Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Tom Clancy's Military Reference) [Paperback]

Tom Clancy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

Marine takes an in-depth look at the United States Marine Corps--in the New York Times bestselling tradition of Submarine, Armored Cav, and Fighter Wing--including an interview with the Commander of the Marine Corps, Genral Charles "Chuck" Krulak, an examination of recruitment and training, and more. Exclusive photos, illustrations & diagrams. Print features.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the tradition of novelist Clancy's previous nonfiction works, such as Fighter Wing (Berkley, 1995), comes an in-depth look at the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Clancy presents an insider's look at the most hallowed branch of the U.S. armed forces and those who serve on the front lines. First he offers an interview with Gen. Charles "Chuck" Cruller, 31st commandant of the Marine Corps. Clancy's main focus, however, is the Marine Expeditionary Unit-Special Operations Capable, or MEU (SOC). Currently, the USMC maintains seven MEU (SOC)s: three on each coast and one in Okinawa. Two or three of these units are deployed aboard ship into forward areas at any one time. These rapid-response units patrol a dangerous world while waiting for the president of the United States to get a "911" call for armed intervention. Clancy also offers a fascinating look at Marine Corps recruitment and training. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Michael Coleman, Regional Lib. for Blind & Physically Handicapped, Montgomery
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Since Clancy's fictional hero Jack Ryan began his career as a marine officer, few fans will be surprised that his creator now turns his attention to the corps and treats an aspect of it as effectively as he did the subjects of his three previous nonfiction military studies: Submarine (1993), Armored Cav (1994), and Fighter Wing (1995). After summarizing the marines' history, unique ethos, and weaponry--both specialized and borrowed, including the formidable ships of the amphibious navy--Clancy focuses on "the most `Marine' unit left in the Corps today," a Marine Expeditionary Unit--Special Operations Capable. Such a unit is one of the corps' and the country's seaborne emergency response teams, each with infantry, armor, air, and logistical components adding up to about 2,000 men and each able to carry out an astonishing variety of war-fighting and peacekeeping activities. Clancy amasses the information, writes clearly, provides an invaluable bibliography, and generally takes the lay reader where it would be very difficult to go without Clancy's guidance. Highly recommended. Roland Green

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; Berkley trade pbk. ed. edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425154548
• ISBN-13: 978-0425154540
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tom Clancy is America's, and the world's, favorite international thriller author. Starting with THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, all thirteen of his previous books have hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His books, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, PATRIOT GAMES, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER and THE SUM OF ALL FEARS have been made into major motion pictures. He lives in Maryland where he is a co-owner of the Baltimore Orioles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marine Corps for the next 500 years!, January 23, 2000

By 

Bret M. Duff (Poway California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Tom Clancy's Military Reference) (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book and view this as a prized addition to my military book collection. Also as a Marine (77-81) I'd recommend this book to anybody who is interested in the Marine Corps or the U.S. military in general. While I've been a long time fan of Clancy's "techno thriller" fiction work. I feel that in reading some of his other informative nonfiction books of this series like Armored Cav, Submarine & Fighter Wing - he seems to focus more on the equipment & tactics. But in Marine (as Clancy himself points out) that while the equipment is no less sophisticated (in some cases coming off of the same procurement shelves) the Corps effectiveness has always been the result of the quality of it's People. Along with an in-depth view of the MEU (SOC), Marine gives a good overview of the development of the individual. I feel that this book truly captured the essence of what it means to be a Marine. Semper Fi!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What will Tom Clancy think of next, January 2, 2000

By 

Brian S Siebert - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Tom Clancy's Military Reference) (Paperback)

After hearing about this book, I finally chose to read it. However, the circumstances in which i read were unusual. I am currently attached to the 31st MEU(SOC) on Okinawa, Japan, and i read this book on the USS Fort McHenry. We were underway from Crocodile '99, and exercise we do in australia. And i must say, even though i am a Marine infantryman/marksmanship/MOUT/weapons instructor this book opened my eyes. It is amazing what a MEU is capable of. It is the answer to Congress' prayers for a cost effective, easily depolyable, powerful, and flexible tool to secure the United States' foreign policies. I'd like to thank Tom Clancy for a job well done, and I would have to agree with one of my fellow Marines when i say this would make an awesome movie. Semper Fi!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid look at a special Marine unit, March 20, 2002

By 

Michael C. Hedrick (Annandale, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Tom Clancy's Military Reference) (Paperback)

"Marine" is one of a series of Clancy's nonfiction books about particular groups of note in the U.S. military. In this book he surveys what it means to be a U.S. Marine, which he calls the best general-purpose troops in the world. In particular, he examines the MEU (SOC) - a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) - a team of Marines and naval amphibious ships that can be among the first major American military groups to arrive at a trouble spot in force.
Specifically, Clancy covers the history, training, weapons, tools and transportation of a MEU (SOC), plus an excellent and insightful look at actual group training and deployment. The uniquely Clancy contribution, however, is that he was able to get an interview with the then-Commandant of the Marine Corps, and adds two short stories on how a MEU (SOC) could work in a hypothetical conflict.
Overall, this is an extensive look at a particularly important type of Marine unit without being dry or dull. Note that Clancy doesn't provide a truly in-depth look at the Corp's history, and I found the description of ships and vehicles to be on the long side sometimes and wanted more info on basic and specialized Marine training, but it's a solid edition to any collection of military nonfiction.