5 comments about Solitary Survivor: The First American POW in Southeast Asia.

1. This book was written by my Dad. It accurately describes how I believe Dad would react to the circumstances in which he found himself. He spends a good amount of time on the historical aspects of America's early involvement in Southeast Asia, specifically Laos. I believe the warning signs of "things to come" were readily apparent to anyone not embroiled in politics. My Dad's selfless commitment to his country and his courage under harsh conditions continue to raise the question in my mind, "Where will we find men like this should our country need them again?"



2. Solitary Survivor is a fascinating book detailing one of the first American soldiers taken captive during the initial stages of the Vietnam war. Colonel Bailey's story is revealing in many ways as he is the only survivor of a C-47 code named Rose Bowl that crashed in Laos with seven others on board in 1961. There is some speculation that one other on board survived but Bailey explains what he knows concerning Edgar Weitkamp and gives the reader the information and allows us to form our own opinions. He is unique in that he is only one of several men to return from captivity in Laos and details the dehumanizing treatment he received at the hands of his captors. In spite of or more because of his confinement and the total darkness he was kept in for most of the 18 months he was held in captivity, Colonel Bailey made a trek back to Sam Neua, Laos, to revisit, after 30 years the place that started the nightmares that are with him today. His return visit is very unique as Sam Neua is still considered Indian country and it has also been the focal point of many POW sightings over the years. Sam Neua is considered to be the place where many American POWs where held captive but were never returned at the conclusion of the Vietnam war. As a former 1st Cavalry soldier, I salute you Colonel Bailey and thank you for writing such an informitive book. Finally, I want to thank you for answering our country's call in three wars!



3. First off, I'm biased. Col. Bailey is my grandfather. Secondly, I never asked why we call him Boompaw. I suppose it may be the last thing he heard standing in the doorway of Rose Bowl, ready to bail...Boom. Grandpaw went BOOM.

   Thirdly, this is a fantastic account of another time, another place and another generation. If you feel you know all about Southeast Asia and that painful time in world history, you will find an entirely different perspective in Solitary Survivor.

   I often wonder when reading autobiographies, especially assisted ones, if I am hearing the author or flowered up prose from his professional co-author. When you read this, know that you are hearing the author's words, in his words. The first time I read it I don't know if I cried more because of what the author went through or because I was hearing my grandfathers voice telling the story. His story.

   The honest reason it gets five stars? They don't offer six.




4. True story told truly. It might sound grand, but this is indeed a lesson on life and attracts respect, for the courage then and now to tell the story so humbly.

   Historically it is not insignificant at all either, as so little has been written on that period and that aspect of the conflict, and even less with seriousness.




5. As the son of Ralph Magee, the pilot for the mission I am grateful for the insights as to what happened to my father. Finding useful information on that incident and the politics surrounding that time is extremely difficult to do.
   
   Lastly, I hope that Mr. Bailey realizes that he is a hero, and he can find peace knowing that my father (and his family) would have wanted him to be happy.
   
   Jeffery (Magee) Woods

5 comments about The Girl Watchers Club: Lessons from the Battlefields of Life.

1. Harry Stein seems to be suffering from the conservative equivalent of liberal guilt. Contemplating the inequities of a 60's draft that he admits to having evaded, Stein philosophically strokes his chin and says, I still think the war was wrong, but maybe I should have gone; it might have been character building. Forget about the millions dead; Harry Stein could have had a character building experience!

   It is indeed odd that in this ode to personal responsibility, Stein so often uses the circumlocution "my generation" when he is so clearly talking about himself. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of his own generation fought in that war he avoided. One of them (and only one of them) is running for president right now.

   Another problem with this book is the way it writes off, in a way that sometimes borders on contempt, its female cast of characters. The male leadership of the 60's "revolution" that Stein now says he regrets his role in was notorious for relegating women to the kitchen and the bedroom. Reading this book, one can't help but wonder if that wasn't one part of that revolution that Stein would have kept. Indeed, the WW2 generation men Stein is writing about often seem to respect the women in their lives far more than Stein does.

   In spite of its flaws, however, this is a book well worth reading. If you can get past Stein's neo-conservative handwringing, there is a story here. It is a story worthy of Steinbeck, and (polemical digressions notwithstanding) Stein tells it very well indeed. This book fills an important gap in the social history of modern America, and I can only hope that some day that Stein will grow up enough to write about his own generation with the same respect and nuanced understanding that he gives the men who raised them.




