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Brotherhood of War #8
The Aviators
It is 1964. The Vietnam War has begun to escalate, its new style of battle demanding new weapons and tactics, and men who can use them. Overnight, it seems, the United States Army must scramble to create its first-ever Air Assault Division, a force critical to its chances of success. The obstacles are staggering--untrained men, technical mishaps, interservice rivalries. But through sheer courage and dedication, these heroic fighters rise to the challenge. For they are America's bravest--facing the ultimate test...
684 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 1988
440 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,298 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 1, 2019
Soap opera about the formation of the first helicopter squadrons of Vietnam.
Interesting, but too much soap opera for me.
Interesting, but too much soap opera for me.
July 24, 2014
I loved this book. I am currently living at Fort Rucker with my husband while he goes through flight school. I volunteer at the US Army Aviation Museum on base. I've learned a lot about the history of army aviation and got a kick out of reading a fictionalized version of it.
August 3, 2021
An entertaining book. This one was a little different than other books in the series, In fact much of this book coincides with the previous book. Much of the story takes place at the same time, quite often the characters merge briefly.
The major difference in this book is that did not follow the exact recipe the other books in the series did. Entertaining, with some interesting historical facts around the creation of the Army aviation.
The major difference in this book is that did not follow the exact recipe the other books in the series did. Entertaining, with some interesting historical facts around the creation of the Army aviation.
July 5, 2020
We can't issues partial stars so I gave this four. It's really a three and change story but I felt three would be too low.
This book goes back in time and parallels the previous novel this time mostly from the viewpoint of Captain Johnny Oliver the aide-de'-camp of General Bellmon. This novel with the exception of a fistfight is almost devoid of combat action. It's more how things work and why. Johnny, freshly home from Vietnam where he earned the CIB (something rather rare for pilot. The struggle for the Army to have it's own air-mobil support instead of having to beg the Air Force feels the should be in control of. It went by fairly quick. I wonder what brought the author to tell the same events in history with a somewhat different frame of reference.
This book goes back in time and parallels the previous novel this time mostly from the viewpoint of Captain Johnny Oliver the aide-de'-camp of General Bellmon. This novel with the exception of a fistfight is almost devoid of combat action. It's more how things work and why. Johnny, freshly home from Vietnam where he earned the CIB (something rather rare for pilot. The struggle for the Army to have it's own air-mobil support instead of having to beg the Air Force feels the should be in control of. It went by fairly quick. I wonder what brought the author to tell the same events in history with a somewhat different frame of reference.
November 11, 2022
I would not be surprised to learn that Griffin originally wrote The New Breed and The Aviators as a single novel that his editor suggested he break into two. It is essentially the same story told from the POVs of two separate groups of soldiers. Fit the two POVs together and you have a much more complete tale. The New Breed follows the men who went into the Congo to gain information and rescue hostages during a civil war and The Aviators tells the story of men who helped make the mission in The New Breed possible. It’s interesting to get the second perspective, but the novel is not as exciting as The New Breed was. It did, however, have a subplot about a soldier’s sister trying to steal a couple of million dollars from him that was the only part of the book I remembered from the first time I read it more than 20 years ago.
August 2, 2012
How could I not like a WEB Griffin Brotherhood of War novel?
This is a little different from the rest.
It is the first time in which two novels overlap in content
and timespan. Together with 'The New Breed', this book presents
the story of a rebel takeover in the Republic of the Congo.
Most of the original characters are there: Felter, Lowell,
and Belmon. Belmon is the most involved here. Lowell makes
cameo appearances. He has a very memorable scene in which he
makes use of his considerable financial influence in order to
get the right decision concerning grounding of army helicopters.
That interchange was worth the rest of the novel all by itself.
I am a little disappointed to be left hanging with the
characters introduced here. At least with 'The Generals',
Griffin wrapped things up and gave a nice epilogue. He seems
to have left this story line ripe for a continuation, but
where is it?
If you liked the rest of the series, you will not be
disappointed here.
This is a little different from the rest.
It is the first time in which two novels overlap in content
and timespan. Together with 'The New Breed', this book presents
the story of a rebel takeover in the Republic of the Congo.
