Café Wars

The Airmen #4

by David Lee Corley

"David Lee Corley establishes himself as one of the masters of the thriller genre with rock-solid characters and a great plot." — Readers' FavoriteAlgeria and France 1954. Encouraged by the Viet Minh triumph over the French at Dien Bien Phu, Algerian rebels seize the moment and rise in rebellion against their imperial masters. But Algeria is not Indochina; it is considered part of the homeland, and the French are determined to keep it.French paratroopers once again lead the fight and find this is no ordinary enemy. The rebels attack from the shadows but live in plain sight in the Casbah, among the people. It is urban warfare at its worst. Everyone is suspect. Nobody is safe. Extreme measures are required.With Lt. Colonel Bigeard and his men closing in, the rebel leaders change tactics and release their secret weapon – three beautiful sirens trained by a master bomb maker. They hit the French where it hurts the most – the beloved cafés of Paris.French war correspondent Brigette Friang and the American pilot Tom Coyle return from Indochina to witness bombs ripping apart the streets of Paris, killing thousands of innocent civilians, and striking fear into the heart of France.Can they stop the master bomb maker and his sirens, or will they become their target?Based on historical events and real people, Café Wars is filled with heart-pounding action and suspense. It's a cautionary tale as millions of lives hang in the balance, along with the soul of a nation."A historical novel that reads like a modern political thriller, full of exciting action, larger-than-life characters, and unforgettable events." — Kirkus Reviews"Not only are the characters compelling, but Corley skillfully builds tension with purposeful prose using sensory details and vivid descriptions." — Forward Clarion"The book's greatest strength, perhaps, lies in its precision and delivery. The author has clearly done his homework..." — BlueInk Review

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2018

About the author

I am a Hollywood screenwriter turned novelist. I am also a nomad.

Four years ago, I sold or gave away just about everything I owned and set myself adrift in the world. I lived out of my backpack and circumnavigated the earth three times. My journey has changed me and I am strangely unafraid. I have no plans to end my quest to see far corners of our planet. I figure life will take care of itself.

It has been a wild ride. I search for great stories and characters as I travel, many of which end up in my novels. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

I am still a nomad.

Reviews

[David Lucero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Coyle Is a WWII and Korean veteran. He's a pilot who recently finished a tour in Indochina as a freelance pilot for the French. With the Battle of Dien Bien Phu over, the North Vietnamese flushed with victory, the French reeling in defeat, Coyle returns to France where he continues his relationship with the beautiful, tough-as-nails French reporter, Brigitte Friang. Brigitte cut her teeth in the French-Indochina War as a reporter, jumping into hotspots with French paratroopers. Now both Coyle and Brigitte find themselves facing a new enemy.... in French Algeria where the locals have become emboldened by the French defeat in Indochina and now want their own independence.

Lt. Col. Bruno Bigeard, Brigitte's former lover, is given a prestigious position as an instructor for newly ordained paratroopers. However, his experience in battle is needed as the Algerians turn up the heat in North Africa, determined as much as the North Vietnamese were in Indochina to do whatever necessary to gain independence.

Coyle agrees to fly French paratroopers into battle, and Bruno accepts a new position as an advisor to younger officers in command of troops, while Brigitte investigates on how the war is being fought. Little do they know how all three have become targets for the Algerians who have extended their battle plans from the cities and towns of North Africa to the cafe's in Paris. And it will be a miracle if they are able to survive the horrors of this new kind of battle being fought on the home front.

This is Book 2 in the Airmen Series and I am not disappointed. I myself am a former paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division and was drawn to the author's books because of its content. He is very detailed with characters and realistic battle conditions. I look forward to the next book and highly recommend this series to readers.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am old enough to remember the reporting of the events noted, including the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. Generally speaking the story that weaves through events is not innovative or new, but the book seems a credible, but limited, reminder of things past. Violence was frequent as I recall. The author’s inclusion of the use by the French of Claymore mines I think is an error (Claymore mines were first introduced in 1961 and became prominent in Vietnam). In any case, reading the book is better than watching TV commercials, I think. By the way, I would not define this book as real history. The Algerians did those things. I think women were used as suicide bombers. There was considerable violence in Paris during all that time and the French secret service was ruthless and very good at its job. I think bank robberies were part of the whole. As I recall, there was considerable political upheaval when France withdrew from Algeria, including as I think, a whole Para unit refusing to participate in the withdrawal. I believe that Charles de Gaulle, due to his stature and prestige, was called upon as the only person who could keep everything together. Which he did.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Café Wars” follows Corley’s first novel, “We Stand Alone,” his epic adventure of the French and Viet Minh battle at Diên Biên Phù, the climatic confrontation of the First Indochina War in 1954. This second novel timely follows another French tragedy in colonialism, Algeria’s struggle for independence from 1954 to 1962. With the same cast of characters, Corley writes refreshing historical fiction, interweaving actual events, places, and people with dynamic characters to give life to the making of little-known history. To understand Arabs and the Arab Spring, it helps to understand the relationship of Algeria and other northern African countries with post World War II Europe. A quick read, newcomers will enjoy Corley's novels.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DLC. War Novel (TASB. - 2)/The Cafe Wars in Paris and the War for Algeria's Freedom from French Rule

DLC. has. penned a historical novel based on the face bombings in France before and during the War for Algerian Independence. The time period begins shortly after the end of WW. II and begins in France with the Cafe Bombings. The Cafe Bombings lasted during the time for Algerian Independence. The French citizenship in France were chagrined about the attacks and sent additional French Legionares to North Africa. There were many lives lost in both sides, but Algeria did win it's freedom. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS

[Edward L · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review

This book is a continuation from the story of Diem Bien Phoi. It continues with the lives of three of the survivors of that conflict. The Arabs in Algeria have taken heart of rebellion from the defeat of the French at Diem Bien Phoi and are trying to exert their independence from France through a campaign of terror. The three survivors are much involved in trying to overthrow the rebellion.

[Brenda Blalock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Corey's third book is a terrific read!! After having read his great first two, Indochina-based, books, I was a bit skeptical of the change of venue from lush jungle, river deltas, rugged mountains suddenly to Paris and North Africa!! But by page two of Cafe Wars, I was on-board! Exciting storyline! Now on to the next!!!

[David Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Interesting era for the tale. I have never read much about French imperialism, although I did get to participate in the aftermath when they left Viet Nam. Excellent characters, well constructed scenarios so read it!

[Scott & · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters again

Love both the new characters and the old ones. He does such a great job with them you feel as you are there with them. Love the way real history is interwoven with fiction. Still feels like a first hand account! Highly recommend this author!

[Donna A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cafe Wars

I found this book interesting but it would have been more so if a few details about Bruno and McGoon had been included, as well as more about Brigette and Coyle! I like to know the people that I read about. Overall very good book.

[Scott Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Corley is a masterful storyteller

If you are a fan of historical fiction you will enjoy this story by David Corley. His writing style puts you right with those characters in history. Like Jeff Shaara you see and feel every event.

[Reba Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are.both entertaining and enlighten Inc are

I starter this series because of my fascination es with the Vietnam war. I had little knowledge of the Algerian fight for independence. The principal characters from the previous books make the story better.

[Jansie Both · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy but yet satisfying, gripping and entertaining read.

[bruce howitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cafe Wars

Excellent historical novel. Great perspective on a little known 20th century tragedy. Looking forward to David’s next one. Good read.

[Kathy Matteson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting characters. Enjoyed the bits of historical events intertwined in the novel.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Algerian war for independence

David Coyle has continued his writing using real history and some fictional characters. This story is as interesting as the others in this series!

[Bank · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of France’s losing effort to keep Algeria as a colony .
Choppy writing style , very surface story and character development.
Quit halfway through

[James Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read as always.

The story of the wars fought and won and lost continues, fully recommend this author and these stories. Fast paced a very well written

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellant look at the fight for independance and what would continue the crumbling of collonialism.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another wonderful book from Corley

Really enjoyed reading this book. Just writing to hit the min number of words req to post this review. Cheers!

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot

Like the prior three books in the series, I learned a lot about topics I knew very little about. Thanks you for writing this series.