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Punk #3
Punk's Fight
On a mission over central Afghanistan, Punk is hit--and taken captive by the Taliban. And after he escapes, the challenge is not over. Because now Punk must navigate the war-torn country not from the skies, but on the ground--seeing up close for the first time the world resistance fighters, warlords, CIA undercover ops, and corrupt officers who are putting their lives on the line.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 2, 2004
62 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 23, 2010
I read Punk's War several years ago and really liked it. This one was published in 2004, shortly after the invasion of Iraq and after the war in Afghanistan had been put on the back burner for a while. This book is not for you if you are looking for some literary exegesis of some arcane ennui. On the other hand, if you've always wanted to fly F-14's and get an authentic flavor of life on an aircraft carrier, and war on the ground, you will love this book.
Carroll was an F-14 RIO and served in F-14 squadrons for 20 years before becoming the editor of military.com so it's natural that he would have an accurate depiction of life in an aircraft carrier squadron, but his portrayal of the ground war is delinieated with striking authenticity with a mixed bag of CIA, Ranger, and Afghan soldiers of extraordinary realism. He says on his website that he was reading typical techno-thrillers while flying off carriers. The problem was he didn't recognize any of the characters. So he started writing.
This book could easily be divided into two distinct sections: flying off the carrier and Punk's fighting with lone Rangers and CIA operatives and occasionally with warlords, on and off horseback, stepping on mines, having extraordinary bouts of diarrhea (every see that happen to John Wayne? Of course, he would have had one of the stunt guys shit for him had it been in the script,) and suffering sticks of bombs dropped by B-52 pilots flying at 45,000 feet who congratulated themselves on another successful mission targeted by a Predator drone being controlled by a PFC in California. (http://shock.military.com/Shock/video...) Carroll's take on the war was prescient and it shows in the interactions between Punk, his rescuers, and the local tribesmen.
In an interview Carroll conducted with Seven Pressfield who is writing a novel about Afghanistan, Pressfield remarked that Afghanistan is not a state as we think of it; it's a collection of tribes which need to be won over "one tribe at a time." As to how long he thinks that might take? Pressfield guesses about 100 years.
"Heck, thanks to our special forces on horseback and a few warlords we befriended (suitcases full of money didn't hurt the effort), we had the Taliban on the ropes during the winter of 2002. And had we not suddenly decided to invade Iraq in 2003, Afghanistan would have been a flourishing democracy by now, with six-lane expressways from border to shining border and a World Cup-contending soccer team." Carroll Op-Ed on military.com August 2009. Tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Excellent read.
From Carroll's blog: Q: Did all the events in your books actually happen?
A: More or less. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. If a novel is going to be believable it has got to blur the line between truth and fiction. Actually in several cases life has imitated art in that I wrote a scene and then the event took place exactly as I'd written it. Of course nobody's going to believe that because the book came out after the fact, but it's true. Remember: I used to teach ethics; I have to tell the truth.
Carroll was an F-14 RIO and served in F-14 squadrons for 20 years before becoming the editor of military.com so it's natural that he would have an accurate depiction of life in an aircraft carrier squadron, but his portrayal of the ground war is delinieated with striking authenticity with a mixed bag of CIA, Ranger, and Afghan soldiers of extraordinary realism. He says on his website that he was reading typical techno-thrillers while flying off carriers. The problem was he didn't recognize any of the characters. So he started writing.
This book could easily be divided into two distinct sections: flying off the carrier and Punk's fighting with lone Rangers and CIA operatives and occasionally with warlords, on and off horseback, stepping on mines, having extraordinary bouts of diarrhea (every see that happen to John Wayne? Of course, he would have had one of the stunt guys shit for him had it been in the script,) and suffering sticks of bombs dropped by B-52 pilots flying at 45,000 feet who congratulated themselves on another successful mission targeted by a Predator drone being controlled by a PFC in California. (http://shock.military.com/Shock/video...) Carroll's take on the war was prescient and it shows in the interactions between Punk, his rescuers, and the local tribesmen.
In an interview Carroll conducted with Seven Pressfield who is writing a novel about Afghanistan, Pressfield remarked that Afghanistan is not a state as we think of it; it's a collection of tribes which need to be won over "one tribe at a time." As to how long he thinks that might take? Pressfield guesses about 100 years.
