The House of Pain

Rating:
Summary: House of Pain
Review: A Vietnam marine vet with Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome rescues his 15 year old goddaughter from her supposed kidnappers. All I can say is Wow! I couldn't put the book down. Strange thing is, the book has a fairly dull cover and a blurb that normally wouldn't interest me at all; I can't even remember when or why I bought it; but it just goes to show, can't judge a book by it's cover.... Great great read!

Rating:
Summary: House of Pain
Review: A Vietnam marine vet with Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome rescues his 15 year old goddaughter from her supposed kidnappers. All I can say is Wow! I couldn't put the book down. Strange thing is, the book has a fairly dull cover and a blurb that normally wouldn't interest me at all; I can't even remember when or why I bought it; but it just goes to show, can't judge a book by it's cover.... Great great read!

Rating:
Summary: SO GOOD IT HURTS
Review: ANY VIETNAM VET WILL FEEL THIS. IT IS ALL OF US, WHETHER WE CAN FACE IT OR NOT. WE FELL INTO HELL, AS DID JOHNNY IN THIS EXELLENT BOOK. HE FOUGHT HIS WAY OUT, THROUGH LOVE BY HIS FELLOW MARINES AND A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, WHO STAYED CLOSE, AND SAVED HIM. HIGHLY RECOMMEDED, ROBERTS.

Rating:
Summary: SO GOOD IT HURTS
Review: As a avid reader of mysteries and a Marine veteran of Vietnam who happens to have been one of the writers of the diagnosis of traumatic stress, I found the descriptions of the war overly simple. The trauma drawn was from a comic book and is never the cause of ptsd. The trauma is almost always the result of some personal action not viewing what others do. Even the bonds between the vets are too stereotyped. I was eager for the book but very disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Brings the war home--shows the triumph of love over despair
Review: I found the book very good reading. The more I got into it, the more I found myself unable to put it down. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: In Naval terminology "Outstanding."
Review: I'ke read all of Franklin's books and this one is one of the best I've had the pleasure of reading. It draws all of his Viet Nam experiences into the present and develops the theme into a passion, trust, love and a search for justice. The best! Five STARS.

Rating:
Summary: The Very Best
Review: Mr. Lieb has written a masterpiece, between the law and Vietnam I cannot think of any better I have read,His feel and discription of the camaraderie of all veteran's is right on target. No friends will ever be closer than those from the service. I will read all his books and praise his work highly. Semper Fi.

Rating:
Summary: A page turning courtroom drama; you can't put it down.
Review: The trauma of years in Vietnam follows an ex-marine into civilian life and ultimately results in his trial on a homicide charge. Move over Grisham. The courtroom drama that follows is enlighting as to the process and doesn't permit one to put the book down.

Rating:
Summary: A page turning courtroom drama; you can't put it down.
Review: The trauma of years in Vietnam follows an ex-marine into civilian life and ultimately results in his trial on a homicide charge. Move over Grisham. The courtroom drama that follows is enlighting as to the process and doesn't permit one to put the book down.

Rating:
Summary: SEMPTER FI
Review: This is a book with an a-g-e-n-d-a. The author is passionately loyal to the Marines and Vietnam veterans. This a flaw and a virtue. A flaw because he sanctifies, hence simplifies, the Marines as an organization and Vietnam vets as individuals. A virtue because it binds his story and strengthens his portrayal of the repressed and anguished John Dietrich. I had a hard time suspending disbelief.

I awarded the 3rd star because the first quarter of the book moved very well, set the scene quickly and entertainly, and had good momentum. The other 3/4 slowed down, and I found myself skipping areas that consisted solely of impassioned speeches. I just couldn't credit a recovery group that contained all loyal, subservient and committed members. Surely, there must have been a bad apple or two. I have known many former and present Marines. I have never met one who was not proud of his service, but I also have never met one who was completely obsessed with his "Marineness." Oddly enough, the tormented John Dietrich did come off as a "real" person. I felt pity and admiration in equal parts for this man.