On-the-tape

Book reviews for "On-the-tape" sorted by average review score:

Eagle in the Sky

Published in Audio Cassette by G K Hall Audio Books (April, 1987)

Authors: Wilbur A. Smith and Nigel Davenport

Amazon base price: $64.95

Average review score:

This is Wilbur Smith's best work.

David is a playboy pilot on vacation. There he meet and falls in love with Deborah. Deborah's father is in charge of Isreal's Air Force. What happens next will... trust me, you won't put this book down. And when you have finished it you will pick it up the next day and read it again. Do not lend this book to you friends! They will tell you they haven't finished it because they a re-reading it or have given it to someone else as a great gift

Smith's best

I've read all 27 of Wilbur Smith's books -- looking back I have to say that this one is the best. It's not the funniest, most interesting, or most exciting of his books, but it certainly made the biggest impact on me. Just thinking about the book (and it's been a long while since I've read it) sends a wave of emotion over me.

Best book I've ever read

I read the book when I was 15 and I am 35 now. In retrospect, it is the best book I have ever read. A word of caution: read the last page carefully.

Introduction to the Devout Life

Published in Audio Cassette by Ignatius Press (December, 1990)

Authors: De Sales, Saint Francis and De Sales St Francis

Amazon base price: $27.97
List price: $39.95 (that's 30% off!)

Devout life does not require withdrawal from the world. This was the central insight of Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century priest whose Introduction to the Devout Life has not gone out of print in almost four centuries. Francis served the church at a dangerous time in a dangerous place: during the Reformation, in Calvinist areas of France, when celebrating mass was punishable by death. He was a popular minister and a prolific letter writer whose correspondence was cherished for its clear and direct instruction in the ways of piety. The book collects passages from many of those letters, organized as one message addressed to the allegorical character Philothea (which means "lover of God"). The book includes long sections about prayer, temptation, and how to maintain and renew devotion to God. But it is most distinguished by its discussion of how to live a holy life in the secular world. Each chapter (such as "How to Combine Due Care for a Good Reputation with Humility") is frank, uncannily modern, and precise. --Michael Joseph Gross

Average review score:

Dated but full of charm and good advice

St. Francis de Sales is one of the greatest of spiritual writers and writers, period. It is easy to be charmed by this guide to the spiritual life. He inspires the reader with a gentle, loving touch which I found delightful. He was also a very learned and experienced adviser when it came to things of the spirit. He seemed to have known about every difficulty that one has in the spiritual life and offers practical and wise solutions that anyone can carry out. If you are interested in reading the great spiritual classics, be certain not to miss this one. It will be well worth your time. I cannot imagine anyone finishing this volume without obtaining some excellent advice from it and also without making progress just from reading it. The only drawback is that it IS several hundreds years old and some of the theology is dated and will seem strange to modern, post Vatican 2 Christians. Do not let that keep you from this book, just keep it in mind when reading it. Highly recommended.

St. Francis de Sales a uniqe individual

This book will help any one get through hard times, good times, loving times, bad relationships, and will basically help you through every day life. It is so deep and so well written by St. Francis de Sales. In the beggining it might be a little hard to read but after going through it, you feel better as a human being. When I first heard about this book I didn't think it would be great, and I thought it would be St. Francis de Sales lecturing me on how I can become more like Jesus Christ. But as I went through the book page by page I started to realize how much I needed this book in my life. The best part about it is that you dont have to read it cover to cover. You just think about some troubles in your life and then you look them up in the table of contents. You only have to read things you would like to read at that particular moment in your life. As I said before, I love the book and anyone who doesn't own it does not know how much closer you become to God after reading it. So next time you have a chance, do yourself a favor, pick up a copy.

Practical Spirituality

This book was a required text for a Catholic Spirituality class that I took from Franciscan University of Steubenville. I absolutely loved the reading for several reasons: it helped transform my understanding of the spiritual life. Many think that a devout life is reserved only for those who have formally committed to that way of life, i.e., priesthood or religious life. However, St. Francis De Sales gives very practical guidelines for the spiritual life, helping his readers understand that the spiritual life is intended for ALL, and can be lived successfully by all. I suggest this book to anyone, in any walk of life, that is seeking direction in how to make great progress in their spiritual life.

Is Paris Burning?

Published in Audio Cassette by Blackstone Audiobooks (August, 1994)

Authors: Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre

Amazon base price: $76.95
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Average review score:

Picture Paris Lost...

