16-03-2009

A NIGHT DRIVE--"Out past the wire" and beyond with the US Marines in Vietnam.  As posted by BDoherty on Barnes&Noble.com February 22, 2009.

In his first novel Brackeen takes us to the bleeding edge of combat and beyond.  Many novels have been written about Vietnam, but what makes this one truly unique, is that it is neither a morality lesson, nor a fantasy of war.  It is however, a rare firsthand account that will take you "out past the wire" and beyond.  Readers who have no like experience will find the book a valuable history lesson and a close-up look at those who gave all.  Those who share a similar experience may gain a whole new perspective regarding their own role, as it will be obvious to the reader that Brackeen's unique 'mustang'status in the US MARINES allowed him to experience the mindset
of both enlisted ranks and officer staff, having served as both.  Brackeen is gifted with keen perception to see well beyond the obvious and has the ability to precisely sum up the situation in as few words as it is possible.  I would sum up this author and his first novel, 'A Night Drive' in one word.  REAL.


Don't start this unless you have time to finish it.  As posted by Dennis E. Jones 'Sergeant Rock' on Amazon.com February 28, 2009.

A friend gave me this and I read it in one sitting.  Brackeen and I crossed paths 30 years ago when we were dory fishermen in Newport, OR.  His tours sandwiched mine, and I was just over the hill from where he was wounded.  This is a raw, telling of the breathless momentum of combat, and the tedium and politics of its before and after.  It exposes it's heroics, corruption, and terror to the light of hindsight.  War is a hell which nobody wins, and yet the charade marches on.


. . .lousy war, fine book.  As posted by Richard Kennedy on Amazon.com February 18, 2009.

I liked especially the combat detail, or the humping, small things like filling canteens, going without socks, pasing through little villages, an old man offering water, and especially the wounded woman sniper they had to leave behind, and altogether those many details I'll never know because it's a way I'll never be, to quote Hemingway, and while I'm at that, the first sentence is as clean as anything Papa ever wrote.  And altogether very well written.  Another example of a fine book coming out of a lousy war.