Swords to Plowshares

About the Book

Since Israel was freed from British Protectorate status, and granted political independence as a sovereign state following the end of World War Two, the country has been the constant target of hatred and violent attacks by the Muslim world of the Arab states surrounding Israel. This never ending attempt to destroy Israel has led to numerous wars, which Israel has always won. More critically, this never ending Arab hatred of Israel has led to near perpetual political unrest, and terrorist activity against the Israeli state.

In the late 20th century, several Arab states in the Middle East acquired a limited inventory of nuclear weapons. Since Israel previously had developed its own nuclear weapons, along with the capacity to deliver them, the Arab entry into the worldwide nuclear club served to add more Arab bellicosity, and considerably more political unrest in the region.

All this antagonism, and political instability has generated world wide impact. Israel and the Arab states sit atop the world's largest known oil reserves. Any outbreak of war, or threat of war in the Middle East has far reaching, serious implications to the western nations dependent upon imported Arab oil. The OPEC cartel abruptly found itself in the catbird seat. Tightening the oil spigots to the western world immediately threw those countries into economic chaos. Further, when Israel was forced to strike back at its misbehaving Arab neighbors, the reverberations were quickly, and disturbingly felt around the globe.

In this story, I am attempting to project a fictional condition wherein the Arab countries provoke Israel sufficiently to cause them to open a "once and for all" war to permanently settle things in the Middle Eastern world. This story also attempts to show how this war quickly escalates into World War Three, with the ultimate resolution that leaves the world changed forever.

My presentation herewith is fictional. All the characters portrayed are fictional. The ultimate resolution is entirely within the realm of reality. Read! Think! Absorb! Enjoy!

About the Author

Born in Logan County, West Virginia, 5 July, 1927. Entered US Navy late in WWII. Attended one year college following WWII. Obtained pilot's license in 1947. Entered US Army Flight School in 1948. Transferred to USAF with separation of USAF from US Army. Finished flight school July, 1949, and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in USAF. Married Joanne Driscoll December, 1949. Remained on active duty in USAF as pilot until July, 1968 during which time I served two year exchange tour with US Navy, flying from carrier USS Intrepid as a carrier pilot. Served 3 year tour as liaison officer to US Army and was rated Jump Qualified by the US Army Airborne School. Served two year liaison tour to the German Army in 1967-1968. Retired from USAF July, 1968, as Lieutenant Colonel, with 22 years active service. Enrolled in Elon College in August, 1970. Graduated from college in August, 1973 with AB degree in English. Have three adult children; two daughters, and one son. Have seven grandchildren, and two great grandsons. Hold civil commercial pilot rating.