Customer Reviews

The Majors: Brotherhood of War Book III

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are two kinds of book series: Ones that can more or less be read in any order (James Bond comes to mind), and ones that work better when read in order of internal chronology. Griffin's "The Brotherhood of War" is the second kind of series, and it's virtually impossible (and certainly unfair) to review one of its "middle" books *except* as part of the larger series. _The Majors_ doesn't match the standard set in _The Lieutenants_ and _The Captains_, but it's a workmanlike entry that keeps the series moving.

"Brotherhood of War" is, as another reviewer said of a different volume in the series, a "military soap opera." It's concerned, for the most part, not with battles but with the rhythms of Army lives and careers: changes of post, changes of assignment, promotions, decorations, unexpected reunions with old comrades, and so on. The series has, by now, upwards of three dozen significant continuing characters . . . six or eight of whom qualify as major (in significance, not rank). That's a lot of fictional lives to keep straight and a lot of storylines to keep in motion, but Griffin pulls it off with considerable skill. _The Majors_ keeps you abreast of all the main players from the earlier books, and adds several new ones. Its a fast, satisfying read, and left me eager to pick up _The Colonels_.

That said, _The Majors_ is a step down from _The Lieutenants_ and _The Captains_. There're a few gunfights, but no big combat scene like the mountain battle in Greece (Bk. 1) or the commando raid into North Korea (Bk. 2). Craig Lowell and Sandy Felter, whose growth as people and as officers gave the first two books much of their depth, are less compelling in _The Majors_. Felter has become more of a plot device than a person. Lowell is in danger of becoming what he threatened to be early in _The Lieutenants_: an insufferable twit with more money than brains. The rest of the main characters fare better, but none of them has the kind of life-changing story arc that Felter got in Book 1 or Lowell got in Book 2.

If you loved the first two books in the series, _The Majors_ will have plenty to keep you interested. If you found yourself wishing that the first two books had more shooting and less soap opera, you'll be even less satisfied this time around.

If you're a Griffin fan, you've probably already read this book and series. The continuing saga of Lowell and company. It's still my favorite of all his series.

I've read this series several times over the last 20 years or so, and just started it again after a 5+ year layoff. Reading it again I've forgotten how good of a storyteller Griffin was before writing with his son in his last few books. While this one sets the stage for each of his other series (i.e., Corps, Vigilantes, Philadelphia police series) with a rich guy who always bucks the system to beat up the bad guy, with this one you have good character developmet and dialogue, and get a history of the Army from WWII through Vietnam - Korea, tank development, army aviation, Green Berets, you name it.

I always liked rooting for Lowell, and each of us has a very tight stickler to the rules Bellmon in our lives - Griffin portrays his characters similar to people ni each of our lives.

Reading each book in this series is well worth it - wish I could say the same about his latest books with Butterworth the IV!

Not only did this book come in great condition, but the stories of each individual in the book continue to amaze the average reader. You will not understand it much unless you start it from the beginning of the series, which is The Lieutenants. One of the main characters is Craig Lowell, who owns a big part of a rich firm in New York City, but is determined to continue his career as a Major in the postwar army of the Korean conflict. He pulls a few things that seem like his rank of Major is going to be his permanent rank, and gets involved with Army Aviation, which everyone back in the 50's thinks is where you end up when your career is going nowhere, but he always seems to end up better for it in the end, despite his reputation as a womanizer, especially a couple that are married. And then you have the other stories of fellow soldiers, like Lowell's friend, Captain Parker, who is trying to settle after the shock waves of a court-martial that had him getting acquitted anyway, MacMillian and Bellmon, and also Felter, who is the "little Jew" as they all go through their careers, some with the advancement of ranks and further assignment.
These series would also be a lot more understandable if you had a previous stint in the military, preferably the Army, and knew about some of the things they discuss in here. I own all the series now. Griffin is an awesome author!

This book is in the condition described and ahead of schedult and I am glad to add it to my collection.

William Cody

Typical WEB Griffin Book - A great read. I have been going back and ordering the entire series so I can read them in the order that they were published as the "story lines" will make more sense... but it is not necessary however.

Enjoy, I did...

W.E.B. Griffin writes an authentic military novel with great detail that is suitable for non military readers to understand too.
His "people" are real and very human in their endeavours.I highly recommend this Brotherhood of War series as well as his wonderful series about The Corps.

Third in the series "The Brotherhood of War" this novel captures the time of French involvement in Vietnam, how the US came to be involved there and the development of US Army aviatation - helicopters. As with his other novels, WEB Griffin (pen name for William E Butterworth) was there when it was all happening.

Our Heros are back, Craig Lowell, Sandy Felter, Phil Parker, MacMillian. Through their eyes, Griffin provides insight what is like to be in the military, to form bonds this tight, to be in the thick of things and come through when it matters most. Griffin succeeds so well because he can put you there and make you feel what these characters are going through.

While each of these novels can stand on their own, it is definately better to read them chronologically. I have re-read this book many times, I enjoy the series very much and highly recommend this book.

The book received was in better shape than I expected. It was received in a very timely fashion. Being one of a series written by W. E. B. Griffen,I needed this book to complete the series, but was having difficulty finding it.

I liked the first two books in this series (Lieutenants, Captains), but after reading some of the reviews on The Majors, I thought it might be a letdown. I was wrong - I enjoyed this book just as much as the first two. Why? First, there's some exciting action in French Indochina that foreshadows our involvement in the Vietnam war. Next, there's the story line about the development of the helicopter and the rebirth of Army aviation at Fort Rucker (I was really interested in this part). Finally, there's this theme about how some warrior types perform so well in combat but struggle with their career in the peacetime army. I think Griffin did a good job evolving both the characters and the historical backdrop. Good stuff.