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Paul Brenner #2
Up Country - Large Print Edition
The last thing Paul Brenner wanted to do was return to work for the Army's Criminal Investigative Division, an organization that thanked him for his many years of dedicated service by forcing him into early retirement. But when his former boss calls in a career's worth of favors, Paul finds himself investigating a murder that took place back in Vietnam thirty years before. Now, returning to a time and place that still haunts him, Paul is swept up in the battle of his life as he struggles to find justice.
1094 pages, Hardcover
First published January 29, 2002
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5354 people want to read
About the author
Nelson DeMille
258 books7,355 followersNelson Richard DeMille was an American author of action adventure and suspense novels. His novels include Plum Island, The Charm School, and The General's Daughter. DeMille also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,016 reviews
May 22, 2024
As a non-American, my knowledge of the Vietnam War was virtually nil. This book changed that significantly: it's not a chronological account of the battles, but as the story unfolds, it fulfils that role. It's set long after the war ends and features a veteran re-treading his steps as he carries out a mission on behalf of the military police. Anyone who has read The General's Daughter will recognise the lead character, Paul, Brenner.
The inspiration for the story was a post-war visit made to Vietnam by the author and some of his friends - all Vietnam veterans. Brenner was chosen as the vehicle for this tale as he is an established character who had completed two tours to the country during the war. It's a long book (over 850 pages), but, for me, it flowed so easily that it belied its length. Brenner (like many of DeMille's characters) is a wise cracking smart ass and I laughed a lot reading this book. But there's a lot more than that here, and I felt I learnt a lot and gained a reasonable perspective on what happened through those dark times and why. I also thoroughly enjoyed the engrossing tale. Great read.
The inspiration for the story was a post-war visit made to Vietnam by the author and some of his friends - all Vietnam veterans. Brenner was chosen as the vehicle for this tale as he is an established character who had completed two tours to the country during the war. It's a long book (over 850 pages), but, for me, it flowed so easily that it belied its length. Brenner (like many of DeMille's characters) is a wise cracking smart ass and I laughed a lot reading this book. But there's a lot more than that here, and I felt I learnt a lot and gained a reasonable perspective on what happened through those dark times and why. I also thoroughly enjoyed the engrossing tale. Great read.
December 14, 2010
This book was probably one of the most compelling representations of Vietnam I've ever been exposed to: the war, reflections on the war, and present-day - at least, when the main story takes place, in '97.
What I mean by that is that I developed a deeper understanding of the people, their tenacity, and various things that occurred during the war. I haven't changed my opinion that the Communist North should have been crushed like a bug (we could have done it, we just lacked the will - and the South Vietnamese citizens paid the price when we left).
DeMille's writing really put me in the situation and I felt like I was there, experiencing what was happening, right along with Paul Brennar. This was probably one of his deepest books yet - and that's saying a lot since I adore his other character so much more (John Corey).
The reason I took off a star was because of the length. I felt like it took the same amount of time to listen to it as the length of time in which the story takes place (two weeks). It really didn't take me *that* long, of course, but the writing style, the depth of description, and the plot were so involved that when it was over and done with I felt about as wiped out as Brennar's character did when the story came to a close.
On the flip side, if everything hadn't been as well developed as it was, I wouldn't have had such a rich listening experience. Once again, Scott Brick's narration was excellent.
What I mean by that is that I developed a deeper understanding of the people, their tenacity, and various things that occurred during the war. I haven't changed my opinion that the Communist North should have been crushed like a bug (we could have done it, we just lacked the will - and the South Vietnamese citizens paid the price when we left).
DeMille's writing really put me in the situation and I felt like I was there, experiencing what was happening, right along with Paul Brennar. This was probably one of his deepest books yet - and that's saying a lot since I adore his other character so much more (John Corey).
The reason I took off a star was because of the length. I felt like it took the same amount of time to listen to it as the length of time in which the story takes place (two weeks). It really didn't take me *that* long, of course, but the writing style, the depth of description, and the plot were so involved that when it was over and done with I felt about as wiped out as Brennar's character did when the story came to a close.
On the flip side, if everything hadn't been as well developed as it was, I wouldn't have had such a rich listening experience. Once again, Scott Brick's narration was excellent.
March 5, 2023
Тлъст и съвършено неустоим трилър, който не е съвсем трилър, защото не търпи ограничение само в едни тесни жанрови рамки.
Когато през 1997 г. пенсионираният по принуда военен следовател Пол Бренър приема да посети Виетнам, за да изясни убийство с 30 годишна давност, той не знае, че му предстои и пътуване във времето. Иззад Виетнам от 1997 г., обединен, тоталитарен, все още оздравяващ и посрещащ щедро чужди туристи, непрекъснато наднича друг Виетнам от 1968 г. През 1968 г. младши сержант Пол Бренър участва в офанзивата Тет и има късмета да се върне невредим и с почти цял разсъдък обратно в САЩ. Изпълнявайки необичайната задача с типичното си упорство, бързина, стоицизъм, циничен хумор, проницателност и немалка доза съпричастност, Бренър извървява пътя назад във времето на поклонниците-ветерани, завърнали се във Виетнам като туристи, за да посетят останките от своите кошмари.
Демил поднася повече от трилър. Офанзивата Тет и изкуството на оцеляването в непоносима действителност чрез отхвърлянето и са основните теми, както и вечният въпрос къде точно трябва да теглиш онази митична черта, за да не спреш да се числиш към човешкия род. Чертите се оказват много, и изскачат с изтощително постоянство. Зрелостта се ражда в непрекрачването им.
Заигравката на Демил с мотива за Джеймс Бонд е като постоянно намигване, но е умерено и не олекотява излишно сюжета. Хареса ми уважението към Виетнам. Това всъщност е онази черта, която книгата здраво държи под контрол и не я прекрачва, така че напълно си заслужаваше. Както и краят. Наистина жалко, че Демил се е отказал от тази поредица, но романът е напълно самостоятелен, така че това няма особено значение.
4,5⭐️
———
▶️ Цитати:
“за американското правителство „важен“ означава петрол, понякога дрога, а сегиз-тогиз и стратегическо военно планиране.”
“за хората на моята възраст Виетнам е страна, а не война”
“Мисля, че е обидно всичко, което банализира войната”
“Те ми разказаха за измъкване от ракети земя-въздух и зенитен огън, за бомбардиране на всичко, което се движи, в демилитаризираната зона. Илюстрираха обясненията си с празни бирени бутилки и разбрах, че тези хора напълно са се били абстрахирали от каквито и да било етични съображения, че са приемали въздушните сражения само като поредица от технически и логистични проблеми, които трябва да се решат. Установих, че разказите им ме увличат, което бе малко страшно. ”
“Времената ли правят поколението, или поколението — времената?”
“Като цяло носталгията е способност да забравяш кофти неща.”
“по цял ден анализирам врели-некипели. И не мога да понасям баламосване и оправдания. Всеки знае какво и защо е направил. Или го пазиш за себе си, или го казваш каквото си е.”
“ние сме част от историята на тази страна, но не сме се поучили от нея.
— Според мен сме си взели урок. Но това не значи, че няма да допуснем нови грешки.”
“Беше нещо като култ към смъртта… и човек искаше да участва…”
“Всички откачахме, обаче го смятахме за временно състояние.”
“Войната е проста, сложен е мирът.”
“Проявите на човещина се редуваха с прояви на крайна жестокост, обикновено в един и същи ден и често в едно и също село. Просто никога не знаеш как ще реагират в даден момент стотина въоръжени момчета. ”
“Обожавам, когато миротворците откачат и се опитват да започнат трета световна война.”
“В Ханой смятат французите за културни, а американците — за груби материалисти и войнолюбиви капиталисти.
— Това не значи, че сме лоши хора.”
“Трудно е да представиш в положителна светлина бомбардировките, даже да са грижливо планирани.”
“Понякога усложняваш дребен или среден проблем, като извиеш нечия шия, друг път го решаваш. ”
“просто не приемаш действителността и така се справяш с нея.”
“Хубавото на зле облечената красива жена е, че си остава красива.”
