Very well written and researched. Reads like a Greek tragedy. Provides clear and concise detail on how the war in Laos evolved from a handful of CIA operatives into massive air bombardment and chaos. Highlights the lack of willingness of the various military departments to coordinate operations.
The answer is never the answer. What’s really interesting is the mystery. If you seek the mystery instead of the answer, you’ll always be seeking. I’ve never seen anybody really find the answer-they think they have, so they stop thinking. But the job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in which strange plants grow and mysteries bloom. The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer.
Cannell definitely has a way with words. The books move at a fast pace. Great for some recreational reading or helping you switch to another track in the evening. A guilty pleasure like having another handful of potato chips.
I enjoyed the first half of this book which deals with the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse. The remainder was a bit disjointed, as was the campaign itself. A lot of digression to provide the history behind the different leaders. Decent maps.
Lee’s last campaign;: The story of Lee and his men against Grant–1864
Very well written. Provides insight into the characters and a lot of the story lines, especially when there were odd things going on with Schultz.
