Sharkman Six

Rating:
Summary: Leadership demands decisions.
Review: "Black Hawk Down [the movie] and our government's commitment to hunt down terrorist groups and destroy them has brought the suffering and oppression in Somalia to our attention once again.

Somalia was in our cross hairs in the 90's. Now, because of 9/11 and the terrorist's need for a new home base, Somalia will be on our military radar again, soon.

Mark Bowden's brilliant book, "Black Hawk Down" establishes the bar for other books dealing with military action in Somalia. Owen West's story of the hellacious problems that US military men encounter doesn't quite reach the bar that Mark Bowden set.

West builds the central charter of Lieutenant Galvin Kelly by flipping back and forth from Somalia to Lt. Kelly's childhood in the USA. One chapter you are with the LT. in Somalia looking into the faces of the suffering and famished. Then next chapter you are reliving Galvin Kelly's childhood, adolescence or college years; back and forth. This ocellation causes the focus and momentum of the story line to crippled. Thus, the first hundred pages of "Sharkman Six" F.T.E. (fail to engage) me.

However, about 100 pages into the book the pace picks up, the story stays in Mogadishu and the action engages both the enemy and my attention. Leadership demands decisions; decisions that will cause the Lieutenant and the reader to struggle with dilemmas and moral issues. Complex compromises will be made and great warriors will sacrifice their military career and lives. The climax and battle scene is absorbing and intense. Strongly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best Marine Corps books ever
Review: Having served in Somalia during Restore Hope I was immediately intrigued after reading the dust cover. Fortunately, the rest of the book exceeded my expectations. West did a fine job of developing the characters while not drudging on too much about it. The plot twists dealing with the main characters family history was almost as suspenseful as the rest of the book. I also enjoyed the way West shows the reader the psyche of the Marine Corps. West's writing style makes the book a very easy read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who either served in the Corps or is interested in books about the Corps.

Semper Fi!!

Rating:
Summary: Not your average military shoot 'em up novel
Review: Owen West's Sharkman Six follows a Marine platoon commander during his team's participation in America's ill-fated Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. What's intended to be a simple humanitarian mission starts bad, and gets worse.

From Lieutenant Kelly's surreal arrival on the beach in Somalia--with US network news crews in attendance--to the stunning finish, this story alternates between scenes of heartbreaking violence, black humor and poignant flashbacks. It's also a lesson on how military forces should NOT be employed.

More than a simple techno-thriller, this book is a wonderful character study of a man already questioning his own abilities who has those abilities tested to the fullest.