Rating: Summary: Another exciting offering in The Corps series... Review: *Counterattack* is the third book in the popular Corps series by W.E.B. Griffin. Book 3 starts at the beginning of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, and follows the journey of servicemen not previously covered in *A Call to Arms* (book 2). Although, book three roughly covers the same period of time as book two, I was not disappointed at all in *Counterattack* and look forward to the next installment.In *Counterattack*, Griffin follows the adventures of some unlikely heroes. Charlie Galloway and a buddy put a plane together out of spare parts once the Japanese have destroyed most of their own planes in Pearl Harbor and head out to assist the troops near Wake Island. Enlisted man Joe Howard becomes an officer and a gentleman after once giving into fear during the Pearl Harbor attacks. And of course, we meet up again with the notorious Lieutenant Kenneth J. McCoy, a.k.a. "Killer," and his gutsy girlfriend, Ernie Sage. Griffin captures the human spirit in awesome and catastrophic moments in American history. If you're in need of a good dose of entertainment, grab a copy of this series.
Rating: Summary: Another exciting offering in The Corps series... Review: *Counterattack* is the third book in the popular Corps series by W.E.B. Griffin. Book 3 starts at the beginning of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, and follows the journey of servicemen not previously covered in *A Call to Arms* (book 2). Although, book three roughly covers the same period of time as book two, I was not disappointed at all in *Counterattack* and look forward to the next installment. In *Counterattack*, Griffin follows the adventures of some unlikely heroes. Charlie Galloway and a buddy put a plane together out of spare parts once the Japanese have destroyed most of their own planes in Pearl Harbor and head out to assist the troops near Wake Island. Enlisted man Joe Howard becomes an officer and a gentleman after once giving into fear during the Pearl Harbor attacks. And of course, we meet up again with the notorious Lieutenant Kenneth J. McCoy, a.k.a. "Killer," and his gutsy girlfriend, Ernie Sage. Griffin captures the human spirit in awesome and catastrophic moments in American history. If you're in need of a good dose of entertainment, grab a copy of this series.
Rating: Summary: Confusing, convoluted, not one of his better books... Review: Griffin's books normally run in a chronological order, with frequent and sometimes confusing flashbacks. Yes this book goes back and starts chronologically somewhere in the middle of book one of The Corps and revisits people and places we've already seen and been to. This book also throws names at you, LOTS and lots of new characters and places, people who didn't exist in the first two books and yet appear in the time frame those two books take place in. If you put finished the 2nd book in the series and expected this to pick up where that left off with the characters you were reading about and interested in, you'll be sadly disappointed as most of the people we've already met have only supporting roles in this novel.
Rating: Summary: Not quite progressive enough Review: I am just now getting accquainted with Griffin's Corp series, and overall I think it is very good. This is the 3rd in the series, and actually didn't progress any in relation to time and history. Griffin instead used the same period of time from book II and further developed characters, historical events and relationships. While this is not all bad, I was hoping to have progressed further in the story at books end. All in all, still a good read, and I have now started book IV, so I guess he did manage to further reel me in. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: A Waste of Time 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: A Waste of Time 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: Beginning of WWII Review: This book contains parts of his series of men at war. I love all his war stories. They have humor, knowledge of military life, and excitement. He can go from men dying to having one laughing easily.
Rating: Summary: If you missed The Big One (WWII) Review: This is the third installment of Griffin's epic about the Marine Corps in World War II. It begins with the attack on Pearl Harbor and ends with the landing on Guadalcanal. It's the usual Griffin fare. It's an absolute must for those who, like my husband, feel cheated because they missed out on WWII (he was too young).
Rating: Summary: Fascinating Review: This third book of The Corps series is not as good as the first two. I found it dragged a little at times, but then I'd just finished reading the magnificent new WWII novel "The Triumph and the Glory", which knocked me right on my___ it was so good, which isn't easy to do, I've been a round the block once or twice. Read ALL of Griffin's books. They are without compare for depth of knowledge of military issues (for a novelist).
Rating: Summary: A stepping stone to later action... Review: This,the third volume in the Corps series,must be regarded as a convenient stepping stone to later episodes. We are introduced to sergeant/lieutenant Joe Howard , "big Steve" Oblensky, Charley Galloway , Jake Dillon , and a more vivid portrait off Jack NMI Stecker. Fleming Pickering emerges as a central character in the role of Frank Knox's "spy" in the Pacific. Flem Pickering is commissioned as a reserve Captain in the Navy , sent to be the eyes and ears of the Secretery of the Navy Australia , and becomes a friend of Douglas MacArthur. We also are introduced to Steve Koffler through an interplay with the series most detestable character , Robert Macklin , at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. The action centers on planning and execution of the invasion of Guadalcanal and Gavutu islands in the Solomon chain. Overall the plot proceeds at a reasonable pace , but this volume is primarily setting up some of the later books through the Griffin trademarked character development. If one is a fan (as I am) of this genre , then this is an intresting "must read" even tho' it is one of the least exciting books in the Corps saga.
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