Counterattack (The Corps series Book 3)

Just what I wanted.

T first I thought that contemporary knowledge of the events and players in the Pacific during WWII would remove the suspense from this particular series of books. Almost any school age child knows we lost Wake Island, that Guadalcanal was a rough fight and that Jimmy Dolittle bombed Tokyo. The Story, as told by Mr. Griffin, actually plays into the fact that most Americans know the results and thus he concentrates more on the characters and manner of how the events occurred rather than the actual events themselves that gives the story a fresh and different element of suspense-how and why things occurred as they occurred. One of the elements of Mr. Griffin's books that I like best IS his characters. When the Brotherhood of War series ended I felt somewhat as I did the year my favorite soap opera was cancelled-like I had almost lost a best friend. That said, this series of books- and particular this "chapter" of the story of the Marine Corps during WWII- reminds me of interesting combinations of well-loved friends- The Mouse, the Duke and the Pollock. The primary role is that of Naval [former Marine corporal] Fleming Pickering, Chairman [and with wife and son] sole stock owner of Pacific & Far East Shipping. Attractive, "comfortable" and used to being in command he is selected by Sec Defense Frank Knox to proceed to Pacific Theatre and putting his shipping experience to work as a cover, he is tasked with cutting through the Cincpac [ Navy vs Army] MacArthur rivalry and giving the Sec. of the Navy the real truth. Thus we find a blend of Lowell [ "comfortable & used to seeing that things get done best and efficient] with Felter [right-hand-of-God- power no one can override] but because he is not in his natural element- he is a Navy Captain who used to be a WWI Marine Corporal who left the military until "the day of infamy" he isn't always sure of the processes and is untainted by the rivalry addding a wisp of uncertainty and unexpected behavior. As in Brotherhood- with its "Gone Greek Group" of characters, there are Marine Corps connections between many of the central characters within this series as well s they meet and develop associations through the work: serving in "the wood" during WWI; that makes the needed back channel mechanisms very credible. Other Connections that are eluded to and will no doubt be developed in later chapters are Old China 4th Marines, and the growing relationships between the sons and younger generations who entered service for the first time; a reversal of the first several chapters in the Brotherhood series where the primary focus was on the Officers of WWI who influenced the WWII Brotherhood. This book begins with the "after" Pearl Harbor Attack and ends with the beginning of the planned invasion and repelling of Japanese from Guadalcanal. It Touches a bit on MacArthur and the move to Australia, the "Palace Guard" which I am reasonably sure will be a conflict vehicle for Pickering's operations much like the West Point Protection Assn and the Cincinnati Flying Club served in Brotherhood. Co-Stars Steve Koffler and Mr. Howard find themselves teamed up and Banning and Steckler sr have vital roles in this chapter of the Marine Corps. Steve is one of my favorites. From his "ferocious Mouse" attitude about being a Marine; to his baby face & scared but is more afraid to show it mind-set he plays the vital character of most young Marines. He is a ham radio operator and expert but hid that fact from the Corps because he didn't want to end up as a company typist. He and Joe Howard find themselves on a coast watcher island that no doubt will be a central theme of the next chapter "Battlefield" as the fight for control of Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands develops.

I love this series of books. This is the fourth time reading the. Such great story telling. These are wonderful.

This series is a historically accurate fictionalized account of WWII and the start of the Korean war. The characters are interesting and interact with real historical figures in a realistic way. Best of all it is an exciting read, including danger and romance.

Although most of the main characters in the previous books are not the main subjects in this book it still flows quite well and has more heart and soul than other action war stories.

Book was in good condition.

Griffin has been one of my favorite writers for years, this will be the fourth time I've read this series of his books

I am a Griffin fan, having read all of his series. They have been a lifeline connecting me back to better days. As an Army vet, I have the usual bag of Jarhead jokes. I have always admired the Marines ... in spite of the jokes. After reading this series, my respect grew. My son-in-law was a Marine ... yeah, one of them impregnated my favorite daughter. He is now enjoying this series. I also sent him the Presidential Agent series (much about Special Forces). Thanks to Griffin, we share a better understanding of each others service.Real life story. The best bar fight I was ever in was at the Camp Geiger Staff NCO club. There were four of us SF types and about twenty Marines. They objected to the inclusion of a sergeant E-5 at our table so we left the bar. Outside our company commander, a major, just happened by. We borrowed one of his oak leaves and promoted our buck to "sergeant major". He was now qualified to enter the Staff club (E-6 and above). It didn't take long for another objection to be raised. We pointed out the promotion. This time, in the spirit of an SF A team, we refused to leave. We calculated we had them outnumbered. Things turned out as you would expect. We discovered we didn't have them outnumbered. As an act of kindness towards a drunken brother in arms, we were not pummeled too badly. Just goes to show what being math challenged and three sheets to the wind does to your reasoning.

All I can say is this series of books called 'The Corps' is brilliant and well worth the investment...which was not a lot! ...Honest...just finished reading 'The Corps' for the THIRD time...great read and worth TEN stars .....Read my other reviews as to why I don't like 'Five Stars' and what it stands for!)

W E B Griffin tells the story of men in combat as it really was. Full blown characters that one can emphasise with. Other series, such as Brotherhood of War, Men in Blue and Presidential Agent are not to be missed.

This book is one of a series which I first read several years ago so I enjoyed re-reading it again

This is my fourth reading of this book, and it only gets better each time. My eyesight now requires Kindle reading and I am re-reading the entire library of W..E.B.Griffin books as they become available for the ereader Kindle.I just wish he had written books on other services, especially the Merchant Msrine, my own personal service.

As always, just a great read !!!!