Rating: 
Summary: Wait for the movie
Review: Maybe it will be better. This 702-page lump is boring, boring, boring as others have pointed out. It moves at a pace slower than your average glacier. It MIGHT have made a decent 200-page book had anyone with any sense done some editing, but, alas, this was not done. Really weak points: (1) all travelogue, no action (2) very unconvincing characters, especially Susan and Colonel Mang, (3) far too many incredible coincidences, (4) wishy-washy positions taken on war, (5) really weak ending. Lost Soldiers by Jim Webb is infinitely better. I was surprised at how much I disliked this book, as I am a Vietnam veteran myself and usually enjoy anything written about the war (then) or the country (now). But this one was a huge disappointment. Avoid.
Rating: 
Summary: Must Read for Viet Nam Vets
Review: I could not put this down. I was spellbound by this well-written and exciting story. Anyone who served in that conflict would have memories stirred.The only distraction was the mis-spelling of Tan Son Nhut. It was spelled Tan Son Nhat and apparently that was accepted in the spell checker and it therefore appeared throughout the book. Very annoying. Other than that, an outstanding book.
Rating:
Summary: A New Standard of Excellence...
Review: I've read most of DeMille's earlier works, and generally enjoyed him as an author of fast moving entertaining suspense yarns but have never considered him to be an author of truly significant literary works that would stand the test of time. I Believe that UP COUNTRY marks his ascension to a new level of excellence that is refreshing. The richly developed portrayal of Vietnam in the new millenium, coupled with a riveting mystery, well developed characters and astute insights into the current attitudes and perspectives of Southeast Asians makes this a terrific read. His revelations of lingering hostility and mutual distrust, along with a burgeoning appetite for commercial exploitation and disparate viewpoints amongst the various segments of Vietnam's significant population were eye-opening revelations for those who don't spend a lot of time thinking about Vietnam in the current time period.
Rating:
Summary: Just A Good Read
Review: I am not a long time fan of Nelson Demille, Up Country is my first exposure to his writing, beyond the Movie The General's Daughter. I found that the book held my attention and I truly enjoyed the writing style.
Rating: 
Summary: Was really hoping for more...
Review: I eagerly picked up this book the first week it came out and was pleasantly surprised when I turned the cover and saw a map of Vietnam. Hey, I came from there! So being a fan of Demille's, I felt like having my cake and eating it too. Turned out not the best cake by any means, unfortunately. As much as I miss my homeland and was lucky to go back a couple years ago, I really was hoping to be captivated the same way I was with "Charm School," "The Gold Coast," or even "Plum Island." Instead I found myself reading an unabridged guide of The Lonely Planet. Paul Brenner is almost identical to the character John Something in "Lion's Game" and "Plum Island." So this was weird for me, felt a little cheated. Susan Weber is unreal: what truly attractive woman would say outloud to a man, "I'm pretty..." How UN-attractive is that? And beats me how Paul, a non-smoker, can be at all attracted to Susan who lights up every 5 minutes... Then there are misspelled Vietnamese words. And "pho," the Vietnamese noodle soup that was mentioned, but mentioned with pork (PORK???) in it... Yikes, Demille's staff can do better than this! My 3-star rating is meant more for Demille's new travel/leisure genre. If meant as a spy novel (:-), then it gets 2.25 stars. But I remain a huge fan because he has many other great works. Maybe next time.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful Story Telling in the Vietnam War Years
Review: A superbly written mystery that takes the reader back to the Vietnam War years. Well researched and aunthentic in every detail. Also recommend MURDER DOESN'T FIGURE, a mystery that akes you back to World War II and two other previous works by DeMille, PLUM ISLAND and LIONS GAME.
