BOOK REVIEW

1. Name of Book : Dragon Strike “The Millennium War” 2. Author : Humphrey Hawksley and Simon Holberton3. Publisher : Pan Book4. Look of the Book : Soft bound with cover illustration by Bill Gregory. The cover page in red colour with broken Chinese coin in golden colour which depicted the scenario of the future war. The backside of the book cover gives brief if initiation of the millennium war and also caters the comments on authenticity and authoritative writing of the thrilling fiction which enmeshes US, Asia and Europe in unavoidable situation of war. It also horrifies the western defence planners .5. Cost : UK{5.99 Rs 330/-6. Pages : 438 (thriller from 1 to 418, references 419 to 424, index 425 to 438. i to xxvi i – description of authors, iii & iv- Name of book writer and conditions, v- dedicated to, vii- contents, viii- Maps, ix to xiv- preface, xv to xxiv- chronology of events)7. Comments/Reviews of others : By various renouned dailies are imprinted at the backside which shows the greatness and thorough writing by the writer and also a comment by International Herald Tribune at front page cover says ‘The Chinese are coming. Prepare for war in 2001’.8. About the Author :

(a) Humphery Hawksley. He had been BBC correspondent in Asia for yearswith initial stint during eighties in Sri lanka, India and Phillipines. From 1990, he was based in Hongkong as regional correspondent and reported from more than twenty Asian countries during twentieth century development. In 1994, he was appointed as China Bureau chief and became first television correspondent of BBC based in Beijing and travelled extensively through the country.

(b) Simon Holberton. He did tours of Asia and was Hongkong Bureau chief for financial times from 1992 to 1996 and witnessed AND REPORTED China’s preparations for takeover of the colony and modernisation of its vast economy. In Mid 1980’s he reported on Japan and Korea for the Melbourne Age i.e 1984 to 1986. In 1996 again returned to Financial Times in Britain where he writes about the energy.

(c) Review of the book: (i) The book is based on the assessment and predictions of authors based on the developments and their experiences in Far East Asia who had served in this region as correspondents of print and visual media.(ii) The book starts with preface that “the events described in this book have not yet happened _ _ _ _ _ _. It is a future history”. Which means the present scenario going on in this world may cause t happen this war which requires to be contained.

(iii) Authors tell about the determination of China to become world power and American policy which is taking America and China in another cold war. The Chinese Government who is insensitive against human rights and democratic legislation will cause the war.(iv) The book here unfolds the scenario in chronological manner and depicts the picturesque scenario where China goes for airstrike at Vietnam who is unaware and unprepared for war, destroying the military, air and naval bases of Vietnam including the civilian casualties and then moves its navy to capture Spartly and Paracel islands in South China sea where various oil rigs and employees of various European and American companies working.(v) This sudden strike whistles the world and every country’s premiers get jittery and start their diplomatic moves to tackle the situation. The unfolding of situations is very elegantly tied with each other. The China starts the war with mere concern over South China Sea and its oil underneath but strangles all other aspects including the blocking of trade routes through China, capture of Japan bound cargo ship carrying petroleum products and sinking USS Nimitz. (vi) The authors had described the situation of all affected countries and their concern brilliantly which gives reader a food of thought that it’s not easy to go for a war and taking decisions for the same is not a simple issue for any world class leader.(vii) The author penned the book after a thorough research and reference in terms of Weaponry and equipment used by China, Vietnam, US and NATO forces. It has also thrown light on the capabilities and comparative analysis of equipments used by either along with the importance of training.(viii) The book enlightens the readers about the affect of war on the country’s economy. It sheds light on how economies of various countries have an adverse affect and the values of the currency shambles manifolds. It also reflects how one gains from others loss. For example the gain by the company of China under General Zhao in collaboration with First China Company books profit due to the fall of Japanese currency.(ix) It had shown how the sentiments of people in various countries come into play in decision making during the crisis. It had been observed during the reading how people and government functionaries had reacted on day to day basis.(x) It also put a light on the role of Ambassadors of various countries and their functioning towards the national interest.(xi) It had thrown light on the business models and investors’ role and usage as bait during the diplomatic decisions and talks to converge the decisions. It also shows the importance of open economy around the world which can avoid the situation of confrontation many a times.(xii) The book had also suggested on future allies during such type of crisis if occurs. Hence it is must to understand which country is going to be where or side during the adverse situation/confrontation.

(xiii) Lastly the book educates the reader how the situation will unfurl during various crisis if occurs and what is going to be the next as it is called as future history. It has to be understood and analyzed meticulously.

Lessons Learnt.(a) The ongoing changes in the world have to be analyzed and reacted upon so to keep up the pace with the world.(b) The economy of the country is related to the world powers and other countries whose investors and companies are investing the money in our country has to be considered as important factor on any decision which hampers the national economy.(c) The diplomatic relations have to be in better form so that any adverse crisis or predicament takes place can be timely addressed.(d) As the neighbour of the China we should be alert and understand their move in the world and prepare ourselves to bring them on a diplomatic arena for discussions rather fighting a war which can hamper the development and the economy of the country.(e) The alarming situations has to be understood in advance and act accordingly to gain maximum.

(d) Conclusion. The book is very well researched, referred and realistic framing of a situation,

yet to happen. The usage of technical and professional knowledge to make it more authentic and authoritative had given added height to the book which had thrown light on each and every aspect, going to take place during this kind of crisis or a situation. It is a whistleblower that China is coming to become a Superpower. The situations which are unfurl in present scenario also reveals the similar situation what is depicted in form of this book hence required to be alerted and trained to fight back.

The book has given overall view and situation going to be in 21ST century and hence required to be prepared and policies to face the situation to be evolved and old ones be amended accordingly.

The book is recommended to all those who are interested in knowing about political, military and economic situations around the world.