“често не слушам собствените си съвети.”
“Струва ми се, че съм родена, за да съм чужденка.”
“Пътуването до дома никога не е пряк път — всъщност винаги е заобиколно и по някое време откриваме, че самото пътуване е по-важно от целта и че хората, които срещаме, завинаги ще са спътници на нашите спомени.”
Когато през 1997 г. пенсионираният по принуда военен следовател Пол Бренър приема да посети Виетнам, за да изясни убийство с 30 годишна давност, той не знае, че му предстои и пътуване във времето. Иззад Виетнам от 1997 г., обединен, тоталитарен, все още оздравяващ и посрещащ щедро чужди туристи, непрекъснато наднича друг Виетнам от 1968 г. През 1968 г. младши сержант Пол Бренър участва в офанзивата Тет и има късмета да се върне невредим и с почти цял разсъдък обратно в САЩ. Изпълнявайки необичайната задача с типичното си упорство, бързина, стоицизъм, циничен хумор, проницателност и немалка доза съпричастност, Бренър извървява пътя назад във времето на поклонниците-ветерани, завърнали се във Виетнам като туристи, за да посетят останките от своите кошмари.
Демил поднася повече от трилър. Офанзивата Тет и изкуството на оцеляването в непоносима действителност чрез отхвърлянето и са основните теми, както и вечният въпрос къде точно трябва да теглиш онази митична черта, за да не спреш да се числиш към човешкия род. Чертите се оказват много, и изскачат с изтощително постоянство. Зрелостта се ражда в непрекрачването им.
Заигравката на Демил с мотива за Джеймс Бонд е като постоянно намигване, но е умерено и не олекотява излишно сюжета. Хареса ми уважението към Виетнам. Това всъщност е онази черта, която книгата здраво държи под контрол и не я прекрачва, така че напълно си заслужаваше. Както и краят. Наистина жалко, че Демил се е отказал от тази поредица, но романът е напълно самостоятелен, така че това няма особено значение.
4,5⭐️
———
▶️ Цитати:
“за американското правителство „важен“ означава петрол, понякога дрога, а сегиз-тогиз и стратегическо военно планиране.”
“за хората на моята възраст Виетнам е страна, а не война”
“Мисля, че е обидно всичко, което банализира войната”
“Те ми разказаха за измъкване от ракети земя-въздух и зенитен огън, за бомбардиране на всичко, което се движи, в демилитаризираната зона. Илюстрираха обясненията си с празни бирени бутилки и разбрах, че тези хора напълно са се били абстрахирали от каквито и да било етични съображения, че са приемали въздушните сражения само като поредица от технически и логистични проблеми, които трябва да се решат. Установих, че разказите им ме увличат, което бе малко страшно. ”
“Времената ли правят поколението, или поколението — времената?”
“Като цяло носталгията е способност да забравяш кофти неща.”
“по цял ден анализирам врели-некипели. И не мога да понасям баламосване и оправдания. Всеки знае какво и защо е направил. Или го пазиш за себе си, или го казваш каквото си е.”
“ние сме част от историята на тази страна, но не сме се поучили от нея.
— Според мен сме си взели урок. Но това не значи, че няма да допуснем нови грешки.”
“Беше нещо като култ към смъртта… и човек искаше да участва…”
“Всички откачахме, обаче го смятахме за временно състояние.”
“Войната е проста, сложен е мирът.”
“Проявите на човещина се редуваха с прояви на крайна жестокост, обикновено в един и същи ден и често в едно и също село. Просто никога не знаеш как ще реагират в даден момент стотина въоръжени момчета. ”
“Обожавам, когато миротворците откачат и се опитват да започнат трета световна война.”
“В Ханой смятат французите за културни, а американците — за груби материалисти и войнолюбиви капиталисти.
— Това не значи, че сме лоши хора.”
“Трудно е да представиш в положителна светлина бомбардировките, даже да са грижливо планирани.”
“Понякога усложняваш дребен или среден проблем, като извиеш нечия шия, друг път го решаваш. ”
“просто не приемаш действителността и така се справяш с нея.”
“Хубавото на зле облечената красива жена е, че си остава красива.”
“често не слушам собствените си съвети.”
“Струва ми се, че съм родена, за да съм чужденка.”
“Пътуването до дома никога не е пряк път — всъщност винаги е заобиколно и по някое време откриваме, че самото пътуване е по-важно от целта и че хората, които срещаме, завинаги ще са спътници на нашите спомени.”
January 19, 2018
There was a story about novelist and Vietnam veteran Nelson DeMille in a recent issue of American Legion magazine. I was struck by the similarity between his Vietnam tour and my first one: to the 1st Cavalry Division in November 1967, battles in Bong Son, then north to Quang Tri for Tet, the relief of Khe Sanh, the A Shau Valley, finally back to “the world” a year later. A fraternity brother gave me the paperback just a week ago. Nelson DeMille seemed familiar, even though I’d not read any of his books. Not personal, it’s just that crime novels have never attracted me.
I flew through the 700 pages (hardbound) in less than a week. The repartee of the characters was entertaining; the pace of the story was just enough to hold my interest. One story? Not really. This novel is at least three things between two covers. It’s a murder mystery, and regardless of Mr. DeMille’s reputation, that story is pretty thin. It’s a romance, the principal characters engaging in a barbed repartee between shared beds, showers, and (of all things) a Nha Trang, Vietnam nude beach. DeMille writes the comedy of the battle of the sexes – in this instance CIA and Army CID – with a deft touch, enough to elicit frequent smiles and an occasional chuckle from this reader.
But what it is mostly is a memoir of combat in Vietnam, told as fiction, with some hyperbole (a machete-entrenching tool mano-a-mano duel with the enemy? Please) but with the edgy undercurrent of a real soldier’s narrative. A soldier returning thirty years on to the killing fields where he lost his youth. That young soldier was Lieutenant DeMille, leading a platoon in D Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, and that soldier was me, with my own platoon in D Company 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry. Both in the 1st Brigade, both "saw the elephant" in Bong Son, then on to Quang Tri, Khe Sanh, and A Shau. The book’s protagonist, Paul Brenner, the investigator in “The General’s Daughter” is on the ultimate “cold case,” a murder in a combat zone. That’s the thin part, except that Mr. Brenner takes a tour of Vietnam, returning to those fields with Susan Weber, the object both of his affection (eventually), and his suspicion (immediately). She isn’t the murderer, of course – that’s never in play – but she may not be an ally, either. A literal case of “sleeping with the enemy.”
DeMille (through Brenner) takes Susan on a tour, and for a veteran, his word picture of those places at that far away time, and his description of those places as they were in 1997, when he made his own trip back, is more than worth the read.
DeMille. There was a DeMille once, I thought. The photograph inside the back cover was familiar, recalled in a younger version. I pulled out a blue construction paper program, saved for nearly a half century. The front, “Graduation Ceremony, Infantry Officer Candidate Class Number 23-67.” On the back, the poem, “I am the Infantry.” Inside, my name; Chuck Mohr, who became a friend in a later assignment; Robert Marasco, who became famous to some, infamous to others; and there, too “Nelson R. DeMille.” I knew it.
He writes that Paul Brenner first “saw the elephant” in Bong Son, but makes no mention of my current project, “The Battle of Tam Quan,” fought over two weeks in December 1967. That sent me scrambling to my research, a unit-by-unit recap of maneuver and contact. For 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, no D Company. I’ll find them, I’m sure on firebase defense duty, and none will regret that luck of the draw.
I flew through the 700 pages (hardbound) in less than a week. The repartee of the characters was entertaining; the pace of the story was just enough to hold my interest. One story? Not really. This novel is at least three things between two covers. It’s a murder mystery, and regardless of Mr. DeMille’s reputation, that story is pretty thin. It’s a romance, the principal characters engaging in a barbed repartee between shared beds, showers, and (of all things) a Nha Trang, Vietnam nude beach. DeMille writes the comedy of the battle of the sexes – in this instance CIA and Army CID – with a deft touch, enough to elicit frequent smiles and an occasional chuckle from this reader.
But what it is mostly is a memoir of combat in Vietnam, told as fiction, with some hyperbole (a machete-entrenching tool mano-a-mano duel with the enemy? Please) but with the edgy undercurrent of a real soldier’s narrative. A soldier returning thirty years on to the killing fields where he lost his youth. That young soldier was Lieutenant DeMille, leading a platoon in D Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, and that soldier was me, with my own platoon in D Company 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry. Both in the 1st Brigade, both "saw the elephant" in Bong Son, then on to Quang Tri, Khe Sanh, and A Shau. The book’s protagonist, Paul Brenner, the investigator in “The General’s Daughter” is on the ultimate “cold case,” a murder in a combat zone. That’s the thin part, except that Mr. Brenner takes a tour of Vietnam, returning to those fields with Susan Weber, the object both of his affection (eventually), and his suspicion (immediately). She isn’t the murderer, of course – that’s never in play – but she may not be an ally, either. A literal case of “sleeping with the enemy.”
DeMille (through Brenner) takes Susan on a tour, and for a veteran, his word picture of those places at that far away time, and his description of those places as they were in 1997, when he made his own trip back, is more than worth the read.
DeMille. There was a DeMille once, I thought. The photograph inside the back cover was familiar, recalled in a younger version. I pulled out a blue construction paper program, saved for nearly a half century. The front, “Graduation Ceremony, Infantry Officer Candidate Class Number 23-67.” On the back, the poem, “I am the Infantry.” Inside, my name; Chuck Mohr, who became a friend in a later assignment; Robert Marasco, who became famous to some, infamous to others; and there, too “Nelson R. DeMille.” I knew it.
He writes that Paul Brenner first “saw the elephant” in Bong Son, but makes no mention of my current project, “The Battle of Tam Quan,” fought over two weeks in December 1967. That sent me scrambling to my research, a unit-by-unit recap of maneuver and contact. For 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, no D Company. I’ll find them, I’m sure on firebase defense duty, and none will regret that luck of the draw.
April 26, 2010
Not quite a terrible book but certainly not very good. I'm not even sure why I bothered to finish it, other than the fact that I read it while on vacation in Vietnam.
To begin with, hardly anything happened in the first 300 pages, other than Brenner's girlfriend smoking a lot. Why did he have to describe her everytime she lit up? At least he didn't bother us with descriptions of her trips to bathroom.
Secondly, there seemed to be some big gaps in logic. I'm still not sure why they hired the private car when they could have safely taken the bus and it was all okay for the itenary.
Most importantly I grew tired of he us vs them attitude. I guess this is due to the book being set during a very short period in time, the mid 90's. Prior to this, travel was restricted and difficult. But Vietnam has really opened up and embraced a lot of capitalism ideals (as alluded to in the novel). I don't know if there was a lot of anti-Americanism in the 90's, but on the surface there doesn't appear to be any now.
Finally, I don't understand why Brenner was needed for the mission. The lady did everything: translations, communications, transportation, etc. Generally speaking I would simply say that the book was silly.
To begin with, hardly anything happened in the first 300 pages, other than Brenner's girlfriend smoking a lot. Why did he have to describe her everytime she lit up? At least he didn't bother us with descriptions of her trips to bathroom.
Secondly, there seemed to be some big gaps in logic. I'm still not sure why they hired the private car when they could have safely taken the bus and it was all okay for the itenary.
Most importantly I grew tired of he us vs them attitude. I guess this is due to the book being set during a very short period in time, the mid 90's. Prior to this, travel was restricted and difficult. But Vietnam has really opened up and embraced a lot of capitalism ideals (as alluded to in the novel). I don't know if there was a lot of anti-Americanism in the 90's, but on the surface there doesn't appear to be any now.
Finally, I don't understand why Brenner was needed for the mission. The lady did everything: translations, communications, transportation, etc. Generally speaking I would simply say that the book was silly.
January 30, 2016
Nelson DeMille is a brilliant storyteller. Though this brick of a book was over 700 pages, I couldn't put it down, for the sheer suspense of it all. I've met Vietnam Veterans and heard some stories when I was a teen. It was a horrible war, senseless to a lot of Americans and with age comes knowledge and wisdom. The shocking knowledge that anyone is capable of 'madness' follows the wisdom to understand the emotional stress of that type of war. DeMille has described his views and personal experiences nicely in this novel. However, I've heard factual stories that would give you nightmares for months, and these were closer to 'home'. I read somewhere that John Travolta might be doing this book as a film but that was many years ago. A production company still has the film rights but not sure what happened there. The first Paul Brenner book, The General's Daughter, was a great movie.
Needless to say, I'll be reading more of DeMille, but not for a while, as his novels seem to become longer and longer. One a year is good enough for me.
Needless to say, I'll be reading more of DeMille, but not for a while, as his novels seem to become longer and longer. One a year is good enough for me.
May 24, 2023
2.4⭐ A slow burning spy story/mystery set in Vietnam and featuring Paul Brenner, the hero of DeMille's best known book, The General's Daughter. Called out of retirement, army detective Brenner is asked to solve a 30 year old murder, which occured during the Vietnaxm War. It was inspired by a trip DeMille, a veteran of the war, took in the late 1990's to revisit his old battlefields. That explains why much of the book reads like a travelog. The writing is fine but the story drags a bit, with all the description of the places visited and people met, much of which adds nothing to the plot. Also, Brenner's wise-cracking, tough guy character just isn't as believable in a foreign setting. In fact there's a lot that's unbelievable in this book and the slow pacing gives you time to dwell on it. It's also one of those books that's obviously been written with an eye on a movie project, complete with obligatory car chases and an insta-love romance. While the book professes much sympathy for the Vietnamese people, especially those in the former South Vietnam, it's villains, police and government officials are stereotypes straight out of The Green Berets. While some of the characters talk about leaving the war in past, obviously DeMille hasn't. All in all it's a rather pedestrian thriller and a cut below The General's Daughter. -30-
November 24, 2012
Just finished reading Up Country by Nelson Demille for at least the third time. Enjoyed it just as much as the first time I read it. If I can read a book three times and still feel it is as fresh and interesting as the first time I read it, then I believe the book deserves 5 stars.
If you are interested in gaining some insight into the Vietnam War, then this book will satisfy that desire. Demille, an officer who survived two deployments to Vietnam, offers clear and concise information about what this country is like as he travels from Saigon to Hanoi, with a stop in Dien Bien Phu along the way, where the French lost the war in 1954.
Written in the first tense, main protagonist Paul Brenner, a retired Criminal Investigative Division officer for the U. S. army, is lured into an assignment where he is pulled out of retirement to investigate a long-standing murder during the TET offensive of 1968. His exploits against the Vietnamese secret police, who suspect he is doing more than being a tourist, haunt him from the South to the North of the country. He does complete his mission, and manages to escape from the clutches of the secret police and his own government, who is perturbs about the fact that he now knows "too much" and must be eliminated.
The story is fast-paced and filled with action and suspense, as only Demille can write.
If you haven't read this book, I would highly recommend it. If you have, consider reading it again.
If you are interested in gaining some insight into the Vietnam War, then this book will satisfy that desire. Demille, an officer who survived two deployments to Vietnam, offers clear and concise information about what this country is like as he travels from Saigon to Hanoi, with a stop in Dien Bien Phu along the way, where the French lost the war in 1954.
Written in the first tense, main protagonist Paul Brenner, a retired Criminal Investigative Division officer for the U. S. army, is lured into an assignment where he is pulled out of retirement to investigate a long-standing murder during the TET offensive of 1968. His exploits against the Vietnamese secret police, who suspect he is doing more than being a tourist, haunt him from the South to the North of the country. He does complete his mission, and manages to escape from the clutches of the secret police and his own government, who is perturbs about the fact that he now knows "too much" and must be eliminated.
The story is fast-paced and filled with action and suspense, as only Demille can write.
If you haven't read this book, I would highly recommend it. If you have, consider reading it again.
