Word of Honor
by Nelson DeMille
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Book Summary Information
Author: Nelson DeMilleEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1998-09
ISBN: 0446674826
Number of pages: 855
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Book Reviews of Word of Honor
Book Review: A prelude for things to come
Summary: 4 Stars
I would have liked this book more if I read it before the invention of John and Susan Sutter and, even more obviously, Paul Brenner and John Corey. It is clear that Ben Tyson was the seed for each of the male characters and he is like a wild cross of all three. His blood was as blue as Sutter's, his wit and honor are all Brenner, and the rest is all Corey. Marcy is certainly the first stab as Susan Sutter, who I regard as the finest character Demille ever wrote.
That said, it should not detract from a unique and disturbing story. Like many early Demille works, it takes its time painting detailed character portraits and it allows the scenery to breathe. Unfortunately for me, I read the first 200 pages in the winter before finally finishing the last 500+ in the summer. Like some other readers, I had a hard time staying with this one, but was thrilled when I did pick it back up. I back-read a lot and it wasn't tough to remember who was who.
Some parts of the book were long-winded and maybe unnecessary, but it all worked in the end. Ditto some characters like Chet Brown, Col Levin, even Sister Teresa. Lots of loose ends, imo. As a person born in the year this took place, I won't pretend to understand a Vietnam vet's mind. I do challenge some of the reaches Demille took as far as Tyson's unwillingness to open up to his family about his role in the massacre. I also wonder why he'd want to bring that upon himself when he was given an out by Major Harper. A lot of it seemed contrived, but it made for a good character and story, hence the "fiction" tag that accompanies the book. ;-)
If there was a disappointment, it was that it took its time for 737 pages only to end in an instant inside of a couple paragraphs. I almost think Demille was up against a deadline and was told to end it already. The end was frantic, especially with regard to his family situation, and then the screen goes to black. I'd have liked a few more pages to see some things out. The storytelling was uneven in spots, especially when it involved him and his wife. One minute they are close and sticking together, the next they are apart, then together, etc... not a lot of explanation around the changes, either. Still, there was enough to keep you occupied.
A very good effort with an intriguing premise, but not Demille's best, imo. The Gold Coast remains his Gold Standard for me, followed by the underrated Up Country. MOH is definitely a step above the corny John Corey action novels and is probably on par with Charm School. It is a worthwhile read that holds up 20 years after its first print.
Summary of Word of Honor
He is a good man, a brilliant corporate executive, an honest, handsome family man admired by men and desired by women.But a lifetime ago Ben Tyson was a lieutenant in Vietnam.There the men under his command committed a murderous atrocity -- and together swore never to tell the world what they had done. Now the press, army justice, and the events he tried to forget have caught up with Ben Tyson. His family, his career, and his personal sense of honor hang in the balance. And only one woman can reveal the truth of his past -- and set him free.Literature & Fiction Books
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