Rating: 
Summary: The Most Exciting Plot Line Yet...
Review: Although this book is now several years old I felt it was worth the time to comment on it since WEB just had another installment of The Brotherhood of War published. The new book had it's usual effect on me and I went into a "Griffin feeding frenzy" and re-read the last two books in The Corps" series.I rated this book "5-Stars" solely on the basis of the main plot--the support of guerrilla warfare activities in the Phillippines and the story of Wendell Fertig. I happen to like Ken McCoy and Ernie Zimmerman as central characters in all of The Corps novels. It is too bad that Griffin has elevated Fleming Pickering to such prominence in the more recent episodes;I prefer a more action-dominated story line and some of the "fluff" involving the O.S.S. involvement leaves me cold. My biggest criticism of the book is the relatively slow pace of the action. Too much time spent on wrangles with Bill Donovan and the O.S.S. hierarchy and Fleming Pickering swilling scotch. Some of these other criticisms might make the book less compelling for other readers,but I decided to overlook a few warts in my rating. I am tired of only one book in The Corps every 2-3 years. It is by FAR the best series the author has going. I can't abide the Cop series and I am thoroughly tired of Argentina. Stick to the Marines--forget the rest.
Rating:
Summary: Another masterpiece
Review: I can't believe that Mr. Griffin has done it again. This book kept me on the edge from start to finish. I have read his previous books but this by far was the best yet. He has the unigue ability to keep the reader on his toes and glued to the pages. My only critism is: why isn't McCoy getting the promotions as quickly as the others. "Pluto" went for a 1st Lt to major in a page, while with all that Ken is doing he finally gets promoted to Captian. This book and series is a must read for anyone even vaguely interested in WWII or the Corps. ESSAYONS
Rating:
Summary: Another masterpiece
Review: I can't believe that Mr. Griffin has done it again. This book kept me on the edge from start to finish. I have read his previous books but this by far was the best yet. He has the unigue ability to keep the reader on his toes and glued to the pages. My only critism is: why isn't McCoy getting the promotions as quickly as the others. "Pluto" went for a 1st Lt to major in a page, while with all that Ken is doing he finally gets promoted to Captian. This book and series is a must read for anyone even vaguely interested in WWII or the Corps. ESSAYONS
Rating:
Summary: THE MOST GRIPPING AND REALISTIC I'VE EVER READ
Review: I HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS. THIS IS TRULY THE MOST AUTHENTIC READ I'VE EVER SEEN. GROWING UP HEARING THE STORIES OF WWII, THIS BRINGS HOME WHAT AMERICA TRULY STANDS FOR, AND REALISTICLY BLENDS FACT WITH FICTION. I'VE ENJOYED ALL OF THE BOOKS IN EACH SERIES, "THE BROTHERHOOD OF WAR". "THE CORP", AND "BADGE OF HONOR". I'VE READ AND REREAD THESE BOOKS UNTIL THE COVERS ARE ALMOST GONE AND ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT OF IT. I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT EACH NEW BOOK, AND HAVE NEVER BEEN LET DOWN. GRIFFIN CAPTURES THE REAL, HARD TO VERBALIZE FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS THAT RUN THROUGH THE MINDS OF THOSE OF US WHO DO THIS EVERYDAY. PLEASE KEEP ON WRITING.
Rating:
Summary: W.E.B. Griffin writes it so real, I thought I was there !!!
Review: I have read all of the "Brotherhood of War" and "The Corps"series. This is the best, by far. W.E.B. Griffin blends fact with fiction, from the pompous MacArthur, to "Killer" McCoy. I couldn't put the book down. His depiction of WW II Philippines was excellant. I was stationed there with the Air Force, 1989 - 1991. I felt as if he really knew the filipino people himself. I can't wait for the next book.
Rating:
Summary: The most entertaining novel I have ever read
Review: I picked up these books hoping to gain some insight into the actions of the Marine Corps in the Pacific during World War II. What I found instead was a sort of soap opera that rambles on for hundreds of pages without getting around to much actual fighting. For example, The Marines don't even get to Guadalcanal (their first major offensive) until the end of book III, some 1200 pages into the story. Those 1200 intervening pages are mostly conversations (ad nauseam) between stateside Marine Corps officers as they sit around headquarters, or go out on the town chasing skirts.
