No comments about Victory In Destruction: The Story Of William Tecumseh Sherman (Civil War Generals).

1 comments about Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memories of Major Dick Winters (Thorndike Paperback Bestsellers).

1. This informative book gives first hand information of a great American, who served his country extremely well during WWII.!!! It gives additional clarification to the historical experiences that Major Winters had during and after the war. If you enjoyed the Band of Brothers book, you will greatly enjoy Dick Winters' recollections!

3 comments about Memoirs of a Cold War Colonel: A look into an Intelligence Officer's thirty year career.

1. I hated World History in school and yet I was enthralled by the sheer intelligence and military background provided by the author. The family love and experiences are evident in each passing paragraph.



2. Although this is my brother's book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have loved watching how it has developed. He and Peggi had a wonderful marriage that was cut short with Peggi's passing.
   I found things out about my family that I was not aware of, mainly because I was 12 years younger.
   This book was a work of love for Bill and I hope all enjoy it that read it.
   Merrilee



3. This is a great book!! I enjoyed it thoroughly. It gives you insight on what military men had to go through in the cold war era and how it impacted their families.

No comments about South Pacific at Seventeen : USS Cofer (APD-62) World War II.

5 comments about Lincoln's Greatest Speech : The Second Inaugural.

1. This entire book is a thorough analysis of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Speech given towards the closing of the Civil War. In a time of great turmoil, Lincoln's words offered peace and reconciliation to a nation who had faced nearly four years of bloodshed. White's analysis of the speech is very insightful, as he covers everything from his word choice to people who may have inspired Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most revered presidents today and White portrays him as the eloquent speaker he was.
   
   I found the beginning of the book to be quite boring as White goes on to explain the historical context of the speech. Although this is important, I felt he dragged it out too much to a point where it resembled a U.S. history textbook. However, the real analysis comes shortly after in which White analyzes the opening paragraph of Lincoln's speech. I assumed it was just an introduction to get the audience pumped up, however, Lincoln failed to meet America's expectations as he blatantly admitted he would not punish the South for seceding. While disappointing many Americans at the time, I look back on this and realize that it was the appropriate thing to do given the harsh circumstances. White continues to break down the speech into small excerpts, going over each sentence in extensive detail. I found it quite interesting to learn that Lincoln used alliteration, parallel structure, words that were not inclusive, and allusions to God as methods of arousing hope among the American people. The speech was very simple, yet complex at the same time and I developed even more admiration for this humble president. It is evident that White did a lot of research to compile this book and I feel that I did indeed learn a great deal. This book convinced me that the Second Inaugural Address was truly Lincoln's greatest speech.



2. A book on analyzing Licoln's Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural by Ronald C. White focuses on the rhetorical strategies Lincoln employs in his speech. Although the book is very informative, this book is hardly deemed to be read for pleasure.
   
   White does a good job of providing enough context to let readers know what the nation was going through at the time. It allowed me to understand what White was trying to say when he was analyzing Lincoln's speech. It becomes much clearer why Lincoln chooses certain words to say when one is fully informed of the situation.
   
   For me personally, I learned a lot about history through this book alone, but I also learned more about rhetorical strategies and why certain words work and certain words do not in particular situations. The book made it clear what rhetorical devices were used and why. Although the book fully analyzed Lincoln's speech, I do feel White does go a little overboard with his analysis.
   
   A good book to read, Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural is good for teaching people rhetorical strategies, but it is one book I would not read for the pleasure of reading.



3. Speeches are boring. Not much to say there. But what White has done is just plain horrible. 256 pages of horrible actually. Though White's essay/book is informational and effective, it is extensive and overfilled with pointless history.
   
   Breaking down Lincoln's speech, White provides powerful information about the rhetorical devices Lincoln uses to unify the nation. However, this `powerful' information is often drowned out by the incessant historical lessons. In reality, this story is more of a biography than an analysis on Lincoln' Second Inaugural address. Although this may excite some people, for most, myself included, this is more of a turn off.
   
   So if you want to read some history, go ahead, pick up this book. But if your looking for information on Lincoln's Second Inaugural, I strongly suggest that you go on the internet to get your information.



