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The Officers' Wives
Follows an entire generation of military officers and their wives, caught in an emotional crossfire of loyalty and violence, from occupied Germany and Japan in the 1950s to the tragedy of Vietnam
645 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
About the author
Thomas Fleming
127 books157 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 2, 2022
Completely character driven very long novel for a group of West Point grads circa 1950 and their wives. The story covers the next couple of decades plus.
Detail was extensive for the periods and most of the historical aspect of copy. And without any exceptions the entire novel is also very representative for the woman's read supreme of the time. In many aspects it remained me of The Group. Or other sexual couplings effusive tracts mixed with attempts at literary or arts appreciation that was a HUGE percentage of paperback fodder of the period between 1965-1990 especially. I read so many of these.
Even when young or middle aged and this was "new"- I would never have given it more than 3 stars.
Knowing so many Vietnam soldiers, officers too. One very well, in fact. Well, this didn't truly do the Army itself or the Vietnam crux situations to any extent beyond the soap opera angles.
Joanna especially. Not a norm. How many other officers did she end up sleeping with? And Adam?
He would have never made it out of West Point. Attitudes and voicing DO matter.
But it was a melodramatic and extremely poignant tale told. And exactly what women would read. It was like an elongated version of Redbook stories. If you read Redbook back in the day- you know what I mean. Romance like the Joanna/Adam mix of star crossed lovers was always at some point in the postures there. Or being "modern" and eventually falling into illicit love affairs regardless of the conscience posit.
Joanna's Catholic thought patterns and daily Mass etc. etc. etc. That was so overdone and virtually ridiculous. Women who I knew as close friends who become nuns and 200 others in some of my huge h.S. classes? Never that close minded, restricted, or in anyway that naive before marriage most especially.
But the mix was truly retro for the period. And the characters were absolutely individual and their paths status quo for their era.
These women would be only about 10 years older than I. Or less. Korea, Vietnam was handled at just about a 3 star level, as well.
Added later as I forgot to note this fairly core point. I did read this when it was "new". And I did remember the Joanna character but almost nothing else. But knowing so many long married Army or Armed Forces people in real life situations, I didn't at all relate that much as others say they did when they were young to this read. I knew then as I know now, being married for 40 or 50 years does NOT imply that the people are happy people. Or well suited either. In the density of my neighborhood and society when young I had dozens of examples. Almost no one got divorced. In fact, I don't remember more than 1 out of 100's of marriages where I grew up.
Detail was extensive for the periods and most of the historical aspect of copy. And without any exceptions the entire novel is also very representative for the woman's read supreme of the time. In many aspects it remained me of The Group. Or other sexual couplings effusive tracts mixed with attempts at literary or arts appreciation that was a HUGE percentage of paperback fodder of the period between 1965-1990 especially. I read so many of these.
Even when young or middle aged and this was "new"- I would never have given it more than 3 stars.
Knowing so many Vietnam soldiers, officers too. One very well, in fact. Well, this didn't truly do the Army itself or the Vietnam crux situations to any extent beyond the soap opera angles.
Joanna especially. Not a norm. How many other officers did she end up sleeping with? And Adam?
He would have never made it out of West Point. Attitudes and voicing DO matter.
But it was a melodramatic and extremely poignant tale told. And exactly what women would read. It was like an elongated version of Redbook stories. If you read Redbook back in the day- you know what I mean. Romance like the Joanna/Adam mix of star crossed lovers was always at some point in the postures there. Or being "modern" and eventually falling into illicit love affairs regardless of the conscience posit.
Joanna's Catholic thought patterns and daily Mass etc. etc. etc. That was so overdone and virtually ridiculous. Women who I knew as close friends who become nuns and 200 others in some of my huge h.S. classes? Never that close minded, restricted, or in anyway that naive before marriage most especially.
But the mix was truly retro for the period. And the characters were absolutely individual and their paths status quo for their era.
These women would be only about 10 years older than I. Or less. Korea, Vietnam was handled at just about a 3 star level, as well.
Added later as I forgot to note this fairly core point. I did read this when it was "new". And I did remember the Joanna character but almost nothing else. But knowing so many long married Army or Armed Forces people in real life situations, I didn't at all relate that much as others say they did when they were young to this read. I knew then as I know now, being married for 40 or 50 years does NOT imply that the people are happy people. Or well suited either. In the density of my neighborhood and society when young I had dozens of examples. Almost no one got divorced. In fact, I don't remember more than 1 out of 100's of marriages where I grew up.
March 27, 2008
I read this book when I was 27 yrs old. Then something reminded me of it recently (now I'm 51 yrs old) and re-read it. I had a whole different take on it at this age! It's the story of three women -- how their marriages, friendships and lives evolve over several decades. After 30 plus years of marriage (combined that is), I saw it as a testament to what marriage is really all about, and how our (womens') lives evolve. What was important when you're young, isn't necessarily important as you get older. And visa versa.
I also found it very interesting to study the different female characters and how they perceived and dealt with the challenges life threw them. A good read in your 20's, but a great read in your 50's!
I also found it very interesting to study the different female characters and how they perceived and dealt with the challenges life threw them. A good read in your 20's, but a great read in your 50's!
October 17, 2008
Set in the 1950s through 1970s, this book was a book that I would never forget. I recently found another copy, I was so happy! I read this many years ago. I learned about the etiquette, poise, charm and social stratum of that era. It chronicles the lives of three very different women who marry into their Officer Husband's careers. As an Army brat of the 60s and 70s, this book gave me a candid view of a life that I found out of my grasp, but still so alluring. (How ironic that I ended up marrying an officer!) I did learn that the Army does not 'issue you a wife", therefore, you had better learn to make the best of it - with dignity and grace! Please refer to the Officer's Guide, no lie, there is a book, I bought one! I was in awe about the propriety and protocol expected and displayed. Some, thankfully, still shown to this day. I most admired and felt a kinship to Joanna, the principal character, the writer and idealist, who took me to Japan on one of her many adventures and described the magic of the Tea Ceremony, truly memorable. Wonderful book to escape into and at the same time taste a different time of history with all the conflicts that were faced in many different ways. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the Military, Wars, Period Pieces or Historical Romances.
April 12, 2012
One of my favorite character-driven novels...engrossing.
July 28, 2010
A huge epic, starting in 1950 with the graduation of a number of West Point lieutenants and their weddings, through their marriages, wars, children, divorces, deaths, and affairs. Fascinating insight into how the Army operated in the years of Korea, Vietnam--did wives and families really go with MACV?--and all the politicking behind assignments, careers, and what wives had to do, were expected to do, could do to help their husband's career, and how lonely their lives could be in Army life with their husbands wrapped up in policy, getting ahead, making war, etc. Should be required reading for all military officers! Eye-opening because a lot of it is probably true.
January 4, 2020
Very much of its time, but the historical detail was good.
June 15, 2016
This is a narrative depicting a group of fictional 1950 West Point graduates as they graduate, get married, and then pursue their Army careers with the historical backdrop of the Korean War and the Viet Nam conflict. This was the class that was thrown immediately into the Korean War and then served in command and staff positions during the Viet Nam era. It is a good reminder of what people my age (born in 1940) experienced in the newspapers, on college campuses and in or out of military service during the same periods. It is a bit of a soap opera at times, but the conversations, arguments and opinions of the wives, the military husbands, and the more liberal academicians of the time are right on target. I think these carefully construed exchanges, with their conflicting points of view, along with reminders of what went terribly wrong during the Viet Nam era and are the most interesting and valuable contributions to the readers of this excellent piece of fiction in a historical setting.
April 18, 2021
Very smut driven, how many friends’ husbands can a character sleep with. One character bemoans a daughter living in a commune yet she has slept with multiple officers. I give it a 1 for insight into the difficulty the army faced in the 60’s and Vietnam.
July 24, 2020
It's a interesting perspective of a group of army wives prior to the Vietnam war and what they each with through during the along with how the war changed things not just for them, but as a culture.
May 11, 2021
This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for years and I finally decided to read it. I remembered that I really liked Fleming's history books, (1776, Year of Illusion and The Man from Montecello). I am happy that i finally read this one. It is set from 1950 to 1975 and deals with the wives of a group of West Point graduates and their climb through the ranks. Given the time period, it also gives a view of the Vietnam War from the Army and Army wives' viewpoint. It reaffirmed what I knew many years ago - that life would never have been for me. I could not have borne the social scene necessary nor could I have lived with the constant threats of danger. Besides the romance and personal relationships, I was struck by the nasty environment these the Army officers faced from protesting young Americans. I never realized how personal some of the attacks were and I better understand the resentment our Vietnam vets feel towards the anti-war and "hippie" protestors of the day. It did not change my opinion about the Vietnam war but it did build my empathy for the vets.
October 17, 2025
Nice early-80s vibe to this one (it was published in 1981.) It was actually fairly depressing at times, and the writing a bit disjointed/uneven. Nonetheless, it was a good read for not having to think too much.
August 11, 2009
Read this book many years ago about 3 young cadets graduating from West Point and marrying their childhood sweethearts. Well written story that follows their careers, the Korean and Vietnam wars and the politics of rising through the ranks. We also have the parallel stories of what their wives and families endured traveling from posting to posting and being the “good” army wife. All the characters are so interesting and well developed. I could easily read this book again in 5 to 10 years.
February 13, 2009
Interesting reading. Took me back to my days as an officer's wife during the Vietnam war and the antiwar demonstrations in our backyard at the University of Wisconsin in the 70s.
January 23, 2016
Paperback - (8)
October 12, 2018
2016 Really enjoyed this book. Could relate to the wives of the officers. Gave me a new appreciation for my dad in the Korean War. Found it an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews