury won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1960 for "Advise and Consent," making him one of the few authors to win this prestigious award for a political novel. 🔶 During his career as a journalist, Drury covered the U.S. Senate for United Press International and The New York Times, giving him unique insights into Washington's power dynamics. 🔶 The Pentagon, completed in 1943, houses approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees and contains 17.5 miles of corridors - details Drury used to create authenticity in his novel. 🔶 Cold War tensions reached a peak during the 1960s when this book was written, with the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) fundamentally altering how military decisions were made. 🔶 Several of Drury's political novels, including "Pentagon," were praised by military officials for their accurate portrayal of defense bureaucracy and interservice rivalries.