4. Ronald White does an outstanding job analyzing Lincoln's second inaugural speech, supporting his work with both historical context and social context. However, this book is presented in a way that has little to offer for the casual reader.
   
   Understanding the power within Lincoln's words, White breaks down this speech to reveal the methods Lincoln used to persuade his audience. He traces, from Lincoln's early history as an orator to his final years, the growth and development of our sixth president and the affect it had on his speech. White analyzes the strategies Lincoln employed to convey his message of reconciliation; instead of merely focusing on the speech, he also includes the responses it produced upon the listeners. He sheds light to many elements of the speech that are unseen by the average reader. With an overall solid argument, this book will leave the reader amazed at the power of Lincoln's subtle language, if only the reader could finish the book. And that is the trouble.
   
   Turing an analysis of a 701-word speech into a 265 page book means boredom. White's analysis is substantial and perceptive but by analyzing almost word by word, he has turned this book into a tiresome read. The unnecessary details that White sometimes includes are overwhelming at best. His arguments are sound but the extreme amount of support he provides reduces their impact. The reader gets carried away and lost within the paragraphs of history that White uses to support his claims. While there is much to be gleaned from his pages, the unnecessary length of this book is extremely unappealing. If White were to reduce his book to a summary of his claims with minimal but concise support, this book would be much more effective.
   
   This book is a worthwhile read as there is much to be learned from White's careful analysis but because of its length it is extremely unappealing and almost impossible to reader with interest.



5. A proof should be as simple and as elegant as possible, yet at the same time it should be full and rigorous. Ronald C. White provides an insightful essay on Lincoln's Second Inaugural address. Unfortunately, his proof is in the form of a 256 page book. Though effective and thoughtful, White's work is bogged down by its excessive history.
   
   If White's work were in the form of a shorter paper, each paragraph would be meaningful and interesting. As it is, it is tempting to skim through White's work, as so much of it seems to serve only as filler and history to extend the length of the work and make it publishable in the form of a book. In a condensed form, White's arguments would simply be more potent.
   
   White's analysis and the content of his work are, however, effective and insightful. Though some bits are sketchy, most of his analysis makes evident the method behind Lincoln's Second Inaugural. Paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence, and word by word, White breaks down the rhetorical devices which Lincoln used in his hope of reunifying the nation.
   
   White's analysis is rich, ranging from explaining the effect of Lincoln's diction to the appeal to religion made when Lincoln's speaks of slavery. White goes through parallelism and imagery--he thoroughly covers all of Lincoln's methods. For readers who love history and all that is Lincoln and the Civil War, I recommend this book. But for everyone else who believes nonfiction in this era should yield maximum knowledge and understanding with minimum time, Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural is simply tedious.

5 comments about General George E. Pickett in Life and Legend.

1. I read the book and thought it was pretty good. That is, until I learned from a lecturer about its mistakes. There is a picture in the book captioned as being of Pickett when in fact it's another man altogether. You'd think someone who did their research and wrote a book on this man would at least get that right. In another part of the book there's a quote from one of Pickett's men. The author edited the real quote and ended up leaving the last part off trying to portray Pickett as a drunk. It seems as though the author had other motives than revealing truths when she wrote this book.



2. Until this book hit the shelves, the image of Confederate General George Pickett was one of heroism. Known mostly for his failed assault at Gettysburg, the flamboyant and curly haired Virginian was a symbol for the South's "Lost Cause" myth. Attributing to his heroic portrayal was the Turner picture, "Gettysburg" and the Michael Shaara book, "The Killer Angels."
   
   The reputation of LaSalle Corbell Pickett before Gordon's book was one of fondness for a wife of a famous general. The public generally believed her when she described her soldier as a champion of the South. Now, we can ascertain that LaSalle carefully and deliberately created a positive image of her husband in order to leave a lasting impression. Because of this, the story of George Pickett can be described as one of myth and confusion.
   
   The true story of this man is revealed here. Though Pickett was mostly a good soldier who did his job, his depiction cannot be similar to the previous impression painted by LaSalle and past historians. It was interesting to see how Gordon pointed out that LaSalle left out stories and facts that did not favor her husband. By doing this, LaSalle loses all credibility and any references to her work must be looked at carefully.
   
   Finally, Civil War scholarship is pushing towards the phrase "going against the grain," as it pertains to producing Civil War material. Rather than continue to generate work after work that does little to advance this field, scholars such as Gordon are a bright addition that will continually keep fresh perspectives on this time period. On a personal level, I very much look forward to studying under her as I begin my doctorate at the University of Akron in the fall of 2005.



3. George Pickett could be one of the biggest mysteries of the Civil War. After the war and then his death 10 years later his wife became a celebrated author. She wrote several popular books about the Civil War and specifically George Pickett including one that was suppose to be a collection of his letters to her during the war. The problem is Sallie Pickett's books were more fiction than fact. Creations of her imagination to glorify her husband.

   The result is in trying to write a proper biography of George Pickett one has to deal with Sallie Pickett and try to separate the truth from the fantasy. This problem is compounded by the fact that Pickett's actual wartime letters and other papers are locked away and not available to modern scholars.

   This is why it is so difficult for a biography of Pickett to be written. It's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle with pieces from another puzzle in the box. Every time you pick up a piece you have to try and decide if it even belongs with the puzzle. That's the very difficult task that Lesley Gordon faced in trying to write this book.

   Gordon does do a decent job of weeding out the fiction from the facts. Her writing style is very good and the book is an enjoyable read. She holds no punches and is tough on Pickett when the need requires but also gives him credit for the good things. The problem is there simply are to many gaps in the story which cause her to literally skim over important parts of Pickett's life. His life after the war is barely even touched and Gordon skims over some rather important events, most likely because there is so little factual information available about Pickett concerning those times. Perhaps not Gordon's fault but we as readers are still left scratching our heads wondering what went on.

   Lastly due to lack of direct sources i.e. Pickett himself, Gordon is forced to use other indirect sources that aren't always reliable. For example in discussing his being wounded at Gaines Mill Gordon quotes Major John Haskill who accuses Pickett of cowardice. The problem is Haskill had a strong and well known dislike of Pickett and his story is so absurd that I was surprised Gordon chose to even include the account at all.

   I think the definitive book on Pickett is still to come. There are simply still to many gaps in his life. Perhaps someday in the future his actual letters and papers will be made available to scholars and then a true in-depth biography of the man can be made. In the meantime this will do.




4. Lesly Gordon does a well done bio on Pickett the General associated withh three of the greatest disasters of Lee's Northern Army of Virginia. Pickett is obviously associated with the great charge at Gettysburg but also the crushing disaster at Five Forks and within a week the final crushing blow at Saylers Creek where Lee lost over 6,000 soildiers. The bio covers Pickett's early years with the Mexican War where he takes the flag from a wounded Longstreet to bound up the steps at Chapultepec, his realtionship with an Indian maiden that may have included marriage and the son that he seemingly abandoned and left in the northwest. Picket also is involved with a virtual skirmish with England over islands in the northwest near Pugent Sound.

   But the best part of the book is Gordon's filling in of Pickett's Civil War career. After an early wounding during the Peninsula Campaign, Pickett's career stays on the back burner until Gettysburg. After discussion of Pickett's role and actions where he actually participates in 1/3 of the charge that holds his name Pickett has other assignments such as the retaking of North Carolina towns and his early defense of Petersburg where he holds back the Union forces with just a few thousand men until Beauregard arrives to take command. Pickett's miring in controversy is well brought out such as his decision to hang former Confederates that were captuted while fighting for the Union in North Carolina and his infamous part in the Five Forks battle where he was away from the fight eating shad and partaking in drink with Rosser and Fitz Lee while his command is virtually wiped out. The later is whispered but little known until after his death. His remnants of command are virtually captured at Sayler's Creek and Lee allegedly discharges him with Anderson and Bushrod Johnson days before Appomatox.

   Gordon's bio is fascinating as Pickett seems to be a brave and valiant soldier but one that is immature such as his leaving the lines in Suffolk to visit LaSalle`his future wife who lived a few miles in Chuckatuck, his stepping away from command to party behind the lines at Five Forks and his penchant for writing emotional and whinny battle reports. The latter is probably why Lee had Pickett tear up his Gettysburg report. LaSalle is revealed as a dedicated wife but one that fabricates history to enhance Pickett's reputation. Alleged letters from Pickett that she published are in many cases most likely written by her own hand and recent scholarship has shown gross plagerism and in some cases illogical history where the facts dispute her version of the truth such as Lincoln stopping by to see the Picketts in Richmond. A fascinating account of inconsistencies, Pickett stems the tide at Petersburg abnd fights well at Dinwiddie Court House against Sheridan but then relaxes too much at Five Forks in a very difficult and unsupported position which in the end results in the collapse of Lee's right wing. Gordon does well in removing some of the mystery about Pickett who today is burried near his men at Hollywood Cemetery but seemingly isolated from other Generals burried there.




5. Unlike the previous customer reviewer, and like the scores of accredited professional reviewers itemized in part in Amazon's own professional listings, I found Gordon's new biography to be first rate. It is meticulously researched and introduces new materials about the general's life heretofore unpublished. And if Gordon's interest in the role that Pickett's marriage played in shaping his 'life' is offputting to some reactionary types, then so much the better. Biography requires the evocation of an individual's entire cultural ethos, both on the battlefield and off, and Gordon's evenhanded work here help us round out the picture of an important, if enigmatic historical personage.

5 comments about Attila: King of the Huns: The Man and the Myth.

1. Patrick Howarth introduces the life and myths of Attila in an easy to read and ascertainable format.
   In the 5th century Attila was known by many Christian writers as the scourge of God, and managed to nearly topple the Roman Empire. He was a fierce warrior king who ruled the Hunnish hordes for approximately eight years. And of course this book more than elaborates on this tumultuous time period of barbarian kings such as Alaric, king of the Goths who sack Roman in 400AD, and Geiseric, king of the Vandals.
   Also, what makes this book so unique is that even though it's a biography about Attila and his exploits it tends more to chronologically follow the early dilapidation of the Roman Empire.
   In my opinion, throughout this book, Attila seems more of a background entity then the character taking center stage, and most of this book seems to be mostly based upon the fall of Roman and how Attila attributed to it through many battles such as going to war with Valentinian III, and scaring the wits out of the early Roman Church.
   Also, keep in mind that a good portion of this biography was lifted out of Edward Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire," so, Howarth's book is pure cream for anyone who is a Roman Historian who just can't get enough, or anyone who just enjoys this kind of material.
   Howarth also delineates the many myth that cropped up about Attila's exploits over the years. He succeeds in differentiating between fact and erroneous belief, in other words this book is a myth-buster. So, if you don't like your mythology debunked then this isn't for you.
   Overall, this entire book was a respectable attempt at telling the tale of a legend... the legend of THE KING HUN!!!



2. This is a fair biography of Attilla and perhaps a good introduction in that respect. But if you are looking for a history with some depth in the military aspects of his reign, you will likely want to look some more. One invaluable tool for the military man that is noticably absent are maps. The battle descriptions are also rather shallow for the tastes of the avid military historiphile. Still, the writing is good and the organization of the material is equally good. One nice feature was a table at the beginning that had contemporaries listed for rulers of the western and eastern Roman empires, rulers of the Huns, and rulers of the Visigoths. It helps a great deal to have that ready reference of names unfamiliar to modern western ears. Not a bad resource and a worthwhile biography.



3. The writing is engaging. The author explores the evidence and the various views of Attila over the centuries. The first chapters gave the reader the background setting of this turbulent period. I found chapters 13-21 to be the most crucial. The authors speculations on why Attila spared Italy from more devestation was good food for thought. This book should inspire the reader to do more research on the subject. But, the index is rather brief and the absense of maps was sorely missed. The problem may be that there simply are not enough original sources? When more archaeological artefacts come to light I look forward to this book being revised.



4. for everyone who wanted more on Attila after west. civ. 101,this is the one.answers almost all of the questions you wanted to ask but shyed off because the business majors were giving you "funny looks".(you could be a closet Hun bent on world conquest or an idler searching after esoteric trivia)!!!!The story i always believed was that these rabid horsebound sadists stormed mysteriously from the East,tore everything up for awhile in the 400's and then through the grace of god disappeared.(WHEW!!)this book shows how the Huns were politically astute,absorbing other tribes and nations over a period of hundreds of years and if at times seemed less than enlightened were no more inhumane than the Goths or the Romans.The book has alot of fresh interpretations like Mr. Howarth's statement that the eastern Roman Empire was less vulnerable than the west to invasions due to better leadership.There is alot of movement in this book with tribes moving everywhere,the names of which,some i have never heard of before.The last few chapters are a summary and a "where are they now"(the Huns that is)



5. This book claims to be "...a thrilling piece of historical reconstruction." Needless to say it didn't live up to its claim. I enjoy reading about history, but up to this point I have not studied the fifth century. It wasn't a bad book for getting a feel for the time period, but provided little relevant information. I have two main complaints about this book.
   1. There is actually little said about Attila. The Romans are the central figure for much of the book. I understand that the Hun and Roman interactions are where we get most of our information about Attila, but if you do not have enough information to write a book about Attila, do not try. It would be similar to someone writing a 10 chapter book on Stalin during WWII, spending 7 of those of Hitler, one on FRD and Churchill, one on Russia, and taking one chapter to discuss Stalin.
   2. There are no maps included. The book mentions many little ancient villages and gives no way of determining where they are located. I eventually gave up trying to visualize where in Europe and Asia the Huns were pillaging. Every once in a while the book will mention a major location such as Paris or Rome. Their route from one place to another is still a mystery to me.

4 comments about Sigh for a Merlin : Testing the Spitfire.

1. To anyone interested in the history of both the Spitfire and the magnificent engine that powered it, this is a top read. A well-written memoir, it retains the interest from first page to last. Highly recommend it.



2. You will not read a better book about flying the Spitfire than Alex Henshaw's "Sigh for a Merlin"! Although no combat sequences are included as would be expected of a Spitfire book, the testing of so many aircraft leads to as much tension and action as any of the best combat-based stories.
   
   Alex Henshaw writes as well as he flies. I was reluctant to put this book down as Mr Henshaw regularly shares the flying with the reader. You are right there as he tests new aircraft and escapes from tricky situations due to aircraft failure.
   
   For anyone who has heard a Merlin engine on any aircraft, you will understand the title. You'll make the same sigh of satisfaction/awe as you read the last page of this book...if you haven't done so already while reading the book!
   
   I read this book several years ago but it still has an affect on me. There are some good Spitfire books out there, but this is the best.



3. A nation at war, all hands to the tiller. Henshaw, already renowned as a young solo long distance record-breaking pilot, after a brief spell twiddling his fingers at Vickers, Weybridge meets Geoffrey Quill - another talented young flier, already chief test pilot of the Spitfire. In no time at all, he is offered and accepts the post of production test pilot at the massive, barely finished Castle Bromwich factory in the heart of the Midlands, with its Black Country weather.
   By the end of the war, Henshaw had flown over 3,000 Spits straight off the line, barrel rolled Lancasters and flown upside down along ....!
   Excelling in inverted flight, Henshaw's required to demo the Spit at the drop of a hat, flight test them in appalling conditions and keep a large team of disparate pilots working foir the common good. His sheer professionalism, commitment and outstanding flying skills shine through. Modestly written, a superb account of a great plane and great pilot.



4. The exploits of Alex Henshaw are done some fine justice in this book. It highlights testing of dangerous airplanes during WWII and how so many people contributed without mention. any flying fan will trully love this one! A must for aviation fans.

5 comments about The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story.

1. The writing style leaves something to be desired, and I wish they would have designed a different dust jacket for the book. However, author, Trent Angers gives the reader a powerfully moving story in "The Forgotten Hero of My Lai";(The Hugh Thompson Story).
   
