Counterattack (The Corps Book 3) [Paperback]

W.E.B. Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Corps | Publication Date: September 1, 1990

From the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor to America's first bold counterstrike against the Japanese on the beaches of Guadalcanal, this compelling novel takes readers to the front lines of victory and defeat.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Volume III of The Corps series covers the period from Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal in an unorthodox fashion," reported PW. "Instead of offering the usual tales of Marine heroism and sacrifice, Griffin explores the difficult adjustment of enlisted men suddenly given officers' commissions; the raising of a Marine parachute battalion; the impact of total war on peacetime routines."
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

13 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Jove (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515104175
• ISBN-13: 978-0515104172
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > War

More About the Author

W.E.B. Griffin is the author of more than thirty epic novels in five series, all of which have been listed on The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and other best-seller lists. More than forty million of his books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian. Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counter-intelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary. In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White. On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Mr. Griffin is a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, and the Armor Association. He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City. He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation's first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association; the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association; the Marine Raiders Association; and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. He is the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D'Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. Mr. Griffin's novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their "fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes." "Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books," Mr. Griffin says. Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A stepping stone to later action..., February 1, 2002

By 

Rodger Raubach (Converse County ,WY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Counterattack (The Corps Book 3) (Paperback)

This,the third volume in the Corps series,must be regarded as a convenient stepping stone to later episodes. We are introduced to sergeant/lieutenant Joe Howard , "big Steve" Oblensky, Charley Galloway , Jake Dillon , and a more vivid portrait off Jack NMI Stecker. Fleming Pickering emerges as a central character in the role of Frank Knox's "spy" in the Pacific. Flem Pickering is commissioned as a reserve Captain in the Navy , sent to be the eyes and ears of the Secretery of the Navy Australia , and becomes a friend of Douglas MacArthur. We also are introduced to Steve Koffler through an interplay with the series most detestable character , Robert Macklin , at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. The action centers on planning and execution of the invasion of Guadalcanal and Gavutu islands in the Solomon chain.

Overall the plot proceeds at a reasonable pace , but this volume is primarily setting up some of the later books through the Griffin trademarked character development. If one is a fan (as I am) of this genre , then this is an intresting "must read" even tho' it is one of the least exciting books in the Corps saga.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, July 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Counterattack (The Corps Book 3) (Paperback)

This third book of The Corps series is not as good as the first two. I found it dragged a little at times, but then I'd just finished reading the magnificent new WWII novel "The Triumph and the Glory", which knocked me right on my___ it was so good, which isn't easy to do, I've been a round the block once or twice. Read ALL of Griffin's books. They are without compare for depth of knowledge of military issues (for a novelist).

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite progressive enough, October 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counterattack (The Corps Book 3) (Paperback)

I am just now getting accquainted with Griffin's Corp series, and overall I think it is very good. This is the 3rd in the series, and actually didn't progress any in relation to time and history. Griffin instead used the same period of time from book II and further developed characters, historical events and relationships. While this is not all bad, I was hoping to have progressed further in the story at books end. All in all, still a good read, and I have now started book IV, so I guess he did manage to further reel me in. Enjoy!