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Brotherhood of War #2
The Captains
It was more than an incident. It was a deadly assault across the 38th parallel. It was the Korean War. In the fear and frenzy of battle, those who had served with heroism before were called again by America to man the trenches and sandbag bunkers. From Pusan to the Yalu, they drove forward with commands too new and tanks too brothers in war, bonded together in battle as they had never been in peace...
406 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1982
464 people are currently reading
919 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 100 reviews
February 7, 2022
Another excellent book. I read the first in this series last year and really enjoyed it. I don't know why it's taken me this long to read another, but I won't have another long gap in between the next. W.E.B. Griffin is an outstanding writer, and I was honestly shocked at how good the first book was, and this was just as good. I love these characters, especially the Duke and King Kong lol.
April 15, 2022
Griffin has found his stride in this novel. The Korean War starts and his protagonists from the last book, plus an African American lieutenant who played a small role in the first novel, all find themselves in harms way (or, in the case of the Medal of Honor winner, trying to get into harms way when the army doesn’t want him there because it would be bad public relations if he got killed). In addition to Griffin’s signature “dealing with the army bureaucracy” scenes, there are tough moral decisions and a decent amount of action. We all see more of the West Point alums protecting each other and their careers at the expense of non-West Pointers and usually against America’s interests in the war. (This sort of thing comes up enough in Griffin’s novels that I sometimes wonder if he dislikes the military academies, but it is probably just his attempt to show how those who are connected take care of themselves no matter what the cost.)
There’s a tragedy in the middle of this novel which I think Griffin handles very well, but mostly what I like about this series is Griffin’s insights into why the military functions the way it does—the good and the bad.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
There’s a tragedy in the middle of this novel which I think Griffin handles very well, but mostly what I like about this series is Griffin’s insights into why the military functions the way it does—the good and the bad.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
June 3, 2020
This book takes place almost entirely in the time frame of the Korean conflict. Unfortunately I don't know enough history to know how well events in the book match those that actually happened. Craig Lowell is a major center point of the novel. We follow him from time in the national guard where he was able to wrangle a captaincy to his being recalled to service, almost made an infantryman and culminating in his leading a breakout behind the lines commanding tanks, disrupting the North Koreans at every opportunity. He did so well he was promoted to major. . . on the same day he learns some tragic news back home. Sandy Felter, MacMillan and many others play prominent roles weaving in and around Craig's story. The book finishes up just before things go bad in Vietnam. These first few 5? 6?) Brotherhood of War novels are written in a style that makes you feel like you are there. The language is rough, the men drink, the women (wives at least) are strong, supportive and devoted. Onward I go into the next in line.
October 22, 2023
2nd book in a 9 book soap opera for boys. An enjoyable read, but a little shallow. I’m ready to move on to something more worthwhile now.
Book two also becomes more homophobic as it goes along, culminating with the main character physically assaulting a “pansy” in a scene intended to be comic relief. The word, pansy, was used in the author’s narrative, not by characters in dialogue.
Book two also becomes more homophobic as it goes along, culminating with the main character physically assaulting a “pansy” in a scene intended to be comic relief. The word, pansy, was used in the author’s narrative, not by characters in dialogue.
November 12, 2023
Turbulence Ahead
Like its predecessor, The Captains has an oblique summary that reveals little more than the decade in which this historical fiction occurs. As the Korean People’s Army marches across the 38th parallel, the cast of The Lieutenants find themselves embroiled in the war. It’s an exciting, dynamic start to the novel. The US Army’s response is slow and haphazard, but there are plenty of opportunities for our heroes to show their finest attributes and be all they can be.
The author worships his alma mater and presents a compelling argument that the armed forces did a great deal for diversity. The representation of African-American soldiers is nuanced and balanced. Their successes and flaws are on display, but no one gives them the benefit of the doubt. The author captures the US Army as a complex, living organism that’s the sum of its parts. Unfortunately, this level of realism hampers the narrative of The Captains as it — like the war — loses momentum after breaking out of Pusan. World events fade from relevance as it abruptly switches to a character-driven story.
Disappointingly, that character is Lowell. It was always a challenge to make this returning character sympathetic: he’s handsome, rich and politically privileged. He repeatedly makes mistakes due to deep personal flaws that never get addressed. Instead, those connections see him rescued time and time again, and we’re supposed to sympathize because of his aw-shucks I-didn’t-ask-for-special-treatment attitude. The focus on Lowell is infuriating when his friend and partner-in-crime Felter comes from a humble background with principled motivations. He’s smart, works hard and takes many personal risks. Yet we’re saddled with the arrogant ubermensch.
The author loves stories about heroic soldiers with personality flaws that clash with leadership. Repeated use of this theme grows tiresome, especially as there’s no overarching plot. I remain a fan of the realistic portrayal of the US Army, but grow cautious as issues with the cast grow. I love all the side characters, but the treatment of women took a steep dive and I’ve started to hate the main character.
Recommended, with Reservations. Here’s hoping for a swift recovery in the next.
Like its predecessor, The Captains has an oblique summary that reveals little more than the decade in which this historical fiction occurs. As the Korean People’s Army marches across the 38th parallel, the cast of The Lieutenants find themselves embroiled in the war. It’s an exciting, dynamic start to the novel. The US Army’s response is slow and haphazard, but there are plenty of opportunities for our heroes to show their finest attributes and be all they can be.
The author worships his alma mater and presents a compelling argument that the armed forces did a great deal for diversity. The representation of African-American soldiers is nuanced and balanced. Their successes and flaws are on display, but no one gives them the benefit of the doubt. The author captures the US Army as a complex, living organism that’s the sum of its parts. Unfortunately, this level of realism hampers the narrative of The Captains as it — like the war — loses momentum after breaking out of Pusan. World events fade from relevance as it abruptly switches to a character-driven story.
Disappointingly, that character is Lowell. It was always a challenge to make this returning character sympathetic: he’s handsome, rich and politically privileged. He repeatedly makes mistakes due to deep personal flaws that never get addressed. Instead, those connections see him rescued time and time again, and we’re supposed to sympathize because of his aw-shucks I-didn’t-ask-for-special-treatment attitude. The focus on Lowell is infuriating when his friend and partner-in-crime Felter comes from a humble background with principled motivations. He’s smart, works hard and takes many personal risks. Yet we’re saddled with the arrogant ubermensch.
The author loves stories about heroic soldiers with personality flaws that clash with leadership. Repeated use of this theme grows tiresome, especially as there’s no overarching plot. I remain a fan of the realistic portrayal of the US Army, but grow cautious as issues with the cast grow. I love all the side characters, but the treatment of women took a steep dive and I’ve started to hate the main character.
Recommended, with Reservations. Here’s hoping for a swift recovery in the next.
November 16, 2017
Another winner from a master.
October 15, 2013
The lives of the characters we met in The Lieutenants continue here. Today on the news I heard a story of a captain who was just awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. It seems he was nominated for the decoration over a year ago (19 months I believe) but it had been "lost" in the army bureaucracy. The captain's superiors have also been disciplined. The captain has retired and has been unemployed since he left the army. You see he'd been vocal about the army's policies in rules of engagement etc. and there is suspicion that he may have been targeted by said army bureaucracy...ostracized.
I was in the army, enlisted and I fell afoul of things a few times, but those were always my own doing, fighting, failing to return from leave on time (AWOL). For officers it's different. This novel (and this series) give a good look at life in the army.
By now if you've followed the series this far (second book) I assume you've gotten interested in "the story" and the people involved. If you're my age you lived through the times referred to. It's interesting on more than one level, both the history and the fictional story placed within.
The Korean War flares here and of course touches the lives of all involved with out story. The differences in combat commanders and rear commanders begins to show here...
As noted, good book...good books, recommended.
I was in the army, enlisted and I fell afoul of things a few times, but those were always my own doing, fighting, failing to return from leave on time (AWOL). For officers it's different. This novel (and this series) give a good look at life in the army.
By now if you've followed the series this far (second book) I assume you've gotten interested in "the story" and the people involved. If you're my age you lived through the times referred to. It's interesting on more than one level, both the history and the fictional story placed within.
The Korean War flares here and of course touches the lives of all involved with out story. The differences in combat commanders and rear commanders begins to show here...
As noted, good book...good books, recommended.
July 10, 2016
Continuing Griffin's epic series of the Brotherhood of War. It follows the characters that were created in the first book "The Lieutenants". This time they find themselves being activated for Korea.
It has some great subplots but seems to fall short of the original, but still worth the read. And no spoilers here, but there were surprises that I didn't expect happening to these soldiers.
It has some great subplots but seems to fall short of the original, but still worth the read. And no spoilers here, but there were surprises that I didn't expect happening to these soldiers.
July 12, 2016
The Captains (Brotherhood of War #2) by W.E.B. Griffin (Jove 1982) (Fiction - Military). The soldiers who fought the Nazis find themselves recalled to military service to sort out the conflict on the Korean Peninsula. My rating: 7/10, finished 1983.
