Customer Reviews

The Cool Woman: A Novel

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

 

 

Typically, I don't read military genre books, unless of course, the review book I am reading at the time has a secondary military theme woven in. I was raised a military brat so I had my share of all the military terminology and happenings, and new what would happen in a strictly military novel...or so I thought. I was a little leery when I started The Cool Woman.....I heard so many mixed reviews about this book. Upon starting this novel, I realized the saying 'to each his own' is true, for I really enjoyed this novel. Now, that's not saying it's my favorite. Far from my favorite,in fact. It's just one that captured me and took me for a ride through Nam and the life of a military pilot.

Bill Mann is a character an author can be proud of. He's strong, he's handsome and he's fighting for his country in Vietnam. But, there is something missing in his life, and it's not the wife who's divorcing him. He's lacking a faith in his Father .But, through, am unfortunate circumstance, can he overcome his lack of faith and believe in the Heavenly Father, and gain everything back???

I really enjoyed Pip Mann. She fit the role of the military wife perfectly. She really tugged at my heart and reminded me of stateside life of a military family, always wondering what was happening to her husband, and, she too, had a lack of faith in God.

Bill and Pip Mann aren't the only reasons I liked this book. John Aubrey Anderson, being a retired military man himself and having first hand knowledge, used the touchy subject of whites befriending blacks and blacks in the military and war. Through his words, we are able to see the struggle of race issues in the military, and how they are overcome. But, through it all, he showed God working in the hearts of his characters. He showed, through God, that to a full life, no matter the skin color, no matter the war, it must be through a faith in God.

A story full of military talk (there's a glossary in the back for the terminology used!), action, and hard lessons(the war we really battle the most is within ourselves if we don't have faith in our hearts), The Cool Woman is a 4 star book that shouldn't be over looked. Definitely take the time to read this true-to-life fiction novel and be prepared to serve in Vietnam along side some pretty awesome characters and learn some lessons along the way.

Military novels aren't always my genre of choice, but I often find them fascinating and educational. This one sounded terrific. A hot-shot pilot. A beautiful woman. Lots of action.

As a retired military pilot, John Aubrey Anderson has a vivid way of describing some of Bill's experiences. I thought the perspective of a lone black pilot in 1970's Vietnam was accurate.

I did find a lot of the story hard to follow at times. There is detailed military language and even though there is a glossary at the back of the book, I was often lost. However, I could still get the gist of what was happening even if I didn't completely understand it, but it was frustrating. At other times, the narration was a bit disjointed as far as back history goes and I'd keep thinking I'd missed something.

I've seen other reviewers mention the "come-to-Jesus" theme and it is very strong here. Bill Mann is about as far away from Jesus as a man can get and there is a lot of preaching from other characters towards converting him.

Still, an interesting novel and those who enjoy military history will probably enjoy this one too.

War is brutal, devastating and soul shattering yet it can also be a baptism of fire that refines an ordinary man into a courageous warrior willing to sacrifice his life for another. From personal experience, John Aubrey Anderson exposes the harsh realities of the Vietnam war through the heroic journey of Lieutenant Bill Mann, a young fighter pilot with all the swagger and confidence that comes with a man who believes he was born to fly.

John's writing is riveting and authentic, with brilliant pacing and intensive characterisation. The combat scenes are so visceral you will feel every bullet, explosion and heartbeat and will be left breathless. The deep, emotional scars of violent conflict and methods of escapism are honestly explored both amongst the pilots and their families back home. Heart wrenching, evocative and powerful, covering the barbaric to the sacrificial and the catastrophic to the miraculous, The Cool Woman is a unique and challenging story, with an unashamedly direct message of faith. With this epic military adventure, unlike anything else you will find in Christian Fiction, John Aubrey Anderson continues to impress me with his compelling and ingenious storytelling. If you are looking for an authentic, gritty and evocative read, The Cool Woman is a sure fire hit!

I found this book both intriguing and a bit difficult to read, all at the same time. Because I am not familiar with military terms, reading was not smooth sailing, as I attempted to figure out the jargon the helped create the setting for the story line.

It was also difficult but it seemed to skip around a bit and I had a hard time figuring out who the author was talking about at times, as the storyline seemed to deviate off the main track quite a bit.

However, the personal development and crisis of the characters within, did attract me as I waded through. There, the story line was just as complex as the military part of the book - but in a soul searching type of way. As a reader I found myself pulling for the main character to work through his issues and find freedom in his soul.

While not my favorite book, I'm glad I read it, because it was a book that rounded out my literary experience. I think perhaps those who enjoy military and Vietnam fiction would have greater appreciation and deep soul connection to it, than I was able to have.

Where do we go from here? I have read all of John Andersons books now and one thing I can say for certain, they always leave me thinking about God and my relationship with Him. Cool Woman was an excellant book. One had to live the experiences in order to write as well as this book was. Makes you wake up and give thank to the Vietnam Vets and the Fighter Pilots who risked their lives. Ok John lets have some more books please.

Just as one other reviewer, I could not get past the first 70-80 pages. An adolescent writing style combined with the blatant "come to jesus" theme was enough to deter this reader. Glad I didn't pay full price. It has been duly relegated to the round file.

-dc

"Livin' without God is dangerous, hon." - Missy, Chapter 6

"... if you want someone who won't let you down, you gotta go with God." - Marine Captain James Kelly, Chapter 7

After the first five chapters (pages 1-45) of THE COOL WOMAN, it was apparent this novel was to be about a hotshot fighter pilot who marries the girl of his dreams and goes off to war in Vietnam. It's 1972. At that point, the book held promise.

It was in chapters 6 and 7 that I realized that the plot, however much of an air combat storyline it was to evolve into being, was also to include a Come Hither to Jesus message.

No thanks; I'll pass; I want to be entertained, not preached to however well intentioned or wrapped up in an interesting parable is the proselytization. I ceased reading at the end of chapter 7 (page 68) feeling the same annoyance as when somebody rings my doorbell at dinnertime to sell me either salvation or magazine subscriptions. Sometimes both.

The book went on for another 261 pages, but without me. Therefore, I can't honestly rate THE COOL WOMAN high or low, but rather with a non-committal, 3-star award. You'll have to acquire and read it yourself and decide.

"There will never be enough words to properly thank my faithful prayer team and my readers who prayed." - author John Anderson in the Acknowledgments.