Author Brian J. Morra

The Able Archers

Koehler Books Bestseller

US Air Force Captain Kevin Cattani and Soviet GRU Colonel Ivan Levchenko team up in the fall of 1983 to stop the worst nuclear crisis of the Cold War. The crisis begins with the Soviet shootdown of Korean Air Lines flight 007 and escalates when the Soviets’ most advanced missile warning satellites incorrectly detect the launch of multiple nuclear missiles from a US Air Force base in North Dakota. The crisis reaches its crescendo weeks later when NATO kicks off the largest nuclear war exercise (called Able Archer) in the history of the Cold War. Nerve-wracking episodes unfold in locations from Tokyo to Moscow to East Berlin and more. At a time of apocalyptic confrontation, the United States and the Soviet Union rely on Cattani and Levchenko to prevent a global nuclear war.

“16th Annual National Indie Excellence Award” Winner of the Military Fiction category, Finalist in the Historical Fiction category

“2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards” Finalist in the Historical Fiction category

A revelatory thriller with edge-of-your-seat, end-of-the-world suspense.
Kirkus Reviews
As compelling as it is informative and as entertaining as it is terrifying, The Able Archers is a great read and highly recommended.
New York Journal of Books
This book is a must-read, and I hope that future books by this talented author will use history to help us understand our world today.
—Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization
While a gripping work of fiction, The Able Archers is a powerful reminder of the value of human judgment—and the continuing peril posed by nuclear-armed powers.
—Robert M. Gates, former Secretary of Defense

Brian J. Morra is ‘the master craftsman’. The Able Archers is brilliant.
—William S. Cohen, former Secretary of Defense

… a terrifying yet factual story of how a few people prevented a global nuclear war. It’s frighteningly relevant to today’s fraught geo-political scene—one of the must-read novels of 2022!
—Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 NYT bestselling author

A brilliant thriller full of practical lessons for policy-makers… A seamless blend of carefully researched history and a fascinating cast of both real and fictional characters…
—Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Commander USN, (Ret)

The Able Archers is possibly the most important book to be published this year.
—General Bryan Doug Brown, USA (ret) 7th Commander of Special Operations Command
Morra’s spell-binding tale grips the reader from page one through the twists and turns of spy craft and kinetic military activity to a surprising and satisfying conclusion.
—Admiral Timothy J. Keating, United States Navy (retired)
Morra knows the Able Archers story because he lived it, and he tells it in vivid, compelling, and frightening detail—with wit and humanity. Bravo!
—The Honorable James K. Glassman, former Undersecretary of State

Brian’s settings, scenes and characters are absolutely authentic and can send shivers up the spines of those who were there and will never forget those events of 40 years ago.
—Larry Cox, Intelligence Officer

This is a must read, and I hope that future books by this talented author will use history to help us understand our world today.
—Samuel C. Mahaney, Maj Gen, USAF (Retired), HVAO Historian

The Able Archers is a truly gripping account of one of the most dangerous episodes of the Cold War.
—Taylor Downing, historian and author

… a brilliant, fictionalized account of a critical time in global history when the world teetered on the verge of catastrophe.
—Award-winning author Carole P. Roman
… any curriculum for crisis management planning would do well to include Brian Morra’s insightful novel which looks at the crisis that brought us close to war in 1983.
—Dr. Robbin F. Laird
The Able Archers is… exceptionally entertaining and engrossing… a must read…
—Jeffrey “Skunk” Baxter
I just did not want to stop reading. An amazing book that is skillfully written and a must read.
—Samuel G. Tooma, Oceanographer and Author
Author Brian J. Morra

The Able Archers Audiobook

Buy now

AmazonBarnes & Noble

Sign up for Brian's Newsletter: