Call to Arms (Corps) (Hardcover)

by W.E.B. Griffin (Author) "Ensign E. H. Murphy, USN, had planned the flight of his Consolidated Aircraft PBY5 Catalina to Wake Island with great care..." (more)
Key Phrases: sainted widow, new service record, separate battalion, Marine Corps, Ernie Sage, Colonel Carlson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The attack on Pearl Harbour swept America into the heart of World War II. The stormy South Pacific presented a daring new challenge, and the men of the Marine Corps were ready to fight. A story of lovers and fighters, leaders and heroes.

From the Publisher
10 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd (January 28, 1993)
• ISBN-10: 0727844172
• ISBN-13: 978-0727844170
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,733,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Military Adventure at it's best!!, May 7, 2001

By	Rodger Raubach (Converse County ,WY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Corps, Book 2: Call To Arms (Paperback)

This is the first volume of eight in "The Corps" series by W.E.B.Griffin , and is probably one of the best volumes. It is without doubt a wonderful intro to the writings of Mr. Griffin.

The setting of the novel is Shanghai, China in early 1941 , before the onset of U.S. involvement in the hostilities known as World War II. We are first introduced to corporal Kenneth McCoy , a bright 21 year old Marine who has just "shipped over" for a second enlistment in the Marine Corps. After McCoy defends himself from the assault by a group of Italian Marines , by skillful use of a knife , he becomes known as "Killer" McCoy. Captain Edward Banning enters the series as the intelligence officer of th 4th Marines assigned to help McCoy as his defense officer at a Court Martial for killing the Italians. After "Killer" McCoy is cleared , Banning enlists Ken as an assistant in collecting intelligence on the Japanese army that is occupying China. Sergeant Ernest Zimmerman is a motor pool NCO who operates convoys to various Marine installations in the vicinity of Shanhai ; McCoy is subsequently assigned to the convoys to collect information for Banning , using his lowly status for cover. The Japanese provoke another incident wherin McCoy kills a number of "Chinese baandits" with Zimmerman , which results in his transfer back the the U.S.

Unbeknownst to McCoy , he was selected by Captain Sessions , who met Ken on the convoys ,to be run through an officers's course at Quantico. While at Quantico, Ken meets Malcom "Pick" Pickering who continues to play a major role in later novels, as well as his romantic interest in the person of Earnestine "Ernie" Sage.

As one may have concluded at this point , the volume is crucial to anyone contemplating reading any of the later episode in the series , since almost all the major characters are introduced in "Call to Arms".

I have read this book 3 or 4 times over a ten year period and never tire of it. Well written with excellent character development. Briskly paced with good continuity. All in all--one of my favorite books. Five stars plus!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars summer recruiting, August 25, 2005

By	jjlaw "jjlaw" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Corps, Book 2: Call To Arms (Paperback)

OK so it's not Tolstoy and also clearly is about as close to actual Marine life circa 1940 as Beijing is to San Diego, but hey sit back on the yacht (like Killer and his girl Ernie) and pour an inch of Famous Grouse and indulge. Everyone in the series gets drunk, laid and promoted, often at the same time. Priceless (now on book six, probably my last).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book was Great, April 25, 2002

By	Daniel L. (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Corps, Book 2: Call To Arms (Paperback)

I'm a thirteen year old that like to read and this is one of the best sequals that I have ever read. Usually the first book is really good but the second one stinks. Not in this case I finished this book last week and started the third book which seems to be every bit as promising as this one. I highly suggest that you read this book even if you aren't that familiar with this era; after this book you will be.