This Way Madness Comes
by Robert Alan
Cycad Press

book review by Mihir Shah

Set in the heart of Cold War Russia in 1968, award winning thriller This Way Madness Comes explores the challenges of properly utilizing technology for the good of humanity. When Russian scientist, Dr. Alexi Truskov, discovers the MAD (Matter Antimatter Duality) principle, he instinctively conjures a world with unlimited resources and eternal peace among the countries. Simply put, the MAD principle juxtaposes matter and antimatter to form a limitless source of energy. Unfortunately, where there is good, evil is usually not far behind: The Russian military impels Truskov to create the GRASER, a ray gun using the MAD device. Faced with an ethical dilemma that has global ramifications, Truskov sabotages the test of the GRASER and flees to the United States. While some may deem Truskov as noble, others, especially his comrades in Russia, view him as the ultimate traitor.

On the forefront, This Way Madness Comes is a military thriller that taps into the depths of human capability for good and evil. Whether the country is democratic United States or Russia, can any human being avoid the temptation of such sovereign power? What are the consequences of acquiring or preventing the acquisition of such power? Dr. Alexi Truskov naively believed that unlike Russia, the United States would use MAD for world peace. Upon revealing the MAD principle to Major Daniel "Mad Dog" Dawson and Professor David Adler of the United States, Truskov unleashes a slew of forces that will ultimately battle to bring about their desired result. One discovery, one decision will haunt Truskov for eternity; however, the betrayed Russians will come for blood and what they believe is rightfully their property, while the greed of Major Dawson gives birth to ANUBIS, a MAD-powered weapon not unlike Dr. Truskov's Russian GRASER.

Vladimir Kerenovich, a key member of the Russian military and son of Yakov—Truskov's colleague and confidante—arrives into the United States with an intricate plan to retrieve the MAD components and avenge his father. The plot thickens as the CIA gets involved and the ANUBIS test date nears. Captain Steven Von Bremer, also known as "Dutch" is assigned to execute the mission, but there are smokescreens surrounding the launch. Is there anyone that can be trusted? Whether the character is seeking power, is a loyal patriot, or is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, he or she is a part of the unpredictable madness. Dr. Truskov and Dr. Adler create ADAM, a MAD device intended to neutralize ANUBIS in the event it is used for the wrong reasons. With the fear of a Russian repeat in America, Truskov is once again compelled to make difficult decisions that will determine the fate of many human beings. Will ANUBIS be a new GRASER? Is the MAD principle destined to destroy?

Few novels, despite being fiction, seem as real as This Way Madness Comes. This, however, should come as no surprise: Robert Alan has over twenty-six years of experience as a United States Air Force officer. Undeniably unique, Alan's military thriller is reminiscent to Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games. The pinpoint precision of detail and military terminology will impress the greatest of military buffs—and even the military itself.

Robert Alan's captivating writing style, combined with likable yet flawed characters thrust into life-changing circumstances, will keep the audience riveted to the pages. While Alan presents one provoking idea after another, readers reel seamlessly into his novel as though they were a part of the weapons testing teams, the thirty-year leap into time, the search for ANUBIS, or the mysterious barge in the Gulf of Mexico. Without a doubt, This Way Madness Comes is both educational and wildly entertaining.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

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