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Never So Few
Set behind enemy lines in Burma, this New York Times bestseller is “easily one of the best novels to come out of World War II” (Los Angeles Times).
American soldiers and native Kachin troops battle Japanese forces behind enemy lines in the Burmese jungles. But during the brutal campaign to gain territory in the unforgiving tropical landscape, Captain Reynolds and his band of special operations soldiers and guerrilla fighters struggle to find self-awareness, and even love, in the midst of the trials of combat.
One of the youngest officers to serve in Merrill’s Marauders and OSS Detachment 101—precursors to the Green Berets and Central Intelligence Agency—author Tom T. Chamales brings an unparalleled level of authentic detail and raw intensity to this work of fiction based on his real-life experience in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Never So Few is “an extraordinary and powerful book,” unflinching in its portrayal of wartime sacrifice and violence (Kirkus Reviews, starred).
The basis for the movie starring Frank Sinatra and Steve McQueen, it offers “dramatic, exciting, and concretely detailed accounts of battle action,” and joins the ranks of other classic war novels such as From Here to Eternity and The Naked and the Dead in bringing later generations to the frontlines and into the inner lives of the brave men who served (The New York Times).
American soldiers and native Kachin troops battle Japanese forces behind enemy lines in the Burmese jungles. But during the brutal campaign to gain territory in the unforgiving tropical landscape, Captain Reynolds and his band of special operations soldiers and guerrilla fighters struggle to find self-awareness, and even love, in the midst of the trials of combat.
One of the youngest officers to serve in Merrill’s Marauders and OSS Detachment 101—precursors to the Green Berets and Central Intelligence Agency—author Tom T. Chamales brings an unparalleled level of authentic detail and raw intensity to this work of fiction based on his real-life experience in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Never So Few is “an extraordinary and powerful book,” unflinching in its portrayal of wartime sacrifice and violence (Kirkus Reviews, starred).
The basis for the movie starring Frank Sinatra and Steve McQueen, it offers “dramatic, exciting, and concretely detailed accounts of battle action,” and joins the ranks of other classic war novels such as From Here to Eternity and The Naked and the Dead in bringing later generations to the frontlines and into the inner lives of the brave men who served (The New York Times).
631 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1957
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 25, 2017
A classic from World War II that few of ever heard of. Some people know of the movie, starring Frank Sinatra.
The author was a member of Merrill's Marauders and then in the OSS-- Office of Strategic Service-- and parachuted into Burma to link up with the Kachin tribesmen. This book is a novel based on that experience. It's required reading for those in Special Operations in my opinion.
He shows the truth of war and the reality of betrayal in behind the lines operations. The Kachins tied down large numbers of Japanese troops and also killed them in disproportionate numbers to their own losses. The ratio was roughly 10,000 enemy casualties for slightly over 200 friendlies.
Chamales lived life large but ended life terribly-- drunk, in a fire caused by smoking in a dingy apartment. I always say we authors aren't in the bell curve and we're not necessarily on the good side of the bell curve.
Well worth reading!
The author was a member of Merrill's Marauders and then in the OSS-- Office of Strategic Service-- and parachuted into Burma to link up with the Kachin tribesmen. This book is a novel based on that experience. It's required reading for those in Special Operations in my opinion.
He shows the truth of war and the reality of betrayal in behind the lines operations. The Kachins tied down large numbers of Japanese troops and also killed them in disproportionate numbers to their own losses. The ratio was roughly 10,000 enemy casualties for slightly over 200 friendlies.
Chamales lived life large but ended life terribly-- drunk, in a fire caused by smoking in a dingy apartment. I always say we authors aren't in the bell curve and we're not necessarily on the good side of the bell curve.
Well worth reading!
October 8, 2020
Never So Few: A Novel by Tom T. Chamales is a World War II novel set in Burma. Chamales was a veteran of WWII and former member of the OSS and Merrill's Raiders. Attached to OSS Detachment 101, he served in Burma training the Kachin Raiders and witnessed American soldiers being robbed and killed by Chinese Nationalist soldiers. Much of his experience has been fictionalized in this novel. Chamales is also the author of Go Naked in the World.
