WOODSIDE Returns: Korean War Surprises!

by Roger Maxim

WOODSIDE RETURNS
After nearly five years of building families and careers, the men of Woodside suddenly find themselves in unexpected roles. Brought back out of mothballs, the faithful Fletcher-class Destroyer Woodside is brought into service for a surprising war in a surprising place—Korea.
Ed, Prof, Joey, Mike, and other familiar characters—and a few new ones, too—find themselves in places where they never expected—whether trading shots with a shore battery, shelling invasion beaches, or even fighting off attacking enemy airplanes, the excitement is constant. There is even an adventure with a passenger airplane…
The turbulent times of mid-1950 are confused and confusing, but WOODSIDE Returns brings it all into focus while our guys fight for their lives.
As always—the story is fiction, but the history is real!
Come aboard Woodside and experience it for yourself!

Genres: History

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2022

Reviews

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A account of the Korean conflict

I served during this time and it was as depicted, a complete screw up! MacArthur's arrogance, misconceptions combined with little guidance and direction from any knowledgeable individuals in Washington government resulted in a conflict that was not even called a war, until years later

[Steven Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about a campaign that is much less known to people my age than World War II or Vietnam. Famous names were nevertheless familiar, and the action includes the Inchon landing and the Battle of Chosin reservoir. Both the preliminary maneuvering that surrounded the outbreak of war and the sudden, disorganized calling up of veterans rang profoundly true. It's a "thing" in American politics that was criticized by Samuel Eliot Morison in his "Two Ocean War" to liquidate the fighting forces before peace has been securely established.

The airplane crash that befalls some of the characters in the middle of the book is extremely well handled and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

But to me it seemed like the denouement was a little premature -- the war continued for quite a long time after Chosin, yet it ends when the "new" Woodside is sent back to San Diego, presumably to be decommissioned and sent back into mothballs. It's a relief for the characters, I don't think any of them really wanted a Navy career, but for readers it seems like the book ends abruptly. I didn't bother looking up the hull number to see if that ship actually was sent back to the US at that time, which would be the easiest justification for the plot to take that exit -- the author was working from a log and it ended. Anyway, it seems the woodside saga has coasted to a stop. It's still a very good series and even though there isn't the spectacular action here as we saw in the WW II period when there was a peer challenger facing the USN, this book was fast moving and a good read, plus it showed us events I wasn't familiar with at all.

[Regina Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole series are a must-read from Book 1 to Booʻk 7

I make this review on the whole Long Grey Target series of books. From the onset, we were introduced to characters from desperate parts of America and from different sections of society. They became moulded into a fighting unit whilst we explored who they were and where they came from. As the series progressed, we were introduced to a host of other characters through the trial and tribulations of the crew members. The action takes us through all spheres of World War 11 as viewed from an American perspective culminating with the Korean War.

[Bill Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read

Ver good account of one view of te Korean Conflict. I Romberg very little news about the war as a child. Other than “King” MacArthur being fired. The story, could be 100% true but the meaning behind the story tells a bigger story about keeping a strong Military. You can’t project weakness. I am proud to be in a family that supplied military to every conflict from 1862 to current.

[Thomas A. Gaither · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but too many simple mistakes that were easy to avoid. Fot example Capt Palmer retired from the Navy at 45 with 25 years service. He would have entered the Naval Academy at 16 which can't be done. In one place it mentions an unnamed master chief. This pair grade was not authorized by congress untill 1058. There are othera.

[Cecil DeMonbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok but not long enough

I enjoyed the earlier Woodside adventures but found this one not so spellbinding. Mr. Maxim seems to have rushed to complete this book. I am giving it a grade of B. Looking forward to more books from Mr. Maxim

[D.M. Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Korean War action

Interesting story of American sailors of the Korean War. Heavy on detail. The human side is a bit cardboard.
Enjoyable for the accuracy of the historical information.

[John Taussig · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting take on the Korean Wae

Highlights some of the confusion of post WWII and the demilitarized armed forces. Also the over confidence of MaCartbhur in his role as commander.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant history of events that could be very relevant today

[William Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story set in the first year of the Korean War. Literary license is used to avoid describing '50s technology. The author enjoyed his time with the Pacific Amphibious Forces.