Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but false
Review: I arrived at Camp Upshur in July of 89 and while I was not a member of "Drapers" tribe or the authors I do know all the characters written about in this book from Shomette, Pollack and McIntire to Williams, Moss and Dougherty, as I was a member of 1st platoon until I was moved to be the Company Commanders Gunner when our vehicles arrived in Saudi Arabia and stayed with Delta Company until the Fall of 92. All of us were as well trained as we could have been and while some had stronger personalities than others we all had our shortcomings and strengths.
While Williams is clear that this is a memoir it would have helped to have some form of the truth written in the pages. Personal perspective will always be different between human beings; however, it is difficult to have a perspective on events that never took place. Other than attending drills at Camp Upshur, the road march to North Carolina, deploying to the Gulf War and returning home, the book was fiction. There was no fight with "Draper" during a road march in the desert, although the road march did take place. I know because I was right across from "Draper" during the march, and trained with him at Parris Island, Leguene and Pendleton and he never once complained about road marches, in fact he enjoyed them. There was no knife incident prior to leaving for the gulf and if "Sgt Krause" had favored anyone during training it would have been the scouts as he was a former fleet marine grunt not crewman. In reality he was a focused and dedicated leader who I myself had a few run in with, however, there was never any doubt of his professionalism. He demanded a lot of his marines and it was a culture shock to all of us, including myself, who had taken the reserve training lightly up until his arrival at Camp Upshur.
Perspective can allow for a wide range of how events took place especially 13 years after the fact, but most of the book never happened and unfortunately I was really let down by it. While our actions were minor in the war I was hoping for, at a minimal, a book on real events regardless of how they are skewed based on memory and perspective but to completely re-create the adventure with events that never occurred is nothing short dishonest.
Rating:
Summary: Fellow Marine
Review: After I read Spare Parts, I was disappointed and confused because the accounts of his actions and our actions are grossly inaccurate. He owed it to his unit, those who returned and those who did not return, to get it straight. Unfortunately, he is not telling us what happened but what he wished would have happened. Williams was a contribution to the Marine Corps because he did his job. To make it any more than that is an injustice. He simply did his job and for that he should be commended. While his part and the unit's part was important, nevertheless it was minor. Nothing in this world will change what really happened. It can only be changed in the pages of a book and unfortunately it was. I was there when Williams arrived and after he left the Marine Corps. There were no villains in Delta Company. There were good Marines and bad Marines - but no villains. Williams' service to the Marines and his unit should be commended but not over exaggerated, especially at the expense of his fellow Marines. Williams was a good Marine but it is clear that he is not the type of Marine who can accurately portray himself, his unit or the Marine Corps in written form. I would love to recommend this book - I wish I could recommend this book but it is filled with events that never happened, statements that were never said, and characters that never existed. Perspectives are important but must take a backseat to facts. It lacks truth, clarity and the historical research demanded of a book written about men during, before and after combat - especially Reserve Marines. If he would have written it as it really happened, characters that really existed, events that really happened, what he really did or didn't do - it would have been a better story and it would have been, most importantly the truth.
Rating: 
Summary: stunning
Review: An amazing memoir of a marine's perspective. It would have been easy for author Buzz Williams ((Wil-ams) to Sgt. Moss) to write a one dimensional account of life in the military. Instead he showed us every mistake, every triumph, and every heartbreak. He had the courage to admit when he was scared, and when he was just terrified. He had the courage to admit his failings and his fortunes. I found it a page-turner that I finished in 3 days. I could not put it down. This is a book that is especially important now with wars raging around the globe. It truly reflects the idea that we only send our troups into situations when it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. You will appreciate what hell each and every one of them went through. Thank you Buzz for writing one of the best books I have ever read!
Rating:
Summary: stunning
Review: An amazing memoir of a marine's perspective. It would have been easy for author Buzz Williams ((Wil-ams) to Sgt. Moss) to write a one dimensional account of life in the military. Instead he showed us every mistake, every triumph, and every heartbreak. He had the courage to admit when he was scared, and when he was just terrified. He had the courage to admit his failings and his fortunes. I found it a page-turner that I finished in 3 days. I could not put it down. This is a book that is especially important now with wars raging around the globe. It truly reflects the idea that we only send our troups into situations when it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. You will appreciate what hell each and every one of them went through. Thank you Buzz for writing one of the best books I have ever read!
Rating:
Summary: Towgunner Chimes In
Review: As a member of D Company, during its Desert Storm/Shield deployment, this book brought back a lot of memories, good and bad. I enjoyed it very much and thank Buzz for writing it.