Many writers draw from their own experience and Chamales was no exception. His own experiences in Burma are used as the backdrop of the story. Although this is a war story much of the writing is devoted to the characters rather than actual combat. Working behind enemy lines the with foreign fighters takes a toll on those involved and gives the reader a view into the mind of a soldier.
There is also a division of the westerners and the locals. Some locals seem only too willing to serve under the OSS and Captain Con Reynolds. Others who have experienced war in cooperate but use their expertise to help the Reynolds and his men. Burma and other British colonies in the region were problematic to the allies. Some in the region viewed the Japanese as liberators so the battle was more than against the Japanese it was also a matter of keeping locals loyal to the British and the allies.
World War II is not a usual reading topic for me especially if it is fiction. This book seemed to be more about people than about fighting. That is something that runs through all great war stories The places and weapons change but people are the constant. The book reminded me of a World War II Apocalypse Now in that it centered on the eccentricities of those involved. Chamales deeply affected by his experiences as both his novels revolved around the war.
Reading Chamales' biography it seems that he never recovered from the war. His short life after returning to the United States involved heavy drinking, violence, and an accidental death. Perhaps some of the most dramatic effects come from an author who writes his or her own experiences or demons. Much like Virginia Woolf used her battle with mental illness to describe shell-shocked Septimus Warren Smith in Mrs. Dalloway, Chamale converts his experiences into fiction with an uncanny realism. Under the veneer of fiction lies realism. Very well done.
Many writers draw from their own experience and Chamales was no exception. His own experiences in Burma are used as the backdrop of the story. Although this is a war story much of the writing is devoted to the characters rather than actual combat. Working behind enemy lines the with foreign fighters takes a toll on those involved and gives the reader a view into the mind of a soldier.
There is also a division of the westerners and the locals. Some locals seem only too willing to serve under the OSS and Captain Con Reynolds. Others who have experienced war in cooperate but use their expertise to help the Reynolds and his men. Burma and other British colonies in the region were problematic to the allies. Some in the region viewed the Japanese as liberators so the battle was more than against the Japanese it was also a matter of keeping locals loyal to the British and the allies.
World War II is not a usual reading topic for me especially if it is fiction. This book seemed to be more about people than about fighting. That is something that runs through all great war stories The places and weapons change but people are the constant. The book reminded me of a World War II Apocalypse Now in that it centered on the eccentricities of those involved. Chamales deeply affected by his experiences as both his novels revolved around the war.
Reading Chamales' biography it seems that he never recovered from the war. His short life after returning to the United States involved heavy drinking, violence, and an accidental death. Perhaps some of the most dramatic effects come from an author who writes his or her own experiences or demons. Much like Virginia Woolf used her battle with mental illness to describe shell-shocked Septimus Warren Smith in Mrs. Dalloway, Chamale converts his experiences into fiction with an uncanny realism. Under the veneer of fiction lies realism. Very well done.
February 4, 2019
This is, I guess the third time I have read Never So Few, and I have seen the film about that many times. But the last time I read it was at least fifty years ago, and this time it was a different experience. Never So Few is a great book, but in many ways it is not a good one. It tells a brilliant story, and one that is a necessary read for anyone with a real interest in the history of US Special Operations. Still guarding operational security Chamales never says what his unit it, but it was Det 101 of the OSS, and his story of running Kachin guerrillas in Burma is as basic as it gets.
That said, there is way too much windy philosophizing on love, war, and death in this book. This great book would be a lot better if it were about 150 pages shorter.
I used to think it was pretty much a roman a clef, but now I realize that is not true. Tom Chamales, the author, was the youngest captain in the army at 21. That is not true of Con Reynolds, his protagonist. So it really is a work of very well informed fiction.
Like I said, it's a great book, and it goes places you can hardly get to anywhere else. But you will find yourself, at times, wishing he would just shut up and get on with it.
That said, there is way too much windy philosophizing on love, war, and death in this book. This great book would be a lot better if it were about 150 pages shorter.
I used to think it was pretty much a roman a clef, but now I realize that is not true. Tom Chamales, the author, was the youngest captain in the army at 21. That is not true of Con Reynolds, his protagonist. So it really is a work of very well informed fiction.
Like I said, it's a great book, and it goes places you can hardly get to anywhere else. But you will find yourself, at times, wishing he would just shut up and get on with it.
