What do you think?
Rate this book
The Airmen #1
A War Too Far
Everyone knows the end, but do you know the beginning?
It was the war before the war. A time when America needed allies in Southeast Asia to defeat the Japanese. A time when fascists, not communists, were the enemies.
Six elite soldiers parachuted into the mountains of North Vietnam. Their mission: to find and help the elusive leader of a small rebel force hidden deep within the forest. His people called him “Uncle,” but we know him by another name.
This is a story about one of history’s greatest missed opportunities and a betrayal that destroyed millions of lives. It’s the story of a freedom fighter and his band of followers that would become one of the most feared armies in the world.
Based on historical events of The Deer Team – the first American soldiers to fight and die in Vietnam.
It’s must-read history. Get it now!
It was the war before the war. A time when America needed allies in Southeast Asia to defeat the Japanese. A time when fascists, not communists, were the enemies.
Six elite soldiers parachuted into the mountains of North Vietnam. Their mission: to find and help the elusive leader of a small rebel force hidden deep within the forest. His people called him “Uncle,” but we know him by another name.
This is a story about one of history’s greatest missed opportunities and a betrayal that destroyed millions of lives. It’s the story of a freedom fighter and his band of followers that would become one of the most feared armies in the world.
Based on historical events of The Deer Team – the first American soldiers to fight and die in Vietnam.
It’s must-read history. Get it now!
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2019
776 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
David Lee Corley
49 books47 followersI 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Read
February 16, 2020The book grabbed me before l read 10 pages. It's based on true events. It's about an OSS unit secretly sent into Vietnam during the end of WWII to help train Viet Minh so they could disrupt the Japanese supply line invading China. They saved the life of the Viet Minh leader which later turned out to haunt America.
April 13, 2020
If you're looking for a good book about America's early involvement in Vietnam, move on. This is not it. That is unless you are a sixth-grader. A War Too Far is written on a grade school level and would actually be for sixth graders if not for the explicit violence and the sex. It reminded me of the "Childhoods of Famous Americans" series, the blue books with the silhouettes as illustrations.
The story is overly simple, basic 1960s-era comic book plots. Don't read this if you are looking for adult fare. If your child is interested in history and can handle the mature themes, then this is no more than an introduction to the most basic history of Vietnam.
The story is overly simple, basic 1960s-era comic book plots. Don't read this if you are looking for adult fare. If your child is interested in history and can handle the mature themes, then this is no more than an introduction to the most basic history of Vietnam.
July 14, 2020
Five stars because it was a fun and fast read. As for historical accuracy, I cannot imaging anyone who wasn't there had the detail he choose to include; but it does offer a decent jump off for further research on America's involvement with the Viet Minh and Japan in what is now Viet Nam at the end of WWII.
April 2, 2020
Not accurate
I enjoy historical fiction because the parts involving real people are accurate. This book is a work of fabrication which the author is passing off as fact. It should have been promoted as a work of fiction loosely based on fact. At least Clive Cussler is honest and forthcoming.
I enjoy historical fiction because the parts involving real people are accurate. This book is a work of fabrication which the author is passing off as fact. It should have been promoted as a work of fiction loosely based on fact. At least Clive Cussler is honest and forthcoming.
May 21, 2020
Very enjoyable
Love the characters in this book. Very realistic. If you have not tried this author you owe it to yourself to do so. This series is historical fiction and very well done.
Love the characters in this book. Very realistic. If you have not tried this author you owe it to yourself to do so. This series is historical fiction and very well done.
April 29, 2020
Thought I Knew
I thought I knew the story of Vietnam, but I only knew a few highlights. This story is a compelling read which is real and thought provoking.
I thought I knew the story of Vietnam, but I only knew a few highlights. This story is a compelling read which is real and thought provoking.
September 3, 2020
Great book
Great book, if you are looking for historical fiction, and something to provide some chronological history of the events leading up to the war in Vietnam Nam.
