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Combat Ops (2011)

by Peter Telep(Favorite Author)

3.95 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1101477849 (ISBN13: 9781101477847)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Berkley

series

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon

review 1: This is the first book that I've read for myself within a month so for me it's quite an accomplishment. For most of the story it has that thrill a minute type of writing which keeps you intrigued into it and it really kept me interested. I believe that it was one of those stories that I couldn't put it down. It has a few betrayals, lots of gun fights, a little bit of hand to hand combat (basically its my kind of book) and I loved every minute of it. It may be a little over exaggerated but I think that's what I liked most about it. This was my second time reading this book, but the first time I read it was maybe 2 years ago so I forgot a lot that happened and I had just read the first book of the series so I figured I wanted to read the series in order and that's what I pla... moren on doing. Overall this book is very enjoyable and I would read it again after some time has passed. Recommended
review 2: “Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Combat Ops” by Grant Blackwood adds a whole new level of realism than the prequel. It gets past the glamour of war and got down and dirty with the true effects of war. Soldiers not only fight the enemy, but war itself. War brutally beats down soldiers until they can barely function, until they are barely human.Through the eyes of Captain Scott Mitchell, Blackwood takes us on a journey through the struggles of a Special Forces captain in Afghanistan. The point of view of Captain Mitchell made me feel like I was going through the same experiences and feelings as him. It showed me how tough war is on a fighter in the field.There was so much tension between all the different parties that were involved, even ones that we on the same side. It showed the struggle of all the leaders of the different groups there, each with their own agenda. First you have Captain Mitchell and Captain Simon Harruck, both American soldiers located at Forward Operating Base Eisenhower. However, they both have different goals. These goals counter each other, making it difficult for one to act without ruining the other. Then add in the locals that also have their own needs, led by Malik Kochai Kundi, a village elder. Between Mitchell, Harruck and Kundi is a vicious circle that makes everything way more complicated, and prevents them from reaching their goals.I enjoyed Blackwood’s use of humor as reality throughout the book. Ramirez was going crazy and “he shrugged, then squinted toward the setting sun. “This place…it’s driving me crazy.” [Mitchell] nodded. “It’s the sand. Just gets everywhere. Shower doesn't even help…” [Ramirez] sighed. “No way to get clean. Not here” (267). This was a great way to add more realism into the story line. The war has led these two soldiers to the edge, and they just need a distraction, even for only a moment.The resolution of the story brought it all home for me. With all that he has been through, it does bring a satisfied conclusion. Here sat Mitchell, convincing himself that his life, his job, everything, was still worth it. That everything he went through not only in the ‘Stan, but in his career as a soldier since day one, was somehow worth all he put into it. Then he pulls out a letter from a young boy that still believed in him and the United States for what they were fighting for. That being a soldier was a great honor.Mitchell shows this to General Keating in the end, and questions just what has the meaning of being a soldier become. This is where I agree with 08andreb’s review on Oct. 10, 2011. They state that “At some parts in this book you’re not sure which characters are the good guys and which are the bad guys, which helps Scott learn that war is not black and white.” This was very true to me, as Mitchell questions whether he is the good soldier that he thought he was, or were his actions turning him into the bad guy, and was he really doing the right thing. War is not black and white; there are no clear good guys or bad guys. Just gray and a whole load of people forced into fighting for what they believe is right.War is harsh, and in the end the heroes we made soldiers out to be are men and women, who have emotions like everyone else. They are broken down emotionally and physically. We cheer and show our love, but what they go through we will never understand. This book is a great read and I recommend it for anyone who really wants to get a feel for what war really is, rather than what we made it out to be. less

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