November 13, 2014
Considering I read this the summer after I graduated high school, I don't know why I was so taken by it--but I had seen the movie three years earlier and liked the book even more (although I kept imagining the lead as Frank Sinatra).
December 17, 2024
GNab I received an electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, the estate of Tom T. Chamales, and Open Road Integrated Media, Inc. in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing this hard work with me. This novel was originally published in 1957.
Tom T. Chamales writes about war and the world with such clarity and precision that it pains you to read the words. I am very grateful this novel was re-issued by Open Road for whole new generations to appreciate. Mr. Chamales died very young but his soul lives on in this novel.
This opus covers the re-taking of the Burma Road overrun by the Japanese in 1942, to the reopening of the road to Allied forces and supplies in 1945. The Burma Road was over 700 miles long, completed in 1938 by over 200,000 Burmese and Chinese laborers through very rough, mountainous country controlled by the Kachins and the Karens, world renowned Burmese guerilla fighters. Never So Few also covers some of the the training and the initial battles of Merrill's Marauders, the forerunners of our Special Forces today.
But most importantly, Never So Few opens for us the hearts and minds of soldiers and support personnel through harrowing months and years of battle isolated from safe havens and loved ones. Before it is over we understand the debilitation behind the term battle fatigue and the cost of 'real estate'.
originally published in 1957
pub date July 25, 2017
Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
Tom T. Chamales writes about war and the world with such clarity and precision that it pains you to read the words. I am very grateful this novel was re-issued by Open Road for whole new generations to appreciate. Mr. Chamales died very young but his soul lives on in this novel.
This opus covers the re-taking of the Burma Road overrun by the Japanese in 1942, to the reopening of the road to Allied forces and supplies in 1945. The Burma Road was over 700 miles long, completed in 1938 by over 200,000 Burmese and Chinese laborers through very rough, mountainous country controlled by the Kachins and the Karens, world renowned Burmese guerilla fighters. Never So Few also covers some of the the training and the initial battles of Merrill's Marauders, the forerunners of our Special Forces today.
But most importantly, Never So Few opens for us the hearts and minds of soldiers and support personnel through harrowing months and years of battle isolated from safe havens and loved ones. Before it is over we understand the debilitation behind the term battle fatigue and the cost of 'real estate'.
originally published in 1957
pub date July 25, 2017
Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
January 6, 2023
Excellent story about a guerrilla force fighting the Japanese in Burma. Goes into detail of some of the philosophy of command, leading men, love's in the rear areas, politics of war and the hard hitting gritty battles of jungle warfare.
July 9, 2017
I read a lot…1-4 books a week on average now. “Never So Few” is one of those books I will be remembering and pondering for years to come. I have read a fair amount of historical fiction on WWII and feels like most seem to focus on the concentration camps, the fights with Germany, Battle of the Bulge, Pearl Harbor, etc. This is NOT a slam just a statement.
The book focuses on the China-Burma-India Theater of World War II. I had no idea of what happened in Burma or of the Kachin people and how they helped. I had little to no idea of how our soldiers interacted with the Chinese during WWII. I found myself stopping to google things and think what a mess war truly is. The Kachin Rangers and China's Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek are two of the things I will be reading more on very soon.
Con Reynolds is the main character and appears to be more than a little loosely based on the author’s time in WWII. As the book unfolds we see what war does to the boys we let the men send as the men sit back in safer areas and call the shots.
I will mention one more character so not to give spoilers. Nautaung, a Kachin man who has seen his share of war. A man who makes the characters (and the reader) think about all the ‘truths’ they have thought about life. A character I wish I could have a conversation with.
I had to go back and re-read some of the pages and give myself time to think about what it was saying in terms of the characters, war, and even my life. Again Nautaung is a character not soon to be forgotten.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to all. Even those who think not for them. One might be surprised. One also might learn something about themselves.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this in advance of the Kindle release.
The book focuses on the China-Burma-India Theater of World War II. I had no idea of what happened in Burma or of the Kachin people and how they helped. I had little to no idea of how our soldiers interacted with the Chinese during WWII. I found myself stopping to google things and think what a mess war truly is. The Kachin Rangers and China's Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek are two of the things I will be reading more on very soon.
Con Reynolds is the main character and appears to be more than a little loosely based on the author’s time in WWII. As the book unfolds we see what war does to the boys we let the men send as the men sit back in safer areas and call the shots.
I will mention one more character so not to give spoilers. Nautaung, a Kachin man who has seen his share of war. A man who makes the characters (and the reader) think about all the ‘truths’ they have thought about life. A character I wish I could have a conversation with.
I had to go back and re-read some of the pages and give myself time to think about what it was saying in terms of the characters, war, and even my life. Again Nautaung is a character not soon to be forgotten.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to all. Even those who think not for them. One might be surprised. One also might learn something about themselves.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this in advance of the Kindle release.
July 25, 2017
Fighting in Burma During WWII
Captain Con Reynolds leads a small group of special operations forces in Burma. They’re behind enemy lines, cut off from the main troops. They’re joined by Kachin troops, native to Burma, and are in contact with the British.
This war story is based on the experience of the author during WWII. The action is filled with details that only someone who experienced the war on the ground would notice and include in the narrative. If you enjoy war stories, this is an excellent one.
The book, however, is more than an action adventure. The characters are in many ways the focus of the story. Con Reynolds, the main character, grows in experience and understanding as he leads his men in a difficult situation. He also searches for love with Carla. However, the romance is perhaps the weakest part of the story.
The character I liked best was Nautauung, an old Kachin fighter. He provides the seasoning of experience for the young fighters.
Since the book was originally published in 1957, the writing is looser than we expect to see in books today. The author has a penchant for adverbs that can become wearing. However, it doesn’t detract in a major way from the action or the character development.
I highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about the war in Burma, or just like war stories.
I received this book from Open Road Media for this review.
Captain Con Reynolds leads a small group of special operations forces in Burma. They’re behind enemy lines, cut off from the main troops. They’re joined by Kachin troops, native to Burma, and are in contact with the British.
This war story is based on the experience of the author during WWII. The action is filled with details that only someone who experienced the war on the ground would notice and include in the narrative. If you enjoy war stories, this is an excellent one.
The book, however, is more than an action adventure. The characters are in many ways the focus of the story. Con Reynolds, the main character, grows in experience and understanding as he leads his men in a difficult situation. He also searches for love with Carla. However, the romance is perhaps the weakest part of the story.
The character I liked best was Nautauung, an old Kachin fighter. He provides the seasoning of experience for the young fighters.
Since the book was originally published in 1957, the writing is looser than we expect to see in books today. The author has a penchant for adverbs that can become wearing. However, it doesn’t detract in a major way from the action or the character development.
I highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about the war in Burma, or just like war stories.
I received this book from Open Road Media for this review.
June 29, 2019
Reading this wonderful book I recalled Hesse’s MAGISTER LUDI for its disheartening conclusion. Yes, war is hell. But mainly because it takes the best from us; for the boys who fight in it and then die or emerge as shells of their former selves, and for its destruction of the special ones among us who are forged by their experiences, as terrible as they might have been, into rarified human beings capable of so much love and understanding. Why them? Why is it that the crucible of war which hones a promising young man physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually will eventually and inevitably crush him?
The other book that comes to mind was written from the other side, the Japanese. HARP OF BURMA HARP by Michio Takeyama is likewise a spiritual revelation of compassion in the midst of horror. NEVER SO FEW is the story of young men who grow in every true and virtuous way after being thrust into the most alien and hostile of places. It is a heartwarming story of adaptation and acculturation in the face of horror and the choices it forces upon those young men. If it is a story of folly and failings, it is also a book that restores faith in the sagacity of age and experience among those lucky enough to have survived.
The other book that comes to mind was written from the other side, the Japanese. HARP OF BURMA HARP by Michio Takeyama is likewise a spiritual revelation of compassion in the midst of horror. NEVER SO FEW is the story of young men who grow in every true and virtuous way after being thrust into the most alien and hostile of places. It is a heartwarming story of adaptation and acculturation in the face of horror and the choices it forces upon those young men. If it is a story of folly and failings, it is also a book that restores faith in the sagacity of age and experience among those lucky enough to have survived.
November 8, 2017
Probably the best "story within the story" novel I have ever read. This is a novel you have to take your time with because there is so much more to consider here than what appears on the surface. The main story deals with a military campaign in Burma and that is very well told with some excellent characters. The real payoff though is the story of how being thrown into a primitive culture in wartime totally alters one's perspective on preconceived beliefs. There is plenty of symbolism here from the monkey Scheherazade dying of heartbreak to Ringa killing the vulture and you will find yourself reflecting on aspects of this novel days after you have finished reading.
October 30, 2021
A fictional war drama about a group of soldiers, their mistresses, and the interactions among them. Much more "from here to eternity" interpersonal story than hard war history, the couple battles described are secondary to long soliloquies about life, romance, relationships and other philosophical noodling's. Not really my cup of tea, though a few lines did grab my interest, moving it from a 2 to a 3 about 1/2 way thru. Still, the several 4-5 page long musings on amateur life philosophy were overly long for me.
December 5, 2021
A Story worth the read.
This is a remarkable story about a little known part of WWII. I found myself pulled into this tale losing total track of time. The author so completely draws his characters that you feel like you've lost friends when the book ends. It is unusual to be drawn so completely into the main character that the end of the story feels like the loss of a friend. The images the author draws with words readily become visual pictures in the reader's mind. It is story well worth the time and effort to read.
This is a remarkable story about a little known part of WWII. I found myself pulled into this tale losing total track of time. The author so completely draws his characters that you feel like you've lost friends when the book ends. It is unusual to be drawn so completely into the main character that the end of the story feels like the loss of a friend. The images the author draws with words readily become visual pictures in the reader's mind. It is story well worth the time and effort to read.
August 31, 2017
It's not you, book; it's me.
This book just wasn't for me. Military action backdrop...it's actually as if it is the main character.
It took me awhile to get characters straight and follow the narrative, and then it all changed. I just couldn't keep going, even though the book was getting more interesting as I went. There was conflict, blood and guts, contemplation, personalities, and ideas of honor. Great ingredients but I ran out of interest before I could finish.
This book just wasn't for me. Military action backdrop...it's actually as if it is the main character.
It took me awhile to get characters straight and follow the narrative, and then it all changed. I just couldn't keep going, even though the book was getting more interesting as I went. There was conflict, blood and guts, contemplation, personalities, and ideas of honor. Great ingredients but I ran out of interest before I could finish.
March 15, 2025
A Memorable Story
The details of the fighting in the story made one feel they were actually there during the war. It brought back memories of my time in service in the Asian theater.
This is the best story that I have read about in World War II. It was masterfully done. I give it high praise!
The details of the fighting in the story made one feel they were actually there during the war. It brought back memories of my time in service in the Asian theater.
This is the best story that I have read about in World War II. It was masterfully done. I give it high praise!
March 15, 2018
Superb reading
A little long but very philosophical. The author really got you in to the characters and how they felt, down deep. Never read anything like that before. Truly enjoyed it.
A little long but very philosophical. The author really got you in to the characters and how they felt, down deep. Never read anything like that before. Truly enjoyed it.
October 23, 2017
Excellent story.
This gave a very detailed view of a little-known part of world war two. I really enjoyed it all the way to the ending.
This gave a very detailed view of a little-known part of world war two. I really enjoyed it all the way to the ending.
January 19, 2018
Decent Novel
Story lagged in several places. Nevertheless interesting. Good detail about the locations. Altogether a worthwhile read. Thanks to Tom Chamales.
Story lagged in several places. Nevertheless interesting. Good detail about the locations. Altogether a worthwhile read. Thanks to Tom Chamales.
January 25, 2019
Boring
Excessive verbiage, with very little action
Makes for tedious reading with few rewards. I cannot recommend this book despite the positive reviews.
Excessive verbiage, with very little action
Makes for tedious reading with few rewards. I cannot recommend this book despite the positive reviews.
April 1, 2019
It was a slow read for me...too much philosophizing & not enough action.
Read
May 6, 2020It was difficult for me to get into the book. I've seen the movie with Frank Sinatra in it a couple times. I think the movie could of followed the book a little closer.
May 12, 2023
I don’t think you should read this remarkable novel expecting the typical war ravaged experience. Rather Chamales will give you the truth about war and why men are drawn to it.
November 1, 2016
A hell of a fine read. More than a war story. A classic.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews