3 comments about Medic!: How I Fought World War II with Morphine, Sulfa, and Iodine Swabs.

1. The author saw WW2 action from Italy, through France, and into Germany. He was lucky: he was not killed, unlike many around him. In a narrative that reminds me of Dragnet ("Just the facts, Ma'am") the author tells the horror of war. Ultimately the book is more grim than fun, but a fast, worthwhile read.



2. I enjoyed this book. However, I wished Mr. Franklin had been able to spend more time writing about his experiences after the Italian Campaign, though it is understandable since his wartime diary ended at that point.
   
   Two other excellent books on this subject, but not written by former Medics are Ross Carter's "Those Devils in Baggy Pants" about his service the 82nd ABN and Farley Mowat's "And No Birds Sang" about his service in Canadian Army in Italy. Mr. Franklin's book is very close to the caliber of these two classic works, and I highly recommend it.



3. "Medic!", by Robert "Doc Joe" Franklin. Subtitled: "How I Fought World War II With Morphine, Sulfa And Iodine Swabs". University of Nebraska Press, 2006.
   
   When Robert Franklin was officially drafted into the United States Army, he had already given up his room and quit his job at the Associated Press. He was afraid that he would flunk the Army medical and then have no place to go. At the age of twenty-five, he entered the Army in Los Angeles and was assigned to the medical unit of the 28th Infantry Division, where he received virtually no training in being a medic. On page 4, Franklin states that he learned his "...job as a medic through on-the-job training". The remainder of the book is just as blunt, concise and clear. For example, on page 33, the author relates that a
   "... friendly Sicilian had warned them that a small bridge was mined, but the lead officer scoffed and led his men across. It was mined."
   This kind of understatement flows throughout the book. Another example: on page 129, Franklin was being awarded the Silver Star by General Alexander M. Patch. General Patch stood on a wooden platform while Medic Franklin stood in the mud. This was all captured in a photo published in an LA newspaper in 1944.
   
   His writing continues in this understated pace, from Sicily to Anzio to Salerno, and, each time he helps a wounded solider down from the front, the author records that departure with the words, "...and I never saw him again". (See, for example, page 124.) There were far too many descriptions of wounded men that ended with the term, "...and I never saw him again".
   
   There is a final two paged summary, where he describes his life after the war, his marriage to his beloved, Betty, and how she died on April 27, 2001 at 4:10 in the afternoon. He ends the book with the notice that his doctors gave him another year or two ...to which he replied, "That doesn't bother me. I've never been afraid to die, and at eighty-eight, I've lived long enough".

No comments about Memoir Of Colonel Seth Warner: To Which Is Added The Life Of Colonel Ethan Allen.

No comments about Pointman.

No comments about The Forgotten Black Soldiers in White Regiments During the Civil War.

1 comments about The Final Hours: A German Jet Pilot Plots Against Goering.

1. Having read this book several years ago (courtesy of Johannes), the feel of the pilots, the elite of the Luftwaffe and their battles, both in the air and on the ground against their own leadership are critical in understanding how these patriots continued their struggle. Johannes Seinhoff was only one of a handful of men who were qualified to write on this topic; he was present during the revolt in January 1945, along with Galland, Luetzow, Trautloft and others. In order to understand the war, both militarily and politically from the German viewpoint, this book should be read.

2 comments about Our Little War: The 1139th Military Police Company in Baghdad.

1. John Thulin, a veteran of America's war in Kuwait and the first Gulf War, presents Our Little War: The 1139th Military Police Company in Baghdad, a soldier's no-nonsense description of his front-lines service from the September 11th attacks to 2004. Yet Our Little War is also take on why the United States under President George W. Bush never should have invaded Iraq, and what desperately needs to be done instead. Thulin is not a pacifist, as his service record and the experiences he relates in sharp detail prove; rather, he is a realist who recognizes that the misguided war weakens America's position of world leadership and drains its resources. In order to keep America safe from terrorist threats, Thulin argues, its intelligence services must be re-tooled to deal with jihadists; increased emphasis must be placed upon teaching American operatives the language of the enemy; there must be a concentrated campaign to win over the hearts and minds of the Arab world; the war against terror must be battled in a more concentrated fashion with every financial, military, diplomatic, and legal means available; and perhaps most important of all, America must create an energy policy to free itself from dependence upon Middle Eastern oil, an addiction that effectively funnels money to its worst enemies. Our Little War balances its vivid impression of daily life in a war zone with a sharp and well-reasoned political statement, and is highly recommended.



2. This book provided an interesting insight into the experiences of the 1139th Military Police Company, a Missouri National Guard Unit that was called up and deployed to Iraq shortly after the fall of Bagdad. The book chronicles the experiences of the individual soldiers during their mobilization, pre deployment training, their year of occupation duty and the eventual return to civilian life. The period the book covers is the first year of occupation May 2003 through January 2004, so it doesn't include the subsequent events on the ground concerning the insurgency and the Sunni/Shia confrontation.
   
   All in all a good book for those looking for a soldier's view of the early stages of the occupation or the experiences of citizen soldiers serving in an operational area.

2 comments about A Different Kind of Courage.

1. From the moment I cracked this book open I knew I was in for a great read. The author knows how to grab hold of the reader's attention and keep it throughout. I enjoyed the stories about Horsley's military training and his exploits in VietNam. The book is loaded with all the testosterone things most guys only dream of doing. The writing of the book gives the reader a way of living vicariously thourgh Jim Horsley as he navigates his A-6 Intruder through the triple-A fire of VietNam. The extreme concentration necessary to land a jet on an aircraft carrier. And, probably my favorite stories were of those while Horsley was a member of the Blue Angels. I think every guy wants to be a Blue Angel and perform some of the incredible manuevers they do. This book gives you an inside look at what it takes to be a Blue Angel and just how good these men are. But, the book is about more than just guy-stuff. It gives a person a great example of how life can be rewarding even when you are not the envy of most people. It shows that a relationship with God and your family are the two most important things in a person's life. Once those relationships have been cemented, then it becomes eaiser to help those around us and make a difference in someone else's life.I was able to relate easily with many of his experiences in coming to know the Lord. The "mistake of going to church" was dead-on, as well as many other things he encounters on his trip to being saved. This book has inspired me to re-assess my own life and what God has in store for me. It is also helping me look for someone for whom I can make a differnce in their life. This book is a great read for anyone who wants to get an inside look at one of the greatest jobs in the world: Being a Blue Angel. But, more importantly, this book and it's author set an excellent example for people to follow. I strongly encourage this book be added to your collection.

   Marseilles Chavez Sacramento, Calif.




2. Normally I read books by authors that I know and trust. I am not familiar with author Jim Horsley. I was hesitant in buying and reading his book. I did buy his book and have read his book--I am glad I did. The content of the book kept me moving through the book. The way his life is now compared to when he graduated from college is definitely an inspiration to me and I believe his life will inspire others as well.

No comments about Cox: Personal Recollections of the Civil War-West Virginia, Kanawha Valley, Gauley Bridge, Cotton Mountain, South Mountain, Antietam, the Morgan Raid & the East Tennessee Campaign - Volume 1.

No comments about Rodney.

3 comments about One Day in Vietnam: The True Story of an Army Bird Dog Pilot.

1. As a back seat Air Observer with the 220th RAC out of Phu Bai, I was very interested in this book. It was a great read and a good reminder of what I did in Viet Nam. I am sorry this pilot was killed. I also had a pilot killed flying with me and I did get out of the plane after it crashed. All interested in this kind of reading should read it as soon as possible.



2. Bought this for my husband. (we own a birddog). He is picky about what he reads and he could not put this book down. He felt like you really go to know the pilot. The author who was related and wrote the book did a great job. A must read about a young life. A fraternity brother.



3. These experiences of a Birddog pilot during the Vietnam war are told the author and he had recorded them in this book. If you were there it will bring back lots of memories. And for Birddog pilots it is even mor interesting.