Leonard B. Scott

A simple story of revenge but immersed in a fairly accurate recounting of the history of the Soviet occupation of East Germany and East Berlin. It is a story of 3 German officers in command of a last-ditch effort to defend Berlin and whose command was ruthlessly gunned down by another German officer who was a fanatic and a member of the SS troops detailed to prevent any retreat anywhere. During the Soviet years, one man prospered and grew in stature. Of the three officers, two prospered in West Germany while the third ekked out a living in East Germany. The action scenes were very tightly drawn and very believable.

The moral of the story is revenge is a desperate course that leaves an empty feeling when assuaged. Alas, the author caves on his story when he attempts to tie up the story with a nice red bow with everyone, but one, living happily-ever-after.… (más)

SPOILER ALERT:

Jason and Ty are brothers, who live in a small town in Oklahoma. Big brother, Jason, is a football star and got a scholarship to play in college. Ty is a senior in high school, with hopes of getting a football scholarship of his own after this final season. Unfortunately, both are picked on, Jason by his coach and Ty by the high school principal. Ty is injured in practice and unable to play football so his scholarship possibilities vanish. Later, with the backing of the principal, fellow students set-up Ty to get in trouble with the law and he is eventually kicked out of school, then immediately joins the Army against the wishes of his parents. Jason is good enough to be a starter, but isn't given a chance to play in college - doomed to be a human dummy on the football practice squad and then has his scholarship revoked by his spiteful coach. With no money for college, Jason also joins the Army, goes to OCS and becomes an officer, then follows in the footsteps of his ancestors and younger brother - going to jump school and earning his Airborne Wings.

Ty is sent to Vietnam as an Airborne Infantryman in the Central Highlands. There, he becomes a skilled tracker and point man, promising those with him that he would keep them safe. He, soon garners the reputation of being the best in the battalion. Jason arrives in Vietnam a few months later and heads up an infantry platoon in the mountains around Dak To. His platoon is soon ambushed and he loses most of his men on the hill, barely surviving himself. However, he's learned valuable lessons about the enemy that he will use later in his tour. Both brothers are soon reunited and end up together in the fight for Hill 875 during November, 1967.

The author has painted vivid and accurate scenes of the battles of Dak To, the story seems to follow the same sequence of events as listed in the historical registers. Although, "The Hill' is fiction, yet, it is clear that the author called upon his own memories of these terrible times. The accuracy is spot on and readers are drawn in as if there are right there with the soldiers fighting for their lives. This tome is visceral in its descriptions and tells it like it was - leaving nothing to the imagination. It's too real!

Characters are well rounded and I was saddened when they begin dying in the story. This story will also show readers how those 18 and 19 year old soldiers fought heroically and did everything in their power to protect one-another. These were the best that America had at the time.

I completely enjoyed this story and found it hard to put down - completing it within three days. I recommend "The Hill" to anyone that wants to learn more about what happened to some of us in Vietnam and why many combat vets suffer today with recurring memories and nightmares of those past days we left behind.

Thank you Leonard B. Scott for an entertaining read! Also, thank you for your Service and Welcome Home, sir!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel… (más)

I don't know how I've overlooked this fantastic novel all this time! The author's prose took me back to the jungles of Vietnam. I was so fixated by the story that when I stopped for a break, I was momentarily disoriented, surprised to find myself sitting in my favorite chair back home. It's that realistic!

"Charlie Mike" is a riveting tome and difficult to set aside. Readers are introduced to well-rounded likable characters, making it difficult to choose a single character to care about. A second story line story follows the exploits of a group of North Vietnamese soldiers, offering readers an opportunity to get into the head of the enemy and learn something about their strategy, tactics, and secrets. Both sides will clash time and time again. Many will die on both sides, tears will fall, prayers said and reinforcements arrive before doing it all over again.

There is something for everyone in "Charlie Mike": a love interest between two of the Rangers and a couple Donut Dollies as well as a Ranger officer and the nurse who took care of him after he was wounded and became famous for landing the aircraft, Officers more concerned about public opinion than the lives of their own men, Con artists and money-making schemes and of the brotherhood shared by men who continually place themselves at risk. Taking a line from the Big & Rich song - The 8th of November - "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his
brother".

Highly recommended! I have just downloaded another of of the author's Vietnam War books and hope it is just as good as this one. Thank you Leonard B. Scott for an entertaining read! Also, thank you for your service and Welcome Home! Charlie Mike, sir!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel… (más)