Papa Bravo Romeo : U.S. Navy Patrol Boats in Vietnam

Rating:
Summary: Sour Grapes
Review: Mr. Goldsmith sounds like he had a bone to pick with members of Naval Special Warfare. It wasn't enough for him to denigrate these fine warriors, but he has to refer to them as a**holes and such for failing to wear flak jackets and steel pots. In my short service on the brown waters of Vietnam, I NEVER saw any personality problems between SEALs or UDTs and the boat crews. As far as I could tell, we seemed to be on one sheet of music, the death knell of the VC, who used the rivers to resupply and attack us from. The fact that Goldsmith has changed some names in there for fear of being sued over remarks he made about one particular SEAL Officer, tells me that he had an agenda against the Teams. There are enough men who have read this book to easily figure out who he was referring to when he mentions LTJG Rickman. One should not write a book and then duck for cover, expecting fallout from it. It is most unfortunate that a person chooses to slam other warriors in a public manner such as this. It can only be expected to come back and bite them where the sun doesn't shine.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent counter to a popular myth...
Review: Papa Bravo Romeo audio cassette was most exciting. I felt almost like I was part of the action. When the PBRs (patrol boat river) were on the river, or smaller waterways, I was reluctant to take listening breaks, as I did not want to wait to hear what action might be around the next bend. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys an action packed story, would like to learn about this type of navy warfare, or to bring back memories of their own war experience. I give Wynn Goldsmith's graphic personal "river rat" Vietnam warfare account a five star rating.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting Navy "River Rat" Warfare in Vietnam
Review: Papa Bravo Romeo audio cassette was most exciting. I felt almost like I was part of the action. When the PBRs (patrol boat river) were on the river, or smaller waterways, I was reluctant to take listening breaks, as I did not want to wait to hear what action might be around the next bend. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys an action packed story, would like to learn about this type of navy warfare, or to bring back memories of their own war experience. I give Wynn Goldsmith's graphic personal "river rat" Vietnam warfare account a five star rating.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent counter to a popular myth...
Review: Wynn Goldsmith's memoir has interesting personal insights and stories. Seeing the brown water navy from the point of view of junior officer provides for an exceptional perspective. Perhaps the BEST PART of this book is what he does to counter a popular myth that has been perpetuated by recent trends in publishing. Mr. Goldsmith contends that too much has been made of the contribution of SEALs to the TF116 effort. Based on historical numbers of personnel and operations conducted, it is safe to say that the SEALs, while contributing greatly to the war effort, have been over-represented in the book stores. Mr. Goldsmith's book is a fine, personal reminder of what the cold facts already say; most of the sailors who went to Vietnam to fight were regular fleet personnel who volunteered to serve their country in a unique way. Their story needs to be told in books like this. Well done.

Rating:
Summary: PBR
Review: Wynn Goldsmith's words flowed off the pages into your mind as if you are there and can share with the patrol boat crew the shear terror and adrenaline rush of tracer bullet exchanges with the Viet Cong. The narrative is so riveting that the pages and time go by until the whole book is devoured. Goldsmith writes very fluidly and vividly and he did a very good job here.