May 8, 2019
After reading this book, I knew there was a reason I haven't given up on DeMille as an author. By far my favorite of his books that I have read. The plot of the book is a serious by product of the most interesting revisitation to Vietnam after the war. I have heard a few stories from vets and this flows along those lines. Wow, I was in awe. Wow, what they went through. It gives a new understanding about those who fought in the war to those of us who weren't there. One hell of a great book....
May 18, 2010
I like Paul Brenner, but I prefer John Corey by far (from Plum Island, & The Lion's Game & Night Fall) due to the fact Paul Brenner can't seem to get past 3 paragraphs without having a 2 full-page Vietnam war flashback! Not to trivialize the war or whatever, but particularly the trip up to Quang Tri flashback section goes on way long to hold your interest. And yes, there's no less than 854 mentions of "Susan lighting up another cigarette again" references. We get it already! She's a smoker!
Having finished this book, I would say I agree from the other reviewers who inevitably asked the question "why the heck would Paul Brenner get sent to do a job that clearly Susan could do herself?" I also am left questioning the legitimacy of Susan's "undying love" for Paul Brenner as it seems just a little severe and til-death-do-us-part to have really truly developed over just a short 2 weeks.
Having finished this book, I would say I agree from the other reviewers who inevitably asked the question "why the heck would Paul Brenner get sent to do a job that clearly Susan could do herself?" I also am left questioning the legitimacy of Susan's "undying love" for Paul Brenner as it seems just a little severe and til-death-do-us-part to have really truly developed over just a short 2 weeks.
February 5, 2022
This was the audiobook version. I found this very interesting and engaging. As a retired serviceman I could relate to much of the feelings and sentiment. It was a look at both past and present Vietnam. The differences between the current US and Communist Vietnam are both stark... and similar. The Communist surveillance society is very well detailed by the author and serves as a warning of what it could become in the USA if we are not careful. Beware of big government-- beware. DeMille is an excellent writer and I enjoyed this tale very much. You don't mess with a guy like Paul Brenner.
March 14, 2020
As much as I enjoyed the book, I just couldn't bring myself to give it a 5 star rating, and my only reason is the length of the book, it could've been dimmed down a tad, but other than that, a good story!
In Up Country, CID (Criminal Investigation Division) Operative Paul Brenner, who we were introduced to in
, is given him most challenging and secretive assignment yet. Brenner is forced out of retirement by his superiors and asked to return to the last place he was hoping to never lay eyes or foot on again, Vietnam. Brenner is sent to Vietnam to investigate the murder of an American soldier that took place thirty years ago during the Vietnam Conflict.
Paul Brenner, who served in Vietnam, returns and not given a whole lot of details of his assignment, his only allies are his wits and a beautiful American expatriate Susan Weber, who slowly become attracted to each other. Brenner finds himself in a battle of survival and government corruption, and must also come to face the ghosts of his past, reliving what he went through during the War.
Fun fact, for those of you who don't know, Nelson DeMille served in the Vietnam War, with the 1st Cavalry Division (Just like Brenner did), and I read on DeMille's web page that he was decorated for the Air Medal Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
An intriguing story by DeMille, an awesome storyteller, and I enjoyed the Vietnam setting, so many different landmarks Brenner visits during his assignment that I ended up checking out online, I was just fascinated with Vietnam and their lifestyle. PS Even though this is the second book in the Brenner series, hardly anything is mentioned regarding the events in The General's Daughter, so my personal opinion, I don't think it matters which book you decide to read first, Up Country can be read as a stand-alone.
In Up Country, CID (Criminal Investigation Division) Operative Paul Brenner, who we were introduced to in
, is given him most challenging and secretive assignment yet. Brenner is forced out of retirement by his superiors and asked to return to the last place he was hoping to never lay eyes or foot on again, Vietnam. Brenner is sent to Vietnam to investigate the murder of an American soldier that took place thirty years ago during the Vietnam Conflict. Paul Brenner, who served in Vietnam, returns and not given a whole lot of details of his assignment, his only allies are his wits and a beautiful American expatriate Susan Weber, who slowly become attracted to each other. Brenner finds himself in a battle of survival and government corruption, and must also come to face the ghosts of his past, reliving what he went through during the War.
Fun fact, for those of you who don't know, Nelson DeMille served in the Vietnam War, with the 1st Cavalry Division (Just like Brenner did), and I read on DeMille's web page that he was decorated for the Air Medal Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
An intriguing story by DeMille, an awesome storyteller, and I enjoyed the Vietnam setting, so many different landmarks Brenner visits during his assignment that I ended up checking out online, I was just fascinated with Vietnam and their lifestyle. PS Even though this is the second book in the Brenner series, hardly anything is mentioned regarding the events in The General's Daughter, so my personal opinion, I don't think it matters which book you decide to read first, Up Country can be read as a stand-alone.
December 1, 2025
Paul Brenner, a retired army CID detective, is a bit bored in retirement, not adjusting to his sudden retirment and a bit lost. He's offered a sketchy mission in Vietnam, one that he knows is far more involved than he's been told, that involves what is now believed to be a murder during the Tet Offensive. In fact he knows he's being sent into it without backup or anything close to adequate information. He takes the assignment anyway.
Thus Paul finds himself arriving back in Vietnam, flying into Saigon, since the war ended called Ho Chi Minh City, a return 30 years after he first experienced it as an infantryman. That first visit was in 1968, one of the deadliest years of the war. He meets with Susan Weber, an American expat working for an American-Asian financial investment company, who is doing 'a favor' for the US by acting as Paul's liaison and guide until Paul needs to head north on his mission, ultimately ending up in Hanoi. Nothing that thereafter transpires from this point forward eases his concerns about the mission. He proceeds anyway.
Susan accompanies him, and as the details of the mission are revealed slowly, his instincts that he's been fed a bunch of lies, and no one is who they claim to be, are confirmed, and that includes Susan. On top of that, on landing, he was pulled from immigration to be questioned by man claiming to be an Immigration Officer named Mang - who clearly is more than that and has serious suspicions that Paul is a spy and up to no good. Mang lets him go though it is very clear he will be keeping an eye on Paul. Danger and deception d0gs Paul and Susan every step as they follow orders and move through Vietnam from the south to the north where Paul's mission will actually occur ending in quite a final confrontation and escape.
It's a good thriller plot, political rather than action and violence (though there is some but more so with Paul's memories about the war), though at 850+ pages, the pace frequently moves slowly. But that thriller espionage plot was for me secondary. What has given this a 5 star rating is both the journey through the length of Vietnam just after it has reopened to the west and Paul's (and the author's) very personal journey revisiting and even making peace with the two turns of duty he served during the most intense and violent periods of the war.
In a way this was also a personal journey for me. The Vietnam War colored my youth, ending only as I started college. There's a moment in the book where Paul talks about his reasons for signing up for a 2nd tour, one of which to give his younger brother, about to be drafted, the chance not to be sent to Vietnam as siblings serving were unofficially not both sent at same time. It worked and his younger brother ended up in Germany. My elder brother avoided Vietnam through another unofficial channel and too ended up serving his tour in Germany. Antiwar protests and the final withdrawal were the background of my teens. And, in the late 1990s, during the very period this story is set in, I had a client producing the first film made in Vietnam after the was -- called Three Seasons it's a beautiful film of great historical importance - look it up. Alas it doesn't seem to be available to stream. I was on the phone with my client the entire time they were filming there, getting to hear many of the same sites and experiences that the MC does at that time.
There's a very personal feeling to the journey the MC personally goes through, revisiting Vietnam, assessing it then but also putting into perspective his own terrible memories. In his acknowledgment, DeMille confirms his own service and a visit he made in 1997 with 2 friends who also served, a visit that very clearly is the background for the story. This is as much historical fiction as thriller - 2 time periods - 1968 through the fall and after it first opened again to the West. I cannot recommend it enough.
Thus Paul finds himself arriving back in Vietnam, flying into Saigon, since the war ended called Ho Chi Minh City, a return 30 years after he first experienced it as an infantryman. That first visit was in 1968, one of the deadliest years of the war. He meets with Susan Weber, an American expat working for an American-Asian financial investment company, who is doing 'a favor' for the US by acting as Paul's liaison and guide until Paul needs to head north on his mission, ultimately ending up in Hanoi. Nothing that thereafter transpires from this point forward eases his concerns about the mission. He proceeds anyway.
