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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Read
Review: I personally know the author of this book and i was told by a friend to read this book. Wow what a great book i couldn't keep my eyes out of this book. It is action packed and has a little bit of a love story. And it has a whole lot of family history in it. I recommend this book many times over and i also would recommend the 4 other books in "The Black Sabre Chronicals."
Rating: 
Summary: Is Mr Willard for real?
Review: Mr. Tom Willard, in book #5 of his Black Sabre Chronicles: Sword of Valor has done a great injustice to 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, the 101st Aviation Brigade, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Ft. Campbell and their involvement in Operations Desert Shield and Storm. While, on one hand, he touts the book "as a teaching tool... to provide insight into the African-American experience in... [American] military service" what is in the other hand paints a very different picture. His characterization of a female African-American pilot (LT Sharps) as one who is controlled by her hormones for a Special Forces officer and one who continually makes decisions not in keeping with flight regulations and what is best for her soldiers and the Army. His portrayal of the Sharps family as one that can never do wrong, one that has no black sheep or deviants in 130 years, rings of "positive racism" for lack of a better term. Mr. Willard's lack of knowledge of Ft. Campbell, Clarksville Base, Fiddler's Green, Sabre Army Heliport, and the surrounding communities indicate that he has not been to any of them. His lack of knowledge about military equipment, Army procedures and Cavalry traditions indicate that he has not done the necessary research, even though most could be obtained on the Internet. He referred to an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior as an OH-54D. He has the Kiowa Warrior in the book when the 2-17th Cavalry did not get them until 1996. He never mentions what Troop LT Sharps is in or if she has a Stetson Cavalry hat and spurs or not. He has LT Sharps allow a sick pilot to attempt a flight. He has LT Sharps fly a reconnaissance mission in her Kiowa by herself because the sick pilot couldn't make the flight. He has LT Sharps fly that Kiowa in a flight of one aircraft. All of the three preceding points are against flight regulations. The first is a demonstration that LT Sharps does not take care of her soldiers. The second is physically impossible because one person cannot fly the helicopter and operate the reconnaissance equipment at the same time. He has LT Sharps allow a reporter impersonating an officer to continue his deception. He does not explore the professional working relationships LT Sharps would have with her Troop Commander, Troop First Sergeant, fellow pilots and crew chiefs. He had a recommendation for an award for LT Sharps be submitted to LTC Cody who was the commander of an Apache Battalion, not the Squadron Commander of 2-17th Cavalry. He implies that the Kiowas and Apaches are part of the same battalion named the 101st Aviation Battalion. In reality, the Apaches are 3 battalions and the Kiowas are 1 (battalion-sized) squadron that are part of the 101st Aviation Brigade. He has the Commander of a National Guard water unit personally deliver a three-day pass to a specialist, thereby bypassing this soldier's Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Squad Leader. He has C-17 cargo planes in the book when they did not enter full active service until 1995. There are more errors than what I have listed. In the light of these errors and the character flaws of LT Sharps, I am not sure what positive lessons this "teaching tool" is intending to impart, if any. I will not be recommending this book to my fellow soldiers.
Rating:
Summary: Is Mr Willard for real?
Review: Mr. Tom Willard, in book #5 of his Black Sabre Chronicles: Sword of Valor has done a great injustice to 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, the 101st Aviation Brigade, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Ft. Campbell and their involvement in Operations Desert Shield and Storm. While, on one hand, he touts the book "as a teaching tool... to provide insight into the African-American experience in... [American] military service" what is in the other hand paints a very different picture. His characterization of a female African-American pilot (LT Sharps) as one who is controlled by her hormones for a Special Forces officer and one who continually makes decisions not in keeping with flight regulations and what is best for her soldiers and the Army. His portrayal of the Sharps family as one that can never do wrong, one that has no black sheep or deviants in 130 years, rings of "positive racism" for lack of a better term. Mr. Willard's lack of knowledge of Ft. Campbell, Clarksville Base, Fiddler's Green, Sabre Army Heliport, and the surrounding communities indicate that he has not been to any of them. His lack of knowledge about military equipment, Army procedures and Cavalry traditions indicate that he has not done the necessary research, even though most could be obtained on the Internet. He referred to an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior as an OH-54D. He has the Kiowa Warrior in the book when the 2-17th Cavalry did not get them until 1996. He never mentions what Troop LT Sharps is in or if she has a Stetson Cavalry hat and spurs or not. He has LT Sharps allow a sick pilot to attempt a flight. He has LT Sharps fly a reconnaissance mission in her Kiowa by herself because the sick pilot couldn't make the flight. He has LT Sharps fly that Kiowa in a flight of one aircraft. All of the three preceding points are against flight regulations. The first is a demonstration that LT Sharps does not take care of her soldiers. The second is physically impossible because one person cannot fly the helicopter and operate the reconnaissance equipment at the same time. He has LT Sharps allow a reporter impersonating an officer to continue his deception. He does not explore the professional working relationships LT Sharps would have with her Troop Commander, Troop First Sergeant, fellow pilots and crew chiefs. He had a recommendation for an award for LT Sharps be submitted to LTC Cody who was the commander of an Apache Battalion, not the Squadron Commander of 2-17th Cavalry. He implies that the Kiowas and Apaches are part of the same battalion named the 101st Aviation Battalion. In reality, the Apaches are 3 battalions and the Kiowas are 1 (battalion-sized) squadron that are part of the 101st Aviation Brigade. He has the Commander of a National Guard water unit personally deliver a three-day pass to a specialist, thereby bypassing this soldier's Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Squad Leader. He has C-17 cargo planes in the book when they did not enter full active service until 1995. There are more errors than what I have listed. In the light of these errors and the character flaws of LT Sharps, I am not sure what positive lessons this "teaching tool" is intending to impart, if any. I will not be recommending this book to my fellow soldiers.