Most of the original characters are there: Felter, Lowell,
and Belmon. Belmon is the most involved here. Lowell makes
cameo appearances. He has a very memorable scene in which he
makes use of his considerable financial influence in order to
get the right decision concerning grounding of army helicopters.
That interchange was worth the rest of the novel all by itself.
I am a little disappointed to be left hanging with the
characters introduced here. At least with 'The Generals',
Griffin wrapped things up and gave a nice epilogue. He seems
to have left this story line ripe for a continuation, but
where is it?
If you liked the rest of the series, you will not be
disappointed here.
August 11, 2012
Once you start the series, you can't stop till you've read them all. Great.
December 8, 2018
Book 8 of what I think was supposed to be a 6-book series. At the end of Book 6 (‘The Generals’), the author included a “Where are they now?” addendum at the back of the book thinking it would be the last one. You can’t go higher than a general. Right? Maybe Griffin missed his characters too much or realized there was still some magic in those fictitious people, so he finds a way to keep the story going.
Wisely, the major characters have been delegated to minor roles and placed in the background for this story. This allows the author to bring in a new protagonist, the young John Oliver – a combat pilot with experience in (the early days of) Vietnam. Like most of Griffin’s war books, there’s not much combat within the book. Instead, the main part of the story is Oliver back home at a military base serving as aid for good ole (now) General Bob Bellman. So what we instead see is a lot of behind the scenes drama of what goes on with all of the military politics, even though most of the action takes place at home behind the comforts of a military base. This has been the pattern of all of the books in the series and, as boring as it might sound, the formula actually works. You actually do end up caring about the characters even though you feel like your reading ‘Peyton Place’ instead of ‘Apocalypse Now’.
If there is actually anything that can be considered a military “story” that this book is based on, you can say there is one that revolves around the Chinook helicopter that has just been developed by the army to be used in combat. It’s designed to actually carry the infantry from one place to another in the heat of battle, which was something not seen before Vietnam. The problem is that Chinook is an “air” vehicle, and, well, “air” type vehicles belong to the air force, not the army. So politics ensue. Yes, sadly, some things are more important to those in power rather than saving lives in combat.
But really, this is all kind of superfluous. Instead, we read about Johnny Oliver and his escapades with friends, family and girlfriends. The latter is the low point in this book. It seems he meets up with an army widow named Liza. She recently lost her husband, has a young toddler and never smiles. The relationship between John and Liza seems forced and unbelievable. It’s not great reading to constantly read about them fighting over and over again. She refuses to marry another soldier, yet her attempts (and, oh, there are attempts) to get Oliver to quit the army are futile and frustrating.
Anyway – it should also be pointed out that this book is a parallel tale to book 7 – The New Breed. Most of the action in these two books occurs at the same time, yet from different viewpoints and different places. I enjoyed book 7 as well, but don’t really remember much about it. In fact, there’s not a lot about any of these books that I really remember, other than I liked them overall. It’s also refreshing to see two ‘originals’, Felter and Lowell, get a lot less page time. Sure, it’s nice to see them again, but their schticks get old after a while. Speaking of ‘originals’, the third amigo, MacMillan, isn’t around for this book. I’m not sure why. Did he get killed in an earlier book? Can’t remember.
These books go by quickly, even though they’re each about 400 pages in the paperback format. I’ve enjoyed them all including this one. Something good must be said for an author who writes so many war books with so little war that somehow seems to be received so well from so many people.
Wisely, the major characters have been delegated to minor roles and placed in the background for this story. This allows the author to bring in a new protagonist, the young John Oliver – a combat pilot with experience in (the early days of) Vietnam. Like most of Griffin’s war books, there’s not much combat within the book. Instead, the main part of the story is Oliver back home at a military base serving as aid for good ole (now) General Bob Bellman. So what we instead see is a lot of behind the scenes drama of what goes on with all of the military politics, even though most of the action takes place at home behind the comforts of a military base. This has been the pattern of all of the books in the series and, as boring as it might sound, the formula actually works. You actually do end up caring about the characters even though you feel like your reading ‘Peyton Place’ instead of ‘Apocalypse Now’.