What astounds me is the bashing that Buzz has endured as a result of committing his memories to paper. Obviously some people who weren't portrayed as Chesty Pullers in the book now feel somewhat marginalized. Not everyone was a Force Recon operator guys. We were a reserve company attached to a battalion whose commanding officer didn't really have much time for reservists. We did the best job we could with the equipment we had and in the end we brought everyone home. Not everyone liked everyone else. There were conflicts and politics and everyone will remember it in a different and unique way. Why denigrate a fellow marine simply because his recollection of events does not exactly match yours? I personally don't understand all the uproar from other company members such as the self proclaimed "Delta Marine" among others. Anyone who served in the Corps and spent time at "Leguene" is somewhat suspect in my opinion. Crawl back into Capt P.'s turret. You should've written your own book.
Good job Buzz. It took courage to do this and I commend you. Well written and highly recommended.
S/F
0352 Out.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing "spare" about the Reservist Role
Review: As an adult child of a career military man, I was drawn to this book by the title. What I gained was a much greater appreciation for our military forces than I had before.
As a former Naval Reservist for a short time, I can relate directly to the sting of the words "reservist" and "spare parts." But as the title of this review states, there is noting "spare" about the role of reservists. Although this is his first book, Mr. Williams uses the skill of a seasoned writer to beautifully and poignantly capture the joys, sorrows, anger, and fears of the young men and women who served their country during Desert Storm, and of the adjustment they experienced as they re-entered civilian life.
As I read, my mind wandered back to the spring of 1975. I was a young Navy Corpsman, watching from afar as the North Vietnamese marched south toward Saigon, taking province by province the country where our men had fought and died for twelve years to protect. I remember the gnawing fear I felt as I pondered the prospect of accompanying the First Marine Division back into war.
But I didn't have to go. I would not realize the true reason WHY until many years later. As the Vietnam Memorial "Moving Wall" stopped in Amarillo, I visited it and met more than one veteran whose selfless contribution made it possible for young men like myself to NOT go.
Today, there are thousands of men nationwide who over had to experience Desert Storm, and still thousands more who will not face the battlefelds of the current war in which we are engaged. They will be spared the horrors of war because of men like Buzz Williams, who will make the sacrifice for them.
I would encourage EVERY PERSON...young or old...to read this book. Like myself, you will appreciate even more the freedoms that we all take for granted. Like me, you will also be reminded that there is nothing "free" about those freedoms. They are purchased daily with the lives and limbs of America's military.
Thank you for that reminder, Buzz. May God Bless you and yours.
Jonathan Hutson
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas
Rating:
Summary: Author's response to flawed account
Review: Author's response: Consider the following before passing judgment: (1) My account of the battle on 29 January is in two parts. The first part cites the events that occurred within my company, as I experienced them personally. Logically speaking, one can not have flaws when conveying his personal experience. The second part cites the events that occurred within the active duty company to our flank. Since I wasn't there I cited them right from Rick Atkinson's book, Crusade--highly regarded among Gulf War researchers as having the most accurate accounts of battle in the Persian Gulf War. (2) I know the real name of the wounded Marine, as we were buddies in SOI. As I describe in the author's note I changed his name and a few biographical details (I did so for a few Marines)) to protect his (and their) privacy. If you have further comments or questions you may email me at buzz@buzzwilliams.com
Rating:
Summary: First Book I've picked up in years
Review: Bravo Zulu Mr. Williams. Not only did you put to rest some issues I had of my own as a Female Navy reservist, but enlightened me on another area of military service. I now know that making the transition from civilian to Reservist (or vice versa) is a common problem regardless of rate. I also have experienced 'attitude' from the real NAVY. Guess people feel if they've done the time, they have the right to dehumanize and demean someone else's efforts. You captured each character to the point that I feel I know each and every one of them and I can definitely find similarities between all of them and the people in my unit. Thanks again for a wonderful, exciting and eye-opening read. I no longer feel like my 'rituals' prior to drill are unusual......
Rating:
Summary: An accurate perspective
Review: Buzz Williams' account in Spare Parts is an accurate and honest perspective of his experience in the Marine Corps. Having served as an active duty Marine I understand that any accounting that may shed a negative light on any part of the Corps can be received with great hostility. I hope that this book can be received for what it is, an open account of an individual experience, from the heights of the pride to the depths of the pain. Although Buzz and I did not serve together as Marines, I've known him as a colleague and friend for several years. In those years I've laughed and grimaced with him about his experience. His decision to write this book is a marker of his personal integrity and it is an opportunity for the initiated and the un-initiated to join him in his experience.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Buzz, this book is possibly the best book I have ever read. I have always had high respect for our service members, but now I have even higher respect after reading your book. I also respect you Williams, for serving our country.
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