Up Country (Paul Brenner Series #2)

This is an excellent book!

Upcountry mixes memories of the Vietnam War with an image of current Vietnam and how the war is still a part of their lives. It also tells a great story of a man who undertakes a mission, comes to terms with his past and falls in love. I couldn't put it down because at the end of each chapter something happens that makes you want to keep reading and I even started reading it again right after I finished it.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

DeMille is excellent - but not this time.

Nelson Demille is, by far, my favourite author and a writer of substantial quality. All of his books are of the highest quality and a pleasure to read and re-read. Up Country is however, the only exception. Being many many pages in length it is certainly an interesting insight into the '68 Tet Offensive however it is lacking any worthy plot. The novel unfortunately reads as more of a set of war memoirs although I am pleased that Nelson has 'got this off his chest'! I even flew to the Vero Beach book centre to meet Nelson and for him to sign my copy so it's a shame I'm unlikely to read this novel again. An interesting read, but not a classic.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

demille delights

A great personal history of the war and an exciting murder investigation. Hopefully he will use the character Paul Brenner in an Abu Gharib investiogation, or something similar.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

It was a trip dow memory lane

My Brother was an infantry man with the 11th Armored Cav. in Viet Name in 66-67 and I could not believe what memeories this book brought back to me ---- like just waiting for letters from him to know he was still alive. I love Nelson DeMille and I love his books and thank him for writing this one - I told my brother and about it. It was funny because he has never talked much about his time in Viet Nam but he expressed a desire to read it. I know he will love this book - I am ordering it for him today.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Classic DeMille

This book was obviously very important to Mr. DeMille, returning to Vietnam in print to deal with his experiences both as soldier and visiting former soldier. The story is classic DeMille, well thought out and expertly unfolded as you turn the pages. The characters are definitely classic DeMille, full of wit and sarcasm. The only drawback to the book is that at times, it felt more like therapy for dealing with the horrors of the Vietnam War than a story; however, for those interested in 'primary history', it is good to read to understand how DeMille feels about his involvement in Vietnam.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

An amazing adventure with Paul Brenner

A great sequel to the General's Daughter, one may have problems putting this book down. An intriguing Vietnam experience, dealing with the past and present.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Amazing Book!!

I loved the book!! Interesting descriptions of the war and the country, made me feel as if I was there. The characters are as suprising as the events that happen along the story, I highly recommend it

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Epic novel of discovery

This is one of DeMille's best. A bit on the long side, it tells a great story about discovery and healing past wounds of war. Great twists and turns, as well as excellent character developement.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

One of DeMille's Best!

I loved reading this novel centered on the Vietnam war. The character development is excellent, and follows the classic DeMille pattern of sarcasm,wit,and self discovery.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Tet Revisited

The book was riviting, as a Vietnam Vet it brought back many memories, some good, some bad. His eerie discription of battlefields such as the Ashau Valley and Khe Sanh were right on the mark. I envisioned myself as the character Paul Brenner as he followed his mission around Vietnam.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommended

Another excellent story from one of my favorite authors. Well developed plot and deeply interesting characters. Interesting reflections about the Vietnam War. A great read.

Best of DeMille - and that's saying a lot!

Just finished re-reading this for second time. This has become one of my all time favorite books of any genre. Cannot recommend this book strongly enough. Military history, suspense, romance, mystery and laugh out loud witticism - this novel has it all, and told by a master story teller. If you like intelligent, witty, and moving - read this book!

One of his best books! Five Stars!

This would be a great movie! Well written and hard to put down. Educational and again, well written! LDC

Great read. Very interesting saga depicted in N and S Vietnam

Great story writing and very believable. I know that this is not the forum to voice my utter disgust with the prices that are being charged for e books. I am seriously considering returning to purchasing the paperbacks from discount stores such as costco. It was my understanding in December 2010 when I received my Nook that prices would be much better than paperback. I guess the "marketing dept" for Nooks use just about anything to sell their product. Tell me, Barnes and Noble, do you have no conscience?

long,flat,ho-hum.

I can see how this book would appeal to Vietnam veterans if they want a trip back to the war years/theater.
Otherwise, it is endlessly long in getting to the point and even then,the point is not worth all the time to get there!
Do NOT expect the quality of "The General's Daughter" or other absorbing DeMille books.

Highly Recommended - especially for anyone ever in the military

A fascinating book. Some other readers said the book was too long. I disagree. The book is really two books, a first-class mystery and the book is also an outstanding history of Vietnam and our involvement in its war with the North. The author gives us background regarding the life, culture and geography of the country; as it was then and as it is today. You cannot read this book and not learn more about this vital Southeastern Asian country than you ever imagined. It gives you a perspective on the Vietnam War that was previously known only by persons wearing jungle fatiques and shows the ultimate futility of war itself.

Best book by Demille

I have almost read all of Demille's books and love his writing. Just when you're drawn into a plot of intrigue, he tosses in humor which is sure to make a person laugh out loud. Up Country, in my opinion is his best book. 10 out of 10

Where is Colonal Mang when you need him

I'm sorry - this book was about 300 pages too long....never really got to the point - and both Susan and Paul were way "too witty" for me and at times I just wanted them to remain silent - well most of the time, I wanted them to remain silent. I gave it 2 stars instead of one because I respect the research DeMille did and since I'm from the generation where a lot folks we knew were in Viet Nam...I enjoyed the history (a little)....after 200 pages, I thought, maybe the NEXT page will get to the point - then it was 300 pages and by 400 pages, I had too much time invested in the book and finished it....whatever was I thinking....

Up Country

A tedious long-winded travelogue-could-be drama that simply wore me down. By the time I got to page 207 and Paul 'I'm Trying to be Witty' Brenner - was still trying to find his passport I knew it was time to give up. My fault - I should have done it sooner. No more Nelsons for me.
Mike
Christchurch

Up Country brings the Vietnam war to life again

I read this when it came out in hardcover; couldn't put it down. Then I even ordered it in large print so when I grew old I could still manage to read it and now I bought it again in mass market to reread.
It's his best story if you've lived through Vietnam in any way. It
informed and helped heal me since that war brought so much tragedy to
my life. DeMille has a great sense of humor always and he had been back to Vietnam many years later after serving in the military there.