If there is actually anything that can be considered a military “story” that this book is based on, you can say there is one that revolves around the Chinook helicopter that has just been developed by the army to be used in combat. It’s designed to actually carry the infantry from one place to another in the heat of battle, which was something not seen before Vietnam. The problem is that Chinook is an “air” vehicle, and, well, “air” type vehicles belong to the air force, not the army. So politics ensue. Yes, sadly, some things are more important to those in power rather than saving lives in combat.
But really, this is all kind of superfluous. Instead, we read about Johnny Oliver and his escapades with friends, family and girlfriends. The latter is the low point in this book. It seems he meets up with an army widow named Liza. She recently lost her husband, has a young toddler and never smiles. The relationship between John and Liza seems forced and unbelievable. It’s not great reading to constantly read about them fighting over and over again. She refuses to marry another soldier, yet her attempts (and, oh, there are attempts) to get Oliver to quit the army are futile and frustrating.
Anyway – it should also be pointed out that this book is a parallel tale to book 7 – The New Breed. Most of the action in these two books occurs at the same time, yet from different viewpoints and different places. I enjoyed book 7 as well, but don’t really remember much about it. In fact, there’s not a lot about any of these books that I really remember, other than I liked them overall. It’s also refreshing to see two ‘originals’, Felter and Lowell, get a lot less page time. Sure, it’s nice to see them again, but their schticks get old after a while. Speaking of ‘originals’, the third amigo, MacMillan, isn’t around for this book. I’m not sure why. Did he get killed in an earlier book? Can’t remember.
These books go by quickly, even though they’re each about 400 pages in the paperback format. I’ve enjoyed them all including this one. Something good must be said for an author who writes so many war books with so little war that somehow seems to be received so well from so many people.
May 22, 2022
This one is taking us into vientmam that was gone out in managment of Air Assault Division asoults with Huey helicopters behind enemy lines,although there was no enemy line, just thay're homeland, and them beeing left wing deivils. Tense and hot situatnion to all sorders atending, close to shinkng poind of failure and death of all of them.
Like in "We Were Soldiers" , movie and the book, that I read.That is The Battle of Ia Drang or incdent, American solders experienced being suraunded by enemy, and as we know from history, that ended usualy with defeat. Like in stalingrad cauldron. 545 Americans were killed. Enemy deaths have been estimated at 3,561.
I like to thing that this tactik was salute to polish husars, air cavalery, Huey cavalery.
Like in "We Were Soldiers" , movie and the book, that I read.That is The Battle of Ia Drang or incdent, American solders experienced being suraunded by enemy, and as we know from history, that ended usualy with defeat. Like in stalingrad cauldron. 545 Americans were killed. Enemy deaths have been estimated at 3,561.
I like to thing that this tactik was salute to polish husars, air cavalery, Huey cavalery.
October 17, 2017
Once again, the characters and plot are vibrant in this eighth entry in the "Brotherhood of War" series. In this installment, we get a more in-depth look into the life of Capt. John Oliver, General Bellman's aide de camp. We'd met him in the previous book as he helped get Jacques Portet involved in the clandestine efforts to counteract the violent uprising and possible Communist insurgency in the Congo. This time around, we finally meet someone who has almost as much trouble with women--or in this case, one woman--as Craig Lowell.
And as in past volumes, I finished the book eager to start the next in line, even though I know that will be the last.
And as in past volumes, I finished the book eager to start the next in line, even though I know that will be the last.
May 8, 2021
Sadly, this is the weakest book in the Brotherhood of War series so far.
The main story concerns the formation of the first air assault division as the Vietnam War heats up in 1964 and follows a bright young Captain who is assigned as the aide to Major Gen. Bob Bellmon at Fort Rucker. Main characters from the previous books make appearances from time to time, including Craig Lowell, Jack Portet, Red Hanrahan and Father Lundsford, but the book is a bit of a hodgepodge and a let-down, especially after the excitement of the Congo uprising in the last book.
The main story concerns the formation of the first air assault division as the Vietnam War heats up in 1964 and follows a bright young Captain who is assigned as the aide to Major Gen. Bob Bellmon at Fort Rucker. Main characters from the previous books make appearances from time to time, including Craig Lowell, Jack Portet, Red Hanrahan and Father Lundsford, but the book is a bit of a hodgepodge and a let-down, especially after the excitement of the Congo uprising in the last book.