If Hitler had his way, there would be no Notre Dame, none of Paris' beautiful bridges, no Eiffel Tower. The Allies didn't stop him, a brave German general did. At a tremendous personal risk, he resolved not to be the man to destroy the most beautiful city in the world.

The story is told with the in-your-face realism of two journalists. Yet it's full of humor and even downright silliness. Would-be soldier Enrnest Hemingway captured a German soldier and relieved him of his pants. Why? He figured no man would escape half-naked. He was right.

This isn't about troop movements, it's about real people risking their lives (and those of their families) to liberate Paris. After all, Eisenhower didn't think he had enough fuel or time to fight a mini-war for Paris. He desperately needed to push east to Germany.

So how did it all happen? Read the book, in Paris if you can, but whever you can find a good lamp. Is Paris Burning? will keep you up late at night.

Is Paris Burning?

Puts flesh on the bones of a remarkable group, including Generals Patton, Bradley, Eisenhower and Von Coltitz, writers Hemingway and Sartre, and political figures Roosevelt, Hitler and DeGaulle. Numerous anecdotes from the occupation and liberation brings history to life. Tales of moonlit parachute drops, secret codes and Molotov cocktails remain with the reader, long after the book is completed. Like the last Metro train before curfew for Parisians under Nazi rule, this book is not be missed.

As Exciting As A Novel!

No novel could have been more exciting than this detailed story of the birth of Isreal and the early struggles. This book is written with all the suspense and excitement of a novel but what sets it aside is that it is all factual.

One of my favorite books!

Mapp and Lucia

Published in Audio Cassette by Isis Audio (December, 1994)

Authors: Prunella Scales and E. F. Benson

Amazon base price: $84.95
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Average review score:

Mapp and Lucia: Napoleons of the Tea Room

This is the first book I've read in E.F. Benson's "Lucia" series, and it is fun-filled ride indeed. For Benson novices, Lucia Lucas is a middle aged, recently widowed (in this novel), perfectly nice upper middle class woman who just happens to have the mind of Machavelli. Missing her obvious calling for World Domination, she is instead content to rule the social life of her small English village with an iron fist. As "Mapp and Lucia" begins however, Lucia has long since deposed any serious threat to her social dominance in her immediate vicinity, and decides fresher pastures are in order. She packs up her things (including , of course, best friend and right-hand-man Georgie) and moves to Tilling, where she expects she will be made society Queen in no time flat. Unfortunately for Lucia, Tilling already has a Queen, one Elizabeth Mapp, and she has no intention of relinquishing her crown.

The scene is thus set for a true Battle Royal, only in Tilling the battelfields are luncheons and dinner parties, and the weapons fruit gardens and lobster recipes. The results are very very funny, as the genteel of Tilling spend a breathless year thoroughly enjoying each swipe, snub and put down. The hilarious climax has our heroines floating out to sea on an overturned kitchen table, with Lucia's last audible words promising delicious gossip just as soon as she gets out of her current mess.

Benson draws his characters exquisitely well, I found myself flat out liking her. She is an Englishwomen of the 1930's, past her prime but still youthful, who just happens to be blessed (cursed?) with the personality of an Alpha Male. The resulting battle of wits with the formidable Mapp is fascinating; Mapp is clearly not her intellectual equal but through a mixture of deviousness and and cunning manages to pull the carpet from underneath Lucia's carefully laid plans time and again. The supporting characters are equally well written, with best friend Georgie and Mapp's crony Diva especially amusing.

All in all, a funny, entertaining and biting satire that is well worth reading whether you are already a Lucia fan or are picking up a Benson novel for the first time. Highly recommended!

Best of the series

This is the highlight of the series, pitting Lucia against her less able, but equally ruthless counterpart, Elizabeth Mapp - two ladies who both consider themselves social queens of the village of Tilling. The ensuing war includes Fete's garden parties dinner parties and climaxes with the crafty Miss Mapp attempting to steal the recipe for Lobster ala Reisholme and being caught by Lucia, they are then caught in a flood and whisked out to sea on a kitchen table. Oh my!

Heaven help my credit card...

Oover the last fifteen years I have been meaning to read certain authors. H.E. Bates, Anthony Trollope, P.G. Wodehouse, E.F. Benson and the like.

