Customer Reviews

Blackjack-33

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What began as an experiment - United States Special Forces A-Teams commanding Khmer Krom (free Cambodians)in the exploitation of Viet Cong and NVA weaknesses in their own forbidden zones - evolves full-scale in this true-to-life thriller.

In 1966-67, I worked with Jim (code named Fox-3), then a 19 year A-Team medic, on what became the most successful unconventional operations conducted by US forces during the Vietnam War. After the first two missions - Black Box and Blackjack 31 - I took the Freedom Flight while Donahue stayed on to play a key role in the evolution of the Mobile Guerrila Force concept - small, light-to-fight, highly (foot) mobile patrols that would locate Charlie's Base Camps & Way Stations, then blow the B-Jesus out of the massed-Cong using Air Force F-4C Phantom jets in early morning,high-altitude, radar-bombing sorties. The author gives a detailed account of just how this is possible when, in fact, these missions featured no artillery, no routine medivac, no big guns, no reinforcements, no large units, and were pre-ordained, by some, to the scrap heap of bold, imaginative, high-risk, failures.

The key? No large signature. Just a bunch of well-trained guys with good secret commo, excellent mining and disengagement techniques, innovative resupply techniques, and a commitment to work together deep behind enemy lines and, of course, were willing to stay out late (30-45 days), work (mostly) the night shift, and beat the guerrillas at their own game. Donahue describes the environment in chilling terms, and make no mistake, there are friendly casualties along the way. But, in the end, the Mobile Guerrila Force Rules!

Donahue is on a roll! His first book, No Greater Love and his second book, Mobile Guerrilla Force, are excellent precursers to this, his most powerful work to date.

Who says medics don't carry weapons?

Jim Donahue's ability to convey the sights, sounds and smells of war in a foreign land are awesome. I was never involved in anything so courageous as the MGF but I can vouch for the authenticity of what is portrayed in this book. These men undertook some of the most daring and heroic operations conducted with scant regard for their own well-being. I tip my hat and render a salute to all members of Blackjack-33. Well Done to all of you. As a former member of USSF Team B-34, Song Be, you've all earned my respect and admiration.

Once again James Donahue writes a fine book about some of his experiences while fighting in the Vietnam war. I don't give it 5 stars only because I don't consider it a true must have/must read. But make no mistake this is a really fine book that truly captures jungle combat and all the hardships it entails. This book chronicles the exploits of a special unit, Mobile Guerrilla Force, in the heavily VC infested Warzone D in 1967. The author is a Special Forces medic (Green Beret) and sees lot's of action. The Mobile Guerrilla Force is basically a light company made up of Americans and Cambodians. Their job is to raid enemy base camps, conduct ambushes, and call in air strikes. The danger is constant as they get in ambushes & battle after battle. Since the author was a medic he spends much of the time doing combat medicine. These parts are amazing as he treats the wounded yet fights off the VC. Donahue really brings the jungle and story alive and makes you feel like you are there. Get this book, and his others and learn about how Special Forces fought with amazing bravery in a far off land.

A fabulous book for anyone looking for firsthand accounts of the great work our fighting men & women did in Vietnam, and an excellent antidote for the overplayed drivel Hollywood & the "mainstream" media try to spoon-feed us.

The author provides a minimal amount of background info on himself and the Mobile Guerilla Force, and then jumps right into the action. He gets your heart pumping and your senses instantly alerted through first-person writing, and once you start this book it is very difficult to put down. Mr Donahue does not hold back anything from the reader either; he skillfully relates the sights, sounds, smells, and even tastes of combat in Vietnam.

If you are looking for a well-written first-hand account about the experiences of combat in Vietnam, then I highly recommend this book. If you are a little squeamish, or prefer to research the unit histories and command structures of combat units in Vietnam, well, I STILL recommend this book (and all of Mr Donahue's books).

This book allows the reader to see the Vietnam War through the eyes of a Special Forces team Medic. From being a mentor to the Cambodian soldiers to his duties as a medic Donahue stirs emotions and feelings that makes any reader sympathize and get an idea to the action that was seen by the Mobile Guerilla Force. After reading several other books about Vietnam I've found that this book as well as No Greater Love to be the most entertaining and aweinspiring books written about the Vietnam War.

These men brought the fight to the communists. They fought smart and hard and outguerrlla the guerrilla. There is action from the beginning of the book to the very end. Doc Donahue writes a descriptive and detailed account of his experience in the jungles of Vietnam fighting with a Special Forces led indigenous Cambodian fighting force. It is amazing the hurt they put on the Viet Cong and sad when many of these brave fighters gave their lives often fighting a superior force. I also enjoyed the story of Donahue's adventure of getting supplies in Saigon. An unconventional fighter making an unconventional acquistion of supplies through unconventional means. I plan on reading all the other Donahue books.

I just found out why I contiue to read war books by the hundreds. It's a form of regression back to when I was 10 years old and read all the Sergeant Rock Comics I could get my hands on. That's how I learned to read. BlackJack 33 brought me back with the BLAMS and CRACKS, and TATATATAT's. Awsome! The book was a constant adrenaline rush. It never let up! I shall keep this book and read it over and over. The ending left me with a tight chest and a feeling of intense sadness. I only wish is that this book goes on to be made a movie. I have the sincerest respect for the author and his fellow sodiers. Thank you, from one American.

The Vietnam war is still an enigma for many of us who were not there. It is fascinating and a bit frightening. Many people only understand it based on movies like Platoon or Full Metal Jacket. This book does a fabulous job of illustrating an unknown aspect of the war, yet makes you understand how the pieces fit together. Very descriptive and action packed, you feel as if you are close to the action and get a better feel for the life of a soldier in the bush.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book and increased my education and awareness of the war.

Mr. Donahue brings out a little known aspect of the Vietnam War--the use of Special Forces and Cambodian soldiers to fight the VC on their own ground. You can get more of a description of the book by reading the adjacent reviews. I spent almost two years working with the Vietnamese day by day, and consider this book to be a must read for anyone interested in the genre. It is very well written and makes the scene jump out at you. For me, it was almost like revisiting my experiences back then.

I love these kind of books so I read every one that I can find. This one was a little different than the LLRP books because this guy was apparently in a line company. I read the whole book and enjoyed it. The best ones that i have read are the two by Gary Linder, (The Eyes of The Eagle) and (Eyes Behind The Lines) those are incredible, and I have read them a couple of times a peace.