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The Devil's Alternative

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The Devil's Alternative

By: Frederick Forsyth
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

Whichever option I choose, men are going to die.

When the entire Soviet Union wheat crop is destroyed by a devastating string of failures, the population faces starvation. The USA is quick to offer assistance. They devise a plan to trade vital food resources with the Russians in exchange for sensitive political information. But the Politburo has other ideas: the invasion of Western Europe to commandeer the food for them...

As the paths of communication breakdown the president of the United States and leaders from around the world face an appalling choice: Should they allow the loss of thousands to save the lives of many more? This is the Devil's Alternative and in this incomparable and gripping thriller the Cold War giants must fight a battle to the death.

©1979 Frederick Forsyth (P)2012 Random House AudioGo Espionage Political Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Russia Exciting Soviet Union Imperialism Fiction Cold War

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All stars
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I like to listen to books whilst exercising, so whilst some may regard a bit predictable I greatly enjoyed the tale.

Flows nicely : Very much enjoyed this story.

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Another stunnning book from a master of detail, research and story-weaving. I was riveted from the start with the excellence of a descriptive narrative, perfect characterisation and utterly believable context. Bring on some more!

Devilish!

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Published in 1979 this book is redolent with the suspicion and hostility between the Soviet Union and the West that prevailed at the time. I listened in the early 1990s (when audiobooks came on numerous tape cassettes) and recall thinking that although the book was exciting it was less convincing owing to the new rapprochement between the old adversaries. As many years had passed and I’d forgotten most of the story I thought I’d download the book and see how it played in the current climate of renewed tensions. It couldn’t be more topical as the story involves Ukrainian freedom fighters, the importance in saving face for Soviet leaders and tussles between hawks and doves on either side of the Atlantic.

Apart from its renewed relevance to today’s world it remains a first class thriller. As with other books by the author, there is quite a bit of technical detail about, for example, guns, tankers, aircraft, the SAS that I would normally find boring but somehow in these books adds authenticity. Though largely a book about men wielding power and manipulating events the book, unlike, say, those by Wilbur Smith, avoids misogny and the few women characters are not clichés.

David Rintoul narrates with perfect manly authority making the characters seem believable as they save the world from disaster.

Gripping thriller with renewed topicality

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This book may not change your life but it will set you on your way to becoming a gunnery officer on a modern warship.
the plot was believable but the cast were painted in overly bright colours .. especially the supersonic texan pilot.
it's no day of the jackal .. but then not many novels are.

Great Holiday Listen.

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To the very end it twists an turns and avoids the predictable.
Excellent narration, as always by Rintoul.
Highly recommend.

Superb, gripping and entirely unpredictable

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Exceptional storyline with amazing research. Well performed apart from American voices which were rather comical in a poor way

Exceptional

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Very clever story. Good narration too. Satisfying twists in the story. Well worth a listen. Recommended.

Clever

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Classic Forsyth, there is certainly an element of dating now, but to me that’s not an issue the story is great, the characters well developed and overall a great listen. If you’re a fan - there is plenty here to please.

Great story, usual twists and turns

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Top class narration from David Rintoul of a clever story by a top class author !

Brilliant!

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Very well written and read. Intriguing plot with insight in USSR politics, life and history

Fantastic

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