The Hobo Woods

8.0 / 10 average from 1 rated reviews

After spending one year back in the World, U.S. Special Forces Captain Mack Gerber returns to Vietnam smack in the middle of a political boondoggle. Although the Americans have incontrovertible evidence of a major enemy buildup in the Hobo Woods region, they are advised to exercise extreme restraint against the NVA. This mandate is the result of a press-whipped U.S. administration buckling under severe antiwar sentiments. The ripple effect touches officers in the field in Vietnam, and they are cautioned to keep all missions low-profile. Mack Gerber is stunned at these new events, especially since the American military has now been allowed to shed its adviser role and openly take part in combat. Gerber can't believe his orders: Go look for the enemy, but don't find him!

Reviews (1)

The Phantom 8/10 October 6, 2021

This book starts quite different from the others. We get to see some of the life of Gerber and Fetterman in the States as they have a year off from their post in Vietnam. This is a slow burn toward the story development later on, but nevertheless an enjoyable section of the novel. Things pick up when they return to Vietnam, but Camp 555 is not in this book at all. Instead we have the main American bases as the setting, and a lot of perspective from Colonel Alan Bates, who seems to be the focus for this book. Things heat up quickly and it gets crazy with the mission into the Hobo woods. The action is heavy and things don't go so well, this in contrast to what the top brass wanted as a low key mission, but that is all I will say to avoid spoilers. I enjoyed this book, more so than the previous title and as with most of these, I recommend reading the series in order, for much of it to make sense.