The Lieutenants
Book One of the Brotherhood of War Series
By: W. E. B. Griffin
Series: Brotherhood of War, Book 1
The Captains
The Brotherhood of War Series, Book 2
It was more than an incident: It was a deadly assault across the 38th parallel. It was the Korean War. In the fear and the frenzy of battle, those who had served with heroism before were called again by America to man the trenches and sandbag bunkers. From Pusan to the Yalu, they drove forward with commands too new and tanks too old, brothers in war, bonded together in battle as they had never been in peace....
Excellent second book
By Mike From Mesa on 12-31-12
Honor Bound
It's 1942. A Marine aviator, an Army paratrooper and demolitions expert, and a non-com radio man are on an impossible mission for the OSS - sabotaging the resupply of German ships and submarines - by any means necessary!
Worth the listen
By Robert E. Scarcelle on 03-27-09
Book One in The Corps Series
From Shanghai to Wake Island, the Corps was America's first line of defense as the winds of war exploded into the devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. This is the story of the men of the Marine Corps, their loves and loyalties, an elite fraternity united by courage and honor, as they steel themselves for battle, prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice....
WEB Griffin is a master of this genre
By Jerome on 02-19-12
North and South Trilogy, Book 1
By: John Jakes
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Two strangers, young men from Pennsylvania and South Carolina, meet on the way to West Point.... Thus begins this brilliant novel of antebellum America, spanning three generations and chronicling the lives and loves of two great family dynasties. The Hazards and the Mains are brought together in bonds of friendship and affection that neither jealousy nor violence can shatter - until a storm of events sunders the nation and brings the cataclysm of war!
Captivating novel of the Civil War
By 9S on 01-12-13
Fields of Fire
By: James Webb
They each had their reasons for being a soldier. They each had their illusions. Goodrich came from Harvard. Snake got the tattoo - Death Before Dishonor - before he got the uniform. And Hodges was haunted by the ghosts of family heroes. They were three young men from different worlds plunged into a white-hot, murderous realm of jungle warfare as it was fought by one Marine platoon in the An Hoa Basin, 1969. They had no way of knowing what awaited them. Nothing could have prepared them for the madness to come. And in the heat and horror of battle they took on new identities, took on each other, and were each reborn in fields of fire....
Awesome Read! of course I am Prejudiced
By Autoteacher on 07-30-15
Pacific Glory
World War II Navy, Book 1
By: P. T. Deutermann
Marsh Vincent, Mick McCarty, and Tommy Lewis were inseparable friends during their naval academy years, each man in love with the beautiful, unattainable Glory Hawthorne. Only Tommy wins her heart and marries Glory after graduation. Different skills set the three men on separate paths in the Navy, but they are all forever changed by the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
Glory, now Tommy's widow, is a tough Navy nurse still grieving her loss while trying to save lives at the Pearl Harbor naval hospital.
Best of PT Deutermann
By Dr. Meggin McIntosh on 11-27-11
By: Michael Sloan
Narrated by: Jeff Gurner
Robert McCall is a former covert operations officer for the CIA who tries to atone for past sins by offering, free of charge, his services as a troubleshooter (often literally), a protector, and an investigator. People in need find him through a newspaper ad: "Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer." Aided by a group of sometimes-mysterious contacts (some of whom date back to his spying days), McCall traverses the streets of New York City, visiting justice upon those who prey upon the weak.
Call The Equalizer
By Lia on 06-08-18
By Order of the President
A Presidential Agent Novel
Two armed men board a 727 that has been all but forgotten at an airfield in Angola. Hijacking the jet, they then slit the throat of the lone crew and fly to parts unknown. The consternation is immediate, as the CIA, FBI, and other agencies race to find out what happened, in the process elbowing one another in the sides a little too vigorously. Fed up, the president of the United States turns to an outside investigator to determine the truth.
Interesting characters, good plot, slow paced.
By Kate on 05-28-13
The Last Heroes
A Men at War Novel, Book 1
Narrated by: Michael Russotto
June, 1941. Determined that the United States will be prepared for war, Franklin D. Roosevelt and "Wild Bill" Donovan orchestrate the most complex espionage organization in history, the Office of Strategic Services. Young and daring, the OSS assemble under a thin camouflage of diplomacy and then disperse throughout the world to conduct their operations. And no operation is more critical than the one being conducted by hotshot pilot Richard Canidy and his half-German friend Eric Fulmar: to secure the rare ore that will power a top-secret weapon....
