Please note that some of the links referenced throughout this work may no longer be active.
EX nihilo nihil fit. I began this novel with the advantage of copious notes accumulated for previous books as well as my own experiences in Asia, the Pentagon, and the Pacific. The following new sources were also helpful.
For Marine Corps passages: On the robotic target range, live-firing MGs, and Overmatch rifles: http://
For Navy passages: Previous research aboard USS San Jacinto, USS George Washington, USS Wasp, with Strike Group One, plus a visit to USS Rafael Peralta just after her commissioning, where Aaron Demeyer was especially helpful. A deep bow to all! Also, interview with James A. Kirk, Surface Sitrep, December 2016. Jennifer McDermott, “The Seal Whiskerers: Navy Looks to Sea Life for New Ships,” Associated Press, March 15, 2017. Some of the specs for the “Savo Island–class cruiser” were adapted from the CG(X) program.
Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, “USS Savo Island, CVE-78.” Cheryl’s speech owes a bit to articles by James Kirk and Edward Lundquist in the Surface Navy Association’s December 2016 Surface Sitrep. Also, Roger Ellis, “Electromagnetic Railgun,” Office of Naval Research, https://
References on influenza: https://
The Dublin scenes were based on personal research. Details of diplomatic protocol were reviewed by Donna Hopkins and Liz McManus.
The following sources were valuable as background for tactics, mind-sets, and strategic decisions: Joint Publication 5-0, Joint Operation Planning, August 2011; Kevin McCaney, “DARPA’s Gremlins Could Cut the Costs of Attack Drones,” 2015, August 31, Defense Systems, https://
The scene of an airliner being cyberjacked was commented on by my esteemed classmate Mike Hichak.
For Teddy Oberg’s strand of the story, the references listed in Hunter Killer, plus Muhammad Mumtaz Khalid, History of Karakoram Highway (Rawalpindi, 2011), especially volume 1; Shirley Kan, “U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy,” Congressional Research Service, July 15, 2010; Also, Department of the Army FM 3-05.201, “Special Forces Unconventional Warfare Operations.” The U.S. Army Ranger Handbook was also useful.
For overall help, I owe recognition to the Surface Navy Association, Hampton Roads Chapter; to Charle Ricci and Stacia Childers of the Eastern Shore Public Library; to Matthew Stroup and Corey Barker of the Navy Office of Information, East; with bows to Mark “Dusty” Durstewitz, Aimee Brennan, Bill Dougherty, Bill Doughty, James W. Neuman, Phil Wisecup, Aaron Demeyer, John T. Fusselman, Dick Enderly, and others (they know who they are), both retired and still on active duty, who put in many hours adding additional perspective. If I left anyone out, apologies!
Let me reemphasize that these sources were consulted for the purposes of fiction. The specifics of tactics, units, and locales are employed as the materials of story, not reportage. Some details have been altered to protect classified capabilities and procedures.
My deepest gratitude goes to George Witte, editor and friend of over three decades, without whom this series would not exist. And Sally Richardson, Ken Silver, Sara Thwaite, Young Jin Lim, Naia Poyer, and Staci Burt at St. Martin’s/Macmillan. And finally to Lenore Hart, kindest critic, anchor on lee shores, and my North Star when skies are clear.
As always, all errors and deficiencies are my own.