Review by Amina Yusuf -- A Police Action by A. A. Freda
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Review by Amina Yusuf -- A Police Action by A. A. Freda
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Police Action" by A. A. Freda.]
4 out of 4 stars
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A Police Action by A. A. Freda
With only ten months left before he finishes his tour of duty, Specialist Fourth Class James Coppi stationed at Fort Knox is transferred to Fort Carson to join a military unit waiting to be deployed to fight in the Vietnam War. With the Tet Offensive by the National Liberation Front (NLF) and the North Vietnamese army in full swing, public opinion is not favourable to the U.S. involvement in the war. As the U.S. military and South Vietnamese army fight to maintain their hold on the major cities under attack, things are not looking good as more U.S. soldiers are killed or wounded in the war. Meanwhile, Coppi uses his time at Fort Carson to hustle for money and becomes a regular loan shark to fellow soldiers in need. With two Article Fifteens already in his file, will Coppi continue to risk his military career for insubordination or for a relationship he is not ready for?
A Police Action by A. A. Freda is a historical fiction set during the Vietnam War. The story follows the exploits of James Coppi, a Vietnam War draftee and his romance with Samantha ‘Sam’ Powers, his free-spirit girlfriend. While undergoing military training at Fort Carson and waiting to be airlifted to Vietnam to join the war against the North Vietnamese army, Coppi met Sam, a young girl from Texas in a bar. After spending the night with Coppi, Sam blurts out that she is pregnant and went on to narrate how it happened to him. Coppi offers to help her get an abortion and even pays for the procedure. Their chance meeting soon turns into a relationship, with Coppi paying for an apartment and even opening a joint account for them. Realizing that Sam will not settle for less, Coppi decides to break up with her before leaving for Vietnam. However, Sam promises to wait for him until he finishes his tour in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Coppi tries to come to terms with his feelings for Sam. He thinks he is not ready for the kind of commitment that Sam desires. However, Sam believes it is only a matter of time before Coppi realizes that he loves her. Will he survive the war long enough to finally admit to himself that she is the one for him? Or will he turn his back on her, so she can get on with her life with someone else?
What I liked most about the book is the humor incorporated into the story. It makes the book very appealing and entertaining. In the book, it is not all about war and romance, but it also includes humor and charming characters. The main character, Coppi is a lovable character. He is smart, funny, likable and tough. I love an excerpt in the book, where he is summoned into the office of his commanding officer and the Old man says to him, “at ease, Coppi” and he thought, “If you really want me at ease, offer me a freaking chair.” He is a fun-loving hustler, who loves to make a fast buck at card games or invests his money in selling cola to soldiers as long as he will gain a huge profit from it. You can love him or hate him, either way; he is a very intriguing character. There was never a dull moment while I was reading the book. The plot is a thrilling mix of passion, love, laughter and war. I also liked that the book is fast-paced. A really quick read moving at a steady pace, which I think will appeal to readers who do not like lengthy novels. The book explores various themes such as humour, friendship, sympathy, trust, love, determination, fear, anger, independence and war.
The title of the book ignites my interest from the first instance. The book is well-researched by the author. It was really interesting reading about some historical facts, which happened during the Vietnam War. For example, the M16 Automatic Rifle was introduced during the war. The Tet Offensive was a significant military campaign during the Vietnam War. Strategic locations during the war such as Quang Tri and Khe Sanh were incorporated into the story. The author portrays the negative impact of the war on the U.S. military and public opinion about the war, which served as a major turning point for the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Vietnam War.
What I liked least about the book is the complicated relationship between the main character and his girlfriend. While reading the book, I have to say I was a bit annoyed with Sam’s behavior towards Coppi. I also think that Coppi is not very sympathetic to other people as he is towards Sam. Sam has him wrapped around her little finger and she is not very considerate, even after his support of her during a difficult phase in her life.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This is because it is a page-turner with an intriguing plot. It is a well written story fused with dark themes such as abortion, war and death, which may not appeal to some readers. The book appears to be professionally edited as I noted only a few errors, which will not distract the reader from enjoying the story. it is a splendid read.
The book will appeal to readers who enjoy a fast-paced historical fiction fused with humor and romance. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy matured adult fiction. Due to the sexual content in the book, I will not recommend it to a younger audience. Readers who are interested in the Vietnam War and the US involvement in the war will find the book very enlightening.
******
A Police Action
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
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A Police Action by A. A. Freda
With only ten months left before he finishes his tour of duty, Specialist Fourth Class James Coppi stationed at Fort Knox is transferred to Fort Carson to join a military unit waiting to be deployed to fight in the Vietnam War. With the Tet Offensive by the National Liberation Front (NLF) and the North Vietnamese army in full swing, public opinion is not favourable to the U.S. involvement in the war. As the U.S. military and South Vietnamese army fight to maintain their hold on the major cities under attack, things are not looking good as more U.S. soldiers are killed or wounded in the war. Meanwhile, Coppi uses his time at Fort Carson to hustle for money and becomes a regular loan shark to fellow soldiers in need. With two Article Fifteens already in his file, will Coppi continue to risk his military career for insubordination or for a relationship he is not ready for?
A Police Action by A. A. Freda is a historical fiction set during the Vietnam War. The story follows the exploits of James Coppi, a Vietnam War draftee and his romance with Samantha ‘Sam’ Powers, his free-spirit girlfriend. While undergoing military training at Fort Carson and waiting to be airlifted to Vietnam to join the war against the North Vietnamese army, Coppi met Sam, a young girl from Texas in a bar. After spending the night with Coppi, Sam blurts out that she is pregnant and went on to narrate how it happened to him. Coppi offers to help her get an abortion and even pays for the procedure. Their chance meeting soon turns into a relationship, with Coppi paying for an apartment and even opening a joint account for them. Realizing that Sam will not settle for less, Coppi decides to break up with her before leaving for Vietnam. However, Sam promises to wait for him until he finishes his tour in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Coppi tries to come to terms with his feelings for Sam. He thinks he is not ready for the kind of commitment that Sam desires. However, Sam believes it is only a matter of time before Coppi realizes that he loves her. Will he survive the war long enough to finally admit to himself that she is the one for him? Or will he turn his back on her, so she can get on with her life with someone else?
What I liked most about the book is the humor incorporated into the story. It makes the book very appealing and entertaining. In the book, it is not all about war and romance, but it also includes humor and charming characters. The main character, Coppi is a lovable character. He is smart, funny, likable and tough. I love an excerpt in the book, where he is summoned into the office of his commanding officer and the Old man says to him, “at ease, Coppi” and he thought, “If you really want me at ease, offer me a freaking chair.” He is a fun-loving hustler, who loves to make a fast buck at card games or invests his money in selling cola to soldiers as long as he will gain a huge profit from it. You can love him or hate him, either way; he is a very intriguing character. There was never a dull moment while I was reading the book. The plot is a thrilling mix of passion, love, laughter and war. I also liked that the book is fast-paced. A really quick read moving at a steady pace, which I think will appeal to readers who do not like lengthy novels. The book explores various themes such as humour, friendship, sympathy, trust, love, determination, fear, anger, independence and war.
The title of the book ignites my interest from the first instance. The book is well-researched by the author. It was really interesting reading about some historical facts, which happened during the Vietnam War. For example, the M16 Automatic Rifle was introduced during the war. The Tet Offensive was a significant military campaign during the Vietnam War. Strategic locations during the war such as Quang Tri and Khe Sanh were incorporated into the story. The author portrays the negative impact of the war on the U.S. military and public opinion about the war, which served as a major turning point for the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Vietnam War.
What I liked least about the book is the complicated relationship between the main character and his girlfriend. While reading the book, I have to say I was a bit annoyed with Sam’s behavior towards Coppi. I also think that Coppi is not very sympathetic to other people as he is towards Sam. Sam has him wrapped around her little finger and she is not very considerate, even after his support of her during a difficult phase in her life.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This is because it is a page-turner with an intriguing plot. It is a well written story fused with dark themes such as abortion, war and death, which may not appeal to some readers. The book appears to be professionally edited as I noted only a few errors, which will not distract the reader from enjoying the story. it is a splendid read.
The book will appeal to readers who enjoy a fast-paced historical fiction fused with humor and romance. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy matured adult fiction. Due to the sexual content in the book, I will not recommend it to a younger audience. Readers who are interested in the Vietnam War and the US involvement in the war will find the book very enlightening.
******
A Police Action
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Can I Be Frank? by Rob Wyatt
