Griffin: Three Complete Novels

Although I am retired from the U.S. Navy, I served in Tsingtao, China, wearing a Marine uniform, as part of the Aircraft Fleet Marine Force, Western Pacific for a year (1948). It was temporary duty, and I was not a Marine, but I got to know them very well--at least the "airedale" Marines.As they say, "Some of my best friends are Marines!"It was an unforgettable year, and W.E.B. Griffin has captured the spirit, the 'esprit de corps,' of "The Corps" in these three novels, and in his other stories. It is often summed up this way: "Once a Marine, always a Marine."W.E.B. Griffin is best known for chronicling his beloved Marine Corps in fictional form. His depictions ring so true that Marines around the world read, and their eyes grow damp. Of course, it would be better not to accuse them of such emotion.These three novels present an epic tale of the battle for the Solomon Islands in 1942 between the United States and the Japanese empire. It is about Marine fighter pilots, grunts, Coastwatchers operating under the very noses of the Japanese forces, generals, colonels and privates and their wives and sweethearts--tales of valor, loyalty, love and the challenges of fighting a war in which the end result was very much in doubt.I recommend W.E.B. Griffin's version of the Corps. I recommend the Marine Corps as a service. I recommend reading these stories. Although this book is, temporarily at least, out-of-print--I recommend the stories themselves, wherever you can find them.Joseph H. Pierre, USN (Ret)

I read The Brotherhood of War and really enjoyed the whole series, so much so that I have read the series several times. When Griffith came out with The Corps ,I was looking forward to his version of The Marine Corps. I bought, read and enjoyed the first two books. So much so that I bought the third book in hardcover, I couldn't wait for the soft cover. Unfortunately he has gotten away from what the real Corp was and is about. I am spending too much time reading about the elder Pickering, the president, Macarthur, Magic and espionage.Lets get back to the real Corp. Lets get back to McCoy, Pick and the people who won the war, the man with the gun and the man in the plane, the people who went in harms way. If he doesn't start writing about the real Corps I don't think I can buy any more of the series.

Mr. Griffin consistently manages to blend true-to-life history with pulse-pounding action. In addition, one is always forced to care about the characters that inhabit his world. This is an enduring saga that I would recommend to anybody interested in the Corps, World War II, or a great story. It is simply the best!

How can you say more about the best Military fiction writer of all time. I have read all his books. From The Brotherhood of War, when I was serving in the Army, to the Badge of Honor. I hope, Mr. Griffin, that you will keep writing for many years to come and keep the Corps going.

From "killer" McCoy at 21 to our favorite coastwatcher Jacob Reeves, this treasure has three of Griffin's best in it. No matter if it was written by Alex Baldwin or W.E.B. Griffin, the action storyteller is at his best in these selections. We'd like to see a book on the author or at least an article noting his life and what he is presently doing.