Rating: 
Summary: Read it--you'll like it!
Review: Jim Webb, author of Fields of Fire (the best book yet on the real war in Vietnam) returns again to Vietnam's battlefields in Lost Soldiers. The time, however, is the present. The protagonist is a former Marine lieutenant--a fictional member of Webb's generation--now involved in the search for MIA's. His search reveals instead evidence that one of the MIA's may have been a deserter, a traitor, and may still be alive.In pursuit of this deserter, Webb takes us through a number of well-drawn locations--Saigon, Bangkok, and Honolulu--that he obviously knows well, and loves. More important, we meet a number of Webb's typically well-developed characters, of several nationalities, who carry this thrilling--but thoughtful--book to a satisfying conclusion. I won't give away the plot, but the reader will find it both believable and gripping. In so many ways, Jim Webb is the most fortunate of men. In each of his many incarnations--Marine hero, lawyer, Congressional aide, best-selling novelist, award-winning journalist, assistant secretary of defense, and secretary of the navy--he has excelled. But, releasing Lost Soldiers on September 10 was not one of his--or his publisher's--luckiest moves. The events of September 11 clearly and properly dampened the country's desire for books and all other entertainment. It would be a shame, however, for this fine book to become one of the casualties of September 11. Buy it, and give yourself a few hours of diversion from the TV news. You won't regret having done so.
Rating:
Summary: Lost Soldiers, A Literary Masterpiece
Review: Lost Soldiers has it all - a gripping story of love, war, and personal survival. I could not put it down. James Webb draws you into the ageless stuggles of good and evil in the little understood world of present day Vietnam. This book is a must read for those who appreciate great fiction and also enjoy the writings of one of America's greatest literary and strategic minds.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful War Drama
Review: Lost Soliders is a very powerful war drama that reminded me a lot of Apocalypse Now. Here, you have an ex-soldier who is now a government worker, who is hired to find two traitous soldiers who disappeared during the Viet-Nam War. After finding some bones which are quickly linked to these two missing solidiers, a manhunt begins, a hunt will which take the main characters all across the world from Asia to Hawaii to Russia to Australia. The book is very powerful and great at invoking the ways of life of the Japanese. It is also heart-wrenching in its representation of the post Viet-Nam War life in Asia. I'm not usually big on war novels, but Lost Soldiers really got to me. It is beautiful, lyric and very poetic. The characters are highly realistic and likeable. The author brings you into their lives and mixes their battle with their own personal demons with the manuhunt which is at the heart of the plot. Asian life is beautifully invoked and representated in this novel. The story is suspenseful and very entertaining. This is a very intersting read and a book that you will not soon forget.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as compelling!
Review: Not as compelling as his previous works such as " Fields of Fire." Somehow there is something missing in his character developemnt. Perhaps if he had given a little more background it might have worked better.
The book slows down about two thirds of the way thru and has a hard time regaining its momentum. The idea of Soviet forces advising NVA and VC Cadres inside the Republic of South Vietnam, as well as MIA's, Turncoats, the CIA all offer wonderful chances breaking new ground on certain aspects of the American War in South Vietnam.
I will continue to buy Webb's books , even when a new effort is not up to muster. At his worst , he far exceeds other efforts.
Rating:
Summary: a touching plot
Review: Not quite what I have read in his other books but what seems like a closure to a era of fiction that may take him to other areas. Very enjoyable but I found not as exciting as his other novels... We are becoming ancient history but we will always remain young with stories like this.
Rating:
Summary: Fascintaing look at Vietnam
Review: This book was obviously written by someone with a keen knowledge and love of Vietnam. The characters are well described and seem real people. The plot is somewhat unimportant and there are probably holes in the story, but it is well worth your time
Rating:
Summary: Fascintaing look at Vietnam
Review: This book was obviously written by someone with a keen knowledge and love of Vietnam. The characters are well described and seem real people. The plot is somewhat unimportant and there are probably holes in the story, but it is well worth your time
Rating:
Summary: Ten stars
Review: This is Jim Webb's best book yet by a long chalk and it is wonderful. It has everything: a riveting plot, good dialogue, a steady relentless pace, and, most importantly, superb characterization. A great sin of novels about Asia is that far too often the local characters are cardboard cutouts, mere background scenery agains which the Westerners play out their drama. All of Jim Webb's Asian characters are fully realized and rounded, and subtly differentiated from each other. He is a terrific writer and here he is at the peak of his craft. If you're a Vietnam veteran (as I am) you will find this book particularly poignant. If you're not, you'll gain some insight into why we feel we loved our country more than it loved us back. Semper fi, Jim, and keep on writing.
Rating:
Summary: First Rate
Review: This latest book from James Webb is beautifully written and a page turner. It is easy to get involved with Brandon Condley and his story, and it offers a view of Vietnam that few will be familiar with. A certain bestseller, and would also make a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Will be a Classic
Review: This one will go down as a classic. It has some of the best depiction of place and time I have ever read. While the plot is solid and will even keep you up at night, the way Janes Webb describes his surroundings and life in Sai Gon is beyond anything I have read before. You really feel for the people in VietNam but also come to appreciate just what we were up against nearly 40 years ago. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
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