The Fighting Agents: A Men at War Novel [Hardcover]

W.E.B. Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Men at War | Publication Date: June 26, 2000

The fourth volume of W. E. B. Griffin's electrifying bestselling saga of the OSS during World War.

Originally published under the pen name Alex Baldwin and never before available in hardcover, the Men at War novels have proven every bit as popular as Griffin's other spectacular series.

The time is early l943: In the Philippines, a ragtag American guerrilla army battles the Japanese, under a most unusual commander. In Budapest, an agent must keep two key prisoners from being interrogated by the Gestapo, his only choices being to rescue them -- or kill them. In Washington, an Army Air Corps captain suddenly finds himself assigned deep under the sea, his mission an improbable one of submarines, supplies, arms, and gold. And in Cairo, an undistinguished pilot named Darmstadter wonders why in the world the OSS is interested in his services, only to find out in the most dramatic way possible --and become a hero in the process.

Everywhere adventure crackles, fueled by the narrative realism, rich characters, and special flair for the military heart and mind that have always made Griffin's novels unique. The Fighting Agents is further proof that "Griffin rates among the best storytellers in any genre" (Phoenix Gazette).

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In The Fighting Agents, W.E.B. Griffin retells the story (previously told in Behind the Lines) of Wendell Fertig, a U.S. Army officer who promoted himself to general and led a ragtag guerrilla force against the Japanese after the fall of the Philippines in 1943. This time, however, Griffin focuses his attention on the OSS, which, among other things, was tasked with resupplying Fertig and reinforcing his efforts to undermine the Japanese war machine. In this fourth volume of a bestselling series featuring the American intelligence service during World War II, James Whittaker, a rakish, romantic army air corps captain who happens to be a close family friend of OSS chief Wild Bill Donovan, is assigned to sneak into the Philippines by submarine and bring gold, arms, and war materiel to the renegade general.

Simultaneously, another OSS team tries to carry out a critical mission: getting a German atomic scientist out of Budapest and into allied hands before Hitler's armies can perfect and unleash the weapon that could win the war for the Axis powers. And in Cairo, a quiet, unassuming pilot named Darmstadter is drafted by the OSS for another highly unlikely mission. Griffin spices up his realistically drawn scenes of military operations, weapons, and training with a somewhat improbable love story focusing on Whittaker and a female OSS operative, but one suspects it's merely a ruse to draw in distaff readers. Still, the action ranges from Washington to California, Egypt to London, and all points in between, and Griffin's knowledge of military hearts, minds, and missions has won him a devoted following through five separate series of novels of men (and some women) in battle. --Jane Adams

From Library Journal

Stephen Lang narrates this fourth installment of Griffin's "Men at War" series, which began with The Last Heroes. In this episode, the action concerns the extraction of an important German atomic scientist out of Hungary and the establishment of direct contact with the American guerrilla leader in the Philippines, (self-proclaimed) Brigadier-General Wendell Fertig. Griffin's ability to weave fictional and historical characters never ceases to amaze, and this novel is populated with the usual assortment of colorful and exciting Griffin stalwarts. Lang continues his credible narrative performance of "Soldier Spies" in this work; he is comfortable and confident reading the narrative and brings out the hardened characters of the cast. For all action/adventure collections.DMichael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll., Lynchburg
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 311 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult; 1 edition (June 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399146121
• ISBN-13: 978-0399146121
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,082,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fighting Agents, July 26, 2000

By 

M. Reagan (Glendale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fighting Agents: A Men at War Novel (Hardcover)

As with, The Brotherhood of War series, the Men at War series is just as spectacular. I am sorely disappointed that this is the last in the series at this time. But, hope spings eternal that another volume of the lives of Richard Canidy, Jim Whittaker, Lt. Colonel Douglass, and Erik Fulmar and the women they love will continue the story of the OSS. After all another addition to the Brotherhood of War series is due out in January, 2001. Griffin is a wonderful storyteller with the experience that makes you want to believe that the stories really are more truth than fiction.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a return to classic Griffin military/intel writing, June 30, 2000

By 

J. K. Kelley "literary mercenary" (Eastern WA, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fighting Agents: A Men at War Novel (Hardcover)

After some lackluster recent efforts, Griffin reminds us why he's considered one of the most capable military fiction authors out there.

Excitement level is good; as is often the case, Griffin takes us to a new region (Yugoslavia/Hungary) and shows good area and language knowledge. He leaves the future and survival of one of the main characters of the series in real doubt throughout most of the book. The recent tendency of Griffin to be over-reliant on sex and infidelity as themes is absent. Either the original version (of which this is a republishing) lacked those themes, or it was rewritten. Either way, the romantic stuff doesn't detract from the storytelling, which is classic Griffin.

As a bonus, we see some of the less-emphasized characters of the series gain development and fullness. The afterword, which I will not spoil for you except to say that it refers to Griffin's real world acquaintance with historical figures, is revealing and interesting.

If you've read the first three, this is a strong continuation. If you have not, the whole series is worth your time and money.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cliffhanger time, July 3, 2000

By 

Dennis R. Cohen (Spokane, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fighting Agents: A Men at War Novel (Hardcover)

This is the fourth and final book in the series originally published under the nom de plume, Alex Baldwin. Griffin does his usual excellent job of writing a compelling piece of fiction in a setting of historical events. Bitter, Canidy, Whittaker, Fulmar and company continue their exploits, now in the middle of WW II. The question is, now that the publisher has run out of books to reprint, will Mr. Griffin give us something new in the series -- I've been waiting since 1986 to see this series continue.