Distant Valor : The First American Mideast War Against Terrorism! [Mass Market Paperback]

C. X. Moreau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

A STUNNING NOVEL BASED ON THE ILL-FATED MARINE EXPEDITION IN BEIRUT, IN THE TRADITION OF FIELDS OF FIRE AND THE SUM OF ALL FEARS. Once considered the Riviera of the Levant, in 1982 Lebanon had become a hellhole shattered by civil war. In a desperate attempt to save what is left and rebuild, the President orders the Marines to Beruit and into the center of the terrorists' bulleye.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The much-publicized 1983 truck bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut forms the climax of this first novel by a former Marine NCO who was there. Moreau pits 25-year-old Sgt. David Griffin, a seven-year veteran enlistee, in a struggle of will and conscience against one Cpl. Steven Downs. Griffin longs to prove himself to the previous generation of Marines who spilled blood in Vietnam, while Downs seems to be a standard-issue college type?although he, too, is trying to define himself and break free of his own past. Both young men are chafing under the rules of engagement, an elaborate and oppressive code of conduct governing all Marines serving in Lebanon; the rules' enforcer, a vindictive first sergeant, is determined to find grounds to court martial both Griffin and Downs. A series of increasingly catastrophic situations?from a grenade ambush to a car bombing of the American Embassy to the struggle for possession of a Lebanese hill?lead to the dramatic final scene at the Battalion Landing Team Headquarters unit, which sees the death of almost 300 Marines. In the midst of all this conflict, Griffin and Downs unite to face a military inquiry. Moreau uses the building block of authentic detail to craft a solid tale about a little-known, undeclared war. Despite its unnecessarily sentimental epilogue, his debut should attract readers seeking to understand how the U.S. military is waging peace in the Middle East. A glossary provides a handy reference guide to military terms and acronyms.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

A barracks bombing in southern Lebanon on October 23, 1983, killed 241 U.S. Marines. Moreau, a Marine Corps veteran, served in Lebanon during the time of the bombing. His first novel is based on this ill-fated mission to keep the peace between Arabs and Israelis and between Muslim and Christian Lebanese. It's a war novel about a not-very-big war, filled with lots of talk about courage, code of honor, camaraderie, heroes, mud, and blood. Since Moreau was there, we must assume that Distant Valor is a more or less authentic depiction of the Marine Corps. With an ever-growing concern over acts of terrorism, Moreau's book has come along at a fortuitous time. George Cohen --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: I Books (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743459091
• ISBN-13: 978-0743459099
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,065,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Officers Must Read!!!, May 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Distant Valor (Hardcover)

A superb book for any would-be leader. A must read for young Commissioned Officers in any branch. You must understand the conflicts an NCO experiences during your absence--the absence may be due to your missing character, your narcissism--your service academy notion that you are always indispensable. Officers are often their own impediment to effectiveness. The young NCO in "Distant Valor" is doing the best he can. The First Sergeant, who has the trust of the Officers, is out of control, and everyone looks the other way because of a few hashmarks. The Junior NCOs are left holding the bag. NO senior enlisted leadership other than a corrupt 1st sergeant and NO Officer leadership until after the fact. Ineffectual Officer Careerism is shown to be the Mortal Sin that is always is. The spit and polish of the Corps is there at long green table of a courts martial proceeding. While the Officers were busy crossing the "t's", no officer wanted the ugly job of backing down the moslem militia chieftain. Read this book and walk a mile in their boots. Put yourself in their shoes. Find out where you fit in this complex weave of characters and then re-evaluate. Where SHOULD you fit? Should your version of leadership change? What is more important? Your Men? Your Country, or your career? Find the Balance... What would Chesty do? What would one of those "potted palms" back at Division" do ?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful tribute to the Marines who served in Beirut., August 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Distant Valor (Hardcover)

C. X. Moreau's book is a must read for all Marines--former and active duty--enlisted and OFFICERS! It is not just a story of the Marines' experience in Beirut, but an insightful view of the inner workings of the Corps. It explores the personal relationships between officers and enlisted Marines as well as those between senior staff NCO's and all of the other ranks. It is my opinion that Moreau is making a dynamic statement about the raw courage of the Marines with whom he served as well as voicing his frustration with some of the legitimate problems he encountered. His characters are set forth in an honest manner that not only shows their personal strengths and weaknesses but also provides an insightful view into the strengths and weaknesses of the Marine Corps system itself. This book should be utilized by each Marine for an in-depth objective review of his own current or past performance. I consider Moreau to be a patriotic and loyal Marine whose honesty has been provided for the benefit of today's Marines and a tribute to those courageous Marines with whom he served. Semper Fi, Moreau, from a former Marine officer whose respect you have thoroughly earned!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars C.X. Moreau Doesn't Do Sugarcoating for the Brass!, July 19, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Des Moines, Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Distant Valor (Paperback)

Unlike many contemporary authors who have never served a day in the military and always write about officers, C.X. Moreau digs into the minds of the enlisted men serving in Beirut during the early 1980s. His description of the antics of a First Sergeant who is out of control is so real - only a former marine could truly relate. The real tragedy in the book is that the U.S. Embassy was bombed in April - why was that bombing not a huge red light for Marine Corps officers and the U.S. intelligence community? I was a little disappointed in Moreau's handling of the embassy incident. There are not just civilians in our embassies - the marine detachments and the Defense Attache Office are very much a part of most U.S. embassies. Overall, the book was excellent. Moreau was not grinding an ax, but telling it like it was. Hats off to a good read and semper fi from a former marine sgt.