December 7, 2018
First thing’s first – this one is book 2 of a series. If you come across this thing at a library or used book store, make an effort to read book 1 (The Lieutenants) first. It’s a great book, quick read, and really should be ingested before you tackle this one.
This one, volume 2 is also a good, quick read. Although titled “The Captains”, I would argue that this book is not exclusively about Captains in the U.S. army. There are three or four of them in and out of these pages, and I guess you could argue that they are, in fact, the ‘center’ of the story. This book is really about the soldiers in the U.S army, how they interact, obstacles they face, the politics that are involved, and how things generally get done in the U.S. armed forces.
The character with the most page space is Captain Craig Lowell. He’s basically a spoiled rich kid who is the antithesis of what a great soldier is supposed to be. He probably should have been kicked out of the army years ago (although he’s very young to be a Captain – about 24 I think), but he just seems to be too good at his job. In fact, he does get kicked out of the army several times within these volumes, but somehow manages to always get back in due to various circumstances.
This book takes place from 1950-1953. Since it’s a book about the military, you’re probably thinking ‘The Korean War’ right? Well, yes and no. The bulk of this book does take place during the Korean Conflict, but there’s not a whole lot of ‘Korea’ here. What I mean by this is author Griffin doesn’t really weave the who’s, the where’s, or the why’s of the war into the story. If you knew nothing about the Korean War before you read this book, you still wouldn’t know much about it when you finished reading. That’s o.k., I guess. Again, Griffin is telling a story about people, and not so much events.
I really enjoyed this book, and picked it up immediately after I finished ‘The Lieutenants’. As soon as I finished this one, I quickly read volume 3 from cover to cover as well. I wouldn’t be going through this series so quickly if the writing were boring or sub-par. As long as you prefer ‘story’ as opposed to ‘history’, you should enjoy these books. You learn quite a bit of how the military works (or worked) as well.
This one, volume 2 is also a good, quick read. Although titled “The Captains”, I would argue that this book is not exclusively about Captains in the U.S. army. There are three or four of them in and out of these pages, and I guess you could argue that they are, in fact, the ‘center’ of the story. This book is really about the soldiers in the U.S army, how they interact, obstacles they face, the politics that are involved, and how things generally get done in the U.S. armed forces.
The character with the most page space is Captain Craig Lowell. He’s basically a spoiled rich kid who is the antithesis of what a great soldier is supposed to be. He probably should have been kicked out of the army years ago (although he’s very young to be a Captain – about 24 I think), but he just seems to be too good at his job. In fact, he does get kicked out of the army several times within these volumes, but somehow manages to always get back in due to various circumstances.
This book takes place from 1950-1953. Since it’s a book about the military, you’re probably thinking ‘The Korean War’ right? Well, yes and no. The bulk of this book does take place during the Korean Conflict, but there’s not a whole lot of ‘Korea’ here. What I mean by this is author Griffin doesn’t really weave the who’s, the where’s, or the why’s of the war into the story. If you knew nothing about the Korean War before you read this book, you still wouldn’t know much about it when you finished reading. That’s o.k., I guess. Again, Griffin is telling a story about people, and not so much events.
I really enjoyed this book, and picked it up immediately after I finished ‘The Lieutenants’. As soon as I finished this one, I quickly read volume 3 from cover to cover as well. I wouldn’t be going through this series so quickly if the writing were boring or sub-par. As long as you prefer ‘story’ as opposed to ‘history’, you should enjoy these books. You learn quite a bit of how the military works (or worked) as well.
April 27, 2022
Captain parker in this book has to face court for shooting his own man for sake of others. And I think there is pattern an idea of naming books by difficulties, opbstacles each member of rank has to keep in mind, that can happend in his/her line of duty.
Afther this hard battle in grece form previoues book. Craig Lowell becomes comander, and in Korea, Lowell tank Task Force Lowell, so well that he is promoted to major rewarded with a Distinguished Service Cross(adding to the one from grece).
Court is alredy in faveour of not taking in conideration Lowell and Parker experience in combat.
Ealier on a mission :
Chelicopter pilot Rudolf "Mac" MacMillan and Eda Greera get shoot down, and Ed Greera dies from plane crush, destroying H-19 tanks while project of antitank choper is beeing undiscovered, and Lowell destroys back then doesen of T-34 tanks.
Liked the book but slitly less then first one. Its sitll stresfull stituation that thay face as there is no freedom in court only powerlessness. Law is steadfast, even when there is question to crime, one still can be sencenced and ruined for life.
Its very much like movies/ecranisations of other books, such as:
- A Few Good Men
-Men Of Honor
-basic
-Rescue Dawn
-JAG
Afther this hard battle in grece form previoues book. Craig Lowell becomes comander, and in Korea, Lowell tank Task Force Lowell, so well that he is promoted to major rewarded with a Distinguished Service Cross(adding to the one from grece).
Court is alredy in faveour of not taking in conideration Lowell and Parker experience in combat.
Ealier on a mission :
Chelicopter pilot Rudolf "Mac" MacMillan and Eda Greera get shoot down, and Ed Greera dies from plane crush, destroying H-19 tanks while project of antitank choper is beeing undiscovered, and Lowell destroys back then doesen of T-34 tanks.
Liked the book but slitly less then first one. Its sitll stresfull stituation that thay face as there is no freedom in court only powerlessness. Law is steadfast, even when there is question to crime, one still can be sencenced and ruined for life.
Its very much like movies/ecranisations of other books, such as:
- A Few Good Men
-Men Of Honor
-basic
-Rescue Dawn
-JAG
September 16, 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.
I always liked rooting for Lowell, and each of us has a very tight stickler to the rules Bellmon in our lives - Griffin portrays his characters similar to people ni each of our lives.
Reading each book in this series is well worth it - wish I could say the same about his latest books with Butterworth the IV!
I always liked rooting for Lowell, and each of us has a very tight stickler to the rules Bellmon in our lives - Griffin portrays his characters similar to people ni each of our lives.
Reading each book in this series is well worth it - wish I could say the same about his latest books with Butterworth the IV!
April 17, 2024
The Captains is mostly about the adventures of Craig Lowell but the other three main characters from the Lieutenants, now captains—Felter, MacMillon and Parker have big roles. Most of this story takes place during the Korean War and all four of our leads get to play hero. MacMillon rescues some guys, Felter runs secret missions into N. Korea and is horribly wounded, Sherman leads a tank company and shoots an officer who is fleeing from the front line. He is later court marshaled for this act. Lowell ends up with a spot promotion to Major and leads a tank column in a spectacular movement against the enemy and becomes famous among the troops. One thing about this series and I notice that people complain about it in the reviews, is the gratuitous sex. Lowell, now a widower, has sex in a tank with a movie star on a USO tour. Our four heroes are always on the verge of trouble or disaster but since they are “warriors” seem to get protection from certain generals who look out for them. For example, after his court marshal, Parker gets sent to a horrible dead end assignment and it takes Lowell’s cousin’s influence with a Senator to get him reassigned. Yet at the end of the book he gets married and the top brass from the Pentagon, old buds of his dad from WWII show up. Where were they when he got assigned as a housing officer? The people who hated book one and said so were mostly mad about the racial and anti-semitic comments. Sherman is a large and very black man. Felter is most often described as a “little Jew.” These books will no doubt soon be pulled from libraries as characters also refer to homosexuals as fairies and faggots. Folks, the era is the 1950s. Take solace in the fact that the author likes all four of his main characters. As I’m not into Book 3 I am willing to label these books as military procedurals. There’s a system (the military establishment) and the goal is to beat the system. Book 1 haters probably didn’t like the autocratic behavior of colonels and generals. They haven’t been in the military. All types of personalities rise to the top of the chain of command. Often, the most aggressive and obnoxious rise highest. I’ve seen a full Colonel throw a salt shaker at a mess sergeant because he didn’t like his powdered eggs. There’s all types and one has to be institutionally clever or have a great support group or both to make ones way up the military ladder. Our four heroes seem like they are going to make it. We will see in book 3—The Majors.
May 30, 2021
I went back and forth on 3-4 stars. Like the first in this series, it feels like a series of well written vignettes, that don't quite seem to coalesce into a single story. But the characters and plots are well written and interesting, and show situations that feel real, and characters that change over time, and I'm interested to know what happens to them. In terms of the specific characters I'm glad that there's less of Bellmon, who is fairly boring, and more of Parker, who is more interesting. I think they spend too much time with Lowell, who I like in general, but is kind of a favored son who always seems to get what he wants, and seeing him more favored in the narrative proportions feels kind of unfair to the others, who I also want to know about (except Bellmon)
It feels more like this is chapter 2 as opposed to book 2, but I'm going to keep reading, so it all evens out I guess.
It feels more like this is chapter 2 as opposed to book 2, but I'm going to keep reading, so it all evens out I guess.
December 17, 2021
Book 2 of the series revolved around the start of the Korean War and followed four or five military officers in their military and personal escapades. I enjoyed reading about the insider’s view of military life. While there is some combat scenes in Korea, much of the book revolves around these officers’ personal lives.
The book was good enough. To be honest, this is my “bathroom book.” I keep it in a drawer in the bathroom on only pull it out when it is business time. The book is perfect for that usage. Interesting enough but not so interesting that I care about reading it all the time. Three stars. Soon Book 3 in the series will become the bathroom book.
The book was good enough. To be honest, this is my “bathroom book.” I keep it in a drawer in the bathroom on only pull it out when it is business time. The book is perfect for that usage. Interesting enough but not so interesting that I care about reading it all the time. Three stars. Soon Book 3 in the series will become the bathroom book.
August 28, 2017
Continuing the story of five Army men, this book charts their course during and after the United States action in Korea. The story involves how men who identify themselves as career soldiers navigate the uncertain courses their careers take when decisions made bear unexpected fruit. The book builds on the clarity and verve evident in its predecessor, and since many of the characters are still standing in the active ranks at its close, it ensures that the saga will demand a further accounting in the sequel.
February 28, 2019
Loved it, again could not put the book down. Real sad when Craig Lowells wife got killed in a car accident. Love the friendship between Craig and Parker. Anxious to see how they continue, Parker with his new wife and both of them in their new position. Was hoping Craig would have stayed with the Hollywood star, page. Did enjoy her character in the book.
October 22, 2017
Your never not a soldier
As a veteran of both the United States Air Force and Army this series harkens back to my military days when a fellow soldier will always be your brother and the bonds of friendship will always remain unbroken.
As a veteran of both the United States Air Force and Army this series harkens back to my military days when a fellow soldier will always be your brother and the bonds of friendship will always remain unbroken.
September 20, 2021
I am usually not a big fan of war novels or military novels but after reading the first book in the series and now the second I’m hooked on Griffin’s writing. I enjoy the characters that roam in both the first two books. A very fast read. After the first few chapters I didn’t want to put it down.
October 21, 2021
I read this as one of the few novels set in Korea during the 1950s in order to understand where my father was sent as a draftee. I'm doubtful how typical the soldiers' experiences are but Griffin was in the military and knew others. It's a quick read, not always easy, but of its time.
January 14, 2022
The activities and details on the front lines are compelling, and character interactions are fluent and satisfying as per usual. I don't know who to "side-with" so to speak, as each character is interesting and unique in their own ways
April 27, 2022
Sandy Felter and Craig Lowell have returned blooded from the hot theatre of the "Cold War" in Greece between the Greek Government and the Soviet-backed partisans. Lowell is struck by tragedy after great joy and Felter is hip-deep in the murky world of espionage in Post World War Two Berlin.
July 10, 2022
Wow, these first two of the series are so smart, so true, so thrilling, so rich with sociology, psychology, culture, humanity, and history. Not to mention the page-turning plot. I am enthralled! How have I never heard of this author until now?!?
January 3, 2024
WEB Griffin books
This series has made these stories seam real I have read all his books ani mean all that is in print even his last ones by the order of the president I can't say enough about this author .
This series has made these stories seam real I have read all his books ani mean all that is in print even his last ones by the order of the president I can't say enough about this author .
March 4, 2025
Great Historical Fiction.
The author is a master at incorporating historical events seamlessly into the narrative of the story. Anyone who has served in the Army for any amount of time will get a kick out of this series by WEB Griffen.
The author is a master at incorporating historical events seamlessly into the narrative of the story. Anyone who has served in the Army for any amount of time will get a kick out of this series by WEB Griffen.
February 27, 2018
Great!
W. E. B. Griffin is always a 5-star rating. Characters are always well-developed,and very individualistic. He presents the army,with all it's flaws, in a very real way.
W. E. B. Griffin is always a 5-star rating. Characters are always well-developed,and very individualistic. He presents the army,with all it's flaws, in a very real way.
May 30, 2018
Excellent! A nice companion book to read with “This Kind of War.”
October 14, 2018
The only good thing about this book was learning a little history about a time I was unfamiliar with.
December 21, 2019
Possibly the greatest war series of all time. My father read this and passed it down to me. Great reading.
April 22, 2020
Second time I have read this series. Loved it. Start with the #1. It actually gives you a laugh along with being exciting.
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