March 8, 2019
Another great book. Cannot put the book down. In this one it back traces a little bit from the previous book and shows in depth on other characters that were mentioned in the previous book. The emphasis was more on general Bob’s aid, Johnny Oliver. Again, good detail on the military in the Congo and Vietnam.
July 6, 2021
Another great story
If you are a fan of military lingo and would like a good example of military life this is a fine example. W.E.B Griffin is a great story teller of Special Forces battle’s.
If you are a fan of military lingo and would like a good example of military life this is a fine example. W.E.B Griffin is a great story teller of Special Forces battle’s.
December 21, 2019
Possibly the greatest war series of all time. My father read this and passed it down to me. Great reading.
January 10, 2020
No better than a 3 of 5, above average for WEB I would say
May 15, 2020
Brotherhood of War OK
March 5, 2021
Wonderful! Another great read in this excellent series. The characters are like visiting old friends, you become invested. Historical non-fiction mixed with some fictional spice.
April 7, 2021
An Outstanding Series. Looks at some earlier plot lines often from just a different set of eyes.
July 18, 2022
loved it
December 30, 2022
4.5stars. Classic Griffin - always highly enjoyable.
February 14, 2024
Another Griffin Masterpiece!
April 19, 2024
I thought by the title name, that there would be some aerial dog fights, but no!
But it was interesting to see how the Army got their airplanes and complete with the Air Force!
But it was interesting to see how the Army got their airplanes and complete with the Air Force!
Want to read
June 14, 2024SM
December 31, 2024
Avoid the Kindle version
The Kindle edition is FULL of typos that make the book almost unreadable. Whole paragraphs are either duplicated or missing. Save your money.
The Kindle edition is FULL of typos that make the book almost unreadable. Whole paragraphs are either duplicated or missing. Save your money.
December 26, 2016
Never read this one in the past. Really enjoyed it
March 21, 2023
Boring. Marginally interesting, vaguely, about the formation of helicopter units for Vietnam, but nothing happens.
December 23, 2015
The Aviators” –was the first book I read in the “Brotherhood or War” series , and then I realized that it was the 8th book of the series. I then read 1-7 books and reached out for “The Aviators” again. I still have to say that Griffin should of stopped the series after “The Generals”. For me it is much less interesting, reading these books backwards. What made it worse is that “The Aviators” is happening before the “The New Breed. This book has some of the original characters with Bellmon , Lowell and Felter, but mainly concentrate on capt Oliver and his struggle off combining his personal ( love) story with his military career. There were some really boring moments but overall if you want to finish the whole series you need to read “The Aviators”
https://adamvb67.wordpress.com
https://adamvb67.wordpress.com
October 20, 2022
Book centers on Johnny Oliver as Aide de Camp to Bellman during 1964. My fascination with these novels is in the dialog that occurs in the major confrontations. Griffin does a masterful job of building the backgrounds and motivations of each individual prior to these confrontations so that when they clash, you know why each character is behaving the way they are and Griffin never lets you know for sure who is going to win the fight. I also was fascinated by the clause in the family trust document for Oliver and his sister and how that whole story line played out. Wowza! On to book 9 and it feels like this whole series is ending way too soon....
March 24, 2015
I first fell in love with Griffin's series beginning with the Corps Series. Then along came Brotherhood of War.
Like The Corps, his characters are engaging and richly colorful. But, the Brotherhood of War, while still very dynamic, seems to focus a little less on the world of war and fighting and more on the culture of the US Army, especially the officer's corps. Reading this series, I was intrigued by the almost country-club like atmosphere Griffin sees in play among the US Army officers and the history behind the Army's culture.
Like The Corps, his characters are engaging and richly colorful. But, the Brotherhood of War, while still very dynamic, seems to focus a little less on the world of war and fighting and more on the culture of the US Army, especially the officer's corps. Reading this series, I was intrigued by the almost country-club like atmosphere Griffin sees in play among the US Army officers and the history behind the Army's culture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews