by Daniel M. Gerstein.
Softcover (6.0×9.0 inches). 328 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: Conflict in the Post-Human Era
I thought this was a non-fiction book that would look at current warfare with drones, AI, internet interconnections, and other new technologies.
Nope.
This is a novel about future warfare with drones, AI-run robots, and cyborgs (cyborgs being computer-augmented humans). Except not exactly.
I wish it had been a non-fiction book.
Gerstein, a West Point grad and former Army officer with executive stints in government tech departments, knows his facts. Novel writing is something he needs to work on. I only got about 50 pages in when all the conferences and info dumps stopped me from further reading. I skimmed through the rest, but the back cover premise of front-line year 2039 combat in Latvia escaped me in a book that starts in year 2029.
I’m sure he sat through many a conference explaining the technologies to non-tech officers and officials. I’m sure he sat through many a conference seeking approval and budget for development. I’m sure others conducted conferences to explain developments and experiments. I’m sure media briefings highlighted program successes. I’m sure these might entertain many a reader.
Just not me.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