Rating: 
Summary: Up Country and Lost Soldiers, The Same but Different
Review: Perhaps we are seeing a new genre of books about the Vietnam War. If Nelson Demille's Up Country and James Webb's Lost Soldiers are any indication, a new type of Vietnam book may be the veteran returning to Vietnam to confront all the emotions involved in the war and their experiences. Just as`many of the newer books on the holocaust now deal with the children of survivors, maybe the new Vietnam war books will focus on the returning vet. Early this year, James Webb, author of the classic Fields of Fire wrote Lost Soldiers. Demille has just released Up Country. In many ways they are the same book. A Vietnam War veteran with unresolved issues and emotions towards the war, returns to Vietnam. In both books the main character return to present Vietnam to solve murders that took place during the war. Well actually Up Country is supposed to take place in 1997 and Lost Soldiers takes place now. And the case can be made that 2001 Vietnam has progressed greatly from 1997. I am not a veteran, I am only 29, but I went to Vietnam in the Summer of 2001 with a groups of New York Teachers. The main thrust of both books is the same. The main character solves a crime from the past and at the same time comes to grip with the past. I asked Mr. Demille at a recent book signing about the timing of both books, so similar and so close in release time. He told the audience that despite having the same agent as Webb that it was not a planned thing. So which book is better? Let me stop and say both books are great and should be read. Anyone interested in Vietnam or just a good book should read both. In fact, they should be read one after the other for full effect. Demille and Webb are both great writers. Webb's recent Emperor's General about General MacArthur was one of the best books i have ever read. Demille: Gold Coast, Word of Honor, Rivers of Babylon, Lion's Game...need I say more? Demille's books are the best. Again, both books are great but Up Country has a better story. It will hook you from beginning to end. However, Lost Soldiers I feel does a better job showing modern day Vietnam and shows a better understanding of the Vietnamese people. I think that is ultimately the difference, Up Country is more exciting but is clearly lighter. Demille shows Vietnam and has Vietnamese characters, Demille himself fought there and returned for a visit. But, his book is an adventure book with some good stuff about modern day Vietnam and a veteran coming to grips with it. Webb's Lost Soldiers is a better book about veterans, modern Vietnam and the Vietnamese people but its story is too simple. Lost Soldier's is a great book about todays Vietnam and the feeling of veterans with an ok story. Think of the summer we had two meteor disaster movies. Armedgeddon was the more fun and less serious movie while Deep Impact was less fun but much more a thinking man's movie. That is Up Country and Lost Soldiers. Up Country is typical Demille, great story, easy to read, with a message. Lost Soldiers is more a message with a story. Again, both books are great. I am not a veteran so veterans will be able to compare the two much more accurately than I can. Having been to Vietnam, Lost Soldiers reminded me of what I saw more than Up Country did. But ultimately, Up Country was a better read. In short, check out both books. Great books, by great writers. And check out the other books by Webb and Demille.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but still excellent...
Review: After reading the other reviews, it seems to me that this is one of those books that the author's fans will either really like, or not like very much - with not much sentiment in the middle. I've read everything by DeMille and eagerly await his next offering. This one did not disappoint me, even though it was heavier on dialogue and lighter on action than his other works. It is 700 pages long and I still found myself wishing it was longer. I am a contemporary of DeMille's, but not a vet. I didn't get drafted, and I didn't volunteer - and after reading this book I'm as grateful as I ever was that I didn't experience Vietnam first hand. I'm certain that no one who wasn't there could really understand what it was like; but I think this book gives the rest of us a better feeling for what Vietnam was and is like. I read a lot of books, and the thing I notice most about DeMille's books is not only that I enjoy reading them, it's that I remember them. He pulls me into his books as well as - or better than - any other author I've read.
Rating: 
Summary: not what i had hoped for
Review: it's true--this book is more travelogue and personal history than story. what's sad is that these are the better parts of the novel. it's wonderful to get a fuller picture of paul brenner's past life, and moving to hear his (and presumably, mr. demille's) reactions to the experience of vietnam--something i've only read about in history books. what's even more sad is what mr. demille does for the actual plot and intrigue of this novel. susan weber is an infuriating character all the way through. her inconsistencies and improbabilities are glaring and obnoxious throughout the story. the only thing worse than the character of susan weber in this novel, besides paul brenner's reaction to her, is the ending. disappointing, infuriating, and incomplete only begin to describe the agony of reading 700 pages of prose only to end up ...well, where they end up. this book actually came close to destroying the fun i had with paul brenner during 'the general's daughter.' i almost wish i hadn't read it.
Rating:
Summary: Paul Brenner is back
Review: This book is a sequel to the Generals Daughter and has the wonderful character Paul Brenner (played by John Travolta in the movie). Brenner is now retired after the Generals Daughter incident and taking life easy when called upon by his old 'friend' and commander to investigate a 30 year old murder in Vietnam.
His exboss plays on Pauls desire for justice and to put the issues of Vietnam behind him once and for all make Paul take the case as a civilian.
He takes the assignment and finds nothing is as it appears from the contact in Saigon, Susan Webber, the immigration man in Vietnam and the story of the murder.
The more things that do not add up, the harder he works trying to find the truth, and when he finds the truth, it is another bombshell.
I liked this book, while not his best work, I think the Charm School, Plum Island, Lions Game and Spencerville were better it is definately a page turner.
I have read in other reviews that the book is not finished and lends itself to a sequel. I agree and would love to see Paul Brenner back in action again.
You will not be bored with this book as nothing is as it appears and the who done it part will pop your eyes wide open.
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