Last week I succumbed to a nasty bout of influenza and E.F. Benson. I had grabbed the slender volume of "Mapp & Lucia" from the library shelf and it had rested in my bookcase for almost a week. Not wanting to dull my brain with endless hours of television, I cracked open "Mapp & Lucia".

Ten pages into the book and I was hooked. Lucia, her period of mourning almost over is looking to regain her iron control on her hometown. First action, regain her star role as Queen Elizabeth in the village fete.

As I read Lucia's plots and plans, a strange thought hit me. Lucia is the creature Hyacinth Bucket (the main character of the BBC's Keeping Up Appearances) secretly dreams of being. Having taken over the fete from her dazed and confused friend, Lucia goes onto greater pastures, the hometown of Miss Elizabeth Mapp, reigning social goddesss.

Miss Elizabeth Mapp (known as Mapp) plots with her friends to rent out their respective homes a profit. Lucia and her best friend (a gentleman who brings to mind a cross between KUA's Richard and AYBS Mr Humphries) move and slowly begin to take over the town. Mapp is not pleased and a genteel war of one-upsmanship begins between the two ladies.

Drawings are rejected from the art exhibit, parties given, ownership of produce and fruit desputed with the poor town in the middle. Matters come to a head on Boxing Day (December 26) when Mapp decides to steal a longed for recipe that Lucia refuses to give to her.

Lucia stumbles on her rival in the kitchen and both women are swept out to sea on Lucia's kitchen table (yes, Lucia's kitchen table, this is a not a mis-type). The town mourns the two ladies as lost and the Great War of Mapp-Lucia as over.

Okay, enough said. You'll have to succumb to the collective charms of the ladies Mapp and Lucia yourself and find out all the bits I've left out. Now, I'm off hunt down and read the rest of E.F. Benson's wonderful books.

Henry V

Published in Audio Cassette by Spoken Arts (June, 1981)

Author: William Shakespeare

Amazon base price: $10.95

Average review score:

"...in that small most greatly lived this star of England."

How does one review Shakespeare? Well, I shall try... A history buff (more specifically, a medieval history buff) I am probably the only person who enjoys Shakespeare's history plays above all others (except "Macbeth"--always excepting "Macbeth"). After that intriguing (and sly!) introduction, the action of the play dies down for a bit, until Harry arrives in France and takes it by storm. THEN the play unfurls itself into what turns out to be Shakespeare's greatest tribute to England and literature and history's greatest tribute to "that star of England," Henry V, surely one of England's greatest monarchs. The star of three plays, Harry also stands out as one of Shakespeare's most interesting and fully-realized characters. If you are familiar with the Henry IV plays, it is fascinating to discover how Harry's past adventures (and misadventures) have contributed to make him the man he proves himself to be in "Henry V." This is truly one of Shakespeare's best plays, and Harry's "Saint Crispin's Day Speech" is one of the most inspirational and well-crafted speeches in literature, I think. (Hamlet's speeches were always so convoluted!)

The best edition of "Henry V"

Andrew Gurr's brilliant editing of Shakespeare's "Henry V" makes this essential to anyone seriously interested in this play. Gurr's introduction could almost stand on its own as a first rate scholarly article on the origins of Shakespeare's "Henry V" and the historical background in which the play was written. Domestic turmoil concerning the earl of Essex, threat of foreign invasion with the Spanish Armada, and foreign war in the Spanish Netherlands (where Sir Phillip Sidney met his untimely death) among other factors provide the impetus behind Shakespeare's most rhetorically soaring play. Of course the actual play itself is what would draw most readers, and Gurr's editing is brilliant. Based (I think) on the original so-called "Folio" version of Shakespeare's play, and including an easy to use page by page gloss, you could not ask for a better version of this play. Having written an honors thesis on this particular subject and having read Gurr's edition several times I can attest that this is the most useful and accessible edition of Shakespeare's finest play.

Shakespeare is a damned liar!

I just have to share this with everybody...
Henry was not the nice "Welshman to the core" of this play. After Agincourt, he ordered "the slaughter of all disarmed prisoners, noble or otherwise, and his foot soldiers watched, deeply shocked as two hundred archers stabbled, clubbed, or burned the captives to death."

Coupled with the fact that Henry didn't smile once during his victorious progress through London...I must conclude that the historical guy was an evil hardass.

