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Brotherhood of War #5
The Berets
They were the chosen ones--and the ones to be the best. Never before had the United States given so select a group of fighting men such punishing preparation. Now they were heading for their ultimate test of skill and nerve and sacrifice, in a war unlike any they or their country had ever fought before...in a land that most of America still knew nothing about...Vietnam.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1985
570 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,293 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 1, 2022
Griffin gets his groove back with the fifth book in the Brotherhood of War series as we continue to follow the careers of the characters he established in the very first book, as well as continuing with some newer characters. All of the characters connect to the major plotline regarding the continuing effort to establish the Green Berets and efforts by many in army leadership to kill the program and turn the Berets into paratroopers.
Let’s be honest, there’s still too much soap opera romance in this tale. Every young military man (and many of the older ones) appears to think only of getting into bed with the object of their current crush and then marrying her. That may or may not be realistic, but since it didn’t always strengthen the story, it wasn’t always a good thing.
The best storyline was a very interesting bullying problem in which a sadistic drill sergeant went after a recruit and crossed way over the line. He ambushes the recruit and hurts him, but the recruit still puts the sergeant in the hospital—where the sergeant promptly gets the recruit arrested even though the sergeant (and the reader) know he was only defending himself. The tension here was great and I resented it every time Griffin left it to keep up with his other plots. It shows the military justice system in an unattractive light, and, of course, lets Griffin show his heroes battling for justice.
A lot happens in this one—including a shocking death. I hope that Griffin can maintain this level of storytelling for the rest of the series.
Let’s be honest, there’s still too much soap opera romance in this tale. Every young military man (and many of the older ones) appears to think only of getting into bed with the object of their current crush and then marrying her. That may or may not be realistic, but since it didn’t always strengthen the story, it wasn’t always a good thing.
The best storyline was a very interesting bullying problem in which a sadistic drill sergeant went after a recruit and crossed way over the line. He ambushes the recruit and hurts him, but the recruit still puts the sergeant in the hospital—where the sergeant promptly gets the recruit arrested even though the sergeant (and the reader) know he was only defending himself. The tension here was great and I resented it every time Griffin left it to keep up with his other plots. It shows the military justice system in an unattractive light, and, of course, lets Griffin show his heroes battling for justice.
A lot happens in this one—including a shocking death. I hope that Griffin can maintain this level of storytelling for the rest of the series.
January 5, 2024
Fresh Blood
The Berets expands the ensemble cast of the Brotherhood of War with two new enlistees. It allows the series to return to its roots of building characters as they join the army, become better people, and turn into conscientious patriots. Ever the master of bureaucratic drama, the author’s alternate history is cleverly woven out of obscure historical events. In retrospect, the last four novels documented the creation of the Special Forces, though that took a few detours and taught me about the Key West Agreement.
The best part of The Berets is Lowe’s reduced role. His few scenes are a tapestry of flaws: a deadbeat father, an insufferable adulterer and an out-of-touch rich snob. He’s also gained a hypocritical streak. There’s an ironic sequence where he dresses down a younger version of himself who’s facing life imprisonment. It’s meant to showcase how much he’s grown but only serves to highlight how his patrons have rescued Lowe’s career. As always, the author’s writing style implies these are positive qualities, and along with his typical portrayal of women as nothing more than sex objects or devoted wives, leads me to my oft-repeated statement that I enjoy the series but criticize its values.
With such baggage, it’s a surprise that the author continuously crafts excellent new characters. While their journeys share thematic elements, the new batch all have distinct personalities, unique backgrounds, and serious flaws. The half-Latino Ellis’s return to Spanish Harlem and his remarried mother is one heartbreaking example, but I particularly loved the proud East German defector and the surprise antagonist viewpoint of the Viet Cong. In short, The Berets is more of the same, but with a diversified cast. After four novels, that’s quite the achievement.
Not Recommended, with Reservations.
The Berets expands the ensemble cast of the Brotherhood of War with two new enlistees. It allows the series to return to its roots of building characters as they join the army, become better people, and turn into conscientious patriots. Ever the master of bureaucratic drama, the author’s alternate history is cleverly woven out of obscure historical events. In retrospect, the last four novels documented the creation of the Special Forces, though that took a few detours and taught me about the Key West Agreement.
