Having wrapped up World War II with 1999's In Danger's Path, bestselling military author W.E.B. Griffin now deploys his Marines in Korea with Under Fire, the ninth volume in his Corps series. Back are familiar characters from Griffin's previous Corps books--daredevil pilot Pick Pickering, his Scotch-sipping father, Brigadier General Fleming Pickering, Capt. Ken "Killer" McCoy, and Master Gunner Ernie Zimmerman--with historical figures including President Harry Truman and General Douglas MacArthur making appearances as well. It's now 1950, and with Communist forces making their presence felt below the 38th Parallel, Griffin's plot centers on Gen. Pickering, now high up in the newly created CIA, and Ken McCoy as they work behind MacArthur's back to covertly pave the way for an invasion of North Korea.

Readers who crave nonstop battle action and excitement may find it hard to stick with Under Fire, as Griffin takes the time to detail the background leading up to one of America's least-remembered modern wars. Griffin writes for the true armed forces aficionado, filling his prose with realistic descriptions of procedure, gear, and materials, an alphabet's worth of acronyms, and an ex- soldier's ear for military dialogue. Look for more sharp, authentic writing in this series' next installment. --Benjamin Reese

From Publishers Weekly
After eight books in the popular WWII Corps series, Griffin's latest kicks off on the Korean peninsula, where forces from the Communist North have just stormed over the 38th Parallel. Within a few weeks, the old team is back together, most under the steady command of Brig. Gen. Fleming Pickering, whom President Truman recalls from the helm of Trans Global Airways to assume the CIA's top Asian post. As the U.S. Army flounders to contain the North, Pickering struggles to restore Washington's faith in Comdr. Douglas MacArthur and his daring proposal to invade at Inchon. Meanwhile, as Capt. Ken McCoy and Master Gunner Ernie Zimmerman skulk behind enemy lines, seizing a crucial island in preparation for the invasion, a new calamity breaks out: Pickering's son, daredevil pilot Malcolm ("Pick"), gets shot down over a North Korean rice paddy. This new entry in the series moves more slowly than previous ones, as Griffin who served in the army in Korea sets up the historical elements of the conflict and positions all his characters. But once he gets going, he writes with even assurance and a keen eye for military camaraderie and nuance, offering galvanizing drama and a respectful yet irreverent treatment of military procedure and attitudes, not to mention plenty of Scotch. As the book ends with U.S. forces digging in for battle and Pick still missing the dean of the American war adventure has left himself room for plenty of action ahead. National television and ad campaign. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Griffin is moving on; he's shifted the setting of his latest military adventure from World War II to the Korean War. Capt. Ken McCoy is thrown out of the Marine Corps when he suggests that North Korea might attack and then hired by the newly minted CIA when it does. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
WWII has ended, and the Marines created by W.E.B Griffin in his masterful series, The Corps now find themselves in Korea, learning the hard way that strategic decisions will be made in Washington, not on the battlefield. Reader James Naughton has a daunting task in trying to keep the huge cast of characters distinct, and he succeeds with the primary ones who have been featured throughout The Corps books. Unfortunately, condensing a Griffin novel is not an easy task, and despite Naughton's verbal skills, the action awkwardly skips from one country to another as characters are quickly introduced and just as quickly disappear. Wisely refraining from using overblown accents, Naughton presents the military jargon and the realistic Marine dialogue in a manner that will hold the attention of listeners who have come to regard Griffin as the finest contemporary military writer. J.L.C. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Griffin's dozens of novels about macho military men in combat situations occasionally make best-seller lists. One subset of Griffin's oeuvre showcases the U.S. Marine Corps, in which the typical plot features a lower ranking officer who has connections with top brass, even the president. The leatherneck's combat actions, always detailed with the exact weapons and tactical plan he carries into battle, therefore pulse up and down the chain of command. In this instance, Captain Ken "Killer" McCoy, a protege of ex-OSS officer Fleming Pickering, who knows a senator, who knows President Truman, has reported to General MacArthur that North Korea will be invaded. The report disappears, McCoy gets busted to the ranks (detailed in page upon page of "drama" hinging on marine protocol or breaches thereof), and the Communists start pouring across the thirty-eighth parallel. Truman, suspicious of MacArthur, gets wind of the report, and appoints Pickering and McCoy to the CIA. Boats, bullets, and carrier-launched avengers and corsairs make up the balance of this expansively told story. Should prove to be popular fare among fans of the genre. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Griffin leaves WWII behind and thrusts his readers deep into the heart of the Korean War.

