Customer Reviews

Tin Soldiers

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, with all the weirdness that tends to result in nations going to war, I can't say the premise of the book is off. In fact, looking at recent events, maybe not so far off the track at all.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I believe the characters were well thought out, not one dimensional as is the case in some books where action takes precedence over character development. Not perfect, but very well done.

The technical aspects seem to be right on the money, at least as far as I can tell from additional research on various military websites. My only complaint is that no author seems to feel the need to explain just what a specific unit designation means, ie: Battilion 2/64 etc. I have never been able to figure this out, but I am sure that to an Army trained person it is obvious. That is my only complaint.

To put it simply, go out and buy this book. Steal it if you must, but it is a terrific read. Well worth the money.

I served 12 years as an Armor officer and it is refreshing to read a fivtion novel written by an Armor officer because I know it will be full of facts and not assumptions of how the military operates.

This book is an outstanding read and a real page turner. I read the whole thing in two days and craved more after the last page.

I hope the author finds the time to write another novel concerning tank warfare. If he does I will be the first one in line to get it.

I saw this at a local bookstore, and thought it looked interesting. A book about the next gulf war, while we were fighting in Iraq. I started reading it and couldn't stop. Like the classic Team Yankee, this book covers the war from the perspective of one unit fighting in it. You don't realy hear all that's happening elsewhere, but the detail from makes up for it.

An astounding first novel from Michael Farmer. A very possible war as seen from the point of view of the soldiers, at the company level, and occasionaly at the brigade level.

It compares very well to Harold Coyle's "Team Yankee". It is about the soldiers themselves, the fighting troops who get their hands dirty doing the actual work. This book keeps you focussed on the battle at hand.

"Tin Soldiers" also has a touch of Ralph Peter's "Red Army" to it, in that it takes the odd unexpected twist. What if American troops are outnumbered and vulnerable to their enemies weapons?

I can't wait for his next book.

As a veteran of Desert Storm, where I served in 1st Armored Division, I have to say this book is a great ride. The dialogue makes it obvious that Farmer isn't faking this, he has talked this talk, and the action is edge-of-your-seat stuff.

He takes a few "what-ifs," spins them together with what he knows, and the reader gets to experience armored warfare in a brutally vivid way.

I highly recommend this book. A real keeper. I look forward to his next book.

Mr Farmer's first foray into military fiction is a fast paced enjoying read. Although the events of the past few years have rendered the plot premise obsolete, for the time it was written it was plausible and possible.

The events depicted within the book lead to another war with Iraq, although this time Saddam Hussein has been replaced by another leader and he has forged an alliance with Iran. The US forces in theatre must take on the might of a reorganized and rearmed Iraqi army. The US forces are outnumbered, out gunned and far from friendly support.

The American reinforced heavy armored brigade must fight to keep the Iraqi army from taking over Kuwait and potentially threatening Saudi Arabia. Which, to the US is one of the "very bad things" that could happen.

Mr Farmer tells a good tale, with the technical details being spot on. The weapons and tactics are believable and in the battles he writes, Americans fail and die, which makes it more believable. I enjoyed the book enough to by the sequel.

A novel about armored warfare by a writer who knows armor. Michael Farmer talks the talk and walks the walk. He is a tanker and knows the beast. His novel put me right back in the tank, hearing the sounds of the vibrating steel, the whomp of the main gun, the pungent smell of burnt cordite, the sight of enemy armor in the gunsite, the bark of fire commands. It's a book I couldn't put down. I loved every minute of it. God help me but I miss the steel beasts. A retired Tanker.

Dialogs are poor, plot is weird, this is not as the same level of people like Clancy when he was at the top. Bond, Felices are MUCH better writers and at least know how to write dialogs that are not corny.
There is a ton of books you should read before this...

A good read. Don't be mislead by the blurb on the back of the book eluding to Captain Dillon. HE and his men are there but the story encompasses the whole command structure from the commander in chief on down

I found this book hard to put down. Riveting action and well-defined characters written by a professional US Army officer.
His descriptions of armor tactics and equipment are right on. I am looking forward to seeing more from Michael Farmer as he has that rare quality: a natural storyteller. As a retired US Army Sergeant Major I am happy to endorse his work as authentic and highly entertaining.