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Summary: Thanks Buzz!
Review: I've had the privilege of knowing Buzz during his time as a Marine Reservist and Teacher at Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore, MD. At Kennedy Krieger, watching Buzz in his "zone" was remarkable - his creativity and devotion to his students and adaptive physical education was famous, resulting in numerous inventions and publications. Through the years I've often talked with Buzz about his experiences in the Gulf War, long before he began writing Spare Parts. For me, Spare Parts is a very direct, brutally honest, and personal account of a friend, who like so many other veterans, has served our country so very well! My hope is that this book helps you and many others find closure and peace-of-mind from the horrors of war. Buzz, thanks again for your duty, honesty, and perspectives.
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Summary: Author's response
Review: Readers should understand the following before passing judgment:Much like the reality show "Survivor," there were alliances within our company and platoon--I explain them in chapter 4 as "tribes." The Marines in my tribe understand that SPARE PARTS is an honest account of my personal experience. Those Marines are cited in the author's acknowledgments as the men who provided checks and balances to my perspective. The stories that we share is all the research that I needed to write SPARE PARTS. That is why it is a memoir, not a documentary or historical chronicle. Those Marines from the other tribes, particularly my adversaries, may consider my account historically inaccurate or dishonest. Go figure. Should you want to read a well-researched documentary-like account of the Gulf War I suggest authors like Rick Atkinson (Crusade). But if you want an inside look at the world of the reserves that you can feel on a personal level, read SPARE PARTS.
Rating:
Summary: Author's response
Review: Readers should understand the following before passing judgment: Much like the reality show "Survivor," there were alliances within our company and platoon--I explain them in chapter 4 as "tribes." The Marines in my tribe understand that SPARE PARTS is an honest account of my personal experience. Those Marines are cited in the author's acknowledgments as the men who provided checks and balances to my perspective. The stories that we share is all the research that I needed to write SPARE PARTS. That is why it is a memoir, not a documentary or historical chronicle. Those Marines from the other tribes, particularly my adversaries, may consider my account historically inaccurate or dishonest. Go figure. Should you want to read a well-researched documentary-like account of the Gulf War I suggest authors like Rick Atkinson (Crusade). But if you want an inside look at the world of the reserves that you can feel on a personal level, read SPARE PARTS.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Memoir of Reserve Life
Review: Spare Parts is a first-rate book on life in the Marine Corps Reserves as well as life in a modern war environment.
This book intrigued me as I had great interest in joining a military reserve unit. The book is a memoir of Corporal Buzz Williams, a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) operator/gunner in the Marine Corps Reserves. The book is a thorough summary of Cpl. Williams' experience in the Marine Corps reserves, mostly covering boot camp, MOS training, weekend drills, and deployment in Operation Desert Storm.
The book gives a high level overview of Cpl. Williams' boot camp experience. I found this section neat, but I have seen much more thorough accounts of boot camp in other places. I thought the book really picked up after boot camp. I had found few if any accounts of reservist life and life in modern warfare. Cpl. Williams discusses the experience of MOS training, including the shortcomings of the training the military provided in LAV school. The chapters on the weekend drills I thought were invaluable to a potential reservist. This book is the first place I found an excellent, written account of what a training weekend is like. Finally, the end of the book discussed what life during a modern war is like and what it is like to come home afterward. The writing of Cpl. Williams is frank and discusses both the positives and negatives of military life and military procedures.
The book is a quick and an easy read. I would highly recommend this book to people considering potentially enlisting in the military reserves. The book sheds a sobering light on reservist life that I thought really helped me see the military from another perspective. I would also highly recommend this book to persons interested in military memoirs or life in the military.
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Summary: THANK YOU!
Review: Thank you Buzz Williams. I don't know how I would be getting through parts of my life without reading this book. This book gave me an insight to the Marine Corps and the Reserve units that I didn't have before. I'm currently involved with a Marine Corps Reservist and prior to this book I thought he was simply gone one weekend a month. Now I know what he's doing and what he's gone through to get where he is today. Thank you again for sharing your experience. I don't know if I could understand it any better than going through it myself. You have given me so much more of an appreciation of what the Marine Corps does and how important the Reserves really are. I can't stress enough how much your experience helps me to understand what goes on with his head when drill comes around and deployment shadows the future. You've given me that little extra sense of security that I needed to know that he's going to be alright. Thank you again.
Rating:
Summary: great book!
Review: This is a really good book, especially for those currently serving in the reserve component of any branch of the military. This is the first (only) book I've read which accurately describes the reservists' dilemmia. That is, the need to turn your military mind and training "on" and "off" once a month and a few weeks a year. The description of his experiences from basic training to his first drill at his unit, and then shipping out to Saudi and fighting Iraqis in Gulf War 1 are truly riveting. Described herein are numerous leadership and training lessons to be absorbed by current and future leaders. Funny at times, sad at others, informative all the time, it's a compelling read and a "must have" for anyone currently in the reserves, as the lessons he learns are not just for Marines.
Rating: 
Summary: Copying. The truest form of flattery.
Review: While I found some of the stories interesting, what mostly caught my attention was the title and the color scheme used on the cover. Could it be just a coincidence or did the author select that title and cover design from my book which was released many months before. Either way, thank you.
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Summary: First Book I've picked up in years
Review: While I've always had respect for the men and women who wear the uniform of this country's Armed Services, I had no idea exactly what they experienced as part of their job. Buzz certainly approached his experience with great candor and honesty. Reading this book has increased the amount of respect I have for not only full-time active duty servicemen and women, but also for the extra burden placed on reservists as they work to be both a soldier and a contributing member of everyday society. Thank you to everyone who wears the uniform and stands in harm's way. Your sacrifices are most appreciated.
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