Rating: 
Summary: Interesting View of Iran / Contra
Review: The book is basically the life story of five U.S. Naval Academy graduates that went on to the Vietnam War and to play a part in the Iran / Contra mess. The book is split into three parts, Academy and War, post war to the Regan administration and then the Iran / Contra scandal. Of the three areas the most interesting to me were the war and Iran / Contra sections. The areas covering their personal lives and late 70's was less interesting, even a bit slow. The author also spent time looking at the personalities of the five and how their Academy and War experiences shaped the actions they took during the Reagan administration. I found the detail of McCain, North, and McFarlane the most interesting. I have read a number of books on the Reagan administration and Iran / Contra and this was the first book that dissected the actions of the participants and tried to explain why they did what they did. In my opinion the author takes a hard look at both Reagan and the five subjects and comes away with some less then faltering comments, especially about North and Reagan. Given these, what I think are honest comments, the true fan of either of the two men many find the book a bit aggravating. I thought the comments in question made since and many have been mirrored in other books on the topic. Overall this was an interesting and insightful book that I enjoyed reading. My only complaint is that coverage of the men's married life. I know the to fully understand a person you need to look at this section of their life, but I found these areas a bit dull and they did not help me a great deal.
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Read
Review: This is really a wonderful book. It takes the reader through the lives of five truly fascinating Naval Academy graduates, and their respective involvements in Vietnam and Iran-Contra, along with many other exploits. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the lives of the five figures (Jim Webb, John Poindexter, John McCain, Ollie North, and Bud McFarlane), the Naval Academy, or the Reagan administration. This is a wonderful and fairly quick read that is very enlightening.
Rating:
Summary: Unique perspective
Review: Timberg puts together a fascinating and unique study of how the Vietnam War shaped American politics during the Reagan administration. Well-written, concise, and entertaining, this book is a great read for political junkies and readers interested in learning more about the Vietnam War.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: When this book first came out my dad vigorously recommended it, but I ignored his entreaties. But in a twist of fate, we ran into the author at a book signing. The author, Robert Timberg, spent his career as a writer for the Baltimore Sun, but was also a graduate of the US Naval Academy - as were the subjects of this book. And while he never mentions it, Timberg appears to know well of what he writes - as it appears that he was injured/burned during his service in Vietnam. I think that gives him his unique perspective, which is that in some way the war damaged and affected all five of these men - and led them inexorably in their later lives. You do not need to know anything about the Navy, the war, the devisiveness of the 60's and 70's, the Reagan administration, Iran-Contra or anything else covered by the book to enjoy it (though if you do this can only add to your insight). Everyone I have given the book to has loved it - from a friend when he was deployed in Bosnia, a graduate of the Naval Academy, a roommate in law school with no military background, and even reluctantly my wife (who has not been able to put it down). Read the book - it is simply outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: When this book first came out my dad vigorously recommended it, but I ignored his entreaties. But in a twist of fate, we ran into the author at a book signing. The author, Robert Timberg, spent his career as a writer for the Baltimore Sun, but was also a graduate of the US Naval Academy - as were the subjects of this book. And while he never mentions it, Timberg appears to know well of what he writes - as it appears that he was injured/burned during his service in Vietnam. I think that gives him his unique perspective, which is that in some way the war damaged and affected all five of these men - and led them inexorably in their later lives. You do not need to know anything about the Navy, the war, the devisiveness of the 60's and 70's, the Reagan administration, Iran-Contra or anything else covered by the book to enjoy it (though if you do this can only add to your insight). Everyone I have given the book to has loved it - from a friend when he was deployed in Bosnia, a graduate of the Naval Academy, a roommate in law school with no military background, and even reluctantly my wife (who has not been able to put it down). Read the book - it is simply outstanding.
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