Customer Reviews

Rifleman Dodd (Great War Stories)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a classic tale of one man's fight against the enemy. I was pleased to see that it was reprinted. A British rifleman has been cut off behind enemy lines by the French advance into Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars. The British Army was pushed back to a last line of defense. The rifleman continues to do what he can to stop the French advance, with no hope for personal recognition or rewards (no banners, no bands), and a slim chance of survival. Highly trained to do his duty, he takes to the woods, scouts the enemy, and carries out hit and run raiding.

The novel is a study of one man's commitment to duty taking precedence over his own personal survival. It shows how one man with ability, courage, and initiative can make a difference to the outcome of a war. Rifleman Dodd is placed at the turning of the tide.

For years I have heard of this book, but it was unavailable. It is a worthy addition to your library.

This work is notable from three points of view. First, as others have noted it is a military story about partisan warfare, spirit and dedication. Dodd is a model soldier, a wonderful example.

Next, it is a painless primer on the Peninsular War. What was it like? Not too nice. (Sharps's Gold also deals with this war.)

Finally, it is a standalone book by Forester, the writer of the Hornblower series. Those of us who love Hornblower learn more about the author and the art of writing by seeing such a different work.

A good book for the military professional. An excellent thriller for teenaged boys. An interesting sidelight for the Hornblower fan.

Just thought I'd add that Bernard Cornwell cites this book as his favorite Forester and the inspiration for his Sharpe novels, also about a British Rifleman, mainly in Spain 1809-1815. As a matter of fact, Dodd appears as a minor character under Sharpe's command in, I think, SHARPE'S RIFLES.

It's been at least a decade since I last read this book, so I don't recall all the details. But my memory is that Dodd is just a shade TOO heroic. On the other hand, he's an excellent illustration of Forester's recurring theme of the way overlooked individuals can change the course of history. (My personal favorites on this theme by Forester: THE GUN and BROWN ON RESOLUTION, aka SINGLE-HANDED.) I also think it's important to remember the novel tells a parallel story too: the saga of French Sgt. Godinot and his platoon, who are killed off one-by-one during their encounters with Dodd and Portuguese guerrillas. Their hair-raising experiences as members of an occupying army in a land swarming with ferocious irregulars gave me pause about the American efforts in Vietnam when I first read RIFLEMAN DODD back in the 1960s (and causes similar thoughts about our current occupation in Iraq; sure hope I'm wrong about that).

Forester's style depends a lot on understatement, and it pays off in the final pages. Having returned at last to his unit at the end, Dodd gazes at guerrilla campfires in the hills, and Forester deadpans that in one of them the guerrillas are burning Sgt. Godinot to death. There's also a paragraph that gives a poignant flash of the rifleman's later life, describing him as a "querulous, bald-headed old boozer" sitting by the stove in drunken old age, who can never quite tell his adventures in a coherent way. It's very touching, and that paragraph by itself is almost worth the price.

RIFLEMAN DODD is a great, understated adventure book.

Appropriate reading for Marines. (The book is on the Commandant's Professional Reading List, --A good choice) Rifleman Dodd's example personifies what clear thinking during times of extreme hardship and war can produce. Dodd continued to function and fight, showing great resourcefulness and the virtues of patience, leadership, and marksmanship. It is what Marine warrior training is all about. Cut off from his rifle unit he continued to fight and function. He protected himself utilizing terrain and land navigation techniques to his advantage. His ability to live off the land, care of his rifle, and marksmanship skills to wreck havoc and destruction on the enemy are commendable. Dodd exemplifies what one trained rifleman can accomplish under extremely harsh conditions. While the setting takes place in the Napoleonic Wars and behind enemy lines the circumstances are applicable to modern warfare and life in general. It's the Marine creed of dedication to duty and time honored principals that are personified in the performance of Dood's duty at the lowest ranking level. The book is well written but could use a glossary of terms used in those times that would make it even more understandable. Look up what you don't understand. Excellent reading choice when you think things are not going right for you. (Fits nice in pack) Good gift item for military personnel. Recommended and purchased for friends who are contemplating enlisting in USMC. Lt. Gary L. "snook" Hoffman, Director of Training and Education. CCSO.
Former Sergeant USMC.