FROM OUR EDITORS

It's June 1950, and Captain Ken McCoy is convinced that the North Koreans are planning a major invasion of the South. But the Marines don't want to hear alarmist talk and drum McCoy out of the Corps. Before the month is out, the onslaught that McCoy predicted has begun, and he's been hired by the CIA to stop it in its tracks. After eight World War II novels, battle-tested W.E.B. Griffin advances to the Korean peninsula.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Griffin leaves WWII behind and thrusts his readers deep into the heart of the Korean War.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

After eight books in the popular WWII Corps series, Griffin's latest kicks off on the Korean peninsula, where forces from the Communist North have just stormed over the 38th Parallel. Within a few weeks, the old team is back together, most under the steady command of Brig. Gen. Fleming Pickering, whom President Truman recalls from the helm of Trans Global Airways to assume the CIA's top Asian post. As the U.S. Army flounders to contain the North, Pickering struggles to restore Washington's faith in Comdr. Douglas MacArthur and his daring proposal to invade at Inchon. Meanwhile, as Capt. Ken McCoy and Master Gunner Ernie Zimmerman skulk behind enemy lines, seizing a crucial island in preparation for the invasion, a new calamity breaks out: Pickering's son, daredevil pilot Malcolm ("Pick"), gets shot down over a North Korean rice paddy. This new entry in the series moves more slowly than previous ones, as Griffin who served in the army in Korea sets up the historical elements of the conflict and positions all his characters. But once he gets going, he writes with even assurance and a keen eye for military camaraderie and nuance, offering galvanizing drama and a respectful yet irreverent treatment of military procedure and attitudes, not to mention plenty of Scotch. As the book ends with U.S. forces digging in for battle and Pick still missing the dean of the American war adventure has left himself room for plenty of action ahead. National television and ad campaign. (Jan. 14) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Events surrounding the beginning of the Korean War on June 25, 1950 through the liberation of Seoul at the end of September provide the backdrop for this eighth installment in Griffin's popular "Corps" series. Many of the characters we've seen before are here: "Flem" Pickering is called back to service and is a deputy director of the CIA; his son "Pick" is a Marine aviator; Capt. Ken "Killer" McCoy and Gunny Ernie Zimmerman do clandestine operations. They and their cohorts are seen interacting with Truman, MacArthur, and Averell Harriman, among other historic figures. There is not as much action as in the previous books, but the plot and interactions among the various characters are very intriguing. Those listening to the abridged CDs and cassettes will be treated to a no-nonsense reading by James Naughton that is both clear and crisp. Of necessity short on dialog, these versions use the narrative to keep the action moving, which Naughton does quite well. Besides filling in some blanks in the plot of the abridgment, those who listen to the unabridged program will be treated to Scott Brick's skillful reading of the lengthy dialog. His expressive voice is able to render the characters skillfully, making this a work hard to put down. Public libraries should purchase; the unabridged is preferred if budgets allow.-Michael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll., Lynchburg Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile

Scott Brick appears to have become the reader of choice for Griffin's novels about the Marine Corps—and rightfully so. His crisp, no-nonsense narrative style perfectly captures the drama in this military saga. When Brick snaps an order, the listener almost comes to attention. In this eighth in a series, Griffin's familiar WWII Marine heroes are back as the Korean War opens. As Griffin melds real-life figures, like General MacArthur and President Truman, with his fictional characters, the listener learns how the U.S. was caught "flat footed" by the North Korean invasion and how American ingenuity and resourcefulness ultimately saved the day. When you add to this Brick's winsome way of handling the constant banter and sharp dialogue of this compelling story, you have a combination that's hard to beat. A.L.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews