Warning Of War
Don’t start this book on a Friday unless you have no plans for the weekend, because you won’t be able to put it down. In pre-WWII China, US Marine Captain Billy Port draws the unenviable assignment of leading a platoon of Marines across China to collect up various Marine detachments assigned inland and lead them to friendly territory. It is mere days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese military already controls most of the country and will capture or destroy any US military personnel unlucky enough to find themselves with Japanese neighbors when war breaks out. Port’s unit evacuates Shanghai for the Philippines, leaving Port and his small band entirely one their own.
Faced paced and perfectly written, Brady’s story has all the makings of a hit. His hero, Billy Port, is smart, tough, dashing, wealthy, and in an off-handed way, funny. His other characters are expertly brought to life and fit military “lifers” to a tee. This was the first book by Brady I’ve ever read, but it certainly will not be the last.
