Point Man: Inside the Toughest and Most Deadly Unit in Vietnam by a Founding Member of the Elite Navy Seals [Hardcover]

James Watson (Author), Kevin Dockery (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1993

The first personal history of the elite US Navy SEALS presents Watson's firsthand account of the deadly unit from its inception in 1962 to the present. Decorated with four Bronze Stars, Watson led his men through Vietnam's jungles and swamps, staying alert to trip wires, booby traps, and punji pits. Photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Watson led a Navy SEAL unit through three harrowing Vietnam tours between 1967 and 1970, conducting raids, ambushes and prisoner-snatching missons. His memoir, written with freelancer Kevin Dockery, is packed with exciting behind-enemy-lines action sequences, and readers will find the pre-Vietnam material--dealing with the rigorous training the SEALs had to endure--engrossing as well. The narrative, however, is replete with seemingly exaggerated anecdotes glorifying the pluck of the enlisted man: "We'll be all right, Admiral. Just keep the three Bs coming." "And what might those be, son?" "Beer, bullets, and broads!" And Watson occasionally succumbs to delusions of grandeur: a lowly Navy Chief, he convinces himself that the entire State Department "wanted my head on a platter." Yet for all its macho hot air, this self-portrait of a sailor proud of his deadly accomplishments in the jungles and swamps of the Mekong Delta is highly entertaining. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

After reading this work, one understands why the U.S. Navy SEALS (Sea, Air, Land Commandos) are considered to be the best special forces in the world. The book tells the story of the formation of the SEALS and their baptism by fire in Vietnam as seen by chief petty officer Watson, who is a "plank owner," or founding member of the SEALS. The book's title comes from Watson's habit of taking the dangerous lead on patrols during his three tours of duty in Vietnam. His account is as exciting to read as any military thriller. For the lay reader, Watson does a good job of explaining military terms and slang used by the SEALS. This book would make a good companion to SEAL teammate Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior ( LJ 9/1/92) and E.J. Jernigan's Tin Can Man ( LJ 2/1/93), other histories of navy enlisted men during wartime. Recommended for most libraries and strongly recommended for libraries with military sciences collections.
- Terry Wirick, Erie Cty. Lib. System, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; 1st edition (August 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688122124
• ISBN-13: 978-0688122126
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb!, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Point Man: Inside the Toughest and Most Deadly Unit in Vietnam by a Founding Member of the Elite Navy Seals (Hardcover)

You could almost imagine what it was like being in 'Nam - hear the ruffle of the leaves, smell the sweat, feel the dampness of the ground and hear the crickets. Read it alone at night and you could easily imagine Charlies waiting to spring a surprise on you. No regrets getting this book!