The Duke of York was not stabbed to death, and did not dramatically barf blood like in the Kenneth Branagh film. "He was a big man and very overweight, and it is reported that he either suffocated to death in his armor or suffered a heart attack in the press of the fighting."

So the next time you read Shakespeare, especially this play or, my favorite ahistorical pro-Lancastrian history twister, Richard III....just remember.... Shakespeare is a damned liar. :-)

Thanks to Alison Weir for the information in "The Wars of the Roses".

Dance for the Dead

Published in Audio Cassette by Random House Audio (20 April, 1998)

Authors: Lindsay Crouse and Thomas Perry

Amazon base price: $8.99
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Average review score:

Dance for the Dead

A no-nonsense, no-frills, and fast-paced read. Jane Whitefield is a native American Houdini on a life mission to save others. Her escapes from danger are clever and provide the reader (or listener) a sort of "how to" on avoiding detection, capture and/or death. This is not the usual who-dunnit or action thriller. The native American thread woven through it is fascinating and Jane is a remarkable and unique heroine. There isn't a dull moment. After listening to the audiobook version, I immediatelly went out and bought the first book featuring Jane: "Vanishing Act." It was equally compelling. If there was a negative about "Dance for the Dead," it was the audiobook reader, Lindsay Crouse. Her monotone reading became, well, monotonous. But the author's story overcame her flat recitation.

From page 1......

Jane Whitefield comes to us a fully developed character as only Kate Shugak of the Dana Stabenow has before. The action starts (explodes?) from page 1. I was settled to read a chapter or 2 before bed as is my wont but ended up putting this book down at the back cover just in time to shower for work. I read incessantly and have rarely found a book of this caliber and unlike so many other authors, the series maintains the standard. Looking forward to the new one Jan 2000!!!

Go Jane!

I'm not a big fan of mystery/suspense novels, but one dull Sunday afternoon I saw this book sitting on my parents' coffee table, and began flipping through it. The concept hooked me almost at once -- there's something enormously appealing about Jane Whitefield and her endless supply of ingenuity as she helps people create new identities. I read my way through the series and strongly recommend the books to anyone. Sure, Jane's clever escapes and rescues occasionally stretch credulity, but that's part of the fun of reading fiction. I like it when the good guys win, thanks.

I would love to read more about Jane sometime -- it would be interesting to see how she would cope with the increased security of post-September 11th America.

Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets

Published in Audio Cassette by Simon & Schuster Audio (January, 1999)

Author: Hillary Rodham Clinton

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First pets have always been popular, including such notables as FDR's Scottish terrier, Fala; Caroline Kennedy's pony, Macaroni; and Amy Carter's cat, Misty. President Clinton's cat, Socks, and his chocolate Labrador, Buddy, have also managed to attract quite a few fans since landing in the White House, the majority being curious children who have lots of interesting questions and aren't shy about sharing! In Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton gathers together more than 80 full-color photographs of the dynamic duo and 50 letters to them from kids across the United States and offers answers to their most-often-asked questions. From "Socks Stats" and a "Buddy Bio" to a FAQ page for each, and "Socks and Buddy's Guide to Good Pet Care," children will be delighted with the generous information provided on two of their favorite pets, as well as the "pet history" of the White House and a look into how letters to Socks and Buddy are received, sorted, and answered at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. Clinton, who is donating all of the author proceeds from the sale of this book to the National Park Foundation, also devotes a chapter to suggesting numerous ways that "parents can help their children initiate and enjoy the experience of writing and receiving letters," making this a treasure for both parents and children alike.

Average review score:

fun book to read to and with children

A book for all dog and cat owners. I liked the way she organized the photographs between the children's letters. Some of the children's letters had drawings that my grandchildren enjoyed. I thought Buddy's Bio and Socks Stats where clever, and we tried the same idea to describe other pets. My children grew up with pets, but my grandchildren do not have room for pets. So we read this book about Buddy and Socks whenever they want to know more about having pets. Usually it leads to drawing a picture or writing a story afterwards.

Woof Woof

In this predictable knockoff of the Presidential pet book series pioneered by several Republican administrations, Diet Roosevelt's cat and dog ("Socks" and "Buddy," respectively) are hagiographically profiled. Author Lady Diet Roosevelt relies largely on letters purloined from a swarm of unsuspecting child correspondents for the body of the text, much as her husband's administration largely appropriated the watered-down policies of his predecessors in running the nation (even his philandering was a watered-down take on Camelot days!). Intelligent Diet Roosevelt watchers who buy this book hoping for hidden political insights should look elsewhere, as this is a fairly straightforward profile of the first pets, targeted solely at small children and Democrats. The one curious exception to this is the unconfirmed rumor - suspiciously unrefuted in this volume - that the Kremlin's most popular occupants in Lenin's day were his cat and dog Ïðèÿòåëü and Íîñêîâ - Russian for Socks and Buddy, respectively. Coincidence?

An engaging book that appeals to pet lovers of any age.

You don't have to be an animal lover to love this intimate look at the Clintons and their pets, Socks and Buddy. "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy, Kids' Letters To The First Pets" is a great match of childrens' engaging letters to the President's cat and dog,with the First Lady's stories and facts about not only their pets, but former White House furry residents. The wonderful photographs throughout the book give the reader a look at what life inside the White House is for the First Dog and the First Cat. This is a "feel good" book that will put a smile on everyone's face, regardless of age, political affiliation or animal preference. The point of this book is to encourage children to write letters, whether the letters are meant for the President or for a four-legged creature that chases tennis balls all day. In addition, this book will bring attention to the importance of treating animals with love and respect. Five meows, five barks and five stars for this great holiday release.

Firewall

Published in Audio Cassette by Chivers Audio Books (November, 2001)

Authors: Andy McNab and Clive Mantle

Amazon base price: $96.95

In his third outing (following Remote Control and Crisis Four), Nick Stone, Andy McNab's series SAS agent, is off the Firm's regular payroll owing to a major screwup in his last assignment that left his best friend's family slaughtered--except for the one child who survived. Little Kelly needs expensive treatment for the post-traumatic stress that's turned her nearly catatonic, so Nick takes on a freelance assignment that gets him mixed up with Russian organized crime--in particular, with an enigmatic mob boss who has designs on some Finnish cybertechnology. When Nick realizes it's not industrial espionage that he's involved with but military secrets, he's caught between warring factions of the Russian Mafia and the Anglo-American alliance of intelligence agencies. The Westerners will do anything to keep the Echelon program out of the hands of Valentin Lebed--the Chechnyan Mafioso who makes Nick an offer he can't refuse--and the Maliskia, a gang of rival Russian criminals who want to derail Lebed's plans and take over Echelon themselves.

The action ranges from Helsinki to St. Petersburg to London, the weaponry is fully detailed, and the techniques of infiltration and retrieval carefully outlined; McNab, a former SAS commando who, according to the author's note "is still wanted by a number of terrorist organizations and is therefore forbidden to reveal his face or current location," obviously remembers every ache, pain, bruise, and injury he suffered in his life of derring-do, since they're all completely and graphically described here, too. --Jane Adams

Average review score:

Andy, where have you been all my life?!

Grisham. Follett. Forsythe. Been there, read it, had the t-shirt ripped. But let me tell you, this new kid on the block, McNab - he's something else. And he's not even a new kid on the block, I found out - he wrote two other novels already, which I've now gotta go buy. Believe me, this stuff is so thrilling you won't get to sleep. You really feel like you're there, like you ARE Nick Stone (McNab's hero). It can't be long before Hollywood are sniffing at the heels of this great writer.

great read

This was the first book that I've read of McNab's. Let's just say that based on the strength of this book I immediately went out and bought Remote Control, his first non-fiction book. And seeing how that's going so far I'll be buying more.

I had finished reading Firewall in a few days. It was that good. Great detail on how Intell operations work, tactics, strategies. fantastic for realism.

Other books of this nature that I found great were 'Dogs of War' and of course, 'The Day of the Jackal'. Both excellent books for Forsyth.

I should have started to read McNabs books years ago. I had falsely assumed that the books would be all bravado a la Rambo-style but its not like that at all.

Constant action, realism, and just an all around great read. What you also discover is that McNab is also a really good writer for someone of his background.
Keep up the great work Andy. I'm looking forward for your latest book.

The best one so far!

The best one of the Nick Stone series I've read so far.
The author has enough first hand expirience to use for his books and the story is just great with this nice twist toward the end.
Very recognizeble when you read any of the other books writen by ex SAS members and still entertaining.

