Boatswain's Mate

Rating:
Summary: Excerpts from e-mails received by the author.
Review: "I recently purchased this book and I deem this book to be the best novel I ever read. I recommend it to be read by all sailors." Thomas SM1 (Ret), TX.
"Dear Pat; Lee read the book in 2 days, and said it was the best book he had ever read on the subject." Jan. FL.
"Boatswain's Mate! Read it, great book!" Harry ABM, OR.
"Pat, we finally got the book. Good news is: Curtis couldn't put it down...I lost a husband for awhile." Pat, VA.
"I have read the book and it is outstanding. As a retired E-9 I would like to say that it held my interest throughout." Mike OSCM (Ret), LA.
"Pat, finished your book. I could really relate to WWII and Korea. Thanks, really enjoyed it." Jon, IL.

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Summary: Sea Stories & Fairy Tales
Review: "Pat, just a quick note to let you know I managed to get your book and I'm very impressed with it. You must have done a lot of research to get all those details and jargon for the WWII period. Anyway, I really enjoyed the read and think you should do more books, well done!" Excerpt from a letter received by the author.

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Summary: Listen up Navy vets
Review: Bill Chadwick BM1 USNR-retired A must read for any sailor from the 50's, 60's, or early 70's. We have all met a Chief like Jake Rickmeyer, Bo'sun or otherwise. This story will bring back great old memories ( and maybe some not so great ), but I heartily recommend this book. I couldn't put it down. The ending was a surprise, but did ring true. Many of the other sailors in this book could have come from guys I knew during my 7 years of active duty and 18 years in the reserves. Non-sailors will get a real feel for what Navy life is really like.

Rating:
Summary: Midwest Book Review - rousing patriotic tale
Review: From first page to last, Boatswain's Mate is one helluva read, driven by a super powered engine fueled with testosterone, adrenaline and patriotism. To say this book is a keeper doesn't begin to cover it. Pat Johnston writes in first person and does it in a superbly masculine style, with gusto. Everything is documented so realistically, I had trouble believing it was fiction.

Jake Rickmeyer flees a drunken, abusive step-father and joins the Navy in 1944 at age 16. The Navy is an ideal home for Jake. He loves the sea and everything it stands for, including the ideals of serving home and country. His career spans World War Two, Korea, the Cuban missile crisis, two tours in Viet Nam, and Black Ops for the CIA. The reader sees each action through Jake's eyes as he serves aboard destroyers, cruisers, amphibious ships, and anything else the Navy throws at him. Jake is the best of the best in everything he does, from rigging for a stormy ocean to piloting through murky Vietnamese rivers, to pleasing females every chance he gets in foreign ports. Along the way he makes some influential friends who give him a leg up in rank. Such boosts are always more than earned.

Life aboard ship is described lovingly: "...the cooks baking tomorrow's bread, the comforting smell of cigarette smoke and coffee...the smell of men, machinery, fuel oil, grease and paint in every pore of her." Jake's women, also, add to his persona. A failed marriage that gets a second chance in later life, unrequited love,[unhappy-motivated]foreign women all help define Jake as a man, a patriot, a warrior, an often decorated man of courage, a typical American male giving his best and grieving the death of friends in battle. Jake has no political agenda, no deep hidden philosophy except to be a man and gut it out no matter what. He takes in stride rescuing fallen flyers in frigid oceans, covering night landings on enemy held beaches, and gunning after kamikaze planes that fill the sky like wasps.

Be prepared to wave the American flag in spirit as you read this rouser of a book. Pat Johnston's writing is powerful, visceral, as he communicates duty and honor. And don't be surprised at the chilling end to Boatswain's Mate. Somehow I doubt that Jake Rickmeyer was. This book is for mature adults, not children or young adolescents. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Midwest Book Review - rousing patriotic tale
Review: From first page to last, Boatswain's Mate is one helluva read, driven by a super powered engine fueled with testosterone, adrenaline and patriotism. To say this book is a keeper doesn't begin to cover it. Pat Johnston writes in first person and does it in a superbly masculine style, with gusto. Everything is documented so realistically, I had trouble believing it was fiction.

Jake Rickmeyer flees a drunken, abusive step-father and joins the Navy in 1944 at age 16. The Navy is an ideal home for Jake. He loves the sea and everything it stands for, including the ideals of serving home and country. His career spans World War Two, Korea, the Cuban missile crisis, two tours in Viet Nam, and Black Ops for the CIA. The reader sees each action through Jake's eyes as he serves aboard destroyers, cruisers, amphibious ships, and anything else the Navy throws at him. Jake is the best of the best in everything he does, from rigging for a stormy ocean to piloting through murky Vietnamese rivers, to pleasing females every chance he gets in foreign ports. Along the way he makes some influential friends who give him a leg up in rank. Such boosts are always more than earned.

