Across the Barbed Wire [Paperback]

James Pocock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2006

A stirring tale about an East German family's abortive escape to the West, the mother's protracted search for her son, and the lives of Americans who help her throughout the Cold War.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A 38-year veteran of the US Army and Army Reserve, Major General (Retired) James Pocock patrolled the East-West German border with the 14th Armored Cavalry, saw combat in Vietnam, and commanded the 300th Military Police Command during Desert Storm. His undergraduate education was at Princeton and West Point, and he has an MA in Communication from Michigan State University. In civilian life he was director of the Ingham County, Michigan Friend of the Court Office. He resides in East Lansing, Michigan with his wife, Gloria. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412035805
• ISBN-13: 978-1412035804
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,838,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read! Across The Barbed Wire, September 7, 2005

By 

N. D. Harms, LTC (Ret.) (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Across the Barbed Wire: A Novel About the Cold War (Paperback)

Combining the human qualities of character, courage, conviction, faith, leadership, love and strength of soul, you will find it all in this captivating saga.

Written by a true "hot and cold war" warrior, Pocock has "seen or done it all." A totally entertaining read of substance and value. Fascinating, compelling and historically accurate.

Highly recommended for all ages A truly great story!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting Tale Of The Cold War, August 30, 2005

By 

G.C. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Across the Barbed Wire: A Novel About the Cold War (Paperback)

As a former member of the 14th Calvary who served in Germany from 65-67, and have personally met the author, I was very suprised to find that not only was this a book I could not put down, but that my family and friends also found it compelling and are recommending this book to their friends. It is fiction, but very plausible, and could vey well have happened. In fact there are many East Germans who did indeed escape from behind the barbed wire. The story has many twists and turns and ends with a Twilight Zone type twist. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this wonderful story of the Cold War. Well done Col. Pocock.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Moving Reflection of Cold War Pain, August 23, 2005

By 

Maurice C. Barone (Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Across the Barbed Wire: A Novel About the Cold War (Paperback)

I have never been in the military. That did not, however, keep me from appreciating James Pocock's narrative. In fact, it made me appreciate the suffering and sacrifice of military people. It made more aware of the suffering and pain of those individuals who lived under the oppression of Communist dictatorships.

This is a moving story in everyway. And by the end it is also thrilling. The people seem very real. Yet Ret. Col. Pocock's writing is very straightforward, even plain. For this story that seems to be a virtue.

I actually believed the story really happened. It was almost a biography of a lost period in time. I had to keep reading the disclaimers about the story being fiction. Do yourself a favor, read this book. If plain writing doesn't offend your esthetics, you will love it.