"Heck, thanks to our special forces on horseback and a few warlords we befriended (suitcases full of money didn't hurt the effort), we had the Taliban on the ropes during the winter of 2002. And had we not suddenly decided to invade Iraq in 2003, Afghanistan would have been a flourishing democracy by now, with six-lane expressways from border to shining border and a World Cup-contending soccer team." Carroll Op-Ed on military.com August 2009. Tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Excellent read.
From Carroll's blog: Q: Did all the events in your books actually happen?
A: More or less. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. If a novel is going to be believable it has got to blur the line between truth and fiction. Actually in several cases life has imitated art in that I wrote a scene and then the event took place exactly as I'd written it. Of course nobody's going to believe that because the book came out after the fact, but it's true. Remember: I used to teach ethics; I have to tell the truth.
July 2, 2022
Air to Ground
Again, an authentic look at carrier ops and air-to-ground mission tasking and control. Not sure the entire segment on the ground portrayed the spec war operators accurately. Lots of extraneous dialogue and plot elements. I've seen the movies and read the books about the collaboration with the Northern Alliance, and their conduct was a bit more professional than that, I think. But I wasn't there, and I'm sure Carroll has the network and the intel. Great yarn, overall, and I do miss Muddy. Will there be a fourth book? I would go for it.
Again, an authentic look at carrier ops and air-to-ground mission tasking and control. Not sure the entire segment on the ground portrayed the spec war operators accurately. Lots of extraneous dialogue and plot elements. I've seen the movies and read the books about the collaboration with the Northern Alliance, and their conduct was a bit more professional than that, I think. But I wasn't there, and I'm sure Carroll has the network and the intel. Great yarn, overall, and I do miss Muddy. Will there be a fourth book? I would go for it.
May 7, 2023
Punk gets a worldview reset
After losing his Tomcat in an unexpected fashion Punk finds himself in a situation totally different from what he’s been training to handle. He is forced to learn far more than he has ever even imagined about regarding the war as it’s experienced by the mudfoot on the ground.
The book spends a fair amount of time with his unfamiliar surroundings and situation and then we get an ending that closes the circle, albeit a bit abruptly.
AFAIK there isn’t a fourth book so we’re left wondering what happened next.
After losing his Tomcat in an unexpected fashion Punk finds himself in a situation totally different from what he’s been training to handle. He is forced to learn far more than he has ever even imagined about regarding the war as it’s experienced by the mudfoot on the ground.
The book spends a fair amount of time with his unfamiliar surroundings and situation and then we get an ending that closes the circle, albeit a bit abruptly.
AFAIK there isn’t a fourth book so we’re left wondering what happened next.
March 5, 2024
great read
As I have the T/Shirt including SS, DFC, BS and 1140 hrs of combat time….I feel confident saying this is one of best Combat Aviation Novels I’ve ever read.
You want to cut through the hip deep BS, by many writers who have never heard a shot fire in anger (and or possibly never flown in combat) this is your read.
Ward Carroll is the real deal, his You Tube Channel is great too.
Charley Model Huey’s RVN 1969, we were winning when I left.
As I have the T/Shirt including SS, DFC, BS and 1140 hrs of combat time….I feel confident saying this is one of best Combat Aviation Novels I’ve ever read.
You want to cut through the hip deep BS, by many writers who have never heard a shot fire in anger (and or possibly never flown in combat) this is your read.
Ward Carroll is the real deal, his You Tube Channel is great too.
Charley Model Huey’s RVN 1969, we were winning when I left.
October 17, 2024
This is a really excellent series by Ward Carroll. The accuracy and detail of the flying preparation, planning, take off’s, landings and air combat is outstanding. Clearly his personal experiences have served him well in this series. A fourth in the series is due around May 2025, I’m waiting in anticipation of a similarly detailed and informative read that is likewise hard to put down. Anyone interested in military flying will not be disappointed - guaranteed.
May 2, 2022
punk is no punk
This whole series is a good read if you love military writing! Book one starts slow but picks up in action quickly! Book two takes that and builds on the story! Book three, this book is a masterpiece of the trilogy and worth a reread ! Thank for excellent writing Ward !
This whole series is a good read if you love military writing! Book one starts slow but picks up in action quickly! Book two takes that and builds on the story! Book three, this book is a masterpiece of the trilogy and worth a reread ! Thank for excellent writing Ward !