The best part of The Berets is Lowe’s reduced role. His few scenes are a tapestry of flaws: a deadbeat father, an insufferable adulterer and an out-of-touch rich snob. He’s also gained a hypocritical streak. There’s an ironic sequence where he dresses down a younger version of himself who’s facing life imprisonment. It’s meant to showcase how much he’s grown but only serves to highlight how his patrons have rescued Lowe’s career. As always, the author’s writing style implies these are positive qualities, and along with his typical portrayal of women as nothing more than sex objects or devoted wives, leads me to my oft-repeated statement that I enjoy the series but criticize its values.
With such baggage, it’s a surprise that the author continuously crafts excellent new characters. While their journeys share thematic elements, the new batch all have distinct personalities, unique backgrounds, and serious flaws. The half-Latino Ellis’s return to Spanish Harlem and his remarried mother is one heartbreaking example, but I particularly loved the proud East German defector and the surprise antagonist viewpoint of the Viet Cong. In short, The Berets is more of the same, but with a diversified cast. After four novels, that’s quite the achievement.
Not Recommended, with Reservations.
December 30, 2020
This epic series continues!
September 20, 2013
I've put off starting W.E.B. Griffin's books...for years. I knew if I liked them I'd be getting hooked on a long involved series of books.
Well, I'm now caught in a long involved series of books. (Like that's never happened before).
On the bright side there are a lot of them already out there. I began here at #5 in the series because I was in the military in this period. So, I'm now planning to read them in 2 "series" at a time. I've sent for the first book The Lieutenants. After that I plan to read The Generals...then drop back and get The Captains and so on.
That's the plan anyway....who knows?
Okay that aside this is a good book. Only a small amount of action actually takes place in the book. We follow the lives of the participants (and sometimes their deaths). I'm not overly fond of romantic stories and there is some of that here but it's just that...part of the story. Here America is heading for involvement in Vietnam. The Green Berets are still in their formative period. Many in the Army see this as a great thing, others don't care for the idea. The story revolves around the forming of the Berets, what their job is and what the job will be.
A good book, seems like it will be a good series.
Annndddd...here I go again, still the idea of a lot of books already published and waiting is nice.
Well, I'm now caught in a long involved series of books. (Like that's never happened before).
On the bright side there are a lot of them already out there. I began here at #5 in the series because I was in the military in this period. So, I'm now planning to read them in 2 "series" at a time. I've sent for the first book The Lieutenants. After that I plan to read The Generals...then drop back and get The Captains and so on.
That's the plan anyway....who knows?
Okay that aside this is a good book. Only a small amount of action actually takes place in the book. We follow the lives of the participants (and sometimes their deaths). I'm not overly fond of romantic stories and there is some of that here but it's just that...part of the story. Here America is heading for involvement in Vietnam. The Green Berets are still in their formative period. Many in the Army see this as a great thing, others don't care for the idea. The story revolves around the forming of the Berets, what their job is and what the job will be.
A good book, seems like it will be a good series.
Annndddd...here I go again, still the idea of a lot of books already published and waiting is nice.
October 4, 2016
Brotherhood Extraordinaire (Audiobook)
It took me a little longer to be totally hooked on Griffin's Brotherhood of War series especially after reading his spectacular Corps & Presidential Agent series initially BUT that being said by Book 4 I was totally hooked. I read a few other types of books between book 3 & 4 and discovered within the first few minutes of Book 4 that there are very few authors like Griffin out there who grab your interest and write so elegantly about the victories and failures of events and people.
This is at least the third book of this series that left me with tears of gladness with a pinch of sadness at the end of the book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this series as well as any other writings of W.E.B Griffin. I am also a big fan of the fabulous narration by Eric G. Dove.
It took me a little longer to be totally hooked on Griffin's Brotherhood of War series especially after reading his spectacular Corps & Presidential Agent series initially BUT that being said by Book 4 I was totally hooked. I read a few other types of books between book 3 & 4 and discovered within the first few minutes of Book 4 that there are very few authors like Griffin out there who grab your interest and write so elegantly about the victories and failures of events and people.