2. Too often, we tear down our heroes in a misguided attempt to "humanize" them -- but if being perfect is a prerequisite, then nobody can ever truly be a hero. Thankfully, in "The Girl Watchers Club," Harry Stein sets things straight. These men demonstrate that the essence of heroism is character. It's the will to do what must be done, and to keep on doing it because it's right. That's not a small thing by any means, especially in these days of moral relativity, but it requires no special skills or training, and any of us can do it if we're willing to try. Yes, the Girl Watchers are a most interesting bunch of characters, and it's immensely enjoyable to get to know them through Stein's engrossing narrative. The book is a winner on that level alone. But the book's subtitle is no afterthought -- life really is a battlefield, and these guys have much to teach us about winning. Truly inspiring.



3. I enjoyed listening to Stein's transcription of these fascinating, eccentric and brave men. They have a lot to say and Stein gives them their due..but when he starts editorializing, he can be a bit annoying. In his introduction(and at various times throughout the book) Stein gets into the "good old days" business. Those days weren't all that good.
   Also, I think he asumes that all of the "greatest generation" were rather conservative. Not true. They probably were more self-reliant and a bit more brave..though some were brave communists and so on, who fought in the Spanish Civil War or in the leftist underground.
   All the same, he does honor these special WW11 veterans and I am glad I read the book.



4. As I was reading this book we were talking about it around the office and it has led to some great discussions because there are 3 different generations represented in my office and 3 very different perceptions of "the greatest generation". Whether you agree with the premise or motives behind war, or believe there is a God or not, or if you just want to read what some very interesting characters have to say, Harry Stein's book is a must read.
   The men themselves have great life stories to share, and I have to admit, I've developed a bit of a crush on the crusty and crazy Moe. If he were only 45 years younger and single....
   Stein has done an outstanding job of tying in the ideals from his parents' generation to his experience in the 60s to the changes that are sweeping our country now. I don't think he demonstrated "liberal guilt" as much as he just blatantly reveals that maybe the social changes of the 60s, although had their history-making moments, may have gone too far in some ways and undermined what the older generations had worked for.
   If nothing else, pick up a copy and read Chapter 14. Outstanding. Well-written and thought provoking. This is one to share.



5. What do you get when a group of retired men in their eighties get together and discuss life? This group of men have been doing just that for years, and they have formed powerful bonds of friendship that resonate throughout the book. These men came of age during the Great Depression of the 1930's and World War II, so that they are part of what Tom Brokaw has called the "Greatest Generation," a label that none of them would willingly accept for themselves. These men share the stories of their lives and expound upon the lessons they have gleaned from their lives. They have strong opinions, many of which are out of fashion these days, which are tempered by their good humor and camaraderie. This is a terrifically candid look into the lives of a group of men who have lead full lives and are comfortable with who they are and what they've accomplished. They certainly could serve as a model for how to grow old gracefully.

No comments about Master of War: The Life of General George H. Thomas.

No comments about Napoleon Against Himself: A Psychobiography.

5 comments about The Proud Bastards: One Marine's Journey from Parris Island through the Hell of Vietnam.

1. Helms' powerful writing style gripped me from the first page. A fast-paced, realistic account of what grunts went through during the war. I read the trade paperback version, and this one had the same emotional impact on me. I laughed about some of his experiences in boot camp, felt knotted inside through the Vietnam fighting, and am glad he survived and wrote his story. I've read many books about the Vietnam War, and this is by far the best.



2. Never have I read a more gripping combat account. It's a wild, unfettered
   ride. From the author's numbing, raunchy belittlement at Parris Island
   Marine boot camp to fighting in a faraway country he found "luring, lovely,
   and lethal," Helms pulls no punches. I especially like "Mikey's" biting,
   insightful running dialogue with himself.

   Often as I read a book I will pause and thumb through a few pages to see how
   soon the chapter will end; perhaps because I've lost focus and I'm ready for
   it to end. I never did that while reading "The Proud Bastards" because Mr.
   Helms spared me the bother. He has the blessed knack to know when his
   readers are ready for a chapter to end and he writes accordingly.