Rating:
Summary: Tradition
Review: SWORD OF VALOR by Tom Willard is the fifth installment of the Black Sabre Chronicles. In this highly educational and entertaining installment, Willard showcases women in the military during the Operation Desert Shield entanglement in the Middle East. He focuses on the role that women played in times of wars that is often left to speculation. Furthermore, Willard continues the saga of the Sharps family. The Sharps are an African-American, five-generational military family and with SWORD OF VALOR, Argonne Sharps is the focal point. As Argonne heads off to war in the Middle East, SWORD OF VALOR takes you into the life and history of her family and the contribution the family has made to the military for the past 130 years. Reflecting methodically on their upbringing as members of the military and as members of a military family, a historical account is laid before our eyes. Added to this account are the genuine feelings and reflections of the non-military members of the Sharps family. Through them we come to the realization that some only imagine as they wait and learn the fate of their loved ones during times of battle. Written in a descriptive and definitive language, readers receive a lesson in patriotism, loyalty and familial ties that bind. Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Tradition
Review: SWORD OF VALOR by Tom Willard is the fifth installment of the Black Sabre Chronicles. In this highly educational and entertaining installment, Willard showcases women in the military during the Operation Desert Shield entanglement in the Middle East. He focuses on the role that women played in times of wars that is often left to speculation. Furthermore, Willard continues the saga of the Sharps family. The Sharps are an African-American, five-generational military family and with SWORD OF VALOR, Argonne Sharps is the focal point. As Argonne heads off to war in the Middle East, SWORD OF VALOR takes you into the life and history of her family and the contribution the family has made to the military for the past 130 years. Reflecting methodically on their upbringing as members of the military and as members of a military family, a historical account is laid before our eyes. Added to this account are the genuine feelings and reflections of the non-military members of the Sharps family. Through them we come to the realization that some only imagine as they wait and learn the fate of their loved ones during times of battle. Written in a descriptive and definitive language, readers receive a lesson in patriotism, loyalty and familial ties that bind. Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Close to an EXCEPTIONAL Series
Review: Tom - What can I say. You caught our eye with BUFFALO SOLDIERS, and end this great series with an outstanding book. HONOR and HERITAGE are two words that come to mind when I read this book. Not only does Argonne fall in love with me, he tells the Sharps' family history. The Sharps have left a LEGACY for generations. My twins - Robert and Rashad will begin to read BUFFALO SOLDIERS soon, as part of "Dad's Mandatory Reading List". Tom Willard has told a story over a 100 years that no one else could have. You are a great friend and a great American. Thanks for everything. HOOAH!!!!
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Close to an EXCEPTIONAL Series
Review: Tom - What can I say. You caught our eye with BUFFALO SOLDIERS, and end this great series with an outstanding book. HONOR and HERITAGE are two words that come to mind when I read this book. Not only does Argonne fall in love with me, he tells the Sharps' family history. The Sharps have left a LEGACY for generations. My twins - Robert and Rashad will begin to read BUFFALO SOLDIERS soon, as part of "Dad's Mandatory Reading List". Tom Willard has told a story over a 100 years that no one else could have. You are a great friend and a great American. Thanks for everything. HOOAH!!!!
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