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The Corps #6
Close Combat
Bestselling author W.E.B. Griffin's epic sixth novel in THE CORPS series--a powerful, dramatic tribute to the courageous men and women who braved WWII.As Japanese forces close in for an all-out effort to recapture Guadalcanal from the American forces occupying the island, many fates converge and intertwine, finding Captain Charles Galloway, Major Jake Dillon, Sergeant Thomas McCoy and China Marine Killer McCoy in dramatic arenas all over the Pacific.From the Solomons to Australia to Washington, D.C., the warriors, plus the wives and sweethearts who love them, once more find themselves facing the challenges of their lives...
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 1993
742 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,298 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 75 reviews
February 5, 2014
Remember the classic 1984 Wendy's television commercial? Remember the iconic “Fluffy Bun” ad? Remember when elderly actress Clara Peller asked the question, “Where’s the beef?” Well, when I finished reading this W.E.B. Griffin novel of the U.S. Marine Corps, I could only ask myself, “Where’s the combat?”
Oh, there is one brief aerial dogfight at 28,000 feet over the Solomon Islands involving twenty-four Japanese Kates and Vals. You could even throw in a mock “shoot-em-up” between four Grumman F4F4 Wildcats “killing” each other with 16mm motion picture cameras mounted in the wings. But even that event took place over Corey Field in Escambia County, Florida! For a printed chronicle of Marine action in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, for all practical purposes, there’s nothing to see here. No action. Zilch. Squat. Nada.
If there’s any action between the 406 pages of “Close Combat,” most of it takes place between the sheets. In a hotel room or private mansion. And even that is mostly implied. There are no main characters here that the reader would like to get to know or to care about. I’m not even sure who the main characters are! What the reader is left with is a lot of dialogue. Mostly between military brass and their subordinates.
Griffin has a habit of advancing the plot, (if there is a plot here), using setting, date and time stamps in military format, of course, as chapter and sub-chapter headings. Every chapter contains numerous, authentic-looking, “top secret” memos, again, written in military jargon, as an additional plot-advancing tool. If you read just the chapter, sub-chapter headings and the memos, you might actually have a story. In between, Griffin leaves us with lots of dialogue. No action.
On the positive side, Griffin does do a masterful job of re-creating a military atmosphere. And as other reviewers in this forum have noted, Griffin is an artist at painting what life was probably like in World War II America. He makes effective use of actual persons and places from the 1940’s. Authentic-sounding but fictional dialogue from Franklin Roosevelt, Frank Knox, Douglas MacArthur, Chester Nimitz and others makes this historical piece come alive. Another favorite Griffin tool is to insert within dialogue the thoughts of the characters in italics. The problem is, sometimes you’re never quite sure which character’s head you are inside.
A better title might’ve been “Close Encounters.” The military combat here is only talked about or reported in military memos. After the fact. Never in real time. The close combat here is only between the sexes. Over drinks. In the bar. In the bedroom. This is a military soap opera. Lots and lots of F-bombs. Lots and lots of heavy drinking. A chick flick for Leathernecks.
Until I picked up “Close Combat,” I was totally unaware that W.E.B. Griffin is the author of more than fifty epic novels in six series, with over fifty million copies in print in more than ten languages. I was not aware that this story is only the sixth installment in a ten-novel series called “The Corps.” However, after reading this literary “fluffy bun,” I will not be around to sample the other nine or “The Brotherhood of War,” “Men at War,” “Badge of Honor,” “Honor Bound,” and “The Presidential Agent” collections. I’m bailing out. Semper Fi.
Oh, there is one brief aerial dogfight at 28,000 feet over the Solomon Islands involving twenty-four Japanese Kates and Vals. You could even throw in a mock “shoot-em-up” between four Grumman F4F4 Wildcats “killing” each other with 16mm motion picture cameras mounted in the wings. But even that event took place over Corey Field in Escambia County, Florida! For a printed chronicle of Marine action in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, for all practical purposes, there’s nothing to see here. No action. Zilch. Squat. Nada.
If there’s any action between the 406 pages of “Close Combat,” most of it takes place between the sheets. In a hotel room or private mansion. And even that is mostly implied. There are no main characters here that the reader would like to get to know or to care about. I’m not even sure who the main characters are! What the reader is left with is a lot of dialogue. Mostly between military brass and their subordinates.
Griffin has a habit of advancing the plot, (if there is a plot here), using setting, date and time stamps in military format, of course, as chapter and sub-chapter headings. Every chapter contains numerous, authentic-looking, “top secret” memos, again, written in military jargon, as an additional plot-advancing tool. If you read just the chapter, sub-chapter headings and the memos, you might actually have a story. In between, Griffin leaves us with lots of dialogue. No action.
On the positive side, Griffin does do a masterful job of re-creating a military atmosphere. And as other reviewers in this forum have noted, Griffin is an artist at painting what life was probably like in World War II America. He makes effective use of actual persons and places from the 1940’s. Authentic-sounding but fictional dialogue from Franklin Roosevelt, Frank Knox, Douglas MacArthur, Chester Nimitz and others makes this historical piece come alive. Another favorite Griffin tool is to insert within dialogue the thoughts of the characters in italics. The problem is, sometimes you’re never quite sure which character’s head you are inside.
A better title might’ve been “Close Encounters.” The military combat here is only talked about or reported in military memos. After the fact. Never in real time. The close combat here is only between the sexes. Over drinks. In the bar. In the bedroom. This is a military soap opera. Lots and lots of F-bombs. Lots and lots of heavy drinking. A chick flick for Leathernecks.
Until I picked up “Close Combat,” I was totally unaware that W.E.B. Griffin is the author of more than fifty epic novels in six series, with over fifty million copies in print in more than ten languages. I was not aware that this story is only the sixth installment in a ten-novel series called “The Corps.” However, after reading this literary “fluffy bun,” I will not be around to sample the other nine or “The Brotherhood of War,” “Men at War,” “Badge of Honor,” “Honor Bound,” and “The Presidential Agent” collections. I’m bailing out. Semper Fi.
November 22, 2020
Even when I'm annoyed Griffin's writing just drags me along from cover to cover. Close Combat is a bit disingenuous of a title. Not much combat is covered in the book. Guadalcanal, one of the bloodiest battlegrounds of WW2 is neatly glossed over. The Japanese are building up their forces then we meander around the US from Hollywood to Pennsylvania and many bedrooms in between. Lots of drinking, sex and righteous indignation on the part of Lieutenant Macklin (there are very few characters in books whom I'd like to punch in the nose, Macklin is near the top of that list).
Still, as much as I dislike books that jump about as the story comes across piecemeal I truly devoured this in just a day.
This marks my 70th book this year which doubles my pledged 35 to the Goodreads reading challenge.
Still, as much as I dislike books that jump about as the story comes across piecemeal I truly devoured this in just a day.
This marks my 70th book this year which doubles my pledged 35 to the Goodreads reading challenge.
March 10, 2022
This is another excellent volume in The Corp series, following marine aviators, infantry, and press corps as they return to the states from the fighting on Guadalcanal. On the one hand, this book is clearly setting up the next which will focus on contacting guerillas in the Philippines and the tension between the intelligence services and especially the OSS and General MacArthur. Yet it also shows other aspects of life for servicemen and women during the war—especially the press corps—and ends with a tremendously emotional moment between a very young photographer and a medal of honor winner with an attitude problem.
This series is not high on actual combat. Griffin’s gift is to make the bureaucratic operations of the war intensely exciting. He makes it look as if the war has to be first fought with the bureaucrats in the military and in Washington before guns can actually be turned upon the enemy combatants.
My first complaint, and it’s a small one, is that Griffin is extremely interested in the romantic endeavors of his cast of characters. A lot of pages get spent on these endeavors which at first appearance does not seem to be directed toward chronicling the deeds of the marines in the war. However, upon consideration, it occurred to me that the men and women in harms way probably did indeed spend a lot of time thinking about potential romantic escapades that they could pursue when off the front, and so I think that in the broader view of the lives of these men and women these pages were probably right on target.
My second complaint, again a small one, is how many of the characters are extremely wealthy. That seems improbable, but I don’t know that it is. I’ve noticed in these sorts of series that authors love to focus on officers of tremendous financial resources.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
This series is not high on actual combat. Griffin’s gift is to make the bureaucratic operations of the war intensely exciting. He makes it look as if the war has to be first fought with the bureaucrats in the military and in Washington before guns can actually be turned upon the enemy combatants.
My first complaint, and it’s a small one, is that Griffin is extremely interested in the romantic endeavors of his cast of characters. A lot of pages get spent on these endeavors which at first appearance does not seem to be directed toward chronicling the deeds of the marines in the war. However, upon consideration, it occurred to me that the men and women in harms way probably did indeed spend a lot of time thinking about potential romantic escapades that they could pursue when off the front, and so I think that in the broader view of the lives of these men and women these pages were probably right on target.
My second complaint, again a small one, is how many of the characters are extremely wealthy. That seems improbable, but I don’t know that it is. I’ve noticed in these sorts of series that authors love to focus on officers of tremendous financial resources.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
February 22, 2021
Close Combat is the sixth title in the Corps series. I have to admit, it gets better. Griffin still doesn't spend enough time with the actual action- preferring to emphasize the politics and traditions of the Corps-- the womanizing and drinking... He spends more time trying to set up a character to pull off a bureacratic coup... But there is more action in this one.
Finally, this one nearly moved me to tears in the conclusion. An officer and a hero have a face-to-face confrontation that results in a change of attitude... and I'm into book 7 and the action just jumped up about 20% in the opening chapters.
Finally, this one nearly moved me to tears in the conclusion. An officer and a hero have a face-to-face confrontation that results in a change of attitude... and I'm into book 7 and the action just jumped up about 20% in the opening chapters.
August 17, 2008
I had not read anything by W.E.B. Griffin before, and I am not sure why I started with Book VI of a series, which I normally try very hard not to do, and it makes reading the precursors a little disappointing, since I know what is going to happen to some of the characters ... but I am definitely now going to have to go look for some of the others. Not since Catch 22 have I come across a military book that so aptly described what it was like to be in the service. Of course, this is a little off, because the majority of Griffin's story is about the life accounts of two flip lieutenants who have much too easy a life; they are wealthy and stay in the best hotels, sleep with movie stars, etc. ... but what appealed to me was the way life in the service is described as depending on the whims casual decisions on the part of higher-ups, odd turns of fate, disparate personalities, and the desperate desire to do well -- all of which I remember so well. This book covers the period just after the initial taking of Guadalcanal, when the Japanese came very close to taking it back, with one of their obstructions being a team of American aviators that has dwindled down to three surviving young pilots flying planes that are not really fit to fly. The characters are not all that well rounded out, and actually not too realistic, but the story is well told though a series of vignettes touching the different levels of command, all of which seem oblivious to each other.
March 24, 2015
I fell in love with Griffin's series about the Corps and have read all his awesome works. I can't recall reading a more engaging series with characters all so rich and colorful each of them could be an awesome novel of their own. But Griffin smashes them all together into one nuclear story.
Amazingly colorful characters - Kenneth "Killer" Kelley and his gorgeous wife Ernestine Sage, Jack "NMI" Stecker, Pick Pickering, Sgt Zimmerman, etc....... The list just goes on and on and they never lose their color, their connections to one another, or their vitality throughout the entire series.
I found Griffin's ability to play his characters off of historically real people, events, hell, even US companies were woven into this amazing work, from hotel chain owners to ship builders were played into his storyline.
Once I read the first - "Semper Fi," I was waiting in line for the bookstore to open on release day for the next in the sequence.
Most certainly my all-time favorite military fiction novels. Well, until the Brotherhood of War series came out and claimed some shelf space for my favorite(s).
If books were drugs, there would be no rehab that could fix this addiction.
Amazingly colorful characters - Kenneth "Killer" Kelley and his gorgeous wife Ernestine Sage, Jack "NMI" Stecker, Pick Pickering, Sgt Zimmerman, etc....... The list just goes on and on and they never lose their color, their connections to one another, or their vitality throughout the entire series.
I found Griffin's ability to play his characters off of historically real people, events, hell, even US companies were woven into this amazing work, from hotel chain owners to ship builders were played into his storyline.
Once I read the first - "Semper Fi," I was waiting in line for the bookstore to open on release day for the next in the sequence.
Most certainly my all-time favorite military fiction novels. Well, until the Brotherhood of War series came out and claimed some shelf space for my favorite(s).
If books were drugs, there would be no rehab that could fix this addiction.
January 2, 2020
I didn't realize this was a series of books. I think you have to read the others in the series to really appreciate this book.
Read
September 2, 2019Close Combat by W.E.B. Griffin is one in a series of books on World War II. This book is basically centered on Guadalcanal and events in the lives of the people who served there and elsewhere in the war effort. The book opens with a group of pilots taking off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. The characters are introduced and followed throughout the book.
The book is basically a story of the people involved in the war effort. Pickering, known as Pick, Galloway and Dunn are pilots flying planes that are crafted piecemeal from parts from inoperative planes. The mechanic in charge of keeping the planes operational is Oblensky. The highest ranking officer on the island is Major General Vandegrift Major Jack Stecker commands a land unit on the island.
There is a group of war correspondents that were sent to the area to cover the invasions of Guadalcanal, Gavutu and Tagli, under the command of Major Jake Dillon what had been a Hollywood press agent before the war. Dillon has left the island and nineteen year old Bobby Easterbrook is the only photojournalist still active. The others have been inured or killed. Easterbook continues taking pictures.
Fleming Pickering is the father of Pick and a special envoy to Secretary of the Navy Knox. He is involved with intelligence analysis in the Pacific and works closely with General Douglas MacArthur and President Roosevelt. He has a special team to analyze the MAGIC interceptions of Japanese radio messages.
Galloway, Dunn and Pick are sent to Hawaii for refitting. While there, Jake Dillon decides they would be useful for his war bond tour, and has them assigned to him. He also brings Easterbrook home for work in the tour. The tour brings them into contact with politicians and movie stars. Easterbrook feels that he is dreaming when he finds himself staying at a Malibu beach house, having an affair with a beautiful woman and mixing with movie stars.
The reader watches as rules are bent and strings are pulled as people like Jake and Fleming Pickering secure the people and supplies that they need to do the assignments they are given. Jake manages to get McCoy, who was in the Brig and slated for a court martial, free to receive the Medal of Honor and to go on the war bonds tour.
Griffin basically portrays the human aspect of the war as the reader follows the lives of the main characters on their various assignments. The book is fast and easy to read, making it very enjoyable for the reader.
The book is basically a story of the people involved in the war effort. Pickering, known as Pick, Galloway and Dunn are pilots flying planes that are crafted piecemeal from parts from inoperative planes. The mechanic in charge of keeping the planes operational is Oblensky. The highest ranking officer on the island is Major General Vandegrift Major Jack Stecker commands a land unit on the island.
There is a group of war correspondents that were sent to the area to cover the invasions of Guadalcanal, Gavutu and Tagli, under the command of Major Jake Dillon what had been a Hollywood press agent before the war. Dillon has left the island and nineteen year old Bobby Easterbrook is the only photojournalist still active. The others have been inured or killed. Easterbook continues taking pictures.
Fleming Pickering is the father of Pick and a special envoy to Secretary of the Navy Knox. He is involved with intelligence analysis in the Pacific and works closely with General Douglas MacArthur and President Roosevelt. He has a special team to analyze the MAGIC interceptions of Japanese radio messages.
Galloway, Dunn and Pick are sent to Hawaii for refitting. While there, Jake Dillon decides they would be useful for his war bond tour, and has them assigned to him. He also brings Easterbrook home for work in the tour. The tour brings them into contact with politicians and movie stars. Easterbrook feels that he is dreaming when he finds himself staying at a Malibu beach house, having an affair with a beautiful woman and mixing with movie stars.
The reader watches as rules are bent and strings are pulled as people like Jake and Fleming Pickering secure the people and supplies that they need to do the assignments they are given. Jake manages to get McCoy, who was in the Brig and slated for a court martial, free to receive the Medal of Honor and to go on the war bonds tour.
Griffin basically portrays the human aspect of the war as the reader follows the lives of the main characters on their various assignments. The book is fast and easy to read, making it very enjoyable for the reader.
March 4, 2021
Pretty much, See my Review of THE CORPS, #2: Call to Arms. Most of the characters are the same, it's just a year later in WW2, and mainly involves a war bonds tour of the US that Malcolm "Pick" Pickering, William C. Dunn, and Thomas "Machine Gun" McCoy (series hero Ken "Killer" McCoy's kid brother, and a...let's call him a "Problem Child", although like Ken he certainly doesn't lack for courage!).
This is not mainly Ken's book - he pops up here and there, planning commando-style skullduggery against the Japanese and wondering what his lover Ernestine Sage is doing back on the Homefront. So do General "Pick" Pickering, Col. Jack (NMI) Steckler, and Sgt. Ernie Zimmerman. There's a fun bit at the end involving Pickering and Steckler that I really liked, and it came utterly out of the blue.
If you liked the other books in this series, you'll like this one - if you're not why it's so talky and less fighty? Try the earlier books in the series first....
This is not mainly Ken's book - he pops up here and there, planning commando-style skullduggery against the Japanese and wondering what his lover Ernestine Sage is doing back on the Homefront. So do General "Pick" Pickering, Col. Jack (NMI) Steckler, and Sgt. Ernie Zimmerman. There's a fun bit at the end involving Pickering and Steckler that I really liked, and it came utterly out of the blue.
If you liked the other books in this series, you'll like this one - if you're not why it's so talky and less fighty? Try the earlier books in the series first....
October 31, 2018
CLOSE COMBAT (Book 6) is another great WW2 historical fiction from “The Corps” series. As with his earlier books in the series, the storyline involves different characters, events, and places. The book series continues to masterfully weave historical facts with fictional and actual characters. Some of the historical facts are not well-known, e.g., the inter-service and intra-service rivalry between the US Army vs. USMC vs. US Navy was also a problem between the Japanese Army vs. the Japanese Navy.
The one storyline that I found interesting in CLOSE COMBAT was the role and contribution of war correspondents and photojournalists. I’ve always had high admiration for war correspondents like Richard Tregaskis and Ernie Pyle. Those civilian and military correspondents / photojournalists continually placed themselves in harm’s way so they could get first-hand accounts of US forces in combat. Many were killed or wounded.
The one storyline that I found interesting in CLOSE COMBAT was the role and contribution of war correspondents and photojournalists. I’ve always had high admiration for war correspondents like Richard Tregaskis and Ernie Pyle. Those civilian and military correspondents / photojournalists continually placed themselves in harm’s way so they could get first-hand accounts of US forces in combat. Many were killed or wounded.
April 8, 2025
finished 8th april 2025 good read three stars i liked it nothing less nothing more kindle library loaner the corps #6 have read all but #1 of this series and not in any order have enjoyed them all and have #1 open ready to go. have read sixteen seventeen or so from griffin w.e.b. and have enjoyed all of the stories, well written, nice blend of action and dialogue, settings from the states, australia, the philipines, guadacanal, hawaii, and others. settings include ritzy hotel rooms, airplanes, trees and beaches of the pacific. blend from across the boards of military service from the lowly e-1 private to the throne room of macarthur and the halls and offices of washington d.c. good reads all.
April 1, 2021
This book in the series was a real disappointment. The title is Close Combat, but I concur with others' comments. The only combat going is in bed or Generals fighting each other. I will continue to read the rest of the series, mostly because I'm compulsive in these endeavors. I'm hoping the next book in the series is better.
August 27, 2021
Better than the previous 3
Well if you like this series you'll like this book. This one la KS the gratuitous racism of hos other books and the misogyny is toned down but still prominent in the story. He does sure to throw in some completely unnecessary homophobia. The script is flipped in this book with the action at the beginning. He uses lots of redundancy to make sure your following what happened previously but it is blended in better than it has been in the previous books. This book should only be about 200 pages. Penguin paid him to repeat himself. It's as if he's an old man telling you the same stories every time you meet.
Well if you like this series you'll like this book. This one la KS the gratuitous racism of hos other books and the misogyny is toned down but still prominent in the story. He does sure to throw in some completely unnecessary homophobia. The script is flipped in this book with the action at the beginning. He uses lots of redundancy to make sure your following what happened previously but it is blended in better than it has been in the previous books. This book should only be about 200 pages. Penguin paid him to repeat himself. It's as if he's an old man telling you the same stories every time you meet.
April 23, 2024
I'm very much enjoying these characters and the bonds they form. You see them learn, grow, and mature. It's also very educational about WWII, the Marine Corps, and the military in general. For those of us who haven't served in the military It's very helpful to understand these things. It's written in a way that seems realistic and accurate. War isn't just about bloodshed and violence. It's also about separation from loved ones, fear of failure, and men who are willing to face any challenge presented to them because they knew that someone has to do it. I'm already very thankful to our veterans, but books like these really reinforce that gratitude.
February 3, 2023
Kind of a misnomer in that there is very little war combat, but the behind-the-scenes combat for authority and resources to conduct the defeat of Japan is richly portrayed in this series following marine aviators, infantry, and press corps, on the front and when they return to the states from the Soloman Islands and Australia...Griffin also preludes the work setting up the guerilla warfare in the Philippines and the background tension between the intelligence services and especially the OSS...Just a great story!!!
April 4, 2024
I just the finished this book and the story was a great recapping of some of the events of WWII and some of the places that had US Forces fighting on them. The story was well written and I felt like I was there with the men in the story. It was a story that kept me coming back for more and the main characters were believable both in their actions and situations they got themselves into. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially former active duty Marines that may see some possible connection to what these men went through. A very good book !!
May 12, 2020
I didn't finish and the rating is for only the edition I attempted to read: G.P. Putnam's Sons, hardbound, 1993. Nearly 2/3 through a very entertaining story, I encountered a printing error whereby pages are repeated and, therefore, pages 228, 229, 236, 237, 244, 245, 252, and 253 are missing. Having lost the sense of the story completely, I have thrown the book away unfinished. A curse on G. P. Putnam's Sons for their shameful and shoddy products!
December 23, 2017
I think reading a series out of order is ill-advised, yet I did it anyway. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more had I started with #1. Excellent writing and terrific insight into the "pecking order" and political machinations within the career officers vs reserve dynamic. Not always pretty but very real.
April 9, 2019
An inspiring book
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the six books in this series. My brother was a marine and their book ment a lot to me. Although he fought in a different war, he still demonstrated the high personal qualities associated with the marine corps. Again thank you for a very entertaining book
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the six books in this series. My brother was a marine and their book ment a lot to me. Although he fought in a different war, he still demonstrated the high personal qualities associated with the marine corps. Again thank you for a very entertaining book
May 17, 2021
This was definitely a short bridge to cross for the story, but a pretty short and sweet bridge to say the least. As incredulous as some events may seem, the payoff for each was so very satisfying to see. And what a cliffhanger too, I did not see that coming! As much as I loved McCoy, I now want more on General Pickering and his side of things, especially after that ending.
October 8, 2025
Great historical military adventure!
All of W.EB. Griffiths novel’s are well crafted. They give the reader the feeling that he is actually in the place and time. By the time you get to the end of one book, you can hardly wait to pick up the next. I recommend this book, not only to those who like military history, but anyone who enjoys a good adventure read.
All of W.EB. Griffiths novel’s are well crafted. They give the reader the feeling that he is actually in the place and time. By the time you get to the end of one book, you can hardly wait to pick up the next. I recommend this book, not only to those who like military history, but anyone who enjoys a good adventure read.
January 30, 2019
Marine corps
Every one w .e.b.Griffin books leaves wanting to learn more about the main characters. With these books you can't read just one. If you start this series be prepared to be addicted.
Every one w .e.b.Griffin books leaves wanting to learn more about the main characters. With these books you can't read just one. If you start this series be prepared to be addicted.
March 21, 2019
Great, like always cannot put the book down. Continuous great insight on this war. It’s about time that Ellen Feller was taken care of. Could not believe she was that far in knowing what kind of person she was.
February 3, 2020
A fun read and a great addition to the series. I have almost given up hope that they would finish the series "The Corps". I feel that this series is as good as it gets concerning the Marines. I really appreciate the research that takes place before the "sory" begins.
May 11, 2022
The Imperial Japanese Military desperately attempts to push the U.S. forces from Guadalcanal and resume their march toward Australia. From the disease-ridden jungle to the makeshift airfield where patched together wildcat fighter planes fly off comes this fictional tale.
June 20, 2022
Mr. Griffin has written an exceptional book again.
The Pickering crew keeps rising to new heights in the war in the pacific. More love stories than you can shake a stick at. And everyone comes out smelling like roses, or as well as you can in any war..
The Pickering crew keeps rising to new heights in the war in the pacific. More love stories than you can shake a stick at. And everyone comes out smelling like roses, or as well as you can in any war..
April 22, 2023
Six books in and I love this series. Great history background and lots of military heritage. Okay, at times it seems like a romance novel for men but it’s still a fun read. Looking forward to book 7.
September 12, 2024
The Corps saga continues
As the Corps saga continues I'm unable to stop reading!! I am amazed at the twists and turns this continuing saga has taken. What's next on the agenda??? I can't wait to see!!!
As the Corps saga continues I'm unable to stop reading!! I am amazed at the twists and turns this continuing saga has taken. What's next on the agenda??? I can't wait to see!!!
September 25, 2018
To much sex and not enough action. The series is starting to bog down with way to much personal introspective and alcoholism.
January 6, 2019
A good entry and entertaining for fans of the series. As always the book is filled with little titbits of history.
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