This is at least the third book of this series that left me with tears of gladness with a pinch of sadness at the end of the book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this series as well as any other writings of W.E.B Griffin. I am also a big fan of the fabulous narration by Eric G. Dove.
July 31, 2016
I found this book in a dusty pile of books at an old train station in Al Qaim province. The Marine Corps had a base I would fly into from time to time. After the daily patrols and location visits, I would hit the gym and eventually wind up upstairs of the command building reading this book. I finished the copy one week while I was up there. I would love to find that old book someday. It was only fitting that I read a boo on the Brotherhood of War while I was with my brotherhood at war.
September 2, 2009
enjoying the series immensely. Gives a different perspective on the military and the type of people involved with it. Also incredibly well-written and humorous.
December 7, 2018
Let’s see. This is the (2,3,4…) fifth installment of W.E.B. Griffin’s Brotherhood of War series. There are nine total, and for maximum effect, I recommend that they be read in order. The first installment takes place in the waning days of the second World War. By this book, we’re in the early sixties – right after The Bay of Pigs as the U.S. is sending “advisors” to Viet Nam.
Before this book, each installment had a military rank as its title (The Lieutenants, The Captains, etc.) This book takes a small detour on that path since the Green Berets were such a vital element of the American Military during the time in this book’s history. Not that any of this should really matter. As it is, it’s very hard for me to look back at the episodes of this multi-volume story and recall who did what at what time in which book. Those types of detail are basically irrelevant. These books are designed to be a story about military people and their families.
Note that these stories don’t contain a lot of actual conflict on the battlefield. We see very little combat in these books. The author is more interested in telling stories about the soldiers and their lives – personal and professional. This is a slight disappointment, but only a slight one. The author is an excellent story teller, so the fact that these books are a tad “soap opera-ish” don’t bother me. There’s plenty of “military” here, just not a lot on the actual battlefield.
Without keeping a tally, there are about fifteen or so recurring characters in these books, but we do meet plenty of new ones as well. The main three are Colonel’s Lowell, MacMillan, and Felter. The titles of these books reflect whatever rank these three happen to achieve in the volume. Of the many other characters, new and old, some don’t survive throughout the series. This is the military, after all.
To keep things a bit fresh, the author seems to have given his three main actors a bit smaller of a role in this book. We now focus on two younger soldiers, Tom Ellis and Geoff Craig. Ellis was introduced to us in the last installment, but has a much larger role here. Craig is the nephew of Craig Lowell. Like his uncle, he’s a bit of a spoiled brat, but has what it takes to survive in this man’s army. I wasn’t bothered in the slightest by this shift of attention. You can only keep the same characters in the “same” books interesting for so long. As it is, I’m a bit tired of Craig Lowell’s escapades as a rich/good looking playboy. It doesn’t take a literary genius to conclude that every time Lowell meets a woman in one of these stories, they end up having sex after a few pages. It gets too formulaic after a while.
From what I understand, the remainder of the books (or most of them) don’t progress quite as far into the future. I think (and I could be wrong) that our characters stay in the 1960s for the bulk of the remainder of their literary life. If that’s the case, I hope that we see more action in terms of combat. The few instances that we do have are quite rewarding. There’s a brief story within these pages of a few natives of Viet Nam. As Griffin tells their story, it gives the reader a good perspective of the mindset of the Asian warrior and makes an interesting (albeit gruesome) tale within a tale. I’d like to see more of this in later books.
Regardless, I continue to enjoy these chapters. The author also deserves kudos for carefully “reminding” his reader of his character’s backgrounds. Unless one reads all nine of these back-to-back, time has a way of making one forget some relevant details of many of the characters. We’re able to quickly relearn what we may have forgotten without droning on and on about the past.
These books are fairly quick as well. Each book is about 400 pages, but they seem to go much quicker. I can’t help but think that this is mainly because of the quality of the material.
Before this book, each installment had a military rank as its title (The Lieutenants, The Captains, etc.) This book takes a small detour on that path since the Green Berets were such a vital element of the American Military during the time in this book’s history. Not that any of this should really matter. As it is, it’s very hard for me to look back at the episodes of this multi-volume story and recall who did what at what time in which book. Those types of detail are basically irrelevant. These books are designed to be a story about military people and their families.
Note that these stories don’t contain a lot of actual conflict on the battlefield. We see very little combat in these books. The author is more interested in telling stories about the soldiers and their lives – personal and professional. This is a slight disappointment, but only a slight one. The author is an excellent story teller, so the fact that these books are a tad “soap opera-ish” don’t bother me. There’s plenty of “military” here, just not a lot on the actual battlefield.
Without keeping a tally, there are about fifteen or so recurring characters in these books, but we do meet plenty of new ones as well. The main three are Colonel’s Lowell, MacMillan, and Felter. The titles of these books reflect whatever rank these three happen to achieve in the volume. Of the many other characters, new and old, some don’t survive throughout the series. This is the military, after all.
To keep things a bit fresh, the author seems to have given his three main actors a bit smaller of a role in this book. We now focus on two younger soldiers, Tom Ellis and Geoff Craig. Ellis was introduced to us in the last installment, but has a much larger role here. Craig is the nephew of Craig Lowell. Like his uncle, he’s a bit of a spoiled brat, but has what it takes to survive in this man’s army. I wasn’t bothered in the slightest by this shift of attention. You can only keep the same characters in the “same” books interesting for so long. As it is, I’m a bit tired of Craig Lowell’s escapades as a rich/good looking playboy. It doesn’t take a literary genius to conclude that every time Lowell meets a woman in one of these stories, they end up having sex after a few pages. It gets too formulaic after a while.
From what I understand, the remainder of the books (or most of them) don’t progress quite as far into the future. I think (and I could be wrong) that our characters stay in the 1960s for the bulk of the remainder of their literary life. If that’s the case, I hope that we see more action in terms of combat. The few instances that we do have are quite rewarding. There’s a brief story within these pages of a few natives of Viet Nam. As Griffin tells their story, it gives the reader a good perspective of the mindset of the Asian warrior and makes an interesting (albeit gruesome) tale within a tale. I’d like to see more of this in later books.
Regardless, I continue to enjoy these chapters. The author also deserves kudos for carefully “reminding” his reader of his character’s backgrounds. Unless one reads all nine of these back-to-back, time has a way of making one forget some relevant details of many of the characters. We’re able to quickly relearn what we may have forgotten without droning on and on about the past.
These books are fairly quick as well. Each book is about 400 pages, but they seem to go much quicker. I can’t help but think that this is mainly because of the quality of the material.
April 17, 2024
In The Berets we are reminded that JFK was a big proponent and supporter of Special Forces and thus, the President, with Felter’s guidance, makes it possible for the special forces folk to wear their green beret. Also, Colonel Hanrahan gets promoted to Brigadier which gives the berets even more protection. And we get a couple new characters. One turns out to be Lowell’s first cousin once removed who is drafted and ends up in the stockade for beating up his drill sergeant. (To be fair, the sergeant initiated the incident). This whole cousin thing is sort of a reprise as it follows fairly closely Lowell’s own story of being picked up from military obscurity and being quickly promoted and part of the action. The cousin, Geoff Craig, is helped out of the stockade by the aforementioned LtColonel Lowell and sent to special forces training where he emerges, jump qualified, as a sergeant and on an A team. His story even follows his cousin’s to the extent that he falls for a German girl whose brother had been an East German military officer. This fellow, with his sister, had escaped by driving through the Berlin Wall in a big truck filled with sand bags and then enlisted as a private in the US Army. Soon to be Green Beret Sergeant Wagner may or may not have a continuing role in the service. By now almost every main character plus a couple new ones are Green Berets and near the end of this book they even figure out a way for Lowell to don the green hat and pin on jump wings. We are ready for Vietnam. Parker is already there. Ellis goes on TDY but it doesn’t end well for him. Unfortunately our brilliant Audible reader is not quite ready for Vietnam as he pronounces lots of stuff wrong which as a veteran of the place makes me laugh out loud. He pronounces Tan Son Nhut (ton so newt) as “ton son nut”. He emphasizes the wrong syllable on Kontum and spells out ARVN rather than just say “arvin.” He could have used a little help with this part of the book. Interestingly he gets JAG right saying “jag” rather than spelling it. Lowell meets a new lady, a captain who is also a psychiatrist. Trying to decide whether or not to attack this series I read lots of reviews. There was a certain faction of readers who disapproved of Lowell’s character based on his actions as a lady’s man. He is referred to by some as an adulterer although the only married lady he bedded was the clear initiator of the affair. I’m going by memory here but fictional character Lowell’s first sexual encounter was with Ilsa, the German girl he married. Then there was the movie star, the Time Magazine journalist who stood him up at the alter, his secretary (the married lady) and now possibly the psychiatrist. I may have forgotten one or two but I don’t understand the disapprobation. The stage is set. It’s 1962. Advisors have been sent to Vietnam. Our entire crew of characters are Green Berets. And Lowell is drawing up plans for an air mobile division (think 1st Air Calvary).
May 8, 2022
Green berets are set in times of vietnam war and duty to rescue prisoners of war in as of historical accuracy operation Ivory Coast. Although it's chronologically later, perhaps mentioned in next books.
But vietnam war is just afther Bay of pigs invasion, abortive invasion of Cuba, that was topic of previous book. Acction to takake away Cuban Lider from power with favour, action of Cuban immigrants. And help of US merceneries.
But these berets and story of the book takes us to Germany too and thickening of Berlin wall done by soviets and east germany(soviet saleite) from now on eveyone exaping to free western world this fearsome way, was killed.
It also warth mantioning that in '66 there was Viet cong attack on Special Force Base at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
In March 1968, the anti-Jewish smear campaign, loud propaganda and mass mobilization were greatly intensified. The process of purging Jewish and other officials, ex-Stalinists, high-ranking rival communists and moral supporters of the current liberal opposition movement, was accelerated.
The Polish 1968 political crisis, also known in Poland as March 1968, Students' March, or March events (Polish: Marzec 1968; studencki Marzec; wydarzenia marcowe), was a series of major student, intellectual and other protests against the communist regime of the Polish People's Republic.
And Pesident Kenedy wanted to be reelected and his electorat as he spoked, was Jewish in mijority.
But vietnam war is just afther Bay of pigs invasion, abortive invasion of Cuba, that was topic of previous book. Acction to takake away Cuban Lider from power with favour, action of Cuban immigrants. And help of US merceneries.
But these berets and story of the book takes us to Germany too and thickening of Berlin wall done by soviets and east germany(soviet saleite) from now on eveyone exaping to free western world this fearsome way, was killed.
It also warth mantioning that in '66 there was Viet cong attack on Special Force Base at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
In March 1968, the anti-Jewish smear campaign, loud propaganda and mass mobilization were greatly intensified. The process of purging Jewish and other officials, ex-Stalinists, high-ranking rival communists and moral supporters of the current liberal opposition movement, was accelerated.
The Polish 1968 political crisis, also known in Poland as March 1968, Students' March, or March events (Polish: Marzec 1968; studencki Marzec; wydarzenia marcowe), was a series of major student, intellectual and other protests against the communist regime of the Polish People's Republic.
And Pesident Kenedy wanted to be reelected and his electorat as he spoked, was Jewish in mijority.
September 18, 2017
The saga continues as the men who have made careers and lives in the United States Army from the 1940s through the 1960s rise through the ranks. We also see a new generation begin to enter the ranks, including Craig Lowell's young relation, Jeff Craig. Jeff is drafted and comes to the Army reluctantly, albeit determined to get through his required years of service without drawing attention to himself. But there's a stubborn streak in him, and he soon finds himself in hot water. Many of the longstanding characters become generals, while others seem to have stopped advancing and fear they will go no further.
Griffin's flair for creating deeply human characters is on display yet again. His portrayal of some of the bizarre twists of military service and the way stories end is also at the forefront here. We come to care deeply about these men and their families, making their entrances all the more welcome and their departures that much more painful. Another command performance.
Griffin's flair for creating deeply human characters is on display yet again. His portrayal of some of the bizarre twists of military service and the way stories end is also at the forefront here. We come to care deeply about these men and their families, making their entrances all the more welcome and their departures that much more painful. Another command performance.
September 17, 2017
I've read this series several times over the last 20 years or so, and just started it again after a 5+ year layoff. Reading it again I've forgotten how good of a storyteller Griffin was before writing with his son in his last few books. While this one sets the stage for each of his other series (i.e., Corps, Vigilantes, Philadelphia police series) with a rich guy who always bucks the system to beat up the bad guy, with this one you have good character developmet and dialogue, and get a history of the Army from WWII through Vietnam - Korea, tank development, army aviation, Green Berets, you name it.
This one continues the Lowell saga with a little more development of Craig's cousin, as well as Lowell being offically granted membership as a Green beret.
This one continues the Lowell saga with a little more development of Craig's cousin, as well as Lowell being offically granted membership as a Green beret.
July 14, 2018
A good read. I had issues, not with the book or content but with the Audiobook format. It didn’t play reliably in my 2002 Dodge stereo. It’s the first book (of well over 100) that simply didn’t want to play. But I’ve read a few others since that played fine. Another W. E. B. Griffin book in this same series - The Aviators - likewise was extremely difficult to get to play.
I would have enjoyed a bit longer story. The series really lends to itself well.
I would have enjoyed a bit longer story. The series really lends to itself well.
April 28, 2018
Unfortunately this is book 5 in the series (I only have 5 & 6) and I like to begin from the beginning when reading a series. Well I'm hooked and will now be on a mission to get the rest of the series and dive into them. The characters are down to earth and easy to relate to in certain ways. I can't wait to read more!
March 4, 2019
Loved it, spent the weekend reading these last two books of this series. Looking to get started on the next book of this series. Keeps me curious what’s going to happen with Craig’s son in Germany. Like his cousin Paul that was just introduced to the series along with his fiancé. Surprise they had Tom Alice leave the series with his death. Was looking forward to see him grow in the series.
December 17, 2019
To be honest,if you have read one of Griffin's books, you've basically read them all.
They are similar but different at the same time.
This story revolves around a group of special forces enlisted and officers circa 1960-1961.
Lots of humor and a very fast read.
They are similar but different at the same time.
This story revolves around a group of special forces enlisted and officers circa 1960-1961.
Lots of humor and a very fast read.
April 18, 2020
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June 16, 2020
A little slower than previous entries in this series. Vietnam is winding up. The VietCong are taking terror steps to control the people. We lose a short live but good character. Craig Lowell is finally called a Green Beret as he's due. Revenge is a dish best served with a .45 caliber revolver.
March 3, 2021
Griffin is a great storyteller. I think best to read in order so you know the backstory!
Great character development from book to book! Interesting series about the Military, but, not always set in Combat.
Really need to read the entire series
Great character development from book to book! Interesting series about the Military, but, not always set in Combat.
Really need to read the entire series
May 3, 2022
The Berets was a nice break from the almost constant promotion of each officer. Lowell's cousin was also a nice touch as well. His perspective brought back a lot of boot camp scenes from "The Corps" series. I'm glad that there was a bridge like this to cross in terms of plot.
January 13, 2018
VERY GOOD
January 14, 2018
another terrific book by Griffin. I cannot wait to read the next in this series.
May 13, 2019
These are starting to feel more and more formulaic.
December 21, 2019
Possibly the greatest war series of all time. My father read this and passed it down to me. Great reading.
May 15, 2020
Brotherhood of War OK
November 19, 2021
The more of these books I read the more I like them. I like the different characters and the historical parts to the books. Well written.
February 1, 2022
Always a great read.
Can't help but love Griffin. Put you into all the action and romance of the military. Couldn't put it down.
Can't help but love Griffin. Put you into all the action and romance of the military. Couldn't put it down.
July 4, 2022
loved it.
October 10, 2022
Brotherhood of War series
This series is very good. The writers attention to detail draws you into the story and you feel a part of the series.
This series is very good. The writers attention to detail draws you into the story and you feel a part of the series.
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