   Helms is observant in other ways that made reading this book an adventure.
   Seldom have I read a brutal war story graced with so many coloful
   descriptive passages about the lay of the land: the trees, birds, mountains,
   ocean, stars, and the weather. Such contrasting lends realism that "takes
   the reader there." I think it both sets the stage for and respites the
   gruesome battle scenes to follow.

   I owe E. Michael Helms. He took me to Vietnam, showed me around, then got me
   out of there when he knew it was time for both of us to leave. He is an
   especially gifted writer, which "The Proud Bastards" proves abundantly.

   I highly recommend this book.




3. "The Proud Bastards" is not about war; it's about a man who went to war, a 20th century hero's journey told with gut-wrenching truth. Follow Mike as he leaves his ordinary world, still an idealistic boy. Laugh as he endures often hilarious and grueling days of Marine boot camp. Then follow him on to the dark, frightening culture shock of war-torn Vietnam. It is an odyssey that takes you from boyhood dreams to adulthood's most gruesome reality. Not for males only, it is an insightful look into the soul of a young man as he faces the challenges of battle and brings home the precious elixir--life.



4. One of the best Marine Corp, and Vietnam related books that I have ever read. Really gives a sense of what the Marines and Vietnam were like. I would recommend it to anyone.



5. Rarely does a book foster and inspire an epiphany within me. Yet, "Proud Bastards" by E. Michael Helms - a raw-edged, revealing account of life as a Marine, and service in the Vietnam war, took me to the edge of civilization and back again. Mr. Helms' style of personal narrative reveals not only a soldier's courage, fears, and sense of duty; but his own personal courage in facing and recounting his experiences to the reader who is propelled along the tumultuous currents of Helms' fascinating and riveting journey. I laughed with him, cried with him, touched, tasted and smelled the horrors of war, as well as felt the triumphs and loss of camaraderie through his poignant words. Helms' exquisite sense of timing, and his balance of the good times as well as the bad, combine to make his book a masterpiece weaving of complexities, confusions, brutality and horror; his relentless assault on one's senses - all forgiven through the comprehension of humanity's fragility. From this book, I could finally understand the kind of pain that I saw reflected in my own Father's eyes when he thought of his service in Vietnam. "Proud Bastards" will touch the heart of all patriots, and the soul of all humans in its reflections of indomitable will and courage - and the simplicity of a sunrise in the heroic heart of a soldier far from home.

5 comments about Che: The Photobiography of Che Guevara.

1. Che Guevara was one of the greatest man to hit this earth. His influence has touched millons of people worldwide. This photobiography shows the respect due to a man that of his statute,"the Jesus Christ of his time" only in a guerrilla costume. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well this is book is worth a lifetime and a half worth of words. Without photography it would be impossible to know how idles such as CHE himself would have lived. Words only begin to describe a person and his personal lifestyle, but when you see it throu pictures is like you live that life. Till this day Che is the only man that makes me get goosebumps everytime i see the picture of him lying there, dead, with his eyes open.



2. Absolutely Fantastic! The quality of the photographs and their subject matter are first class. Not only was I able to find out more about Che's life as a revolutionary, but to read about his childhood aswell was fascinating. I was especially intrigued to discover that the Cuban Secret Service actually disguised Che as a middle aged man so as to ensure his passage to Bolivia. Pure Brilliance! A powerful piece of work which gives a detailled insight into the life of one of the world's greatest men. Well worth a look!



3. Tired of reactionary propaganda? Want to see the Che that we know? The Che that cared in a world dominated by corporate interests that didn't care whatsoever? Than this book is for you. This looks at Che the human, not just the legend we have come to know and love. Che working in the fields with the common man, (Can't picture good ol Dubya doing that, can you?) These pictures exemplifies what El Che cared about: US! The people ignored by governments and their corporate backers. The people in Latin America where a MAJORITY of which were poor. In many countries even today in Latin America, that is still the case. A great look at those that know and love Che Guevera and those that still need to be introduced to the legend that cared.



4. What about the dozens of people that Guevara put to death? Where is the mention of Guevara's wife and toddler who were left to fend for themselves whie "El Che" adventured in the mountains? Guevara is worthy of study but not of unctricized adoration. This is a book of exceptional photography but by no means is it a complete, accurate portrayal of Che Guevara.