The Mountain of the Women : Memoir of an Irish Troubador

Published in Audio CD by Random House Audio (19 February, 2002)

Author: Liam Clancy

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Average review score:

A Gift in Words From A Living Legend

If you are a fan of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, then this book is something you probably can't wait to read. If you are a poor soul who has never sat down and listened to "Live at Carnegie Hall"...well you'd better get busy. You have a lot of reading and listening to do, and I envy you for it. This book is simply beautiful to read. Mr. Clancy has the Irish way with words in the truest sense, and its a wonder he waited so long to begin a literary career (I always enjoyed his liner notes!) The story of his life and career is well worth reading to fans of his music and to fans of good memoir writing as well. Read this book and you will feel as though Mr. Clancy is speaking only to you. He evokes memories of family, home, and childhood with amazing grace and ease. In addition, be sure to get the reissue of his solo album "Liam Clancy" which is availble from this site. God bless the Clancy Brothers!

Publishers Weekly Award

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY AWARD

Audio: Listen Up Awards 2002Audio: Listen Up Awards 2002
By Lynn Andriani and Shannon Maughan -- 1/6/2003

NONFICTION

THE MOUNTAIN OF THE WOMEN: Memoirs of an Irish Troubadour by Liam Clancy, read by the author (Random House Audio). Irish folk musician Clancy masterfully recounts more than "40 years of acting, singing and great foolishness" with a powerful, melodic voice and guileless magnetism.

A Long Way from Tipperary

Liam Clancy portrays a poignant, honest, and sometimes irreverent portrait of the life of a young man growing up in the Ireland of the 40s and 50s. His prose is as lyrical as his music, sprinkled with laughter and pathos.

I read, and understood his struggle living in a country of which he said had one foot in the twentieth century and the other in the Middle Ages. From provincial Ireland to the fast pace of New York's Greenwich Village in an era of coffee houses, folk singers, booze and (Playboy) bunnies, the multi-talented Liam Clancy comes out a survivor, unapologetic and charming.

My only problem with this book is that it ended too soon.

Will we be treated to a sequel, Mr. Clancy?

Platoon Leader

Published in Unknown Binding by Random House Audio Roads (04 March, 2003)

Authors: James R. McDonough and Joel Rooks

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Average review score:

I LITERALLY NEVER PUT IT DOWN!!!

Well I found a book that ranks with Macdonalds' Company Commander, the best military memoir ever. Platoon leader is an unbelievable glimpse into the life of a typical platoon leader sent into the bush of Vietnam. After reading this book it is obvious why the Army chose it as required reading for officer candidate school. Macdonough describes clearly and with brutal honesty his tour as a young LT sent in the fight with no idea what to do. His platoon was on an isolated outpost and has to not only spend the days patrolling but endures the nights of fierce enemy attacks. Here it is described in such a flowing exciting manner that I finished it in one sitting. This is no 'glory of war' type memoir, but a plain portrayal of the senselessness and viciousness of war. Truly one of the classic military memoirs ever written!

A very different kind of war story.

Lieutenant Colonel James McDonough has written a truly different memoir of his experiences in Vietnam. I believe that this is because McDonough is a different type of leader and individual. His account of his personal experience in Vietnam is not glorified or gory, it is a more emotional recollection of the things that he did, good and bad, while serving as platoon leader in Vietnam. This book is a must for young military officers as well as those considering military service. There is no bravado in this book, because there is nothing fantastic about killing another man, or trying to help civilians who have been needlessly attacked. The book has a very real quality to it, which I found at different times both unsettling and moving. McDonough is not a killer, he is a soldier and an officer. While he may often silently question the purpose of the things he did or was ordered to do in Vietnam, he never hesitated in carrying out his responsibilities as platoon leader. Although he may have been afraid, he was still responsible for 25 other men who were even more afraid than he was. Overall, one of the best memoirs I have ever read.

Candid and riveting memoir

Lt. McDonough writes of his experiences in Viet Nam in such straight forward language with little embellishment and an honest and humble attitude. This is one of the best written depictions of combat I've ever read. His experiences commanding a platoon in the heart of VC country surpass anything that has been portrayed by Hollywood in terms of the difficulty of the mission and the horror of day to day survival in a combat situation. This is one gritty and tough account of day to day life in the Viet Nam war that should be widely read. Ranks right up there with Philp Caputo ,Michael Herr, Tim O'Brien and Tobias Wolff as a contribution to the definitive written record of grunt life in the war.

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