Windtalkers (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Max Allan Collins (Author) "GUADALCANAL WAS NO PAGE OUT OF A TRAVEL BROCHURE..." (more)
Key Phrases: dungaree shirt, second squad, gunnery sergeant, Ben Yahzee, Joe Enders, Second Recon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the brutal fires of war, two men come together from different worlds. Joe Enders is a haunted warrior plagued by guilt, the only man to survive a terrifying bloodbath on the Tarawa Atoll. Ben Yahzee is a "codetalker," a gentle, proud Navajo who transmits secret military code created from his Native American tongue -- a language the Japanese enemy cannot decipher. One Marine fighting his demons and another battling prejudice and his own inner fears, their lives are joined in the most horrific hell of the war-torn Pacific.

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; Illustrated. edition (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060000961
• ISBN-13: 978-0060000967
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #263,437 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 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)

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 4 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 "alstgeorge" (Holt, MI United States) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	John (UK) - See all my reviews

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.