Life aboard ship is described lovingly: "...the cooks baking tomorrow's bread, the comforting smell of cigarette smoke and coffee...the smell of men, machinery, fuel oil, grease and paint in every pore of her." Jake's women, also, add to his persona. A failed marriage that gets a second chance in later life, unrequited love,[unhappy-motivated]foreign women all help define Jake as a man, a patriot, a warrior, an often decorated man of courage, a typical American male giving his best and grieving the death of friends in battle. Jake has no political agenda, no deep hidden philosophy except to be a man and gut it out no matter what. He takes in stride rescuing fallen flyers in frigid oceans, covering night landings on enemy held beaches, and gunning after kamikaze planes that fill the sky like wasps.

Be prepared to wave the American flag in spirit as you read this rouser of a book. Pat Johnston's writing is powerful, visceral, as he communicates duty and honor. And don't be surprised at the chilling end to Boatswain's Mate. Somehow I doubt that Jake Rickmeyer was. This book is for mature adults, not children or young adolescents. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: boatswain mate
Review: From the moment I received the book, I could not put it down.My wife had purchased it for me. After just a few pages I thought the author had studied my records of my twelve years in the Navy, except for a few things it seemed like my life over again.Pat surely did his homework on this book, I know that it was only a novel, but a lot was things that could or did happen. I am a Korean and Vietnam vet. and saw things happened just like it was written, kudos to you Pat, keep up the good work.Please write more and inform me when you do.

Rating:
Summary: boatswains mate
Review: Pat Johnston,has been reading my mail!!! I began a Naval career in the same time frame was a Coxswain [BM3]up to Chief Boatswains Mate made Ensign retired Lt Commander.All my duty station were about the same as JAKE in the book,including small boats Destroyers North China,Korea,and Viet Nam.I to had a Admiral as my mentor,but stayed clear of politions,had a run in similar to his in RVN,extracting a grounded boat,I made it back.This book is SALTY in the language,but thats the way Sailors were in that time frame.A good read looking forward to the movie.CJ Thompson Lcdr USN ret.44-75

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Summary: BMMC
Review: Pat,
May I congratulate you on a fine piece of reading..I couldn't put it down.Outstanding!!!
I was however shocked at the ending.I was sure BMMC would get the CMH!!!
I've passed your book to my X military friends with each of them putting their name rank and branch of service inside the front cover.So far it's been to 5 states including Tn, Washington, Florida N.C. and Ga.
All the best for continued great work.
Bob Green
Loudon, Tn.

Rating:
Summary: Navy novel explores history through an enlisted man's eyes
Review: The first word in Jake Rickmeyer's vocabulary is duty. Fleeing an abusive childhood, Jake joins the navy and sees history unfold before him. Pat Johnston's novel follows the arc of Jake's career, from World War II to Korea, and finally the rivers of Vietnam.
Jake gives his life to the navy, suffering a broken marriage and lost buddies in battle. Even though Jake rubs elbows with admirals and senators, he stays true to himself and to his duty. But this loyalty gets Jake into trouble on his final mission on the rivers of Vietnam. On this last ill-fated mission, Jake discovers an unexpected ally, but is betrayed by those he believed were his friends.
Pat Johnston has done his homework. The thrilling history of the navy is woven integrally throughout Jake Rickmeyer's three decades of service.
Jake Rickmeyer is a sailor's sailor. If you want to learn what the navy's all about, read Pat Johnston's book.

Rating:
Summary: Navy novel explores history through an enlisted man's eyes
Review: The first word in Jake Rickmeyer's vocabulary is duty. Fleeing an abusive childhood, Jake joins the navy and sees history unfold before him. Pat Johnston's novel follows the arc of Jake's career, from World War II to Korea, and finally the rivers of Vietnam.
Jake gives his life to the navy, suffering a broken marriage and lost buddies in battle. Even though Jake rubs elbows with admirals and senators, he stays true to himself and to his duty. But this loyalty gets Jake into trouble on his final mission on the rivers of Vietnam. On this last ill-fated mission, Jake discovers an unexpected ally, but is betrayed by those he believed were his friends.
Pat Johnston has done his homework. The thrilling history of the navy is woven integrally throughout Jake Rickmeyer's three decades of service.
Jake Rickmeyer is a sailor's sailor. If you want to learn what the navy's all about, read Pat Johnston's book.