The small portion of the books that is devoted to actual battles is done in such a cursory fashion that you're left with the impression that the author either finds this aspect of the Marines' mission distasteful, or doesn't understand it well enough to write about it. Mr. Griffin could have deleted about 80% of his material, and would have ended up with better books, albeit still not good ones. If you're the sort of person who likes to watch daytime soap operas, then you may enjoy these books. If, on the other hand, you're interested in military history, the banality of these books will leave you screaming in frustration.
Rating:
Summary: Four times is still not enough...
Review: I've been a Griffin fan for about seven years. I've read all of Griffins books at least once; the Corp's series books twice, except for "Behind the Lines", which I just finished for the fourth time. All of Griffins books are very vivid in detail and make you feel as if you're actually there. In some cases, I wish I were. I have recommended many of his books to my friends who are now loyal fans. One of them read the Corp series in ten days. He said they were the best he's ever read, and agreed with me that "Behind the Lines" was his favorite, too. Like many other fans of the Corp series, Griffin needs to finish this series of books. The only fault he has is that the Corp series books are too far between each other. Many other fans will agree to get on with the Corps and write less about the other series.
Rating:
Summary: Grieved when I finished it!
Review: Marine veteran, 1st Marine Division. WEB Griffin has the best understanding of any author of how the military in general, and Marines in particular, operate. This was a super story, and does a great job of depicting how some REAL JERKS (Lt/Capt Macklin) get into positions of authority; and how some incredibly good enlisted guys, mustangs and regulars (Stecker, McCoy, Pick, Banning, Lt (USN) Lewis) make it work. I have book # 8 (In Danger's Path) on order, but was distressed to see how many negative comments there are about it. That's why I came back to read the readers' views of Book 7. I'm glad that we share enthusiasm for book # 7, and hope that # 8 isn't really as bad as the consensus seems to be. A friend has loaned me a copy of the "un-numbered" book of The Corps series (Under Fire), and I am almost dreading reading it, due to comments about poor proofreading, confusing changes in the histories of the characters, etc. I have also read the whole Brotherhood of War series, and thought it to be the definitive work of its kind on the Army. Griffin has been so great for so long; I really hope he isn't going downhill... God bless, JLG, Cpl USMC, 1953 - 56
Rating:
Summary: Grieved when I finished it!
Review: Marine veteran, 1st Marine Division. WEB Griffin has the best understanding of any author of how the military in general, and Marines in particular, operate. This was a super story, and does a great job of depicting how some REAL JERKS (Lt/Capt Macklin) get into positions of authority; and how some incredibly good enlisted guys, mustangs and regulars (Stecker, McCoy, Pick, Banning, Lt (USN) Lewis) make it work. I have book # 8 (In Danger's Path) on order, but was distressed to see how many negative comments there are about it. That's why I came back to read the readers' views of Book 7. I'm glad that we share enthusiasm for book # 7, and hope that # 8 isn't really as bad as the consensus seems to be. A friend has loaned me a copy of the "un-numbered" book of The Corps series (Under Fire), and I am almost dreading reading it, due to comments about poor proofreading, confusing changes in the histories of the characters, etc. I have also read the whole Brotherhood of War series, and thought it to be the definitive work of its kind on the Army. Griffin has been so great for so long; I really hope he isn't going downhill... God bless, JLG, Cpl USMC, 1953 - 56
Rating:
Summary: The most entertaining novel I have ever read
Review: This book got me back into reading books after a being severely burned out post college (it took four years to pick-up a book and actually read it and it would have been longer had I not listened to this book on tape.) I can't say enough about "Behind the Lines." After listening to this book I read straight through the series and could not put one of them down while I was reading. In fact, like one of the other posters stated, finishing them nearly brought me to tears. I will morn when "The Corps" series ends. If you are a military history buff and like action-adventure novels, then this would also be the most entertaining novel you have ever read. I promise. Thank you for the experience W.E.B.
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