Customer Reviews

Point Man

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I read this book in its hardcover edition, when it first came out in 1993. At that time I was a "Rogue Warrior" buff and thats how I first heard of the legendary Jim Watson. I first learned of his book from Watson himself when briefly talking to him on the phone at the UDT/SEAL museum at Fort Pierce, FL in late 92 or early 93. I eagerly awaited this book to come out, then special ordered it from the local book store (this was before the Internet).

I found "Point Man" an interesting book, full of action but I could see how it would only be interesting if you are a SEAL fan. To someone who is not into the SEALs or SOF, it would probably be really boring. I found Watson's descriptions of the "original east coast SEALs" in the early to mid sixties interesting. What an interesting subculture of the Navy.

I knew that the east coast SEALs trained regularly in Tidewater, Virginia's Great Dismal Swamp. But until I read Watson's book I had no idea the SEALs of his era trained in the swamps of the Black River in Southeastern, NC. While the Uwharrie mountains of central NC were the training grounds for the sixties era Green Berets, the Great Dismal Swamp and Black River era of North Carolina were the riverine training grounds for the east coast Vietnam era SEALs

Full of little stories about the original east coast SEALs, it truly illustrates the laid back confidence, devil may care, "Marlboro man" mentality of the Vietnam era SEALs. Watson was in SOF long before it was popular, in fact he was in it when SOF was actually unpopular.

Watson describes many of the unique SEAL schools he attended. Among the self described hardest was the USMC's SERE or "escape and evasion" school. Watson, along with other original sixties era SEALs, were placed in a simulated Asian communist POW camp at the Marine Corp's mountain warfare school in the Sierra Nevada mountains of CA. There, he underwent some seriously evil training that probably could have been described as flat out sadistic. Back in those days, the Marines were the toughest hombres in the US military and corporal punishment was still legal in the Marines. Physical and psychological abuse in the USMC was rampant in those days and from his comments, Watson obviously didnt care for it.

The only thing that I didnt like was how Watson obviously is actually proud of his alcoholism. He has this in common with Richard Marcinko. The book is peppered with little stories and comments about booze. Alcoholism doesnt impress me. I would have left out most of the stories about booze.

I actually met Jim Watson a year after reading his book. While visiting the UDT/SEAL museum in Fort Pierce, FL in 1994 he was there as curator. I got to shake his hand and got his autograph. He tried to sell me a copy of his book, but I told him I had already read his book.

All in all a great story of the original east coast Navy SEALs, from the plankowner days of the early sixties to the end of Vietnam in the early seventies.

I read "Point Man" and "Walking Point" with great interest. I have looked at quite a lot of SEAL literature, and find that these two books stand out above all the rest of the genre. You wanna know about SEALS? Read about the Chief himself in Point Man and Walking Point!!! I have met the Man and am glad to report he is a REAL DEAL SEAL! He also wrote 3 works of SEAL fiction that will keep your adrenaline pumping from page to page! (Top Secret series 1-3, and a 4th being developed for July 99) Good going, Chief "Patches" Watson!!

Written in much the same style as the Richard Marcinko biography Rogue Warrior, Point Man takes the reader through UDT training, the founding of seal team two and three tours of vietnam. The similarity of the stories told in this book to those in Marcinko's Rogue Warrior only confirm their authenticity.

For fans of military stories, this would be a great addition to your library. Chief Watson, who was first made known through Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior book now speaks of his experiences in the military, spanning 30 years of service in the Navy. He vividly recounts dangerous operations and battle stories in the jungles of Vietnam that were routine to his group of Seals. For fans of the Rogue Warror series, he gives his personal prospective of serving under or for Mr. Marcinko, a perspective that you can tell is rooted in respect. No real surprises here for fans of military reading, just great stories, colorful characters and knowledge that America is lucky to have guys like this defending our country.

Chief Watson's commentary on his operations in Vietnam are enlightening and very well related to the reader. Of the 100+ books I have on Vietnam and special forces, this is one of my favourites. I also recommend "A Rumor of War" by Philip Caputo and anything by Gary Linderer or Kregg Jorgenson.

I think that this is a great book! One of the best I have ever read. It tells you a great deal about the Navy SEALs and their adventures in Nam! I hope to become a SEAL someday soon, and hope to work with people such as those described in the book. I liked it so much that I contacted Chief Petty Officer Watson telling him just that.

I thought this book was great portrayal of the Vietnam war. James Watson was a great Author in this book and I would like to thank him for his inspiration because this book really touched me that almost no other book could. Is there any way i could get Chief Watson email address so i could contact him thanks?

An excellent book. It encompasses 30 years of experience, information about assignments, and survival in combat missions that ordinary people never know. Military operations require unique skills, if you are interested in learning what those skills are, then read this book.

Chief Watson has shown the core of what it means to be a TEAM Member. Then he takes you to the most feared and respected position in a Fire Team, POINT MAN. Enjoy

This book is not only entertaining (and it is very much that), but it is also inspirational.. We as a nation in these times need to be reminded of the sacrifice made on our behalf by our 'United States Service Men' (past and present). Do yourself a favor buy this book, read it and give thanks for Patriots such as 'QMCS James Watson'...