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The Five O'clock Follies
" The Five O'clock Follies does for Vietnam what MASH did for Korea."-Lucian Truscott IV, NYT Bestselling Author It's an irreverent, rollicking mix of comedy, tragedy, duty, and honor in an original concept framed by America's first televised war. Follow three Army officers thrown together who try their best to find purpose and hilarity, facing everything from jungle terrors to humor in the war zone. It is a powerful story of enduring friendships, filled with issues of morality and the tragedy of war that will cause readers to remember, laugh, and cry at the same time. Come along for a "first" look at Vietnam in a different light, an unforgettable journey.
From one of many 5-star
"I read “Five O’clock Follies” twice. I had to. Bottom This is a book that is much greater than a sum of its parts. With all the separate adventures and deepening relationships connecting the people, “Five O’clock Follies” would make a terrific prime-time television series. At the very least, it should be a full-length movie shown in theaters and eligible for awards. Even better, both.
The first time, I was engrossed in Captains Brunell, Hosa, and Donovan and their shenanigans I kept skipping ahead. I couldn’t wait to see what happened to them next and missed important details about the why, the where, the when, and the what for.
Mental images in the second reading played out like a movie. I could almost smell popcorn. Richard Brundage and David Billingsley’s skill in writing natural dialogue made the characters come alive. I could almost see their faces and hear their voices. On top of that, the authors’ ability to set a scene is like painting with words.
My favorite episode is chapter 24. I won’t divulge what happens, but it weaves a myriad of emotions and behaviors in the shadow of unspeakable illness where parents are shunned and forced to live in isolation. In this setting, the reader experiences the joy and diversion of sharing good food with others, curiosity about what’s fearfully hidden, kindness and compassion, the magic of children, and the universal language of music. It is a portrayal of humanity flying in the face of inhumanity. This, to me, this was the soul of the book and put everything before and after in perspective
I challenge you to read the chapter about rescuing Hosa after he was shot down, without doubling up your toes and scratching holes in your socks from the tension. Or, if you don’t shake your head and get a smile on your face about the group’s messy mudslide to safety and Billie’s ongoing involvement with trees, you are skimming, not reading.
Finally, the last chapter reminds those of us who have never faced death or intentional injury, how much we owe to those who keep us safe, how important we are to each other, and to make our personal turns around the park count for something
The best books leave you a little sad when you finish reading them because you don’t want the story to end. That is precisely how I felt. I found myself wanting it to continue following the characters. I wanted to know what and how Bruny and Karina are doing in Montana. Still do.”
Jack Bogut
From one of many 5-star
"I read “Five O’clock Follies” twice. I had to. Bottom This is a book that is much greater than a sum of its parts. With all the separate adventures and deepening relationships connecting the people, “Five O’clock Follies” would make a terrific prime-time television series. At the very least, it should be a full-length movie shown in theaters and eligible for awards. Even better, both.
The first time, I was engrossed in Captains Brunell, Hosa, and Donovan and their shenanigans I kept skipping ahead. I couldn’t wait to see what happened to them next and missed important details about the why, the where, the when, and the what for.
Mental images in the second reading played out like a movie. I could almost smell popcorn. Richard Brundage and David Billingsley’s skill in writing natural dialogue made the characters come alive. I could almost see their faces and hear their voices. On top of that, the authors’ ability to set a scene is like painting with words.
My favorite episode is chapter 24. I won’t divulge what happens, but it weaves a myriad of emotions and behaviors in the shadow of unspeakable illness where parents are shunned and forced to live in isolation. In this setting, the reader experiences the joy and diversion of sharing good food with others, curiosity about what’s fearfully hidden, kindness and compassion, the magic of children, and the universal language of music. It is a portrayal of humanity flying in the face of inhumanity. This, to me, this was the soul of the book and put everything before and after in perspective
I challenge you to read the chapter about rescuing Hosa after he was shot down, without doubling up your toes and scratching holes in your socks from the tension. Or, if you don’t shake your head and get a smile on your face about the group’s messy mudslide to safety and Billie’s ongoing involvement with trees, you are skimming, not reading.
Finally, the last chapter reminds those of us who have never faced death or intentional injury, how much we owe to those who keep us safe, how important we are to each other, and to make our personal turns around the park count for something
The best books leave you a little sad when you finish reading them because you don’t want the story to end. That is precisely how I felt. I found myself wanting it to continue following the characters. I wanted to know what and how Bruny and Karina are doing in Montana. Still do.”
Jack Bogut
306 pages, Hardcover
Published December 9, 2021
37 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 3, 2022
I have read several books about the Vietnam War, this being one of the best. Having been there this becomes the closest to what I experienced. I cried honestly when I read some passages. I know it’s fiction, but you would have had to been there to really experience it. I’m sure a lot of it is true. I was ASA, same as the character Billie. You just need to read the book. Believe me you won’t be disappointed.
April 29, 2020
Good Read
I chose the book while looking for a book similar to MASH. It is not like MASH. It was interesting and there are places I chuckled, but it held onto me because of the story. The characters are interesting and you find yourself in their lives. I recommend it.
I chose the book while looking for a book similar to MASH. It is not like MASH. It was interesting and there are places I chuckled, but it held onto me because of the story. The characters are interesting and you find yourself in their lives. I recommend it.
November 18, 2021
decent story
I enjoyed the read. It is quite different from most other reads about viet nam. I can recommend it as some great light reading.
I enjoyed the read. It is quite different from most other reads about viet nam. I can recommend it as some great light reading.
June 23, 2022
Have finished it and having been in Vietnam I found this book mildly amusing and mostly accurate. Too many small errors which should not be in there though. However, it really does not have much humor to it - just three overgrown juveniles misbehaving and getting away with it. Probably not the authors' intentions, but that is the way it comes across.
It tends to drag in a lot of places with repetitious or overly drawn out passages.
It does not seem to have a central theme or point.
Got about 2/3 through and then started "speed reading" it by skipping paragraphs.
I gave it two stars because I did finish reading it simply because I was in Vietnam. Would not recommend it though.
This was also a self-published book.
It tends to drag in a lot of places with repetitious or overly drawn out passages.
It does not seem to have a central theme or point.
Got about 2/3 through and then started "speed reading" it by skipping paragraphs.
I gave it two stars because I did finish reading it simply because I was in Vietnam. Would not recommend it though.
This was also a self-published book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews