Windtalkers [Mass Market Paperback]

Max Allan Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2001

WINDTALKERS, the newest action thriller from superstar director John Woo (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II, FACE/OFF, BROKEN ARROW) stars Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater and is set amid one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific theatre of World War II. Nicolas Cage stars as Joe Enders, a United States Marine fighting in World War II. Having demonstrated his phenomenal courage under fire, he is called back to headquarters and given a special assignment. The first part is open knowledge: he is to protect the squadron's ultra-valuable Navajo radioman (nicknamed "codetalker") during the invasion of Sai-pan, one of the last Pacific islands still held by the Japanese. So far, so good. But the second,top-secret part of his assignment is much darker: If his codetalker falls into Japanese hands, Enders is to kill him rather than risk the loss of the vital Marine radio code (based on the Navajo language). Under Jon Woo's masterful direction, WINDTALKERS takes the viewer back to relive some of the bloodiest and most dramatic battles of the last great war. As part of the Second Squadron, a mix of tough veterans and nervous rookies, the tormented Enders and Ben Yahzee, his soft-spoken but courageous codetalker, form an unlikely friendship. But this friendship will be tested again and again on the battlefield and off as their squadron sees some of the hardest and most terrifying fighting of this bloody battle.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Max Allan Collins has earned an unprecedented nine Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award nomination for his Nathan Heller historical thrillers. A Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award nominee in both fiction and nonfiction categories, Collins scripted the internationally syndicated comic strip "Dick Tracy" from 1917 to 1993. His previous ten novels include In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, and the New York Times bestselling Saving Private Ryan. His graphic novel Road to Perdition is the basis of a DreamWorks feature film starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, directed by Sam Mendes. Working as an independent filmmaker in his native Iowa, he has written and directed three features most recently the innovative Real Time: Siege at Lucas Street Market, a 2001 DVD release from Troma.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060000961
• ISBN-13: 978-0060000967
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Max Allan Collins is a New York Times bestselling author of original mysteries, a Shamus award winner and an experienced author of movie adaptions and tie-in novels. His graphic novel ROAD TO PERDITION was made into a major motion picture by Tom Hank's production company, Playtone.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DEEPLY MOVING., July 5, 2002

By 

"johnny_5" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windtalkers (Mass Market Paperback)

This book from start to finish was a rollercoaster of different feelings. Its jam-packed with descriptive battle sequences, from the first page the adrenalin just keeps on pumping throught out the book. How the characters interact with each other, and how they respect each other is so enjoyable to read and exciting. I really felt for the vast amount of likable and unlikable characters.
Haunted by the brutal battle on the island Guadacanal,where 'Joe Enders' (Nic Cage)was the only man of his unit to survive. Ender's is determined to get back into action and fight for his country, but with a badly damaged ear it doesn't look promising. But 'Rita' (Frances O'Connor), a nurse who is fond of Joe helps him cheat and passes his hearing test. Rita feels bad about her part in helping him cheat, but knows deep down that Joe really wants to go back. Rita feels very distant from Joe and wants to get closer to him. Joe is confused a deeply scarred by the effects of war is unsure what to feel towards this beutiful nurse.

In steps two native Navajo indians : 'Ben Yahzee' & 'Charlie Whitehorse'. Two marines called in to be used as codetalkers in the vital pacific battles. The Japanese were unable to decipher their native toungue and so were a great weapon for America. Joe finds out it his job to protect the 'code'. To his disappointment he acts as a bodyguard to Yahzee. But if he falls into enemy hands , Joe's job is to protect the 'code', in otherwards kill Yahzee.

The other marine assigned to protect Whitehorse is 'Anderson'. Both marines are musically talented and interact quickly. However Joe keeps a fair distant from Yahzee and only communicates when he has to. He doesn't want to get to close to a marine he may have to kill, he is already haunted by the marines that died brutally under his command when he was following strict orders on Guadacanal. Yahzee feels like an outsider , bullied by the other marines because of his race. Yahzee only finds comfort in his old friend Whitehorse. Yahzee is determined to befriend Joe and can't understand why he's so robotic and distant to him...

This is truely a brilliant read before the motion picture is released. All the characters are so interesting: Joe, the war-torn confused marine who lives in the past and feels sorry for himself all the time. Yazhee, the young intelligent soldier, very modern Navajo indian who's looking for a friend in Joe, with his wife and baby boy back home. Anderson, the lovable, funny , easy going guy who is the only guy who can share Joe's top secret mission. And Whitehorse the old traditional Navajo who believes strongly in his culture and religion, and gels well with Anderson.

The characters development between Joe & Yahzee and their relationship together is amusing at times, and interesting to read. The battle sequences on Saipan however are rather disturbing at times, and violent and very dramatic and exciting.

The end is unpredictable and brought a tear to my eye. Very moving and emotional ending. This book pays tribute to the brave soldiers and Navajo codetalkers especially, and feel they should be recognised for the vital role in the pacific...

Great book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Dreary Stuff, February 25, 2004

By 

David K. Taggart (Calhoun, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windtalkers (Mass Market Paperback)

To give credit where credit is due, there are some good action scenes, and the plot does more swiftly along the predictable course. But this is really rough going.

To begin with, they have jazzed up the actions of the Navajo codetalker. Instead of showing what they mainly did -- sending coded messages about important logistics, intelligence, and operations functions -- we are shown them as code-talking basic artillery fire missions at small-unit level. I guess it is more exciting to have them screaming the Navajo code for, "We need fire support, now!!!" than reciting, "We need 3000 howitzer shells within three days."

For the most part this is unojbectionable pulp -- barely edited (Marines wear "boondoggers"?).

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wind Talkers - It's even better than the movie., December 27, 2002

By 

Al St. George (Holt, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windtalkers (Mass Market Paperback)

I have gained a deep respect for the Navajo from the reading of Wind Talkers. We Americans of foreign lineage fail to appreciate our Indian brothers in this country. There is a cult of appreciation of Indians in Germany. When I was in Europe there was a highly publicised entertainment involving American Indians.

The book takes us from the jungles of Guadalcanal to the months of preparation for the invasion of Saipan. We learn that the Indians have dignity and pride and love of family. After reading the book I had an obsessive desire to see the movie. The movie was good, but the book was better.