Awful reader!
By Carolyn J on 08-05-12
Clandestine Operations, Book 1
Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
In the first weeks after World War II, a squeaky-clean new second lieutenant named James D. Cronley Jr. is spotted and recruited for a new enterprise that will eventually be transformed into something called the CIA. One war may have ended, but another one has already begun, against an enemy that is bigger, smarter, and more vicious: The Soviet Union. The Soviets have hit the ground running, and Cronley's job is to help frustrate them, harass them, and spy on them any way he can.
Simply awful
By Tombstone Luke on 08-16-14
Men in Blue
Badge of Honor, Book 1
W.E.B. Griffin's best-selling series, The Corps and Brotherhood of War, have captured the pride and glory of the military community. Now he reveals a city police force with the same unique blend of realism, drama, and action. Here are the brave men and women behind the badge as you've never seen them before - their hopes and fears, their courage and heroism, sparked by a single, shocking event: The killing of a cop in the line of duty.
Tremendous Cop story with Mystery and some Romance
By Bevs Mom on 10-08-12
The Winds of War
By: Herman Wouk
Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau
Herman Wouk's sweeping epic of World War II stands as the crowning achievement of one of America's most celebrated storytellers. Like no other books about the war, Wouk's spellbinding narrative captures the tide of global events - and all the drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy of World War II - as it immerses us in the lives of a single American family drawn into the very center of the war's maelstrom.
By Robert on 05-24-13
Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942
By: Ian W. Toll
On the first Sunday in December 1941, an armada of Japanese warplanes appeared suddenly over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and devastated the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Six months later, in a sea fight north of the tiny atoll of Midway, four Japanese aircraft carriers were sent into the abyss. Pacific Crucible tells the epic tale of these first searing months of the Pacific war, when the U.S. Navy shook off the worst defeat in American military history and seized the strategic initiative.
Astonishingly good.
Fall of Giants
Book One of the Century Trilogy
By: Ken Follett
Narrated by: John Lee
Ken Follett's World Without End was a global phenomenon, a work of grand historical sweep beloved by millions of readers and acclaimed by critics. Fall of Giants is his magnificent new historical epic. The first novel in The Century Trilogy, it follows the fates of five interrelated families - American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh - as they move through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women's suffrage.
Loved it and learned alot.
By Louis on 10-19-10
By: Newt Gingrich, William Forstchen
Narrated by: William Dufris
Pearl Harbor covers the full spectrum of characters and events from that historic moment, from national leaders and admirals to the views of ordinary citizens caught in the chaos of war. Gingrich and Forstchen's now critically acclaimed approach, which they term "active history", examines how a change in but one decision might have profoundly altered American history. In Pearl Harbor, they pose the question of how the presence of but one more man within the Japanese attacking force could have transfigured the war.
History with a twist
By Book and Movie Lover on 11-07-10
By: Newt Gingrich, and others
Ironfire
A Novel of the Knights of Malta and the Last Battle of the Crusades
By: David Ball
Best-selling author David Ball has won widespread critical and popular acclaim for his sweeping novels, including Empires of Sand. With Ironfire Ball delivers a stirring historical epic of the Crusades. In the 16th century, only the Knights of Malta stand against the Ottoman Empire of Suleiman the Magnificent and his 40,000 brutal warriors.
Masterpiece !!!!
By Berserk on 02-29-12
Liam Devlin, Book 1
By: Jack Higgins
Narrated by: Michael Page
It was to become known as the most daring enemy mission of the entire war: Operation Eagle, SS Reichsfurher Heinrich Himmler's audacious plan to kidnap Winston Churchill on British soil in November 1943.
By David Share on 08-25-12
E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne, from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest
By: Stephen E. Ambrose
Narrated by: Tim Jerome
Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army, was as good a rifle company as any in the world. From their rigorous training in Georgia in 1942 to D-Day and victory, Ambrose tells the story of this remarkable company, which kept getting the tough assignments. Easy Company was responsible for everything from parachuting into France early D-Day morning to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. Band of Brothers is the account of the men of this remarkable unit.
High Expectations Met
By Scott on 02-12-13
They were the young ones, the bright ones, the ones with the dreams. From the Nazi-prowled wastes of North Africa to the bloody corridors of Europe, they honorably answered the call. War - it was their duty, their job, their life. They marched off as boys and they came back - those who made it - as soldiers and professionals forged in the heat of battle....
©1986 W.E.B. Griffin (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
Literary Fiction War & Military Historical Fiction
"An American epic." (Tom Clancy)
The Hostage
The Majors
What listeners say about The Lieutenants
Rochelle in Montana
Not just a Novel about War
I was pleasantly surprised when I started listening to this novel. I had been steered towards W.E.B. Griffin by a friend of mine but had been dragging my feet about reading them because of the "orders" that are so numerous within the novel. I knew that if I had to read them I would soon find myself bored to tears and skimming more than reading.
When I discovered them here at Audible.com I was delighted. I knew that I would be engrossed in the story and could easily get through the "orders" if they were read to me, rather than being forced to read them myself.
The Lieutenants gives a wonderful foundation for the series, giving us the background needed to follow the 4 main characters throughout their careers and their personal lives.
Griffin is a first rate storyteller, making his characters memorable. I found it difficult to turn the book off.
As a narrator, Eric G. Dove is pure delight to listen to. Griffin's writing stands on it's own, Dove however, breathes life into the characters, not just the males but the many women portrayed in the novel as well. He personalizes each character so that even if you have not listened to the novel in a few days when you hear his voice you know which character is speaking.
What I have enjoyed most about the series is that even though it is military based, it is not all about war...the novels are about life, military life and as a military brat, I do have first hand knowledge of what military life is like.
My only concern at this point is that even though there are 9 novels in the series, Audible.com, only has 4 of them recorded with the 4th not being released until October of 2012. I do hope that the other 5 will be forthcoming.
potato chip warning
These books are addictive , you may even find yourself downloading the next one before you get finished the the current one. Plain great story telling. Enjoy!
Aser Tolentino
A Classic Series
I wonder if something like The Brotherhood of War could be written today. Begun over thirty years ago or thereabouts, it candidly but often light-heartedly tells a tale that begins where and when the author served, Germany immediately after World War II, and follows the personal and professional lives of a very diverse cast of characters as they rise through the ranks in the aftermath of the Second World War. During this time, the very nature of war was thought to be changing, though no one quite knew how.
Despite war and the profession of arms forming the core of the story, combat makes up very little of the narrative. Instead, we come to know the characters through the way in which they conduct their lives; the degree to which they play the army's political games, the passion with which they pursue the women they love and the degree to which they remain faithful, and ultimately the bond that links them as fellow officers. Along the way, we get a colorful depiction of life in the post-war army.
As we watch them grow, we see the army transform to meet the challenges of the new Cold War. We see this in the advisory duties two of our new lieutenants in this first volume, as well as the hints that the airborne legions that stormed into Normandy may soon be a thing of the past. Later installments would deal with the advent of army aviation and the rise of the army special warfare community.
These new unabridged editions are quite good productions. Dove's reading thankfully imparts a great deal of humor and self-awareness but also can bring seriousness and drama where appropriate.
Across nine volumes starting with this one, the army's triumphs and tragedies forms the backdrop for the drama of some extremely memorable personalities, and some of Griffin's best characters. This is why after all these years, technical errors, typos and continuity problems aside, the series as a whole remains a favorite and an easy recommendation for anyone remotely interested in a good story about soldiering. For the price, you simply can't go wrong.
Great Series!! One of W.E.B. Griffn's best.
This is a great series to introduce someone to W.E.B. Griffin. If you listen to this book you will come back for more. Mr. Griffin gives a unique perspective to the military culture, I believe he does it justice. W.E.B. Griffin is not only a good writer he is a generous person, he is one of the few writers that goes above and beyond for his fan's. I sent him a few books a while back and he was gracious enough to sign them for me. How many authors these days are willing to do that for their avid readers? I digress, The Brotherhood of War Series is defiantly worth listing to if you have never listened to it before, and is worth re-listening to if its been a while since you have.
Not really a WWII book.
This book is tied together because the major characters are simply Lieutenants. While it begins in WWII with a major character being captured by the Germans and sent to a prison camp, most of the book actually takes place between WWII and the Korean War. Sort of a soap opera with military families.
The part of the book that describes the escape from Germany is fast paced, but the majority is fairly dull. Nothing much happens in the entire second half of the book. The major characters go from one posting to the other and it's really a story about daily life in the military when there are no battles to fight other than with the Pentagon bureaucracy. If you have not read the Winds of War series go with that alternative, this is not quite as good.
Its about time!!!
I love this series. I have been hoping the early ones would finally appear. My problem is now I am waiting for The Captains. The early Corp books would also make great additions. These are stories I happily read/listen to more than once.
Mike From Mesa
I first read this book, in paper format, almost 30 years ago and enjoyed it so much I subsequently bought and read all of the "ranked" sequels (The Captains, The Majors, The Colonels and The Generals). All were equally good and I was sorry to have completed the series.
While the characters in the book were well drawn and their life stories interesting, I asked myself why I was so taken with these books. Even 30 years after reading them I could remember events in the books and how the characters reacted to them, and it is unusual for me to remember specific characters and events in a light read 30 years after I finished reading a book. I finally decided that it was because WEB Griffin had developed such life-like characters with interesting backgrounds and presented the military environment in which the characters function completely accurately. I spent 3 tours of duty in the military before leaving to take advantage of the GI Bill to attend both undergraduate and graduate schools and the events taking place in the book, the military characters and their wives and the world in which they live felt as realistic to me as it was possible to be. Even the military orders and letters of commendation sounded completely authentic and I could see, in the characters the writer created, traits and reactions to events that paralleled those of career military people I knew well. Nothing in the books seemed artificial, inaccurate or unreal.
I bought the Audible book with some trepidation. I had some concern that if the book was not well narrated I would be terribly disappointed and, if the book was well-done, I would end up buying all 9 volumes in the series. Still, the draw was too strong and I fairly devoured this first book, largely unable to put it down until I had completed it. Everything was as I remembered (with one exception described below), Eric Dove's narration was first class and I had a tear in my eyes when I reached the end of the book. And, as I feared, I ended up buying the remaining 8 volumes (during the Audible sale).
The one thing about the book that surprised me was the harsh language. These are soldiers and their manner of speech is representative of the way soldiers spoke, at least years ago, when this book is set. There is not too much of it and, while it did not offend me much (I have gotten more sensitive to it as I have gotten older), I did think I should mention it in case others might find it either annoying or truly offensive.
The characters, their lives and the events are all interesting and well presented. The world in which they live and function is both interesting and accurately presented. The writing is flawless. I feel able to highly recommend this book almost without reservation.
Finally!!
What did you love best about The Lieutenants?
This is a series that is about life in the military, but has super character development. I've read the entire series several times and still enjoy going back. Listening to the performance is a differenet experience.
What other book might you compare The Lieutenants to and why?
The only other series of books following a set of characters that compares is Tom Clancy's
I use the recording of the book to escape during excercise, yard work, etc. so I don't do it all in one sitting.
Great series....hopefully the others in this series will be available soon!!!!!
Another wonderful series
At first I wondered why the book was titled the Lieutenants. The narrative just didn't seem to fit the title, not that I minded but it seemed to talk about the Colonels and Generals and not the Lieutenants. After awhile it became clear that two Lieutenants were the central focus of this book. If Audible had the second book of the series "The Captains I would have down loaded it right now. I will when it is available. Good stuff.
Soldier's Stories at their very best
I do not know what took me so long to find the Brotherhood of War series, but now that I have, I cannot pull myself away from them. I read and listen to military history with an insatiable desire. I tend to stay away from fiction, but I must say that W.E.B. Griffin weaves a great story line through historical periods, with great characters that draw you in and make you care. He gets it right in both history and mindset. The narration by Eric G. Dove, is very good, however, his pronunciation of some of the German could use some help. In my opinion there is no way your coming away from the Lieutenants, without going on to the next book in the series. Listening entertainment at its best...
Good read by great author
I enjoyed this book. The story was engaging and the voice acting was good.
I've just finished reading Griffin's Corps series, and I'd say the characters in this series aren't quite as engaging as 'The Killer' and Pickering from the Corps books, but a couple do stand out, such as the young Lieutenant and his German girl, and it's certainly still a very good book.
One thing it's worth noting is that very little of this book actually takes place during WWII, despite what the blurb might lead you to believe. Most of the book occurs in the immediate aftermath of the war in Germany (where the author himself served) and in Greece, where conflicts occurred after WWII. That's not a bad thing, I just thought it was worth pointing out. There's several action sequences during the Greece part of the book.