5. This is a beautiful book of never seen before photos of Che Guevara. There are many of his childhood, and some historical gems inside here. There is an example of his first writing as a child, and also a copy of part of the infamous letter written to Fidel, and even the photo that appeared in the newspaper about the two "Leprosy Experts" during the Motorcycle Diaries period.
   This is all very tastefully presented, but is done as a memorial to Che so does omit darker aspects to his character. A beautiful item for Che fans...

4 comments about Wellington: The Iron Duke.

1. The book aims to be realistic - the fog of
   war is foggy indeed, and Wellington sometimes makes mistakes. The
   casualties at Waterloo are appalling, and the battle almost lost.
   Lt.-Col. Trant of "Sharpe's Rangers" fame actually appears, an excellent soldier but "the most drunken dog there ever was" in Wellington's words.

   Unusual is the emphasis on Wellington's Indian campaign and on the
   Peninsular War - the period of Sharpe's Rangers is the most important in
   the book. The Battle of Waterloo is treated as somewhat of an
   afterthought, as I suppose it was (if Nap had won it would have been a
   very different matter, of course). There are a number of good plates,
   including a daguerrotype of the Iron Duke himself in his mid-70s, looking
   buth shrewd and oddly sympathetic.




2. This is one of those books that once you take it up, you can't put it down!

   Its balanced treatment of Wellington the man, the military man and the politican, has meant that this is not just a book about Waterloo.

   One is left with the impression that Wellington was a great man, with equal weight given to his 'greatness' and his 'humanness'.

   Very readable and highly recommended.




3. Richard Holmes's "Wellington - The Iron Duke" is a well-written survey of the active life of the First Duke of Wellington. In just 300 pages, Holmes presents a balanced, even nuanced view of a man who was both the quintessential military professional and a complex human being. Through Holmes' efficient prose, we see Wellington as an extradinarily dedicated soldier who mastered his profession in ways few of his contemporaries did, yet who sometimes paid a price on campaign for his insistence on micromanaging his armies. Wellington comes across as a remarkably honest and duty-bound public servant; as a young man, he was also relentlessly ambitious, and as an older man, sensitive about his military reputation.
   
   Holmes provides some useful insights. He suggests that exhaustion and strain were responsible for Wellington's uncharacteristically poor performance at the Siege of Burgos in 1812. Holmes examines the academic dispute over Wellington's relationship with the Prussians during the Waterloo Campaign; he tellingly notes Wellington's responsibilities to his alliance partners and to the British Government and finds that he served both. Holmes acknowledges Wellington's extramaritial activities but resists the urge to obsess over them or to indulge in psycological speculation.
   
   Serious students of the Duke and of the Napoleonic Wars will find no new scholarship here; indeed, Holmes readily acknowledges his debt to earlier works such as Elizabeth Longford's exceptional biography and Jac Weller's battlefield narrative trilogy. Holmes has provided an accessible biography for the general reader, supported by well-chosen quotes from the Duke' contemporaries and by a nice selection of illustrations.
   
   This book is highly recommended to the general reader with an interest in the man and the era.



4. Richard Holmes is an eminent historian and a splendid TV presenter but, though I found his study of the great Duke of Wellington an enjoyable biography that I couldn't put down until it was finished, I also found myself being irritated on too many of the 303 pages (hardback edition) by mis-spellings and stylistic and punctuation inconsistencies. An example of the latter was the mixed and varying use of inverted commas (quote marks). My own preference is for the end of a phrase or a sentence to appear thus: '................... end,' or '..................... end.' Too often the style was thus '........................ end', or '........................... end'. Mr Holmes ought to have made up his mind which way his work was to appear or his editor ought to have been sacked!
   
   Another niggle was that the Duke's Hampshire home was named only once as 'Strathfieldsaye,' with '[sic]' to follow. Mr Holmes should have been aware that that was the original spelling and that 'Stratfield Saye' is the more modern name of the house and estate.
   
   I mustn't criticise too much, however, because I learned a lot from a very good book and I recommend it to other lovers of our British history and other admirers of one of the greatest and most courageous Britons ever to have been born.

No comments about Fighting for Queen and Country: One Man's True Story of Blood and Violence Inside the Paras and the SAS.

No comments about Warburtons War: The Life of Maverick Ace Adrian Warburton DSO DFC DFC(USA).

No comments about U.S. Grant: The Making of a General, 1861-1863 (The American Crisis Series).