Great book, if you are looking for historical fiction, and something to provide some chronological history of the events leading up to the war in Vietnam Nam.
March 19, 2021
Explains the complications involved in our initial incursions in VietNam. There are opinions regarding Uncle Ho’s motivations other than what the author expounds but is an understandable view.
December 20, 2021
This is a historical fiction book that details the first time American troops were in Vietnam, during WWII. At the time, the Chinese needed help, and they were allied with the allies fighting against the Axis. When this particular story unfolds, Germany has surrendered, but Japan has not.
The airmen take the OSS group to their destination to fight the Japanese occupation of Vietnam and China. A group of Vietnamese people of mixed philosophies of government have banded together to fight the Japanese now, and fight for their freedom from the French colonialists once the Japanese are gone. They can help and they need help. The Japanese steal their harvests, so they're starving, and they rape the women of all ages.
The airmen provide the necessary support of transport and supplies for America's allies, who call themselves the Viet Minh. They're led by Ho Chi Minh, who is an avowed Communist and mationalist. When the OSS group sees him, he is very ill with malaria and other illnesses. BTW, for those who don't know, the book doesn't tell you the OSS is the precursor of the CIA. The OSS medic gets him back on his feet, little knowing what an implacable enemy he will become during the later war in Vietnam.
The focus of the story, and the character from whose point of view the story is told, is the OSS sniper. His family emigrated to America from France when he was 12, and all became citizens of the US. He is loyal to America and her allies, and an excellent sniper and scout.
When the OSS team first encounters the Viet Minh, they realize their new allies are very skilled warriors. They also realize that if their army is to be effective and have more recruits, they need to treat the malnutrition brought about by Japanese theft of their crops and edibles in the forest as well, and they need someone to teach them tactics to improve their chances of success in actions against the Japanese in the field. Supplies are dropped, including captured Japanese weapons (the only kind the Viet Minh have and know how to use, stripped from their dead enemies). The story details their methods and sabotage missions against the Japanese.
The book also addresses the crew that dropped the 2 atom bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and their "take" on their role in the context of the war and the times.
Once the war ends, the Americans are ordered back to their home base. The US will return again to Vietnam to fight the all Communist army of Ho Chi Minh.
The writing is, to me, a bit choppy in places, but the author's bio in back says he is trying to imitate the style of Hemingway, and I have never been a big fan of Hemingway, considering his writing choppy as well, so you'll have to judge whether or not you like it for yourself.
There are also misspellings and typos the proofreaders (if any) let stand and sent for publication with errors intact. If this is a "thing" for you (as it is for me), don't let it detract from your reading. The story is still good, and from what I looked up, pretty accirate historically. This is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5.
The airmen take the OSS group to their destination to fight the Japanese occupation of Vietnam and China. A group of Vietnamese people of mixed philosophies of government have banded together to fight the Japanese now, and fight for their freedom from the French colonialists once the Japanese are gone. They can help and they need help. The Japanese steal their harvests, so they're starving, and they rape the women of all ages.
The airmen provide the necessary support of transport and supplies for America's allies, who call themselves the Viet Minh. They're led by Ho Chi Minh, who is an avowed Communist and mationalist. When the OSS group sees him, he is very ill with malaria and other illnesses. BTW, for those who don't know, the book doesn't tell you the OSS is the precursor of the CIA. The OSS medic gets him back on his feet, little knowing what an implacable enemy he will become during the later war in Vietnam.
The focus of the story, and the character from whose point of view the story is told, is the OSS sniper. His family emigrated to America from France when he was 12, and all became citizens of the US. He is loyal to America and her allies, and an excellent sniper and scout.
