The
truth is that I didn’t know much about the Korean War before my exposure to
this book. I wasn’t even sure I would enjoy reading about weapons and conflict,
but Bill Hancock writes a story that gives such intricate details, it is
obvious that only one who has been there could so accurately describe the
setting, the atmosphere and the intensity.
His
protagonist, CC, is a genuine gentleman and a talented marksman. Since he is
the epitome of a good guy, could he really kill someone in battle if necessary?
He comes from a family where military service has been tradition, but does this
super nice guy have the killer instinct if he or his fellow soldiers find
themselves under duress? You will discover the answer to these questions.
Reading
this story reminded me of my own Dad briefly mentioning that during his
World War II service, he knew and was prepared to do whatever was necessary
under any given circumstances, but was always thankful that he never came face
to face with an enemy individual whom he would personally have to kill. I can
surely understand why he would feel that way, and I am also certain that those
whose war experiences did involve a "kill or be killed" situation would never again
be the same person post-war. This is why so many who served and returned really
didn’t want to discuss or relive their experiences.
What
was it really like to suddenly find yourself in the service, separated from
family, friends and life as one knew it? What was this Korean War all about?
According to http://www.history.com, it
was a short but exceptionally bloody war. It began on June 25, 1950 when North
Korea invaded South Korea and ended on July 27, 1953when an armistice agreement
was signed, creating a DMZ patrolled by both sides at all times.
A
visit to http://www.cnn.com indicates that
there was never a peace treaty signed, so the war technically never ended.
Hmm…interesting in view of news that frequently arises from that area, true?
Http://www.history.com tells us that nearly
five million people died (that sounds like a mighty big number), and more than
half were civilians. Almost 40,000 Americans died in action and more than
100,000 were wounded.
It
is reported that as of June, 2013, 7,900 American soldiers are still reported
as missing in action from the Korean War.
M1 Brothers takes place
between September, 1952 and July, 1954, and Hancock provides the current
headlines of the day at the beginning of each chapter. When I first began
reading the book, I wasn’t sure I could really get into it; however, in a short
time, I was hooked on the story and found that I was eager to see what would
happen next.
It
is a story enveloping a “who do you trust?” scenario. Who are the good guys?
Are people who you think they are?
At
first I was a little bit distracted by the fact that this book is written in
the present tense, something I’m simply not accustomed to seeing. In time, I did get
comfortable with that style and began to see that it perhaps brings the
reader more into the moment.
There
are some editing issues, but don’t let that stop you from reading an intriguing
novel that is based on history with which many of us are rather unfamiliar. It
turned out to be a very suspenseful, gripping read. I heard a rumor that there
is a sequel in the works, and I’ll be ready to add it to my “To Read” list!
Book Description
Bill
Hancock takes the reader on an adventure that chronicles life in the early
fifties. M1 Brothers is a fast paced
story that mingles military adventure with history, espionage, courage, honor
and humor. The M1 Brothers find fraternity, love and deception, deal with
psychological issues and create mischief akin to MASH.
Main
character, Charlie Canfield, CC to all, is the reluctant scion of a lineage of
warriors. He worries about his ability to emulate these heroic predecessors
even though he possesses the means that can make it possible.
Hancock's
cruel and cunning North Korean master spy is Bek Man Sue. His goal is to
disrupt and overturn the South Korean government, while brutally punishing
adversaries. Brian Roberts is the uniquely talented pawn in this masterful tale
as it whirls across the treacherous hills behind the DMZ (demilitarized zone).
In
the Words of Bill Hancock
“This
book was written because it is a story that I felt a need to tell. It is
fiction based on historical fact that chronicles life in the early fifties. Our
country had ended a terrible World War just a few years earlier at an enormous
cost of life and wealth. The veterans of that war, who were deeply scarred in
many ways, were finding their places back in society and now a new threat
appears that many of their children are called to repulse. New members are
called into the fraternity of the good to combat an ongoing existence of evil.”
About
Bill Hancock
The
author has more than 50 years of technical and management experience. Some 44
years were spent working for various corporations and another 8 years running
his own consulting company. During all this, he gained recognition as a
management and cost model innovator, product developer, inventor, technical
author and mentor.
 |
| Bill Hancock |
As
a consultant, he worked on the Lockheed Martin Federal Systems Merlin
Helicopter Training Program in England. Then he returned to create training
materials and teach NASA approved classes in Project Management Fundamentals,
Parametric Cost Estimating, Work Breakdown Structure and Configuration
Management at NASA facilities around the country.
While
at IBM for 26 years, he started as an engineer in the Information Records
Division and worked on printing equipment for paper products sold by the
corporation. To most IBM means International Business Machine Corporation, but
to many within the corporation, it means I’ve Been Moved.
After
a few years, he moved to the Federal Systems Division to work as a test director
and reentry vehicle trajectory analyst. When that assignment was complete, he
moved on to the Manassas, Virginia FSD plant to become a software cost
engineer, systems and software cost engineering manager, subcontract program manager,
deputy program manager and program manager.
Prior
to IBM he worked for Ingersoll-Rand as a project engineer and developed the
first fluidized hospital bed for burn patients. Before Ingersoll-Rand he held a
senior designer position at Curtiss-Wright Electronics Division, a designer job
at Bendix Corporation, a junior designer job at Curtiss-Wright, a draftsman position
at Trowbridge Conveyor Co., and his first job was as a junior draftsman at
Hewitt-Robins Inc. While working for Hewitt-Robins, Bill Hancock was called
into service during Korean War in Army to serve as infantry soldier and
battalion draftsman in Korea. All
education after high school was at night at Stevens Institute of Technology,
Fairleigh Dickinson University and Newark College of Engineering.
Bill
is now happily retired and enjoying life in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Link
to Amazon page:
http://amzn.to/1fuOIy6
Stop by in a couple of weeks for a new article featuring another intriguing book!
Here's to Reading for a Better Life,
Mary Anne Benedetto
Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy
Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never
Say Perfect and From Italy with Love & Limoncello.
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