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Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite
Kip Cassino’s Operation Tollbooth is an intriguing and realistic novel based upon a hypothetical “what if” of the United States’ use of nuclear ground weapons in the Vietnam War. A veteran soldier himself, having been stationed in Korea, Cassino is an expert in military strategy, organization, and down-to-earth lingo. Though the narration is told from several points of view, the main protagonist is a young college dropout, Xavier Brede, nicknamed “Ex” by his buddies, who, based on his test results, was able to enter officer training school where he excelled. The date is 1968, and though the Vietnam War is raging, Ex is sent to the demilitarized zone between South and North Korea. From there, he volunteers for a top-secret mission to deploy nuclear explosives launched from special artillery howitzers as opposed to airdrops. The setup for such a possibility involves a U.S. trade-off agreement with the Russians who have aims on a nuclear site in China. The U.S. intends to use nuclear howitzer shells to close off the Ho Chi Min Trail in Vietnam.
Cassino’s realistic depiction of military culture and jargon is excellent. He also includes a glossary. His writing left no doubt in my mind that he writes from personal experience. He made me feel as if I was there. Ex has the unfortunate habit of volunteering for difficult projects, and Operation Tollbooth is one of them. While stationed in Korea, he meets a Red Cross nurse, thus adding a romantic dimension to the narrative, and the second part of the novel splits Ex’s and Jackie’s points of view. But for me, the most gripping section is when Operation Tollbooth is activated in the northwest section of South Vietnam as the nukes are deployed. Although the previous build-up in Korea is fascinating, the real action erupts well into the second part. Kip Cassino’s clear prose, precise descriptions, and thrilling battle scenes will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
