ALMOST REDEMPTION

Jif Miles: The Late Cold War Years

by William Peter Grasso

Jif Miles knows war—three tours in Vietnam have taught this career warrior well. It’s now eight years after that conflict’s demoralizing final act, and an impetuous US president rushes his rebuilt but untested Army into harm’s way on the coup-torn Caribbean island of Grenada. Unlike Vietnam, the Army has a crystal-clear mission this time. But conceived on dangerously short notice, this mission lacks key elements of the intelligence, planning, and logistical support needed to ensure victory. In this hard-hitting fictional account, it’s up to combat-experienced leaders like Jif, now a lieutenant colonel with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, to craft victory from what could quickly become a catastrophic failure.

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2025

About the author

A lifelong student of history, William Peter Grasso served in the US Army and is retired from the aircraft maintenance industry. His devotion to all things historical, military, and aviation remains unabated and continues to inspire his fiction.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best Jif Miles book. The first 2/3 of the book were good. The last 1/3 was really slow. Too much dialogue that didn't add anything but make the book longer. I found myself skimming pages looking for action.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has done a series of books, concentrating on a military family, and the political and intelligence jobs of other family members.

In this book the main character of the Vietnam books is now a LtCol, attached to a Ranger unit sent to the 1983 Grenada invasion and pacification. The author cleverly inserts him in much of the action, without making him seem too much like a Mary Sue.

The real star here is the military upper command and chains of command dysfunction on display for the invasion. This was was one of the major reasons for the Goldwater Act and its huge overhaul of US senior commands and lines of authority (and military promotion paths leading to senior rank).

However, the last 1/3 of the book really dragged. A lot. It was hard to keep reading, it was that slow and plodding.

[Stephen A. Roddewig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grasso always delivers

I must admit, I was a bit uncertain as to where we were headed after the epic conclusion of the seven-book Vietnam series. Nervous that it was all coming to an end there. But clearly I should never have worried on either count, because Jif Miles, now a colonel, is back in another action-packed thrill ride, this time set on the sun-bleached shores of Grenada.

Unlike other installments, this time we are treated to a game of cat and mouse as Jif is tasked with flushing out the lingering Cuban dissidents and their Soviet advisers, including one formidable Russian Major seasoned in the sands of Afghanistan. If you've enjoyed any of Grasso's previous works or simply like modern military fiction, Almost Redemption is a fine place to start a new series. I have high hopes for the rest of the Late Cold War series!

[Jeffrey A Fong · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

Remarkably unimaginative and tedious installment. Grenada has never captured people's imagination or interest and Grasso's latest mirrors that. Miles is now a light colonel and the literary task for him stretches credulity. On the one hand he's the action star civil affairs officer, and on the other hand a lieutenant colonel who acts like a company grade officer who can shoot the eye of a gnat at 1,000 meters. Amazing! If you can stomach passive aggressive sniping at incompetent leadership, politicians, dithering subordinates, the cowardly and deceitful media, then this stinker's for you.

[Kristie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I enjoyed thisook as I have all the other William Peter Grass books. My favorite being The kid olds series which I reread prior to reading this book. And Yes, its nice to reading off Mid Miles duties/orders as an Army Officer as there are truly a,few and far between in the Army now a days. I enjoyed how General Schwarzkopf was written into the storyline of the book. As he was the son of a Major General, as well as, both being Ring Knockers. Looking forward to the next but hate having to wait so long.

[Curt Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Work Yet!

Mr Grasso just keeps getting better and better. I've read every one of his books and this is the best one yet! His characterization of the state of the military in each one of his novels has been extremely accurate. His portrayal of the leadership in both Grenada and Washington DC made A joke out of the whole invasion effort.

[Louis N. Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this book in the morning. Finished it that night. I have read every Jiff Miles book and can honestly say I have enjoyed every one of them. I can absolutely recommend this book and the entire series to anyone. It will be well worth your time.

[Sam Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out mucking standing

As always written by a true gentleman. A great writer and historian. Tell it like it is or was.
Rock on!

[Dick Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Miles book. Don’t miss this one!

[Neil Koelemeyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of ink for a very small campaign. Real liked Jif In the miles to Vietnam series, this book just didn’t have the same impact. Hope the next one is better.