The Double Agents (Men at War) by W.E.B. Griffin, William E. Butterworth IV Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Double Agents (Men at War)
Book Review: Slightly disappointing
Summary: 3 Stars
First of all I admit it I am a 'Griffinoholic' I run out at lunchtime on the day one of his books comes out to get it. I then stop all leisure activity for the next day or so and read it straight through. It doesn't matter which of his series (Though I quietly hope for another in 'THE CORPS' series). The 'Men At War' series that this book is a part of is not at the top of my list. That said I was disappointed with this installment. Like any continuing drama it has to spend some time setting the stage for those who are just joining (as well as reminding the faithful where we were at the end of last years installment) but I found myself on page 143 (of 333) wondering if the new material was ever going to get out of 1st gear. When we did get into 'the mission' it was pretty complete, including the trademark segments of mental thoughts of Canidy (The main protaginist in this volume) but when I got to page 333 I was wondering where the rest of the book was! This storyline had so much more potential. There was one side trip along the way but nothing that compared in complexity to the usual intertwined plots that I have come to expect (and enjoy) from WEB Griffin. So as an addicted reader I got my fix but it didn't produce the same enjoyable high that I have come to expect and crave.Book Review: Somewhat disappointing (especially the details)
Summary: 3 Stars
First let me say that I really enjoy Griffin's work. I have copies of everything he has published and have read them all several times with enjoyment each time. BUT "The Double Agents" spends too much time bringing readers up on what's been happening in the series and nowhere near enough time on moving the plot forward. There was also a notable lack of research in this one. One detail that was especially annoying to this reader was the constant references to the metric system of measurements being used in England during World War II. England used the "Imperial" system of measurements (yards, feet, miles, etc) during World War II and for many years after that. Overall this book is still Griffin, BUT not enough Griffin.Book Review: Tedious
Summary: 1 Stars
Tedious, stilted and misleading are some of the words that can be used to describe this book. The authors, presumably, assume that the reader is not familiar with one of the most often told deception stories of WWII, "The Man Who Never Was." They tell it again, practically without change. It must be fairly true or someone is violating a copyright. Major Martin is packed in ice,readied and launched from a sub off the coast of Spain carrying messages indicating that the next move is against Greece, not Sicily. The retelling is nothing more than an attempt to drop the names of Ian Fleming, David Niven and Peter Ustinov, who had nothing to do with it. To have phony intimate love letters from an English girl to the good Major written by an American woman just arrived in London to work for the OSS and edited by a ditsy Duchess is ridiculous. In addition, the first rule of keeping secrets, restricting knowledge to those who have a real need to know, is not only violated in this tale, it is consigned to the dust bin of espionage. Discussion of what would have been a very tightly held plan is conducted as if one of the royals was getting married and wanted everyone to know it. That might not be too bad, if one is considering giving a novelist a little slack in order to enjoy the story, but here the dialog is so sophomoric and often irrelevant that it is truly hard to keep slogging away hoping to find a kernel of insight into what the title promises, the OSS. If the authors were to say that this book is a spoof on some of the more stupefying WWII novels they might be accused of being advocates of truth in labeling.
Joseph Kanon, Alan Furst, Robert Wilson and others have written engaging novels about espionage in Europe in the 40's that ring true and provide some insight into little known events of the war. They have an eye for the choices that people under extraordinary stress have to make and the ability to convey their turmoil in believable dialog. This book does not come close. The American protagonist is a fantasy character, nothing touches him. You know the type, he doesn't miss any shots and talks tough. The two German officers, who open the book and introduce its focus, nerve gas on a ship in the harbor at Palermo presumably to be used to defend Sicily, are ignored for the balance of the book. The Sicilians who aid the Americans are stick figures. It's a chore to get through it.
I have not read any of the authors' previous books but assume from the comments of other reviewers, that they are interesting. If that is the case, readers should not start with this one.
Book Review: Tedious at best
Summary: 1 Stars
I too am a hugh Griffin fan. I've re-read the Brotherhood of War series several times and most of the others at least twice.
I found this book to be tedious reading at best. Usually I read 'em in 2 days. This one took about a week and I was bored to tears half the time I was reading it. If you must read it, get it at the library. It's not worth the money.
Let's have a return to the old style of writing.
Book Review: The Double Agents
Summary: 5 Stars
As usual, W.E.B. Griffin, along with William Butterworth IV, has given the readers another enthralling war novel.