May 2, 2023
An authentic read on aircraft carrier operations in a F-14 combined with the terror that all aviators face after being shot down...a walk in bad-guy country. Set in Afghanistan, the characters on the boat continue in true form and we add some new guys with new monikers who target the jets that fly overhead. I wonder if Punk will ever become a CAG?
December 2, 2024
Great ending
Punk's adventures are great stories. with authentic technical descriptions of flying and fighting as well as the intricate working of carrier operations, fighter pilots trials and tribulations, strong personalitys and command and control's overreach that can sometimes hinder the flow of war fighting.
Punk's adventures are great stories. with authentic technical descriptions of flying and fighting as well as the intricate working of carrier operations, fighter pilots trials and tribulations, strong personalitys and command and control's overreach that can sometimes hinder the flow of war fighting.
April 11, 2023
Another entertaining romp around Ward's imagination
Always interesting to read stories, imaginary, or otherwise, about the interesting and chaotic world of military flyers. Good story and a great experience. Thanks Ward.
Always interesting to read stories, imaginary, or otherwise, about the interesting and chaotic world of military flyers. Good story and a great experience. Thanks Ward.
August 8, 2023
Great book. It takes the main character out of the cockpit and makes him walk a mile in the boots of a POW and a Special Ops warrior in Afghanistan. The author's experience in Afghanistan as a journalist shines here.
October 2, 2024
I've really gotten to enjoy the Punk series and hope that it continues with more books. I still got to enjoy the whole naval aviation and aircraft carrier life vibe in Punk's Fight but also got to read what it's like in enemy territory on the ground after Punk had to eject from his plane. No need to get into all the details. Just know that it's a great story.
April 24, 2025
Couldn’t put it down.
An enjoyable page-turner. I know very little about the war in Afghanistan and would like to more, especially from accounts of those who were there. I feel I now have an inkling of what it might have been like for those who served there. Recommended!
An enjoyable page-turner. I know very little about the war in Afghanistan and would like to more, especially from accounts of those who were there. I feel I now have an inkling of what it might have been like for those who served there. Recommended!
July 20, 2025
Be prepared to make changes to the plan.
Naval Aviation operates on Advanced Planning , Execution, Documentation. But when necessary, these require changes to deal with unanticipated new factors. That’s where they excel.
Naval Aviation operates on Advanced Planning , Execution, Documentation. But when necessary, these require changes to deal with unanticipated new factors. That’s where they excel.
January 23, 2026
Great ending to fantastic series
The book was a wonderful read very informative as to the daily life and workings of carrier-based naval aviation , would , would definitely recommend all 3
The book was a wonderful read very informative as to the daily life and workings of carrier-based naval aviation , would , would definitely recommend all 3
February 11, 2022
another all nighter
Highly recommend the trilogy. These three books were a joy in reading. Each one difficult to put down. Can’t wait for more
Highly recommend the trilogy. These three books were a joy in reading. Each one difficult to put down. Can’t wait for more
January 23, 2023
exciting
Very exciting novel. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. An insider’s glimpse into war time life for navy flyers!
Very exciting novel. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. An insider’s glimpse into war time life for navy flyers!
January 28, 2023
good read
I enjoyed this fast paced, believable book. Well worth your time! Thanks to the author. Looking for your next book now.
I enjoyed this fast paced, believable book. Well worth your time! Thanks to the author. Looking for your next book now.
January 26, 2024
This was a great and gripping read. Ward Carroll’s best work! I hope he writes more!
July 4, 2024
Least favorite of the three. Very abrupt ending.
September 16, 2024
great read!
E 8 Retired 1991 off Ike. Your Series brought back a lot of great memories. Fair winds and following seas to you Sir.
E 8 Retired 1991 off Ike. Your Series brought back a lot of great memories. Fair winds and following seas to you Sir.
February 7, 2025
Great Series
Ward is a good writer. I would guess he knows his subject better than most. I look forward to his future books.
Ward is a good writer. I would guess he knows his subject better than most. I look forward to his future books.
August 15, 2025
compelling, brought Afghan war to life
compelling, brought Afghan war to life.
The fresh goat really hit my funny bone.
The description of the various combatants was intriguing
compelling, brought Afghan war to life.
The fresh goat really hit my funny bone.
The description of the various combatants was intriguing
February 19, 2009
War is hell
April 26, 2009
Extremely well written and interesting... one of my very favorites
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews