2034: A Novel of the Next World War

2034: A Novel of the Next World War is a 2021 novel written by Elliot Ackerman and retired Admiral James G. Stavridis. The novel received positive reception from critics upon release.

2034: A Novel of the Next World War
AuthorElliot Ackerman
James G. Stavridis
Cover artistChristopher Brian King
LanguageEnglish
GenreThriller
Published2021
PublisherPenguin Press
Publication placeUnited States
Pages303
ISBN978-1-9848-8127-4

Overview

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2034 is a geopolitical thriller that imagines World War III as a naval clash between the United States and China in the South China Sea in the year 2034.

Background

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The authors wrote 2034: A Novel of the Next World War as a cautionary tale to urge readers to confront the dangerous realities of geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.[1] The authors drew on their personal experiences in war as inspiration, with Stavridis stating that the book's opening scene (which featured a freedom of navigation patrol in the South China Sea) was accurate to his experience as a commander of destroyers.[2]

Reception

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According to review aggregator Book Marks, the novel received mostly positive reception from critics. The Washington Post published a positive review, specifically directing praise at the book's prose and refusal to label the war as having been sparked by any specific political party.[3] The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal praised the book's characters, especially their inner conflicts about the war and its origins.[4][5] The New York Journal of Books was also positive, with the reviewer directing praise at the prose for being technically accurate while still being entertaining.[6] Publishers Weekly praised the book for its depiction of war at a human level, noting that it did not delve into hardware specifics like other military thrillers.[7] Kirkus was similarly positive, describing the book as "required reading for our national leaders."[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Years Of Military Service Helped Inform '2034: A Novel Of The Next World War'".
  2. ^ Dorothy Wickenden (March 22, 2021). ""2034," a Cautionary Tale of Conflict with China". The Political Scene (Podcast). The New Yorker. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Roig-Franzia, Manuel (March 8, 2021). "In '2034: A novel of the Next World War,' it's man against machine". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Jarvis, Claire (March 9, 2021). "Stories of War and Its Aftermath, From Ancient Greece to America in '2034'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  5. ^ French, Howard W. (April 15, 2021). "'2034' Review: Navigating a Disaster". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  6. ^ McCann, Michael J. "2034: A Novel of the Next World War". New York Journal of Books. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "2034: A Novel of the Next World War". Publishers Weekly. November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "2034: A Novel of the Next World War". Kirkus Reviews. January 26, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2024.