Susan accompanies him, and as the details of the mission are revealed slowly, his instincts that he's been fed a bunch of lies, and no one is who they claim to be, are confirmed, and that includes Susan. On top of that, on landing, he was pulled from immigration to be questioned by man claiming to be an Immigration Officer named Mang - who clearly is more than that and has serious suspicions that Paul is a spy and up to no good. Mang lets him go though it is very clear he will be keeping an eye on Paul. Danger and deception d0gs Paul and Susan every step as they follow orders and move through Vietnam from the south to the north where Paul's mission will actually occur ending in quite a final confrontation and escape.
It's a good thriller plot, political rather than action and violence (though there is some but more so with Paul's memories about the war), though at 850+ pages, the pace frequently moves slowly. But that thriller espionage plot was for me secondary. What has given this a 5 star rating is both the journey through the length of Vietnam just after it has reopened to the west and Paul's (and the author's) very personal journey revisiting and even making peace with the two turns of duty he served during the most intense and violent periods of the war.
In a way this was also a personal journey for me. The Vietnam War colored my youth, ending only as I started college. There's a moment in the book where Paul talks about his reasons for signing up for a 2nd tour, one of which to give his younger brother, about to be drafted, the chance not to be sent to Vietnam as siblings serving were unofficially not both sent at same time. It worked and his younger brother ended up in Germany. My elder brother avoided Vietnam through another unofficial channel and too ended up serving his tour in Germany. Antiwar protests and the final withdrawal were the background of my teens. And, in the late 1990s, during the very period this story is set in, I had a client producing the first film made in Vietnam after the was -- called Three Seasons it's a beautiful film of great historical importance - look it up. Alas it doesn't seem to be available to stream. I was on the phone with my client the entire time they were filming there, getting to hear many of the same sites and experiences that the MC does at that time.
There's a very personal feeling to the journey the MC personally goes through, revisiting Vietnam, assessing it then but also putting into perspective his own terrible memories. In his acknowledgment, DeMille confirms his own service and a visit he made in 1997 with 2 friends who also served, a visit that very clearly is the background for the story. This is as much historical fiction as thriller - 2 time periods - 1968 through the fall and after it first opened again to the West. I cannot recommend it enough.
February 29, 2020
This is the first book by this author that I've read and I still rate it as his best. I've read a few more since but none of them match it. When your knowledge of the Vietnam conflict is restricted to a couple of movies, then this book provides a little insight into it and at the same time weaving a great story as well? Trying to investigate a murder in a country where the American people are still considered the enemy only heightens the suspense and thriller aspects.
December 30, 2019
A "5" for us boomers: truth, suspense, and sexual tension...
Nobody but a Vietnam War (in country) veteran could have written this book. Indeed, Nelson DeMille was an Army First Louie in 1968, a very troubled time for our country and the world. According to his web site, he returned for a nostalgic tour of Vietnam just a few years ago, and from that trip was hatched this book. Part travelogue, part intimate retrospective, it will probably hit home far harder for those of us over 50 than for those who really don't know what Vietnam was or wasn't about. Even so, the horrors of war depicted are almost too lucid -- in fact, we felt we were almost watching a movie throughout much of the proceedings; and to no little surprise came the author's revelation in his afterward that a screen version is indeed in the making.
There is a gripping plot to go with the history lesson. Reprised from DeMille's novel "General's Daughter" (also a movie) is criminal investigator (now retired) Paul Brenner, who is a twice survivor of tours in Nam. He is persuaded to go back to investigate the 30-year-old alleged murder of a US Army Lieutenant by a US Army Captain. There is more unsaid about the mission and the probable outcome than is revealed, and we get wiser with each succeeding 100 pages (of 700) as to the real motivations and story behind the mission. Meanwhile, our hero meets a sexy "helper", businesswoman Susan Weber, who (eventually) Paul beds during the night while worrying during the day that her orders are to kill him . This relationship adds a great deal of tension to an already excellent premise. The ending, of both the plot per se, and the boy/girl sub-plot are not totally resolved, which will disappoint some readers who like things all wrapped up -- though what a jump point for a sequel!
We found ourselves picking up this book to notch a chapter or two at other than our normal reading times, so it had our attention throughout. And while we personally never got further than Hawaii during the war, one could not help recalling much of one's own experiences, politics, and feelings -- then and now. To the extent much of the material almost has to be autobiographical, we applaud the author's sincerity and courage for telling it like it was and like he recalls; nor was it obvious he did a thing to spin the mutual devastation to make things nice. Finally, his descriptions of some of modern day Vietnam were truly frightening.
Possibly a little sharper editing (we could probably have stood a couple of hundred pages less) would be all to move this book, Demille's 12th novel, to the top of the scale. Nonetheless, a very fine book.
Nobody but a Vietnam War (in country) veteran could have written this book. Indeed, Nelson DeMille was an Army First Louie in 1968, a very troubled time for our country and the world. According to his web site, he returned for a nostalgic tour of Vietnam just a few years ago, and from that trip was hatched this book. Part travelogue, part intimate retrospective, it will probably hit home far harder for those of us over 50 than for those who really don't know what Vietnam was or wasn't about. Even so, the horrors of war depicted are almost too lucid -- in fact, we felt we were almost watching a movie throughout much of the proceedings; and to no little surprise came the author's revelation in his afterward that a screen version is indeed in the making.
There is a gripping plot to go with the history lesson. Reprised from DeMille's novel "General's Daughter" (also a movie) is criminal investigator (now retired) Paul Brenner, who is a twice survivor of tours in Nam. He is persuaded to go back to investigate the 30-year-old alleged murder of a US Army Lieutenant by a US Army Captain. There is more unsaid about the mission and the probable outcome than is revealed, and we get wiser with each succeeding 100 pages (of 700) as to the real motivations and story behind the mission. Meanwhile, our hero meets a sexy "helper", businesswoman Susan Weber, who (eventually) Paul beds during the night while worrying during the day that her orders are to kill him . This relationship adds a great deal of tension to an already excellent premise. The ending, of both the plot per se, and the boy/girl sub-plot are not totally resolved, which will disappoint some readers who like things all wrapped up -- though what a jump point for a sequel!
We found ourselves picking up this book to notch a chapter or two at other than our normal reading times, so it had our attention throughout. And while we personally never got further than Hawaii during the war, one could not help recalling much of one's own experiences, politics, and feelings -- then and now. To the extent much of the material almost has to be autobiographical, we applaud the author's sincerity and courage for telling it like it was and like he recalls; nor was it obvious he did a thing to spin the mutual devastation to make things nice. Finally, his descriptions of some of modern day Vietnam were truly frightening.
Possibly a little sharper editing (we could probably have stood a couple of hundred pages less) would be all to move this book, Demille's 12th novel, to the top of the scale. Nonetheless, a very fine book.
August 28, 2011
Initially, this book can give the impression of being standard De Mille fare. Jack Brenner, by now retired military police investigator introduced to us in "General's Daughter", is being sent to Vietnam to investigate vague news about a murder committed in the middle of the Tet offensive 1968.
For those that know what kind of books De Mille usually writes, it would be easy to expect a story with twists and turns in the plot, with lots of action and one or two femme fatales in distress. And sure enough, those elements can be found in "Up Country", but the thriller element moves very quickly to the backseat in favor of completely different topic. You see, Jack Brenner is a Vietnam War veteran and his less than willing return to this country forces him to deal with all the issues connected with his personal participation in that war and how it affected the rest of his life. His search for the truth takes him through the entire length of Vietnam and as he visits his old battlefields and meets some of the people he once fought with or against, he is forced to deal with some very dark personal demons.
Knowing that the author is himself a Vietnam war combat veteran and that he visited Vietnam in the late nineties gives a lot of insight into what this book is about and perhaps why it was written at all. It is not too farfetched to assume that "Up Country" is to large degree auto-biographical and a way for DeMille to deal with some very real personal issues. Parts of the book certainly did sound very personal and it was a touching and fascinating read for me.