When the OSS team first encounters the Viet Minh, they realize their new allies are very skilled warriors. They also realize that if their army is to be effective and have more recruits, they need to treat the malnutrition brought about by Japanese theft of their crops and edibles in the forest as well, and they need someone to teach them tactics to improve their chances of success in actions against the Japanese in the field. Supplies are dropped, including captured Japanese weapons (the only kind the Viet Minh have and know how to use, stripped from their dead enemies). The story details their methods and sabotage missions against the Japanese.
The book also addresses the crew that dropped the 2 atom bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and their "take" on their role in the context of the war and the times.
Once the war ends, the Americans are ordered back to their home base. The US will return again to Vietnam to fight the all Communist army of Ho Chi Minh.
The writing is, to me, a bit choppy in places, but the author's bio in back says he is trying to imitate the style of Hemingway, and I have never been a big fan of Hemingway, considering his writing choppy as well, so you'll have to judge whether or not you like it for yourself.
There are also misspellings and typos the proofreaders (if any) let stand and sent for publication with errors intact. If this is a "thing" for you (as it is for me), don't let it detract from your reading. The story is still good, and from what I looked up, pretty accirate historically. This is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5.
September 22, 2022
Great history. Hard to read because of errors.
Very good history, overall pretty well written (a bit much soap opera-esque for me at times, but some people need this, I guess) but it contains a lot of grammatical and typographical errors. I bought this book at the US National POW Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site and Military Cemetery in Georgia, where my Mom is buried. Every trip, I get a different book at the Museum bookstore. I got this one this last trip. My Mom was a reference librarian and stickler with the English language. I learned well from her. When books make it through authorship, review, publisher, review, etc, only then is the book published. Is every single error caught? No. Are most, yes. But this book has no publisher, except for the author. I love the history behind this book, but the errors are preventing me from finishing it. A dear friend of mine was in the USN, and in 1953 was running operatives up the Red River from Haiphong to Hanoi. So the US could drive the French out. This book covers the 8 years before Frank's experience. David Lee Corley, as author and publisher, PLEASE have somebody review, revise, and only then republish this book. Then, you will get 5 stars from me. Until then, 3 stars is generous.
Very good history, overall pretty well written (a bit much soap opera-esque for me at times, but some people need this, I guess) but it contains a lot of grammatical and typographical errors. I bought this book at the US National POW Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site and Military Cemetery in Georgia, where my Mom is buried. Every trip, I get a different book at the Museum bookstore. I got this one this last trip. My Mom was a reference librarian and stickler with the English language. I learned well from her. When books make it through authorship, review, publisher, review, etc, only then is the book published. Is every single error caught? No. Are most, yes. But this book has no publisher, except for the author. I love the history behind this book, but the errors are preventing me from finishing it. A dear friend of mine was in the USN, and in 1953 was running operatives up the Red River from Haiphong to Hanoi. So the US could drive the French out. This book covers the 8 years before Frank's experience. David Lee Corley, as author and publisher, PLEASE have somebody review, revise, and only then republish this book. Then, you will get 5 stars from me. Until then, 3 stars is generous.
March 18, 2024
Oh, the irony that Americans fought beside the Viet Minh against the Japanese at the end of WWII. And what a dilemma the UN faced when France wanted Vietnam back although it'd done nothing to protect its colony when the Japanese invaded.
Once he gets going David Lee Corley gets stuck into a cracking jungle warfare story, highlighting the American quandary of fighting with communists through the eyes of an OSS team deployed in Northern Vietnam near the Chinese border.
Of course Russians were communists yet US allies against the Nazis, but David Lee Corley's novel is set after the fall of Berlin when the Russians and communists in general became instant bad guys.
There are plenty of shootouts and a somewhat perplexing romance.
If you're an action war novel buff, give 'A War too Far' a go.
I enjoyed the novel and finished it in a few days.
Once he gets going David Lee Corley gets stuck into a cracking jungle warfare story, highlighting the American quandary of fighting with communists through the eyes of an OSS team deployed in Northern Vietnam near the Chinese border.
Of course Russians were communists yet US allies against the Nazis, but David Lee Corley's novel is set after the fall of Berlin when the Russians and communists in general became instant bad guys.
There are plenty of shootouts and a somewhat perplexing romance.
If you're an action war novel buff, give 'A War too Far' a go.
I enjoyed the novel and finished it in a few days.
May 16, 2020
In 1945, a six-man covert OSS unit parachuted into Northern Vietnam to find the elusive leader of the Viet Minh – Ho Chi Minh. Its mission was to train the Vietnamese guerrillas to fight the Japanese army that had invaded their country and cut off Japan’s supply routes into China, helping to end the war in the Pacific. American's OSS “Deer Team” turned a ragtag group of two hundred rebels on the verge of starvation into what would become a fighting force that would eventually defeat the armies of France and the United States. For historical fiction and military history buffs, this is Book One in Corley's 'Airmen' series. It’s an enjoyable and quick read of a time important to understanding our initial involvement in Vietnam.
April 23, 2020
Where one war ended and another war started. I enjoyed the story and remembered the folks I know who went to Vietnam and came back or didn’t. I was too young to understand what was going on at the time. This book helped to put things together for me. Also, learned that we trained the very people we had to fight...Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh, fighting with them against the Japanese in WWII and then against them in the Vietnam War. Strange turn of events. I have only read this one of the series, but David Corley is a great historical writer in my opinion so may read more.
June 14, 2020
Just completed the book and was truly disappointed- the book promoted the real beginning to America’s involvement in the Vietnam war - book spent way too much time on the characters spitting woman and grainier and their relationship- took away from the meaning and purpose of the story - also with the first casualty lt col paul Dewey seemed to be of little importance until his death and it was almost in passing and could be considered more of an accidental shooting as the viet Minh soldier thought he might be a French officer -gave book a 3 stars to be fair for the attempt
April 9, 2020
I am a life long learner and I enjoyed reading about the dynamics in Indochina in the late 4os. Mr Corley made the story very interesting with his colorful characters. It is very sad to read about how the French exploited Indochina for their natural resources and cheap labor.
Anyway if you like history read the book
Anyway if you like history read the book
May 31, 2020
Poorly researched, not recommended
I found the poor historical research took a lot away from this marginally written novel. The story had so,e interesting points, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone that has interest in the historical aspects of what was supposed to be historical fiction.
I found the poor historical research took a lot away from this marginally written novel. The story had so,e interesting points, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone that has interest in the historical aspects of what was supposed to be historical fiction.
June 15, 2020
Special warfare men following orders, training Vietnam hills people to fight unknowingly saving a future enemy leader.
I didn't know we had American soldiers in Vietnam fighting the Japanese towards the end of WWII. They trained junglemen to fight the Japanese and win to only be at odds at the end of the war torn between two allies.
I didn't know we had American soldiers in Vietnam fighting the Japanese towards the end of WWII. They trained junglemen to fight the Japanese and win to only be at odds at the end of the war torn between two allies.
November 4, 2020
Being a Vietnam Veteran, and a person that likes history, I had known many of the events that Mr. Corley portrayed in his books! I have never been much of a reader, but once I started with this book, I couldn’t put it down, and ended up reading seven of his books in the airman series! All were good reads, as he carried his characters over into each book! I really enjoyed them!
June 24, 2021
Excellent book for understanding the transition from WW2 to war with the Viet Mihn. Once allies during the war against the Japanese, Americans became entangled with French colonialists who tried to hold onto Vietnam. This fictional book, loosely based on factual events presents insight into the messy conflict.
June 18, 2022
I agree with other reviewers that the story got bogged down with the romantic aspect. Overall the story kept to history. One point I didn't agree with is the relation between the Viet Minh and the Montagnards. Having experience working with the Montagnards I know the relation between the Vietnamese and them is not good. I'll read the next in the series to see how it goes.
April 20, 2025
Meh I found the story line pretty simple with few surprises. Main Characters were kind of shallow, while a second line character was ultimately more interesting to me. I can’t speak to the historical accuracy but other reviewers have.
It has made me more interested in the history of that time period and the relationship between the US and Vietnam. Which will make me read more.
It has made me more interested in the history of that time period and the relationship between the US and Vietnam. Which will make me read more.
June 10, 2025
A riveting story of Vietnam fighting for freedom.
The author has written a very intriguing story of the fighting in Vietnam at the end of World War II to drive out the Japanese which the US government supported by providing military advisors and supplies. A very enjoyable reading of story that is packed with jungle fighting and the hardships of the fighter’s.
The author has written a very intriguing story of the fighting in Vietnam at the end of World War II to drive out the Japanese which the US government supported by providing military advisors and supplies. A very enjoyable reading of story that is packed with jungle fighting and the hardships of the fighter’s.
July 14, 2020
Great read on a period piece after WWII and beginning of Vietnam War.
Riveting, catchy, action packed. I read it with great interest and, especially after having been to Hanoi, appreciate how much the Vietnamese hated French occupation.
Riveting, catchy, action packed. I read it with great interest and, especially after having been to Hanoi, appreciate how much the Vietnamese hated French occupation.
November 27, 2020
Not the most polished Vietnam chronicle.
Too little development.
Too little detail, too little historical background, too little character detail and the story structure could be a lot better.
Too little development.
Too little detail, too little historical background, too little character detail and the story structure could be a lot better.
June 3, 2021
A great mix of plot and history
Mr. Corley has taken history and mixed in a believable group of OSS soldiers. His story keeps you reading to find the ending! It is a very fast read and a good plot! The rest of this series awaits!
Mr. Corley has taken history and mixed in a believable group of OSS soldiers. His story keeps you reading to find the ending! It is a very fast read and a good plot! The rest of this series awaits!
June 17, 2021
Got to Page 30
Couldn't take this author's mister perfect main character.
Most dangerous member to any squad is the know-it-all. Enough for me.
No room for narcissism in a team. I can't imagine the horror of having to work in a team with this author.
Couldn't take this author's mister perfect main character.
Most dangerous member to any squad is the know-it-all. Enough for me.
No room for narcissism in a team. I can't imagine the horror of having to work in a team with this author.
January 10, 2022
Great Story.....
Wonderful Action Packed Story of what was going on in the world when the Japanese were still trying to keep the war going. I loved the action and the way the Americans helped in the jungles to stop the Japanese cause.😁
Wonderful Action Packed Story of what was going on in the world when the Japanese were still trying to keep the war going. I loved the action and the way the Americans helped in the jungles to stop the Japanese cause.😁
February 20, 2022
Book was great!
It started slowly but the pace pick up. This story was base on facts about the OSS in Vietnam. If the US sided with Vietnam Minh would we have the Vietnam War? One wonders.
It started slowly but the pace pick up. This story was base on facts about the OSS in Vietnam. If the US sided with Vietnam Minh would we have the Vietnam War? One wonders.
March 5, 2022
The Title is Misleading but Worth a Read
What sounds like a book on the origins of the war in Vietnam is instead a satisfying action novel. It's not perfect --- lots of unlikely but convenient coincidences --- bit worth a read.
What sounds like a book on the origins of the war in Vietnam is instead a satisfying action novel. It's not perfect --- lots of unlikely but convenient coincidences --- bit worth a read.
July 19, 2022
Unknown Americans Vietnamese History
Long before America became mired in the Vietnam conflict, special ops teams taught and led the Viet John fight the Japanese that overran the breadbasket of Vietnam. Also the beginning of the violent French takeover. Great history lrsson.
Long before America became mired in the Vietnam conflict, special ops teams taught and led the Viet John fight the Japanese that overran the breadbasket of Vietnam. Also the beginning of the violent French takeover. Great history lrsson.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews