The Edge of Honor

Seriously!

I've purchased all of the Deutermann novels available on Audible, and I'm obscenely happy with all of them.

Edge of Honor is a bit different than most of his other books, in that the story is told from the perspective of two protaganists, a husband and wife. The book is set around the middle of the Vietnam War, and essentially talks about navy life from the perspective of both the guy at sea, and the wife left at home.

To enhance the difference, there are two narrators, one female and one male. In the first few minutes, I was a bit put off by this, because the first scene is a conversation between them. As the book rolled on, though, I began to really appreciate the change in tone, and I enjoyed the narration.

The level of detail of life aboard ship gets a little Clancy-esque at times; lots and lots and LOTS of detail, but I found it all to be pretty interesting.

I think that if you've ever enjoyed any other P.T. Deutermann novel, you'll enjoy this one, too.

Absolutely worth the credit.

The story is a little long like most of Deutermann's books but it's definitely worth the credit and your time to listen.

Can't wait for his new book 'Glory'.

First...P.T. Deutermann is one of my favorite authors. I buy every book without even looking at the review. This is the first time I have been disappointed. I could not take the whiny wife. You marry a man in the NAVY, in wartime and you are suprised when he gets on a ship and goes away? Give me a break!!!!! The story starts way too slow. I got bored and annoyed. After a couple of hours I gave up on it...so to be fair...maybe it gets a lot better...it would have to........

I was very anxious to listen to this book. As a retired Navy Senior Chief who served during the Viet Nam era I was anxious to listen to the detail on the ships and systems. I can say it was extremely accurate. It brought back fond memories and anxious moments that I haven't thought about in 30 years. I was however disappointed with the female narration and female portion of the book. I could see no connection that was instrumental in the book except for the ward room wives portion. The difficulties of the main characters wife in coping with the separation was not interesting and actually brought this book down from a 5 to a 3 1/2. I rounded up to 4.

I miss the Goat Locker and Subic Bay!!

Hunting Season was my first Deutermann book and thought I discovered gold. The description on other titles did not look particularly interesting, but I finally picked Edge of Honor. It begins in San Diego with some background on Holcomb's Navy career and his marital relationship. After the ship deploys, it alternates between Holcomb on the ship on Yankee Station and his wife back in San Diego. The description of ship operations is fascinating, but the personnel plot is bad. But not as bad as the action back in San Diego which I feel certain was written by a different author. It was trite and transparent. Even my wife, who likes more women authors and the romance-type story lines could not take it. Because I enjoyed Hunting Season so much, I carried on way past my normal intolerance level but finally had to give it up. I will not try another Deutermann book. Jay Charles and Sandra Burr were not particularly noticeable as I was in almost constant critical mode on the plot.

Nothing

It was almost 9 months ago when I listened and do not remember much about their performance. I do remember that I did not comment on it during the listening so it must have been fine.

I don't think there is a way to edit this to improve it for me. I spent 26 years in the Navy and Coast Guard, enlisted and officer (as a department head). I was not familiar with the current state of warfare in the Navy, but the description rings true and was excellent. The other parts of Navy life involving personal interaction were unlike anything I ever experienced. The parts with Holcomb's wife (as far as I got) read like (I imagine) a Silhouette romance.

My father was in the Navy during WW II and was the Supply Officer on a transport ship that was torpedoed, but not sunk. PT Deutermann is a for real Navy veteran writing about what he knows and it comes accross beautifully in his novels. My wife and I have listened to and enjoyed his novels as we drive on various road trips.

The second book I have listened to by the author (Pacific Glory the other). This would have been just as good (and gotten 5 stars) if it not for the lame attempt by the female narrator to do the male voice (of Autrie). Pretty pathetic. Pretty decent overall, however.

This was my first PT Deutermann book and I have to tell you that it was so boring that I could hardy get through it and the whinny wife was more than I could stand. Save your credit on this book! I hope the rest of his books are better.

Deutermann's novels have been very good in the past. This one was not. It is slow, VERY detail oriented and not much of a story. While the use of both of a male and female reader works, both of their stories are boring. Pass on this novel and try another.