The Green eyed Boys by Christian Jennings, Adrian Weale, 0002555905, Lowest Book Price Finder

Customer Reviews:

FICTION...FACT!

Alot of this book is FICTION.....some interesting stories but as long as you remember that they are only stories.

You're in the Army now!

As a former soldier who did not serve in the Falklands (before my time!) I thought this book was a great read and very informative. I can understand why it does not appeal to everybody as a lot of the things squaddies get up to can turn the stomachs of civilians but, nonetheless, it is an incredibly accurate insight into the lives and lifestyles of serving soldiers.

The book essentially covers three subjects, seemlessly narrowing in on the main topic as they go. A general introduction to the army and its environment is followed by a more specific introduction to the parachute regiment, culminating in the Falklands campaign and the action fought by 3 Para to take Longdon.

The style is very easy to read and will be a real 'eye-opener' for both soldiers and civilians alike. Anybody who has been under fire will identify immediately with both the fear and the gallows humour that prevails under such circumstances. At many points in the book I found myself laughing out loud having been reminded of various military 'traditions' and situations which crop up from time to time in any serviceman's career.

There was also a deep and abiding respect for 3 Para and what they achieved in attacking an enemy of equal strength, well entrenched on high ground, with no artillery support (a situation all the text books tell you should be avoided) and winning through as a result of exceptional training, discipline, courage, and force of will.

There is also a lot of peripheral information about the Falklands campaign in general, outlining for example some of the ridiculous mistakes that were made during the course of the war and how the soldiers overcame the resulting problems in order to succeed.

The after-action incident involving the shooting of the Argetinian prisoner is dealt with honestly and in some detail and shows that particular episode in a more balanced light. The reader must decide which standpoint to take but can do so from a position of having the facts at his disposal as opposed to the allegations promulgated through 'objective' tabloid reporting at the time.

Any student of recent military history will find this book a valuable addition to their collection, as will anybody who wants to better understand what drives the British soldier to fight and win under the harshest of conditions.

Trashy Journalism

Written in a sensationalist, 'laddish' way its certainly not a history book, rather an extended newspaper column for a tabloid. It seems that the authors are like little boys always in awe of the tough macho men they write about, and it just gets boring after a while.
For a decent account of the war, read Martin Middlebrooks Falklands War 1982. For a good book about soldiers in battle, theres about a million better choices than this.

mud blood guts and glory

Green-eyed boys is a highly readable detailed account of the Parachute regiments assault on Mount Longdon, during the Falklands conflict.
The authors approach the whole conflict from a fairly neutral viewpoint and quickly dispel many of the rumours and myths that have grown up since the conflict, the argentinian defenders of both goose green and mount longdon, although mostly poorly trained and motivated conscripts provided good accounts of themselves, contrary to popular belief.
The rumours of war crimes and excecutions carried out by the so called green eyed boys from the paras, is the central core of the book, and the facts are laid out plainly with many eyewitness accounts, and the stories are most definately laid to rest here.
The book is very well researched and offers analysis and critique throughout.
The Paras are followed from peacetime through the task force right through the landings battles and finally the defeat of the argentinians and capture of Port Stanley, the main events of the conflict are detailed, but the battle for mount longdon accounts for the bulk of the book and the pace slows somewhat during the blow for blow account provided, intersperced with the many personal accounts of individual paras.

Couldn`t put it down.

I found "Green eyed boys" to be a great book. The epilouge was espcially well, giving the reader something to think about - the court martial and investigation of the young soldiers accused of war crimes. I would say that having read this book one should also read Phillp Caputo`s book "A Rumour of War", which also gives a remarkable insight in the attrocities young normal boys of Christian values, are capable of.

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