I first read this book when I was a young PFC in the Marines. It is one of the best novels I have ever read. I have since left the Corps and am an Infantry Officer in the Army and I still recommend this book to young soldiers and officers. It is a great tale of one man taking the fight to the enemy because of his understanding of commanders intent and is a true Warrior. The style of writing is dated but I could not put it down. If you are looking for a book full of blood and guts you probably arent mature enough for this book and will obviously think it to be a dry read and boring. But if you are a student of concept and understanding, then you will definitely enjoy.

C.S. Forester wrote one of the best books about the individual fighting man in war. His great storytelling style is entertaining and his admiration of the enlisted foot soldier is refreshing. This book is not only one of my personal favorites, it is also on the U.S. Marine Corps Reading List. A must-read for anyone who served, is serving, or will serve in the military, and highly recommended for anyone who likes a great, historically accurate adventure story.

In today's super-sophisticated and computer-intensive world, this book appears to be an out-of-place dinosaur. The beauty of this book is that it reminds the readers of the simple fact that while high-technology can be a force-multiplier on the battlefield, it does no good unless the troops are properly trained and know how and when to take the initiative and especially when they may find themselves cut off from their units, surrounded by enemy forces, and stripped of all but their basic weapons and individual survival skills. Rifleman Dodd shows how one effective and dedicated man can make a big difference despite the odds against him.

This book is one of the few books I like to read over and over again. Forester's genius becomes clear when you can make easy connections between Dodd's experiences and the actions of our troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

An Excellent story of an english rifleman during the napoleonic wars. Author writes how a soldier who gets separated from his unit continues to wage war and destruction on the enemy as he tries to be reunited with his unit. A great book, especially for anyone in the military today. A recommended book on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' reading list

A great tribute to the idea of duty and honor for its own sake. Like the book "Message to Garcia", but only better. This book tells the story of a lowly Army (Private) Rifleman, who by no fault of his own is left on his own. So instead of curling up and giving up, he elects to go bravely forth and creates a nightmare for the French. (Anyone who gives the French a hard time can't be all bad in my book!)
A 1st rate book for those who want to do the right thing in life !

I first read about "Rifleman Dodd" on the Commandant of the Marine Corps reading list. Dodd is a British soldier who is separated from his unit during the Napoleonic Wars, and must endure cold, thirst and hunger, all while trying to fight his way back to friendly lines. His training, motivation, and dedication to duty all take over to help him overcome his personal war. Aside from those underlying principles which the book tries to show the reader, its a great story. Any one who has gone to, or plans to go to USMC boot camp, or any of the services should read this book.

"Rifleman Dodd" has been on the Marine Corps Commandant's Reading List for some time for troop education. I read the book, but found the style a little bit dry. When I was in the Marines, I noticed my peers and younger troops could barely make it through the book. While the book's protagonist exemplifies an outstanding soldier and has the qualities all troops - from airmen to Marines - should exemplify, this book isn't ideal for young troops (about 17-22) because most of them will find reading it is more of a task than a joy.

On the good side, despite the fact that this is the Napoleanic Era, Dodd's soldierly qualities are as relevant now as they were then. Just as the army dies on the inside before it's crushed by the outside, so does the individual soldier. Dodd shows incredible resolve and optimism in his quest to rejoin the unit and give the French hell along the way.

I found troops were much more interested in books that were more contemporary with a little more action, like "The Bridge at Dong-Ha." This book's protag was real, not fictional, so I think it's even a better read for troops than "Rifleman Dodd." There's more action, too.

-- JJ Timmins