2034: A Novel of the Next World War
2021 novel by Eliot Ackerman and James Stavridis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| |
| Author | Elliot Ackerman James G. Stavridis |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Christopher Brian King |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Publisher | Penguin Press |
Publication date | March 9, 2021 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 303 |
| ISBN | 978-1-9848-8127-4 |
Overview
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
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
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]