OT: Trying to remember a book name

[pmulcahy11b]

One of the books I lost when I left the Army was one that started out in a near future conflict in South America. One of the weapons used in that conflict was called something like a "thread mine," like a Claymore except that it blasts out dozens of sections of monomolecular wire. I can't remember the name of the book. Anybody know this book?

[Rockwolf66]

I've heard of such a mine although I'm not quite sure of the official name for it. basically you pulled the pin and it shot out a bunch of tripwires. when someone tripped the wires it went off like a bouncing betty.

[pmulcahy11b]

I've heard of such a mine although I'm not quite sure of the official name for it. basically you pulled the pin and it shot out a bunch of tripwires. when someone tripped the wires it went off like a bouncing betty.

Those I've heard of, but this was a near-future science fiction weapon in this book. The monomolecular wires basically shredded anyone in the blast area -- they sliced like a Traveller variable sword.

[Legbreaker]

So it damaged by shrapnel only and not blast?
How terribly boring!

:saroll:

[Muti]

You tried here?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomolecular_wire

[pmulcahy11b]

Thanks, Muti, unfortunately none of the stories and books listed had descriptions that matched what I remember about the book. Interesting link, though; I had no idea that monomolecular wire was used in so many stories!

[Muti]

I had no idea that monomolecular wire was used in so many stories!

Same for me :D

[Rainbow Six]

This is a wild stab in the dark, but I read a book called (I think) "Combat" about ten years ago (roughly) that was a collection of short stories by various well known authors of the techno thriller genre (can't remember all of them, but it did include Harold Coyle, Larry Bond, and Stephen Coonts - from what I can recall Coonts was sort of the editor in chief).

The reason I'm wondering if it might have been that was because all of the scenarios were set in the first decades of the 21st Century and included all sorts of future type technologies (which might have included the thread mine).

[buzzgunner]

I believe the device you all are trying to recall is the M86 Pursuit Deterrent Munition (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/pdm.htm).

[Rockwolf66]

well that is the mine I was thinking of.

Unfortunatly it gets us no closer to figuring out the book the other Paul* was thinking of.

Now can you remember any of the other details of the book Paul? Anything at all maybe something about the main character some odd habit of theirs or maybe some other detail?

*Yes I am a Paul as well. thankfully there is currently only one forum member who knows me IRL currently.