   Angers uses a great deal of literay freedom in weaving some of the story line of Mr. Thompson's personal life including conversations between Thompson and his wife some 35-40 years ago. None the less, the author also gives the reader a REAL AMERICAN HERO!
   
   I could not in all honesty read this book without having to put it down at times so that I could break away from the emotions that it invoked within me. Reading about this massacre, and indiscriminate butchery was ...too horrible to comprehend. I can not see how anyone who was even vaguely involved in this could ever be normal again.
   
   This event was perhaps, our greatest sin in the Viet Nam war. It was a throw-back to the deeds of Attila the Hun, and the exploits of Genghis Khan's Mongol hordes. More specifically, it was a "despicable microcosm" of the Japanese atrocities conducted in Nanking. The only difference: these were not Huns, Mongol hordes, or Imperial Japanese troops... these perpetrators were .... American soldiers!
   
   As a VietNam veteran, I found this act, a "very...very, bitter pill to swallow!"
   
   A letter by a Mr. Ron Ridenhour submitted to President Nixon and others at the time is quoted on page 154 of this book. In that letter, Mr. Ridenhour tells how he feels about the incident and ... quotes Winston Churchill:
   " A country without a conscience is a country without a soul, and a country without a soul is a country that cannot survive."
   
   Apparently, Hugh Thompson knew this as well when he intervened to save what innocent civilians he could. I know not how long our country will survive, but as long as there are still soldiers like Hugh Thompson, I know...it will survive a little longer.



2. I am so glad for this book. It's undoubtedly a story about a true hero who inspires me as I'm sure it does others. I was saddened to hear he passed. On Friday Jan 6 he moved on. Many of us, can't, and will never forget what your memory means to us. God Speed Hugh, you have many friends here still on the earth very proud of you.
   
   Col. Tom Kolditz, head of the U.S. Military Academy's behavioral sciences, said, in honor of Hugh, "There are so many people today walking around alive because of him, not only in Vietnam, but people who kept their units under control under other circumstances because they had heard his story. We may never know just how many lives he saved."
   
   Read the book, it's inspirational, and we need not ever forget. Our values we hold dear as human beings are all we have, and when we leave, it's all we leave behind. Never compromise them. Never.
   
   Honor, Respect, Dignity.
   
   I can only hope this story is told even more widely so we have less chance this memory of such a great man ever fades.
   
   GOD Speed Hugh, light a candle up there, we'll be there soon!



3. If all of us followed the example of Hugh Thompson at My Lai in Vietnam this would truly be the land of the free and the home of the brave.
   
   "The Forgotten Hero of My Lai" tells an inspiring story of a piece of our history. While many people still remember the horror of the massacre at My Lai, few know about the true heros who risked everything to end it. Though their stand came too late to help most of the villagers of My Lai, it eventually ended the policy that targeted the civillian populations of other villages. We'll never know how many lives they saved.
   
   Although I found it awkwardly written, the power of the story far outweighs any considerations about style. I highly recommend this shining example of what one person can do to protect the values that make life meaningful.



4. From what I have seen written on the pages exhibited, I am asking our librarian here in Sandwich, NH to purchase this book. Hugh Thompson has always been a hero to me, and represents the helicopter pilots who were in Vietnam quite well. We were all brash, and ballsey, and would stand up to a lot of things we didn't think too swift. His deed outshines us all. I flew UH-1D's in the Delta, and have written about my experiences there in OUTLAWS IN VIETNAM.
   Being a helicopter pilot in this war was the best job one could wish for--it was the best year of all of our lives! Hopefully, more of these excellent aviators will be profiled in the future.
   My librarian finally purchased the book after these initial notes, and I have been reading it nonstop. This should really shed some light on the horror of the Americal Division higher-ups who authorized this bloodletting by Lt. Calley and others of Charlie Company that day. They had been ordered to commit the atrocities we all know about today, and as I continue the book, it is interesting to me to experience the angst that Hugh Thompson and his crew felt that terrible day at My Lai. He is most human, and painfully so. The author discloses all this helicopter crew went through then and since; well done!!



5. There is absolutely no doubt that Hugh Thompson, Glenn Andreotta, and Larry Colburn did an unbelieveably heroic thing on March 16, 1968. Let there also be no doubt that Trent Angers should be commended for his research and efforts to bring yet another angle to this horror known as the My Lai Massacre. I have just one criticism, and unfortunately it is decisive: It is a poorly written book.

   I am not suggesting that one not read the book, because it does perform as a vehicle to bring to light the events surrounding the massacre, its aftermath and Colburn's and Thompson's return to My Lai 28 years later. However, it takes form more as a children's book than it does as an examination of an important historical event, or even as a third-person narrative intended for adult reading.

   Don't expect an abundance of three or more syllable words, inspired imagery, or thought-provoking passages. For instance, page 77, "He seemed to take a particular liking to the older woman." Seemed to who? Could you tell the reader how this was apparent? No indication whatsoever is offered in the text. Or, page 102, describing an American casualty as being "blown to bits." Is that what was written on the After Action Report? If so, there's another book in there somewhere. Or, page 103, "The cows were mooing to be milked." For a minute there I thought I had opened "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by accident.

   There is never a mention of exactly what kind of helicopter Hugh was flying...a Kiowa? Cayuse? Defender? Souix? Loach? The first indication of this simplistic approach to the subject matter is right on the dust jacket, as it is a simplistic, amateurish illustration of Thompson in an exaggerated heroic pose (arms outstretched, shirt unbuttoned, no flight helmet, no flak jacket, dog tags swinging in the wind, in front of a small huddled mass of Vietnamese). It looks much like the artwork that adorned the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich children's books published in the late '70s.

   One more note: if you're going to write a book wherein the principle character is a helicopter pilot, at least have the courtesy to refrain from calling helicopters "choppers," as most pilots despise the term. Unless, of course, you're writing for children, who find it analogous - for obvious reasons.

   Anyway, you get the picture. Still, I say God bless Hugh, Larry, Glenn and Trent.

   But Trent, at the very least, get a new copy editor.

5 comments about Danger Close.

1. If you want to know about Mike Yon's background and what makes him tick, read Danger Close.



2. The thing I will remember most about this book is that, surprisingly, it was a deeply touching tribute to his mother. The military stuff is all extremely interesting, to the point where you won't be able to put it down. But the book goes far deeper. It's a timeless story from the heart -- one that every son wishes he could write for his mother. On the outside, the author is a tough-as-nails soldier. But on the inside, he's still a little boy who continually reaches back to his mother's love to guide him through life. This is as it should be. God bless all the good mothers of the world.



3. Mr. Yon is currently in Northern Iraq and writes periodic pieces on the web about his experiences with American forces. He is a very dedicated and personable guy who is just trying to do the right thing. I enjoyed this book very much but would have liked to know what happened after the car wreck. How did his SF career end,etc. Anyway those of you who are interested in personal military type accounts will definetly enjoy this book. It received an award for his writing style.



4. I haven't read this book yet (sorry for the 5 star rating), but have picked up on his online magazine (blog). Michael Yon has and is travelling all around Iraq - mostly in the hotspots with the U.S. Army (Strykers), where he does his reporting. I find his weekly dispatches informative and interesting, and will definitely be picking up his book. If you liked his book, please go to http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/ and start reading at the bottom (where he started writing) and work your way up. New dispatches posted weekly (mostly). Also, it seems he's doing this out of his own pocket, so donate towards his blog if you can. From his online magazine:
   
   Michael Yon, author of "Danger Close," is currently in Iraq. Email: [...] Michael Yon is an independent, informed observer chronicling the monumentally important events in the efforts to stabilize Iraq. His dispatches have the benefit of his life experiences without drawbacks based on deadlines or demands of marketplace. The cost of these dispatches is borne solely by Michael. Readers who enjoy these dispatches and want to support Michael's mission in Iraq, can make a contribution using the PayPal links



5. Although Mike Yon and myself both graduated from Winter Haven High School it was years apart and I never had the pleasure of meeting him. I found the book enjoyable because I could relate to some of the local places that he mentioned. But the story was well written and interesting besides being informative despite that fact. Charles E. Gist author of the historical fiction novel "The Other Side of The River"