However, this book has one major flaw and it is the fact that it is presented as a thriller. Like I said earlier, there is a thriller element in "Up Country", but its primary task is to take Brenner from point A to point B and allow him to deal with his war experiences. Compared with DeMilles previous books, this one has miniscule amount of action and anyone who will pick up "Up Country" in belief that it's another "Charm School" or "Lion's Game", will be very sorely disappointed.I liked "Up Country" a lot, but it's misrepresented and definitely not for De Mille's usual audience.
For those that know what kind of books De Mille usually writes, it would be easy to expect a story with twists and turns in the plot, with lots of action and one or two femme fatales in distress. And sure enough, those elements can be found in "Up Country", but the thriller element moves very quickly to the backseat in favor of completely different topic. You see, Jack Brenner is a Vietnam War veteran and his less than willing return to this country forces him to deal with all the issues connected with his personal participation in that war and how it affected the rest of his life. His search for the truth takes him through the entire length of Vietnam and as he visits his old battlefields and meets some of the people he once fought with or against, he is forced to deal with some very dark personal demons.
Knowing that the author is himself a Vietnam war combat veteran and that he visited Vietnam in the late nineties gives a lot of insight into what this book is about and perhaps why it was written at all. It is not too farfetched to assume that "Up Country" is to large degree auto-biographical and a way for DeMille to deal with some very real personal issues. Parts of the book certainly did sound very personal and it was a touching and fascinating read for me.
However, this book has one major flaw and it is the fact that it is presented as a thriller. Like I said earlier, there is a thriller element in "Up Country", but its primary task is to take Brenner from point A to point B and allow him to deal with his war experiences. Compared with DeMilles previous books, this one has miniscule amount of action and anyone who will pick up "Up Country" in belief that it's another "Charm School" or "Lion's Game", will be very sorely disappointed.I liked "Up Country" a lot, but it's misrepresented and definitely not for De Mille's usual audience.
December 14, 2021
Not my preferred Demille’s book, however, thanks to the usual quality of the prose, the lively dialogues and the intriguing plot, it still makes a pretty enjoyable read.
I think the main flaw of the novel stems from its origin: as the author explains in the preface, the inspiration for the book sprung from his trip to Vietnam that he did in 1997. It is easy to imagine how this must have been a highly emotional trip and it is pretty evident how the author sees himself personified in Paul Brenner. This does not leave much space to the development of the mystery/investigative side of the story: effectively, what you have as a structure is 1) a nice plot set up in the first 200 pages followed by 2) a long central section of around 500 pages where said plot is totally abandoned in favour of a travel diary across modern Vietnam interwoven with flashbacks of war memories; 3) in the last 200 pages we go back to the mystery plot for its solution, which is sort of predictable, but then again it’s more the how than the what which makes it intriguing. The strongest common thread across these sections is the love affair between Brenner and a fascinating lady, so you could say this is firstly a love story, secondly a war memoir, thirdly a travel diary and only lastly a mystery.
I say this with the maximum respect for the feelings of a war veteran going back onto the scene, but reality is that those who did not go through the war experience cannot look at these descriptions with the same eyes and heart. So a lot depends on your expectations: if you are looking for another novel like The General’s Daughter, where the mystery side of the story is prominent and the military just provides the background, you are likely to be disappointed. If instead you want to go through a journey of Demille’s war memories delivered through the eyes of Paul Brenner, where the investigation is more the excuse to be there the the real epicentre of the novel, then you will probably be more satisfied.
I think the main flaw of the novel stems from its origin: as the author explains in the preface, the inspiration for the book sprung from his trip to Vietnam that he did in 1997. It is easy to imagine how this must have been a highly emotional trip and it is pretty evident how the author sees himself personified in Paul Brenner. This does not leave much space to the development of the mystery/investigative side of the story: effectively, what you have as a structure is 1) a nice plot set up in the first 200 pages followed by 2) a long central section of around 500 pages where said plot is totally abandoned in favour of a travel diary across modern Vietnam interwoven with flashbacks of war memories; 3) in the last 200 pages we go back to the mystery plot for its solution, which is sort of predictable, but then again it’s more the how than the what which makes it intriguing. The strongest common thread across these sections is the love affair between Brenner and a fascinating lady, so you could say this is firstly a love story, secondly a war memoir, thirdly a travel diary and only lastly a mystery.
I say this with the maximum respect for the feelings of a war veteran going back onto the scene, but reality is that those who did not go through the war experience cannot look at these descriptions with the same eyes and heart. So a lot depends on your expectations: if you are looking for another novel like The General’s Daughter, where the mystery side of the story is prominent and the military just provides the background, you are likely to be disappointed. If instead you want to go through a journey of Demille’s war memories delivered through the eyes of Paul Brenner, where the investigation is more the excuse to be there the the real epicentre of the novel, then you will probably be more satisfied.
May 14, 2015
I have deliberately avoided reading or watching anything about the Vietnam War, but I'm certainly glad my husband convinced me to read this book! It's terrific and has even helped me overcome my phobia!
October 20, 2012
DeMille's best, I think.
November 12, 2019
Read years ago....but remember that it was another page turner and enlightening reading experience about the Vietnam conflict at the time...
January 19, 2022
What an epic adventure. A Viet Nam vet takes on one last mission for his government back to Nam. It's a changed world and country, but the same enemy. He soon discovers he doesn't know everything he should about this mission and danger lurks around every corner. Is his female companion friend or foe? One of the best multi-faceted thrillers I have ever read. It kept me guessing up to the last page.
March 16, 2015
At one point in the story, retired US army detective Paul Brenner's contact in Vietnam says to him, "To your generation, Vietnam is a war. To mine it's a country."
That summed up a lot of how I felt reading Up Country as a US expat living and working in Vietnam.
The story involves an extreme cold-case: The murder of an American soldier during the Vietnam War by one of his fellow officers. The only witness is a former North Vietnamese soldier, who may not even still be alive.
Paul Brenner served two tours of duty during the war, and now he is heading back to Vietnam as a cop playing in a game of spies, dealing with a vindictive Vietnamese secret police inspector while caught up in layers of lies and deception by the people who sent him on his mission.
I definitely had mixed feelings about this book. First of all, I was pleased with the homework that Mr. DeMille had put into the setting. Vietnam of 1997, as depicted in the story, held fascinating comparisons to the Vietnam of 2015 that I am experiencing, and just for the level of detail, this was a worthwhile read.
It was also fun to see references to locations mentioned in other works set in Saigon. The Rex Hotel, which I frequently pass in my wanderings around the city, featured in this book as well as in Graham Greene's The Quiet American. There is a sense of connection that DeMille has tapped into, and he definitely does a nice job of capturing the feel of the city and the country.
The character of Paul Brenner is a cynical Boston smartass, macho enough to handle himself in some harrowing situations, but with enough self-awareness to know that he is no James Bond, as much as he jokes about it. Brenner gets some great one-liners, and his perspective is generally pretty entertaining.
The macho element of his character gives way to casual sexism quite a bit, which is completely in-character, but disappointing in how predictable it is. He also tends to paint the Vietnamese people with a rather broad brush, and that problem extends further into the structure of the story.
The most developed characters in the story are generally Western. Vietnamese characters tend to be bit players or background decoration, and the major exception to this is a character who is essentially the villain (antagonist might be a better term, but he is bestowed with all of the classic heelish traits one would expect for a character in his role).
The story is mostly travel and intrigue with some romance, but when the action heats up it is quite good, including one of the better car chase scenes I have seen in print format.
I was a bit disappointed with the ending, both in terms of it being somewhat inconclusive (this was intentional, but it didn't completely work for me), and in terms of some of the major plot-reveals being predictable.
Despite the book's flaws, it was a pretty gripping read. It definitely plays more to the audience that thinks of Vietnam as a war, but DeMille still managed to include some good accounts of the country that Vietnam was in 1997 with some good insights into the direction the country was moving in to get to my own present-day experiences.
That summed up a lot of how I felt reading Up Country as a US expat living and working in Vietnam.
