Ghost Fleet: A novel of the Next War

Will the world go to war again?

With the recent release of the movie 1917, the world is again reminded of the horrors of World War. Global war touches all people, not only those in a particular flag bearing uniform.

Singer and Cole provide a not so farfetched fictional account of the next world war in their thriller Ghost Fleet. The book takes place several decades into the future where a new generation sees the world through nanotechnology and “vis” 3D computerized glasses.

I chose Ghost Fleet for my week 7 of 52 books in 52 weeks. According to the Tim Challies reading plan, this week was “A Book with at least 300 Pages.” Coming in at just under 400 pages, Ghost Fleet fits the requirements.

P. W. Singer

TED Lecture

Yes, this review breaks the trend of theological, discipleship, or Christian genre books, but the premise of another global war seemed morally intriguing and stimulating, especially considering the background of the authors.

As a U.S. military consultant and New American Strategist, Peter Singer has been rated by Foreign Policy as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers. Singer’s education, experience, and unique understanding of mechanized warfare provides pivotal insight into modern military functions that make Ghost Fleet not only staggeringly engaging but terrifyingly realistic.

August Cole offers the refinement of his experience as a defense reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and now a senior fellow at Atlantic Council exploring and researching future war.

The combination of accurate military procedures and artistic literary craftsmanship makes Ghost Fleet a unique modern rendition of Tom Clancy’s Cold War classics. If you enjoy Jack Ryan, Jack Reacher, The Blacklist, or any potentially possible political-military future thrillers, you will love Ghost Fleet.

There is espionage, spies, cyberattacks, astronauts, billionaires, contractors, double agents, and battles in the Sea, Air, and Land. Yes, there are even hints of the controversial need for Space Force. While I could go on and on about the literary style and my enjoyment of the storyline, there is something specific I would like to draw out as it pertains to the nature of man.

Singer and Cole do not claim a Christian perspective. Singer is an open Atheist, and Cole They have no religious agenda in writing their novel. But they are both students of war and researchers of not only tactical decision making but polital, governmental, and personal motivations. What makes a nation desire to declare war? What makes an individual desire to kill, betray, or quit? What makes a person believe their actions to be just, unjust, or simply indifferent? Where is the psychological breaking point that removes feeling and fills a once joy-filled heart with hate?

None of Singer and Cole’s answers to these questions find God or the theological concept of human depravity as their subject within their writing. The answers are not clear, but rather existential. Nationalism, patriotism, family, love, hatred, loss, curiosity, and insanity. Their answers are merely observations of real emotions and motivations but fail to identify the ultimate why.

Why do we want more power?

In Ghost Fleet, China and Russia have allied to destroy the global dominance of the United States. China succeeds in eliminating US satellite systems, which pulverizes the military's ability to respond. In the confusion and utter surprise, reminiscent of the December 7th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, China invades Hawaii and dominates the Pacific. The authors craft into the storyline a statement from a Russian double or triple agent, secretly helping the Americans but is really on no one's side. He makes an off the cuff statement, that the Pacific providentially belongs to America. But why?

Humanity craves power. We see it in our children. They yell, scream, hit, cry, and pull their hair to get what they want. And as they become adults they realize power is the tool toward getting what they think will satisfy the hole in their heart.

To contrast the Russian’s statement, the true providential belonging humanity has is that gaping hole in our hearts that desperately points to our need for Jesus. The same Jesus who sacrificed his life for the sake of the world.

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WARNING: I rate this book PG-13 for Language, Violence, and Sexuality. This book contains profanity, battle scenes, and sexual encounters that are described graphically, which may not be beneficial to some readers; however, these aspects are unfortunately aspects of the reality of warfare. I DO NOT recommend this book to students High School and below.