Rating: 
Summary: A funny and accurate view of Army life
Review: "Pvt. Murphy's Law," by Mark Baker, is a collection of cartoons that follow the career of the young soldier of the title. The cartoons in this book actually tell a continuous story: Baker follows Murphy from his interview with a recruiter, through Basic Training, and through other milestones in the life of a young soldier. Thus, the book could actually be read as a graphic novel.I have served in the U.S. Army Reserve myself, and have been in a lot of the situations that are humorously depicted in this book. Baker's portrait of the Army is right on target, and very funny. Nearly half of the book is devoted to Murphy's experiences at Basic Training. It's especially entertaining to see new recruit Murphy responding to Army jargon as if it were a "foreign language" (as he calls it). Most of the key Basic Training elements are covered: first meeting with the drill sergeant, standing fire guard, going through the notorious gas chamber, etc. Murphy himself is a likeable character. He looks a little like a young, thin Homer Simpson, and occasionally has "Calvin and Hobbes"-like flights of imagination. I especially like the fact that Baker makes Murphy on the whole a good, enthusiastic soldier. Baker generally goes for realistic humor, not ... unbelievable laughs. The book is clearly geared towards an Army audience, and some non-veterans may be a little mystified at some of the Army jargon and abbreviations used throughout the book. But the overall charm of the book should overcome that potential cultural barrier. At any rate, "Pvt. Murphy's Law" would certainly make a great read for any veteran of the U.S. Army experience.
Rating:
Summary: Hooah!!! for Pvt. Murphy and Mark Baker
Review: Cartoonist Mark Baker has penned a wickedly funny and accurate portrait of Army life. Through Murphy's mishaps, misadventures, trials and triumphs Baker sheds light and provides some telling insights about how the average Joe sees the world. Pvt. Murphy represents a typical soldier. He starts off dumb and clueless, then learns the ropes of Army life and provides an often jaded but inevitably funny running commentary on everything that is wrong (and right) in the Army. He lampoons every target of opportunity in sight---incompetence, bureaucracy and the sheer inevitabilty of the fact that, despite his best efforts, Murphy always finds himself behind the eight-ball. The fact that Murphy maintains his optimism and patriotism against all odds is a tribute to Baker's skill as a cartoonist---and serves as well-deserved recognition to the real-life Murphys in uniform who get the job done in spite of every obstacle that fate throws in their path. Some readers might have trouble translating Baker's cartoons, since they draw heavily on Army life in general and life in the Airborne in particular. I've shared this book with civilian friends, vets, and current and former paratroopers, and the responses range from "huh?" to "been there, done that," to "oh, man, remember when...". Everyone seems to connect with Murphy at some level, because there's some Murphy in all of us. I hope this book goes back into print soon. Used copies are hard to come by, and I'm getting tired of having to wrestle my copy back from friends everyime I loan it out. Best of luck to Mark Baker, his loyal readers and all the Murphys out there who make the world go round.
Rating:
Summary: Hooah!!! for Pvt. Murphy and Mark Baker
Review: Cartoonist Mark Baker has penned a wickedly funny and accurate portrait of Army life. Through Murphy's mishaps, misadventures, trials and triumphs Baker sheds light and provides some telling insights about how the average Joe sees the world. Pvt. Murphy represents a typical soldier. He starts off dumb and clueless, then learns the ropes of Army life and provides an often jaded but inevitably funny running commentary on everything that is wrong (and right) in the Army. He lampoons every target of opportunity in sight---incompetence, bureaucracy and the sheer inevitabilty of the fact that, despite his best efforts, Murphy always finds himself behind the eight-ball. The fact that Murphy maintains his optimism and patriotism against all odds is a tribute to Baker's skill as a cartoonist---and serves as well-deserved recognition to the real-life Murphys in uniform who get the job done in spite of every obstacle that fate throws in their path. Some readers might have trouble translating Baker's cartoons, since they draw heavily on Army life in general and life in the Airborne in particular. I've shared this book with civilian friends, vets, and current and former paratroopers, and the responses range from "huh?" to "been there, done that," to "oh, man, remember when...". Everyone seems to connect with Murphy at some level, because there's some Murphy in all of us. I hope this book goes back into print soon. Used copies are hard to come by, and I'm getting tired of having to wrestle my copy back from friends everyime I loan it out. Best of luck to Mark Baker, his loyal readers and all the Murphys out there who make the world go round.
Rating:
Summary: Military Humor for Modern Times
Review: I had the priviledge to see Pvt. Murphy when he was first shown in public, in the Ranger Rick books at the local PX. When The 1st edition came out on post, it was snapped up off the shelfs so fast, i was lucky to get myself a copy. If you have ever been in the modern military, you love this book with all the memories that came with your time in the service.. good and bad, and things you never forget. Mr. Baker follows Pvt. Murphy from the recruiters office, thru basic and airborne school, to his 1st assignment. If you have ever served, or are just an afictionado, i highly recomment Pvt. Murphy's Law to you, he's the Beatle Bailey of the modern Military.
Rating:
Summary: Never far from the truth!
Review: I spent several months in Basic Combat Training, and let me tell you something, Pvt. Murphy's Law tells it like it is. There is not a single thing in here that is not true. Every soldier can relate to it! A MUST buy for any soldier or soon-to-be soldier in the family.
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Summary: From the Jarheads
Review: It just goes to show that though Marines and soldiers are as different as apples and oranges, we are forever bound together in the cynical and painfully repetative experience called military life. We train and train and train for the day that we must go to war. War is a very serious business. I think that the appeal of Pvt Murphy is that he has the uncanny ability to always remind us that however grave the situation, we have to remember to crack a smile now and then. Otherwise, we'd all go crazy. The ironic reality of this book however is that it's nonfiction. It has happened to somebody at some point in time. You can't make this stuff up. Whatever our differences, whether Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines, Pvt Murphy is the reality that binds us all. Fortunatly, it's pretty hilarious. And I'd better not be getting any E-mails about how Marines can't spell!!
Rating:
Summary: Pvt. Murphy's Law
Review: Mark Baker truly captures the essence of military life in his comic book, Pvt. Murphy's Law. The book is a great read whether you're in the military or not. It also makes a wonderful souvenir for people who've served in the army or their friends and family. I can really relate to Murphy's mishaps because I'm in the army myself. After 15 years of service, it's refreshing to see so many different army quirks captured this well in art. It's great following Pvt. Murphy through his transformation from a civilian into an airborne soldier. I read the book from cover to cover in one sitting when I first bought the book. Since then, I've reread it several times and still catch myself laughing out loud!
Rating:
Summary: Pvt. Murphy's Law
Review: Mark Baker truly captures the essence of military life in his comic book, Pvt. Murphy's Law. The book is a great read whether you're in the military or not. It also makes a wonderful souvenir for people who've served in the army or their friends and family. I can really relate to Murphy's mishaps because I'm in the army myself. After 15 years of service, it's refreshing to see so many different army quirks captured this well in art. It's great following Pvt. Murphy through his transformation from a civilian into an airborne soldier. I read the book from cover to cover in one sitting when I first bought the book. Since then, I've reread it several times and still catch myself laughing out loud!
Rating:
Summary: PVT Murphy , we all have been there
Review: Mark has done a great job with PVT Murphy. Anyone who has served in the military will relate to PVT Murphy. Good job and keep up the good work.
Rating:
Summary: Army wife relates
Review: Private Murphy's Law makes fun of or should I say finds the humor in the Army. If my husband and I hadn't spent the last eight years in the Army, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. I'm sure everyone in the Army can relate to Private Murphy at some point. I know we can. It makes us laugh at our life!
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