Rating: 
Summary: Typical W.E.B. Griffin!
Review: Known facts are extremely accurate and Mr. Griffin continues his masterful writing with "Under Fire" which makes the reader feel as if he personally knew the characters. The thoughts that go thru the minds of his characters are as interesting as the words they speak and make for a most enjoyable read. I have all Griffin books and anxiously await the next one. Keep up the good work, Mr. Griffin.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding addition to this excellent series
Review: This is the first time I have written a review on this excellent series. I am suprized I haven't before, however I suppose that there are so many reviews written about the previous books in this series that my opinion is in agreement with those who enjoy this series immensely.This is an excellent addition. The main characters, Ken McCoy, Fleming Pickering and his son Fleming Pickering Jr, Ed Banning, Ernie Zimmerman and all the others are important in the plot of the book. The year is 1950, and it is the beginning of the Korean War. Capt. McCoy is convinced that the North Koreans are a threat and will start a war, however the higher brass dosen't share his opinion and try to kick him out of the USMC. It turns out that McCoy is 100% on the money. Thus begins the interesting story. There of course is combat, political and military intrigue, and of course the women who love their Marines are in the book as well. My favorite is Ernestine "Ernie" McCoy, Capt McCoys wife, she is the type of woman that any man would be fortunate to have as a girlfriend or wife. This is a fine addition to "The Corps" series. It is a definite page turner that will have the reader well up into the early morning hours. I just got finished and am eagerly awaiting for Mr. Griffins next addition to this fine series. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Typical Griffin
Review: This is typical Griffin on many levels. Has he ever wrapped up a series? And don't say he wrapped up Brother of War with The Generals. He's put out three books since then. Men at War is definitely still hanging out there, and he started that in the 80's along with The Corps.
I always wondered how he was going to wrap up WW II in The Corps series, to say I'm disappointed is an understatement.
I said it before, and I'll say it here. Is Griffin a real person, or really just a team of writers. (yes, I've seen the picture on the web site) But, it seems the characters were given personality changes in Under Fire. And when during the first 8 books did Pick ever call his father "Pop"?
The typos in this book will kill you. There were literally dozens of them. How many times was Inchon referred to as Pusan? Of course, that's not really the writer's fault. Like all books these days, editing was in great demand.
As for the story itself. The first 300 pages were great, then it starts to drag. And McCoy's plan on the islands off Inchon never really seems all that coherent.
But like all die hard Griffin fans, I can't wait for the next book, and I hope he (or they) won't make all us die hard fans wait 3 or 4 years for it to come out.
Rating:
Summary: Dangerous actions at a dangerous time
Review: When I encounter a veteran of world war II, I always ask them their opinion of either general George Patton or General Douglas MacArthur, depending on what theater they were in. In the case of both generals their opinions show a wide divergence , some think they walked on water while others that they were full of a more objectionable semi-solid. Griffin exhibits elements of both opinions of MacArthur, sometimes referential and other times derogatory. One wonders what his true opinion of El Supremo is.
In terms of story line, the background is the North Korean invasion of South Korea and the American intelligence communities inability to predict it. That was clearly the most perilous time in the entire cold war, the one point where communism had a real chance to achieve world domination. Had the American forces been pushed off the Korean peninsula, the communist forces would have been far more aggressive in expanding their influence in other parts of the world.
Such a critical backdrop always makes for a tense and engaging story, and Griffin delivers a good one. The characters are well developed, with strong personalities that are well suited to the circumstances. They are true military men, devoted to their duty and willing to bend orders to suit the circumstances. The quality of the reading by James Naughton is also very good. He uses tonal infections and emphasis to great dramatic effect and his impersonation of MacArthur is credible.
I enjoyed listening to this story. It had enough historical accuracy to be interesting on that account and the action is engaging and entertaining.
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