The story involves an extreme cold-case: The murder of an American soldier during the Vietnam War by one of his fellow officers. The only witness is a former North Vietnamese soldier, who may not even still be alive.
Paul Brenner served two tours of duty during the war, and now he is heading back to Vietnam as a cop playing in a game of spies, dealing with a vindictive Vietnamese secret police inspector while caught up in layers of lies and deception by the people who sent him on his mission.
I definitely had mixed feelings about this book. First of all, I was pleased with the homework that Mr. DeMille had put into the setting. Vietnam of 1997, as depicted in the story, held fascinating comparisons to the Vietnam of 2015 that I am experiencing, and just for the level of detail, this was a worthwhile read.
It was also fun to see references to locations mentioned in other works set in Saigon. The Rex Hotel, which I frequently pass in my wanderings around the city, featured in this book as well as in Graham Greene's The Quiet American. There is a sense of connection that DeMille has tapped into, and he definitely does a nice job of capturing the feel of the city and the country.
The character of Paul Brenner is a cynical Boston smartass, macho enough to handle himself in some harrowing situations, but with enough self-awareness to know that he is no James Bond, as much as he jokes about it. Brenner gets some great one-liners, and his perspective is generally pretty entertaining.
The macho element of his character gives way to casual sexism quite a bit, which is completely in-character, but disappointing in how predictable it is. He also tends to paint the Vietnamese people with a rather broad brush, and that problem extends further into the structure of the story.
The most developed characters in the story are generally Western. Vietnamese characters tend to be bit players or background decoration, and the major exception to this is a character who is essentially the villain (antagonist might be a better term, but he is bestowed with all of the classic heelish traits one would expect for a character in his role).
The story is mostly travel and intrigue with some romance, but when the action heats up it is quite good, including one of the better car chase scenes I have seen in print format.
I was a bit disappointed with the ending, both in terms of it being somewhat inconclusive (this was intentional, but it didn't completely work for me), and in terms of some of the major plot-reveals being predictable.
Despite the book's flaws, it was a pretty gripping read. It definitely plays more to the audience that thinks of Vietnam as a war, but DeMille still managed to include some good accounts of the country that Vietnam was in 1997 with some good insights into the direction the country was moving in to get to my own present-day experiences.
January 28, 2009
One of my favorite characters, Paul Brenner, is back from one of my favorite authors. Having pissed off the brass in his last case, see The General's Daughter, Paul has been forcibly retired having pissed off a lot of brass His former boss, Colonel Helden, calls him up for a meeting at the Wall where he presents a most interesting proposal. They have a letter from a witness who says he say an army captain shot an army lieutenant in cold blood during the Tet offensive in Vietnam. The army wants the killer identified and punished. So Brenner, in return for a bigger pension and reinstatement, must solve a case that has no body, no apparent motive, no accused, no witnesses except for the letter, a witness who may have died years before, a witness who happens to have been NVA, a killer who may even be dead; a murder that may not even be a murder and which occurred during the midst of a heated battle over thirties years before. Not to mention that the dead man’s name is inscribed on the Wall and his relatives and friends all assume he was killed in battle.
Things are never what they seem, and Brenner learns from his FBI briefing just as he is about to embark on the trip to Vietnam to find the NVA witness, assuming he is still alive, that there are many things the army CID and FBI would rather he not know, but he suspects they want him to locate the man so they can kill him. Just his cup of tea.
Once in Vietnam, Paul meets Susan. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, etc., except that Paul suspects that Susan, who ostensibly works for the Bank of America on trade issues, might also have a connection to the CIA. She and he travel together, her knowledge of Vietnam proving to be invaluable and Paul begins to put some of the pieces together.
Many of the Demille books I have read exist on several levels. One suspects that this book is a much a personal meditation on the war that DeMille served in as an infantry lieutenant. Some of the stories that Paul recounts to Susan are just too real. I think it’s one of the best books I’ve read about our nation’s coming to terms with our Vietnam experience
Things are never what they seem, and Brenner learns from his FBI briefing just as he is about to embark on the trip to Vietnam to find the NVA witness, assuming he is still alive, that there are many things the army CID and FBI would rather he not know, but he suspects they want him to locate the man so they can kill him. Just his cup of tea.
Once in Vietnam, Paul meets Susan. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, etc., except that Paul suspects that Susan, who ostensibly works for the Bank of America on trade issues, might also have a connection to the CIA. She and he travel together, her knowledge of Vietnam proving to be invaluable and Paul begins to put some of the pieces together.
Many of the Demille books I have read exist on several levels. One suspects that this book is a much a personal meditation on the war that DeMille served in as an infantry lieutenant. Some of the stories that Paul recounts to Susan are just too real. I think it’s one of the best books I’ve read about our nation’s coming to terms with our Vietnam experience
May 27, 2016
في السابع من فبراير سنة 1968 في مدينة كونج تراي اثناء معركة تيت اوفنسف قام نقيب من الجيش الامريكي بسلاح المدرعات بقتل ملازم أمريكي من نفس السلاح بدم بارد بطلقة في جبهته و قد شاهد ذلك أحد الجنود من جيش فيتنام الشمالي و يدعى تران فان فنه و هو مختبئ بين الأنقاض و أرسل خطاب لاخيه و يدعى تران كوان لي ذاكراً هذه القصة.
في منتصف نفس السنة يجد جندي أمريكي يدعى فيكتور أورت هذا الخطاب مع جثة تران كوان لي في وادي أشو فيقرر أن يحتفظ بالخطاب.
و بعد ثلاثة عقود يقرر فيكتور أرسال هذا الخطاب إلى جمعية رفاق فيتنام الأمريكية لتسليمها إلى الحكومة الفيتنامية كنوع من حسن النية فتقرر الجمعية ترجمة هذا الخطاب و ارساله إلى فيكتور كنوع من رد الجميل و لكن أحد القادة الكبار المحالين على المعاش يقرأ الخطاب و يقرر أرساله إلى مكتب التحقيقات الجنائية العسكرية لوجود جريمة جنائية.
و نتيجة لذلك يقرر كارل هيلمان رئيس مكتب التحقيقات الجنائية العسكرية أرسال المحقق المحال على المعاش بول برينر إلى فيتنام للتحقيق في هذه الجريمة و معرفة أسم القتيل و القاتل.
الرواية تتكون من 7 فصول و هم على التوالي ( واشنطن – سايجون – الطريق السريع رقم 1 – هيو – أعالي البلاد – هانوي ).
الرواية تحكي الكثير من التفاصيل عن الحرب الأمريكية الفيتنامية من الفترة 1968 حتى الفترة 1975 على لسان بول برينر الذي خدم فى تلك الحرب.
الكَاتب يستعرض بحيادية و باسهاب شديد ما تم من مجازر على أيدي القوات الأمريكية و القوات الفيتنامية الشمالية .
كذلك الكَاتب يستعرض بالتفصيل الممل الطبيعة الجغرافية لدولة فيتنام .
روعة الكِتاب ليس فى الحبكة البوليسية لانها ضعيفة و لكن فى كمية التفاصيل الغزيرة عن تلك الحرب و جغرافية فيتنام.
الكِتاب ترجمة مكتبة جرير و هي جيدة و لكن بها العديد من الأخطاء المطبعبة و الأملائية.
في منتصف نفس السنة يجد جندي أمريكي يدعى فيكتور أورت هذا الخطاب مع جثة تران كوان لي في وادي أشو فيقرر أن يحتفظ بالخطاب.
و بعد ثلاثة عقود يقرر فيكتور أرسال هذا الخطاب إلى جمعية رفاق فيتنام الأمريكية لتسليمها إلى الحكومة الفيتنامية كنوع من حسن النية فتقرر الجمعية ترجمة هذا الخطاب و ارساله إلى فيكتور كنوع من رد الجميل و لكن أحد القادة الكبار المحالين على المعاش يقرأ الخطاب و يقرر أرساله إلى مكتب التحقيقات الجنائية العسكرية لوجود جريمة جنائية.
و نتيجة لذلك يقرر كارل هيلمان رئيس مكتب التحقيقات الجنائية العسكرية أرسال المحقق المحال على المعاش بول برينر إلى فيتنام للتحقيق في هذه الجريمة و معرفة أسم القتيل و القاتل.
الرواية تتكون من 7 فصول و هم على التوالي ( واشنطن – سايجون – الطريق السريع رقم 1 – هيو – أعالي البلاد – هانوي ).
الرواية تحكي الكثير من التفاصيل عن الحرب الأمريكية الفيتنامية من الفترة 1968 حتى الفترة 1975 على لسان بول برينر الذي خدم فى تلك الحرب.
الكَاتب يستعرض بحيادية و باسهاب شديد ما تم من مجازر على أيدي القوات الأمريكية و القوات الفيتنامية الشمالية .
كذلك الكَاتب يستعرض بالتفصيل الممل الطبيعة الجغرافية لدولة فيتنام .
روعة الكِتاب ليس فى الحبكة البوليسية لانها ضعيفة و لكن فى كمية التفاصيل الغزيرة عن تلك الحرب و جغرافية فيتنام.
الكِتاب ترجمة مكتبة جرير و هي جيدة و لكن بها العديد من الأخطاء المطبعبة و الأملائية.
January 20, 2014
This is a page turner in the "James Bond" style starring a Vietnam veteran, Tom Brenner, now a retired investigator for the Army's Criminal Investigation Unit. Brenner is persuaded to return to Vietnam to help solve a murder that occurred decades earlier during the Tet Offensive. He meets and partners with a young American woman, Susan Weber, who appears to be a business executive for an American company with investments in Vietnam. Pursing them from Brenner's arrival in Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) onward, is Colonel Mane of the Vietnamese Internal Security Agency.
The duo travels to the most isolated, mountainous northern border of Vietnam in search of the only witness to the murder under investigation.
The style is brisk and always in scene and I often found myself reading way past my bedtime. However, there is more here than the usual best seller, formulaic tale of espionage. Recollections of the Vietnam war haunt these pages and are related from the perspectives of American, South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese veterans. This tapestry of suffering, and violence is always a backdrop to the characters' narrow escapes and nail biting adventures. Names resonate with readers like me who were young at the time and keenly aware of that conflict: Da Nang, Camron Bay, Hue, Quen Tre, Hanoi, trigger memories, emotions and images from that war. While you won't find the depth of books like, The Things They Carried, it is well worth the read.
The duo travels to the most isolated, mountainous northern border of Vietnam in search of the only witness to the murder under investigation.
The style is brisk and always in scene and I often found myself reading way past my bedtime. However, there is more here than the usual best seller, formulaic tale of espionage. Recollections of the Vietnam war haunt these pages and are related from the perspectives of American, South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese veterans. This tapestry of suffering, and violence is always a backdrop to the characters' narrow escapes and nail biting adventures. Names resonate with readers like me who were young at the time and keenly aware of that conflict: Da Nang, Camron Bay, Hue, Quen Tre, Hanoi, trigger memories, emotions and images from that war. While you won't find the depth of books like, The Things They Carried, it is well worth the read.
July 8, 2016
Sometimes, Nelson DeMille seems to be writing on auto-pilot. The sentence " He/she/they didn't reply," for example, is one of DeMille's narrative tics. There are other irritating DeMille-isms in this (very long) book: His predilection for young, attractive female heroines who hook up with older men, for example. Smartass dialogue that wears thin. The lack of emotion, in favor of action. Short, action-verb sentences, and a lack of introspection.
But. This was a very good book, one that kept me turning pages, and thinking about the absolute horror of serving in combat, especially in VietNam, the meaningless jungle war that waited for many of my high school classmates, back in the 1960s. The plot was interesting, and kept cooking along, as bits of information were released or confirmed. And (apparently in contrast to other readers) I found the ending fascinating--a genuine quandary, terrible and difficult moral issues: Is there a limit on criminal offenses committed during a stupid and immoral war? If that war was 30 years ago? What should we expect from a country where we fought, killing off a generation of young men and devastating the country's economy for another generation? How would we expect to be treated there, in a place with residual bitterness and anger?
I think it's one of DeMille's better novels, because you can feel his own experience bubbling up in the story. Four stars.
But. This was a very good book, one that kept me turning pages, and thinking about the absolute horror of serving in combat, especially in VietNam, the meaningless jungle war that waited for many of my high school classmates, back in the 1960s. The plot was interesting, and kept cooking along, as bits of information were released or confirmed. And (apparently in contrast to other readers) I found the ending fascinating--a genuine quandary, terrible and difficult moral issues: Is there a limit on criminal offenses committed during a stupid and immoral war? If that war was 30 years ago? What should we expect from a country where we fought, killing off a generation of young men and devastating the country's economy for another generation? How would we expect to be treated there, in a place with residual bitterness and anger?
I think it's one of DeMille's better novels, because you can feel his own experience bubbling up in the story. Four stars.
February 9, 2011
Good and bad, really. It was a great vehicle for a tour of Vietnam, past and present, and DeMille manages for the most part to keep up the pace over 650 pages - though an editor could have cut out a good quarter, in my opinion.
On the down side, he layers cliche up on cliche, and wrongly assumes that acknowledging the cliches by having the main character occasionally say things like "I felt like James Bond!" negated their predictability.
I was frustrated to once again encounter a strong, independent, flawed, and interesting female character who meets a guy and becomes 'undone' instantly, becoming a tag-along puppy dog willing to go wherever he does. But perhaps that scenario appeals to men?
A good albeit fluffy read, made weightier by the historical and geographical setting, and the knowledge that DeMille was drawing from experience in writing about Vietnam past and present.
On the down side, he layers cliche up on cliche, and wrongly assumes that acknowledging the cliches by having the main character occasionally say things like "I felt like James Bond!" negated their predictability.
I was frustrated to once again encounter a strong, independent, flawed, and interesting female character who meets a guy and becomes 'undone' instantly, becoming a tag-along puppy dog willing to go wherever he does. But perhaps that scenario appeals to men?
A good albeit fluffy read, made weightier by the historical and geographical setting, and the knowledge that DeMille was drawing from experience in writing about Vietnam past and present.
January 30, 2021
I enjoyed all the detail about Vietnam, and I wanted to know what happened, but...it was hard to find the narrator credible when he states both, "I know women" and "Women love to shop" with no apparent irony. He also kills two Vietnamese policeman in order to complete his dangerous mission, but in a situation that would have been avoidable with a little advance planning. Overall, Paul Brenner seems like one of the worst people you'd want to have in a delicate situation.
It was also hard to reconcile the dangerous and harsh Hanoi that Paul Brenner visited in 1997 with the Hanoi visited in 1999 with my father, who was a Vietnam era navy veteran. Paul Brenner, as an American veteran, was under suspicion the minute he entered the country. When I arrived with my parents and 1999, there was no issue entering the country.
It was also hard to reconcile the dangerous and harsh Hanoi that Paul Brenner visited in 1997 with the Hanoi visited in 1999 with my father, who was a Vietnam era navy veteran. Paul Brenner, as an American veteran, was under suspicion the minute he entered the country. When I arrived with my parents and 1999, there was no issue entering the country.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2011
Not bad but could have been a lot better. Usual DeMille quality in atmosphere and dialogue. But--it takes a long time for anything to happen. Basically the first third of the book could have been cut drastically. Another problem I had was with the obnoxiousness of the main character. I realize that Brenner showed up in a previous book, which I have not read, but he is also very similar to the main character in the Gold Coast and Plum Island. That is, the typical DeMille main character is a tough guy who is funny, sarcastic, and annoying but girls like him anyway. Still, I enjoyed reading this for the insight into Vietnam both 40 years ago and more recently.
January 4, 2008
A very long, tedious book. I kept reading and reading and reading expecting something to happen. It never did. I can't believe I read the whole thing. I'm sure that Mr. DeMille found writing the book to be somewhat cathartic. No doubt the Vietnamese war was horrible. But then, so was this book. Who would I recomend this book to? Anyone who was in dire need of a sleeping pill. This should serve as a substitute just fine.
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