Type of bind: Hardcover
Format: Bargain Price
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 311
Printing Date: June 26, 2000
Sale Popularity Level: 796538
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The fourth volume of W. E. B. Griffin's electrifying bestselling saga of the OSS during World War.
Originally published under the pen name Alex Baldwin and never before available in hardcover, the Men at War novels have proven every bit as popular as Griffin's other spectacular series.
The time is early l943: In the Philippines, a ragtag American guerrilla army battles the Japanese, under a most unusual commander. In Budapest, an agent must keep two key prisoners from being interrogated by the Gestapo, his only choices being to rescue them -- or kill them. In Washington, an Army Air Corps captain suddenly finds himself assigned deep under the sea, his mission an improbable one of submarines, supplies, arms, and gold. And in Cairo, an undistinguished pilot named Darmstadter wonders why in the world the OSS is interested in his services, only to find out in the most dramatic way possible --and become a hero in the process.
Everywhere adventure crackles, fueled by the narrative realism, rich characters, and special flair for the military heart and mind that have always made Griffin's novels unique. The Fighting Agents is further proof that 'Griffin rates among the best storytellers in any genre' (Phoenix Gazette).
Amazon.com Review:
In The Fighting Agents, W.E.B. Griffin retells the story (previously told in Behind the Lines) of Wendell Fertig, a U.S. Army officer who promoted himself to general and led a ragtag guerrilla force against the Japanese after the fall of the Philippines in 1943. This time, however, Griffin focuses his attention on the OSS, which, among other things, was tasked with resupplying Fertig and reinforcing his efforts to undermine the Japanese war machine. In this fourth volume of a bestselling series featuring the American intelligence service during World War II, James Whittaker, a rakish, romantic army air corps captain who happens to be a close family friend of OSS chief Wild Bill Donovan, is assigned to sneak into the Philippines by submarine and bring gold, arms, and war materiel to the renegade general.
Simultaneously, another OSS team tries to carry out a critical mission: getting a German atomic scientist out of Budapest and into allied hands before Hitler's armies can perfect and unleash the weapon that could win the war for the Axis powers. And in Cairo, a quiet, unassuming pilot named Darmstadter is drafted by the OSS for another highly unlikely mission. Griffin spices up his realistically drawn scenes of military operations, weapons, and training with a somewhat improbable love story focusing on Whittaker and a female OSS operative, but one suspects it's merely a ruse to draw in distaff readers. Still, the action ranges from Washington to California, Egypt to London, and all points in between, and Griffin's knowledge of military hearts, minds, and missions has won him a devoted following through five separate series of novels of men (and some women) in battle. --Jane Adams
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
This book should be selling briskly. it's a stimulating read. While i'd hardly call it Pulitzer material it is a better book than I thought, and am surprised there isn't a strong marketing campaign.
I recommend this book. You'll be a better person for having read it.
Rated by buyers -
If you like W.E.B. Griffin, you will enjoy this book. It features two different OSS operations on opposite sides of the globe. Both stories are good and are told in classic Griffin style.
I was a bit disappointed, however, because I chose this book for the story of Wendell Fertig and his guerillas in the Phillipines. Despite indications to the contrary on the book jacket, the Fertig story represented only about 20% of the book. The balance was devoted to the story of getting scientists out of Germany through Hungary. That story was good, but it was not why I chose this book.
Rated by buyers 
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For those who have not tried W.E.B. Griffin because they don't wish to commit to reading 9 volumes in The Corps or Brotherhood of War series, I highly recommend trying this 4-book series (#1 Last Heroes, #2 Secret Warriors, #3 Soldier Spies, and #4 Fighting Agents). While I would love to see future installments of the Men at War Series, I thought that Griffin does a very good job of "wrapping up" with The Fighting Agents. I enjoyed it the most out of the 4 in this particular series because I felt that it was more operational and thus contained more action and suspense.
Rated by buyers -
I started this series about 15 years ago when it was published under the nom-de -plume of "Alex Baldwin". W.E.B. Griffin's writing style was really evident at the time--too unique and "salty" to imitate. Now that the series is in print under the Griffin name I am wondering whether he plans to continue the the plot to a time-line conclusion. In this , the fourth volume of the O.S.S. saga , the major character Richard Cannidy , plans and executes the extraction of Eric Fulmar , Gisella Dyer , and Professor Dyer from Hungary. As a separate counter-plot , Captain Jim Whittaker returns to the Phillipines with aid for "General" Wendell Fertig who is attempting to conduct operations against the Japanese on the island of Mindinao. These operations are set against the background of the machinations of the O.S.S. hierarchy , the sexual/bedroom antics of the protagonists , and an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". I particularly liked Commander John Dolan as a character , and the cameo of Joe Kennedy Jr. seemed correct. In this series , tho' W.E.B. tries to compress alot of subplots into far too little space to be satisfying. If this is the end of the series , then the author needs to concentrate on The Corps , which I consider to be his "Flagship" series. The Wendell Fertig story was fleshed out pretty well in "Behind the Lines".
On the other hand , one more volume in "Men at War" could conclude this particular timeline in a satisfying manner.
Overall this particular volume was an enjoyable read ; not one of W.E.B.'s very best , but good enough for 4 stars.
Rated by buyers 
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W.E.B. Griffin's books have been praised for so-called "historical accuracy." However, when he refers to branches of military service during World War Two, he repeatedly speaks of "Army Air Corps," the "Air Corps" and the "USAAC" (for Unites States Army Air Corps).
But, there was no such branch of service during World War Two.
It was almost six months BEFORE Pearl Harbor - and America's entry into World War Two - that the old reference of "Army Air Corps" was officially dropped, and this branch of the service became the "Army Air Force" (AAF). This happened on June 27, 1941.
So, some six months prior to America's entry into World War Two, the old "Air Corps" ceased to be. Those who served in the Army's air arm during World War Two actually served in the Army Air FORCE, and certainly NOT in the Army Air CORPS. (Touching bases with the historical branch of the United States Air Force would have clarified this matter prior to the publication of any of Griffin's books.)
If W.E.B. Griffin is to be praised for "historical accuracy," then he'll have to re-write his books and correct this mistake. As the publisher of his books, Penguin Putnam, Ltd. should have caught this error long ago. It certainly detracts from the thread of authenticity that the author is obivously trying to impart. W.E.B. Griffin now has on the market a multitude of books of varying titles in which this glaring error continues to perpetuate itself. It's a shame that such fine stories have to be tarnished with such continued inaccuracies.
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