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  • Mushroom Cloud: Book I of the First Strike Series

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Thomas J. Yeggy
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Mushroom Cloud: Book I of the First Strike Series Kindle Edition

by Thomas J. Yeggy (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars (87)

Mushroom Cloud, a fact-based historical novel, is the first book of The First Strike Trilogy: USA and the Soviet Union are building nuclear arms for a face off in a potential nuclear war in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

"This novel is so important for everyone who cares about nuclear disarmament because as philosopher George Santayana wrote: 'Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.'"

~ Melissa Burch, Bestselling & Award Winning Author My Journey Through War and Peace

For a decade, Dr. Caleb Young, a gifted physicist and chief science officer for the CIA, had shaded National Intelligence Estimates and Rand reports on war gaming. He wanted to thwart the US military's push for a nuclear first strike. Soviet GRU Colonel Oleg Penkovsky had passed information to Young at more than one Pugwash Peace Conference, revealing how inept Soviet capabilities were. A US preemptive strike would destroy the earth's ozone layer.

Dr. Young, secretly an Einstein schooled pacifist, felt a personal obligation to prevent a globally destructive nuclear war. However, the realities of US nuclear superiority were progressively becoming harder to manage. By mid-1953, the United States had 1,169 deliverable atomic bombs. It could drop them with 160 B-36 heavy bombers and 350 B-47 medium bombers. The Soviet Union had 120 atomic bombs that could only be delivered to the US by a handful of one-way TU-4A experimental bombers through thousands of F-86 Sabres. By 1962, the US had more than 3,000 thermonuclear warheads and 5,000 tactical nuclear weapons. U-2 flights and Corona satellite images were exposing Khrushchev’s lies about “grinding out missiles like sausages.” The US had a 17-1 advantage in deliverable warheads.

The Soviets intercontinental ballistic missiles (only four were verified) took four hours to prepare for launch. US B-52s twos could easily destroy them from fail- safe points with a pair of 20 megaton bombs. Even more ominously, the Thor and Jupiter intermediate range ballistic missiles could deliver warheads in less than 8 minutes after launch from England, Turkey, or Italy. The US could locate and destroy the Soviets' 150 round- trip bombers before they left Soviet runways. Soviet SSBN subs were noisy and had to surface to fire missiles. They were easy prey for the US Navy. In late October 1962, President John F Kennedy stopped the US military from initiating a first strike. It came to be known as the “Cuban Missile Crisis.” “We lost” Air Force general Curtis Lemay shouted at Kennedy. Military leaders wanted a nuclear war that day while they had a clear first strike advantage.

Now the Department of Justice (DOJ) has many questions, and they believe Dr. Caleb Young has the answers. Nicholas Katzenbach, the DOJ's chief deputy, is ready to prosecute Dr. Young on trumped up espionage charges. And he wants to know about the CIA's involvement in the November 22, 1963, assassination of President Kennedy
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    First Strike Series
  2. Print length
    393 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    September 15, 2023
  6. File size
    5.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Mushroom Cloud: Book 1 of the First Strike Series

I love how descriptive the author was with his words, making it easy for me to picture every event

The First Strike Series

Mushroom Cloud is the most delicious for of literary red meat for those who can't get enough fiction

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hit #3 in Nuclear Weapons & Warfare History Amazon Category 2025.

"This is a fantastic book and one I can highly recommend."
-Grant Leishman

About the Author

Thomas J. Yeggy has undergraduate degrees in English and psychology. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and practiced law in Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, for many years. He served as the mental health and substance abuse judge for Scott County, Iowa, for more than 25 years. In that position he developed a keen understanding of the difficulties that everyday life presents regardless of social or economic status. As a judge, he authored more than 1,500 opinions, and only one was reversed by the appellate courts. Thomas was also a licensed Series 7 broker at Beyer & Company Investments in Davenport, Iowa, for more than two decades. Yeggy's interest in the development and control of nuclear weapons goes back to images he once saw of the nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With his keen insight into the nature of mankind and their proclivity to use violence as a problem-solving mechanism, he wondered how we had made it through crisis after crisis without destroying ourselves.

In 1992, when Robert McNamara stated that we had made it through the Cuban Missile Crisis with "just plain dumb luck," Yeggy decided to investigate just how lucky we have been. He explains what he found in this First Strike series. We have been very lucky, but it may not continue. He currently resides in Pensacola Beach, Florida, with his wife, Eileen, and spends summers back in Davenport with his grandchildren, Jeff and Ashley Brown. You can usually find Thomas and Eileen at Emesis Park in Davenport on a late summer afternoon running with their granddogs, Otis and Emme.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C78V9MX7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Parallax Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 15, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 393 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8987888414
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ First Strike Series
  • Best Sellers Rank: #252,286 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars (87)

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Thomas J. Yeggy

Thomas J. Yeggy

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Thomas J. Yeggy, a University of Iowa Law graduate, practiced law in Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. As a mental health judge Thomas served for 25+ years, where he developed a deep understanding of life's challenges. Authoring more than 1,500 opinions with minimal reversals, he served diligently.

Yeggy, a licensed Series 7 broker, explored nuclear weapons' control after witnessing Hiroshima and Nagasaki's devastation. Prompted by McNamara's remark on the Cuban Missile Crisis, he delves into our fortunate survival in the First Strike series. Currently residing in Pensacola Beach, Florida, with his wife Eileen, he enjoys summers with grandkids Jeff and Ashley Brown. Find them at Emeis Park, Davenport, with granddogs Otis and Emme.

Winner of the Reader's House Magazine Editor's Choice Award of Literary Excellence 2024.

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
87 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book to be a riveting read with a captivating mix of historical elements. The well-researched historical context adds depth to the story, with detailed descriptions and impeccable research throughout.
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10 customers mention readability, 7 positive, 3 negative
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a riveting and engaging start to a Cold War thriller series.
This was a great reading experience!...Read more
Awesome and riveting read!...Read more
...It’s not a quick read, but the depth of the story and the big questions it asks make it worth the time....Read more
Mushroom Cloud is a captivating mix of history and suspense set during the late 1950s and early 1960s arms race between the US and Soviet Union....Read more
9 customers mention historical, 8 positive, 1 negative
Customers appreciate the historical elements of the book, describing it as a captivating mix of history, with one customer noting how it brings nuclear history to life.
This is a book you won’t be able to put down. It is historically based during the time of World War II all the way up to the 1960s....Read more
Mushroom Cloud is a captivating mix of history and suspense set during the late 1950s and early 1960s arms race between the US and Soviet Union....Read more
...What really drew me in was how Yeggy blends real historical events with Caleb’s fictional story, making the stakes feel incredibly high....Read more
The Mushroom Cloud is a historical thriller that may make you take a deep breath and reconsider how you view history and the world....Read more
8 customers mention research, 8 positive, 0 negative
Customers praise the book's well-researched historical context and detailed descriptions, with one customer highlighting its focus on CIA scientist Dr. Edward Teller.
This was a great reading experience! Love that this novel is fact-based and has got a lot of detailed descriptions to help readers imagine such...Read more
...Yeggy’s writing is detailed and packed with historical facts, which made me feel like I was getting an inside look at the minds behind the Manhattan...Read more
...The author's research is impeccable and mind blowing. Buy this book today! You won't be disappointed!!Read more
...More unique is threading together fantastic, personal and specific details to bring it together....Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Howitsgoineh?
    5.0 out of 5 stars dang - I really miss a great Cold War book!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It’s unique to find a new take on the past. More unique is threading together fantastic, personal and specific details to bring it together.

    I am a hard scifi fan - I like my stuff more real and less flying dragons.

    For me, this doesn’t disappoint (well, the fact more books published by the author yet - is disappointing!)

    People forget that all of this was not too long ago at all. The impacts to our today lives are still quite visible and is an undercurrent to daily life.

    Since Clancy passed and more other authors in genre just pump out the same old stuff - it’s refreshing to see tagged source data along with the idea or situation. I didn’t chase too many of the notations, I’m sure the trolls here would point out if any were incorrect.

    Mr. Yeggy - please do more!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sean Dollwet
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Thrilling Tale!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Mushroom Cloud is a captivating mix of history and suspense set during the late 1950s and early 1960s arms race between the US and Soviet Union. Yeggy expertly blends facts with a thrilling plot, keeping me hooked throughout. I especially enjoyed the father-son relationship, especially when young Caleb learned basketball. Yeggy's attention to detail makes the story feel real and adds depth to the characters. Whether you love history or just want a gripping read, this book is a great choice.
    One person found this helpful
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  • DD
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nuclear History Comes Alive
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2026
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I found myself drawn into the Cold War era through this blend of historical facts and fiction. While some of the technical details about nuclear weapons went over my head, I appreciated how the story showed the human side of scientists grappling with moral dilemmas. The tension between Dr. Young's pacifist beliefs and his CIA role kept me reading, especially during the Cuban Missile Crisis sections.
    Helpful
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  • Bronson H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing Cold War Espionage Tale
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Engaging start to a Cold War thriller series. Focuses on CIA scientist Dr. Caleb Young's testimony after JFK's assassination. Well-researched historical context adds depth. Characters are believable, though some dialogue feels stilted. Plot pacing is good, building tension effectively. Leaves readers curious about subsequent books in the series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mary Ellen Maske
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a book you won’t be able to put down. It is historically based during the time of World War II all the way up to the 1960s. The fictional character Caleb young is a a scientist and very involved in developing nuclear weapons for the USA. The authors research is impeccable and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is a no-brainer for any of you who are history buffs get the book and read it now!
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Elizabeth B
    4.0 out of 5 stars A gripping blend of science and history in Mushroom Cloud
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I just finished Mushroom Cloud by Thomas J. Yeggy, and I’m still thinking about the moral questions it raises. The book follows Dr. Caleb Young, a fictional physicist, as he navigates the dangerous political landscape of the Cold War. What really drew me in was how Yeggy blends real historical events with Caleb’s fictional story, making the stakes feel incredibly high. The flashbacks to Caleb’s early work in nuclear research, along with his involvement with the CIA, added layers of tension as he wrestles with the consequences of his scientific achievements.

    Yeggy’s writing is detailed and packed with historical facts, which made me feel like I was getting an inside look at the minds behind the Manhattan Project. The philosophical discussions between Caleb and other characters were fascinating, even if a bit dense at times. I’ll admit, some of the technical jargon went over my head, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience. The moral dilemmas Caleb faces—about power, ethics, and the potential for destruction—kept me hooked.

    If you’re interested in historical fiction that makes you think, this is definitely a book to pick up. It’s not a quick read, but the depth of the story and the big questions it asks make it worth the time.
    Mushroom Cloud is a thought-provoking blend of history and fiction that will appeal to fans of historical thrillers and those interested in the moral quandaries of scientific discovery. Yeggy raises important questions about power, responsibility, and the cost of progress, making this a novel worth pondering long after the final page.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Steven A.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read! Ponders the haunting question...What if?
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Yeggy does a great job shining a new light on a forgotten story and reminding us that if we forget history, it is more likely to repeat itself or even worse. How long can we, as a so-called "civilized society", continue to pound war drums and rattle our sabors until that fateful day when our luck runs out and the stupidity of man destroys us all?
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Ann Little
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting take on nuclear war
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The take on Kennedy toward the end of the missile crisis of 62 took me aback. His heroic effort to prevent the end of the world also being a loss to end the soviet union was a stroke. We go on a trip with the guy who comes up with fission and Eienstein trying to stop the development of the atomic bomb. We go on a trip with the underbelly of America and the USSR. Its a very long book and there was a lot of work put into it. But sometimes too long is too much. 4 star
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Top reviews from other countries

  • EricSTeckel78
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating topic
    Reviewed in Germany on May 1, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The attention to historical detail was impressive and there is a lot everybody could learn. However, the story around these historical facts was not very compelling and was essentially about several clever people talking. I could not determine a through-line and I missed the emotional weight of everything that was happening. There was a lot of telling instead of showing and this made the experience somewhat dry. Overall, however, worth reading due to the subject matter.
    Report
  • Jimmy K Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cold War Thriller
    Reviewed in Australia on April 27, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Set during the intense arms race of the Cold War, this book offers a captivating blend of history and suspense. The author expertly weaves factual events with a thrilling plot, drawing readers into the world of nuclear brinkmanship between the US and Soviet Union. The attention to detail and depth of character development make this a must-read for history enthusiasts and those looking for a gripping narrative alike.
    Report
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