We Few

By: Nick Brokhausen

Narrated by: George Spelvin

Length: 14 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

A Green Beret's gripping memoir of American Special Forces in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.   

In 1970, on his second tour to Vietnam, Nick Brokhausen served in Recon Team Habu, CCN. Officially, it was known as the Studies and Observations group. In fact, this Special Forces squad, which Brokhausen calls "an unwashed, profane, ribald, joyously alive fraternity", undertook some of the most dangerous and suicidal reconnaissance missions ever in the enemy-controlled territory of Cambodia and Laos. 

But they didn't infiltrate the jungles alone. They fought alongside the Montagnards - oppressed minorities from the mountain highlands, trained by the US military in guerrilla tactics, armed, accustomed to the wild, and fully engaged in a war against the North Vietnamese. 

Together, this small unit formed the backbone of ground reconnaissance in the Republic of Vietnam, racking up medals for valor - but at a terrible cost.

©2018 Casemate Publishers and Nick Brokhausen (P)2018 Tantor

Is there such a thing as funny war genre ??

I couldn't stop laughing until I realized that he was writing about death, mayhem and general anarchy. The book had a unique perspective that is not typical in this genre. It was the funniest book I have read in some time, not the subject matter, but the authors internal monologue is exactly what you would expect some super badass Green Beret 's attitude to be.

28 people found this helpful

Very unique approach to a combat memoir! Hilarious

As a combat veteran and lover of history I have read hundreds of non-fiction and memoir style combat books. This is the first written with such focus on the lighter side of being a grunt in a combat zone. It very much reminded me of crazy episodes that occurred as we filthy infantrymen terrorized the rear bases that we made visits too. Nick is an amazing story teller. I couldn't count the times I laughed as I listened.

My only wish is that there had been more combat stories. All in all, the book was well worth the listen. Not one I will read over and over like some classics but well worth the time.

11 people found this helpful

Excellent action, very funny

Reminds me of my top ‘Nam book Go to Go by Harry Constance. Tons of bloody action, jokes, pranks, and serious notes about lives lost. I loved it and I read every enlisted war memoir that comes out.

14 people found this helpful

Excellent read.

I though I had read just about all the Viet Nam Special Forces books out there and to be honest I though "We Few" was going to be a mediocre book at best. But the book built up steam like a locomotive and I couldn't put it down, turned out to be one of, if not the best book I have read on Special Forces in Viet Nam. The only down side is at the end of the 27th chapter when the story ends. Thanks

5 people found this helpful

A hilarious tale of brutal warfare

Veteran here. Recently started reading/listening to a lot of military biographies and autobiographies. This is one of the best so far. Nick captures the sick, twisted humor and antics of combat arms units perfectly. He is incredibly witty, yet surprisingly humble. The reality is, the sacrifices these men made were far too great and they sustained horrible losses throughout the war. We owe a great deal to these men, whether or not we agree with the war. I am very much looking forward to reading his next book Whispers in the Tall Grass.

3 people found this helpful

Like no other military book I have read

Im kind of burnt out on military bio's and like to vary my selections. I took a chance based on some of the reviews because I originally planned to add it to my wish list and circle back. The reviews were 100% correct, I have never listened to a book that kept me laughing as much while at the same time leaving me amazed at the men in this book. Not much is written about these units, you hear about them but never a first hand account. These guys make todays soldiers seem like boy scouts and that is not meant to diminish my respect and admiration for all who serve. These guys are just a different animal altogether because they are programed for violence and overcoming insane situations. It doesn't matter if its on the battlefield or R&R they have one speed (100%) and they do what they want.
David Hackworth's creative us of foul language and insults on the battlefield is the only other Bio (About Face- a book without equal) I have read that paints a picture detailed enough that you feel like your along for the ride. Nick has an endless stream of insults and descriptions that is truly creative, you will be hooked from the start. I have only listened to a handful of audio books twice but this one I started over as soon as it was over.
These are serious men and as he plainly states if your not one of them and you cross or insult them they will kill you and not think twice. Right from the first page you will realize this is not macho bravado but just a fact, these guys are different.
The writing style was like nothing I have ever heard before and Im still trying to figure out how he made me laugh out loud while at the same time being horrified at the level of violence and admiration for his service.
I hope more of these men come forward and tell there story I would pre-order any future book written by them. The only downside is that the book does not go on for another 20 hours. Hopefully part 2 is in the works and picks up where it left off. I have no idea how the survivors of this group ever transitioned out of the war. These are not normal people but on the battle field they were simply amazing.
This book is not for the faint of heart or those easily offended and it was nice to hear someone speak there mind and not worry about the PC police.
If your on the fence about this book thinking you dont know if your up for another war bio just buy it. Its a wild laughter filled ride that you wont put down.

3 people found this helpful

Great Book

A must read for those who have interest in special forces. Nick Brokhausen does not weigh the reader down with trivia. We Few is not a cowboy shoot-em-up but is an honest, smooth flowing and often satirical look through his eyes. George Spelvin really brings the book to life. Nick Brokhausen is the real deal and a true hero. I hope to see more.

2 people found this helpful

Great job, Loved it.

I throughly enjoyed the unique style of the book and I thought the narrator fit my mental picture of Nick. I liked the clever descriptions with subtle humor sprinkled throughout the book.
I like your style of story telling Nick. I’m going to look for more of your books. Again good job on your book and thank you for your service.

2 people found this helpful

Great stories here.

I understood how these guys felt they had nothing to lose after surviving the experiences they had.I thoroughly enjoyed it but if I had any frivolous complaints,it would be that the ending was rather abrupt. I do recommend giving it a listen.

2 people found this helpful

Great listen

Humorous on a deadly serious situation. Very well done. Whispers in tall grass was great as well

1 person found this helpful

The most entertaining Vietnam macvsog recall

Love the narrator and the central figures sense of humor , read and listened to every SOG book and this was my favorite

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant book

Well written memoirs of a well travelled soldier. Shows another side to the conflict involving the indigenous tribes.

fantastic listen loved every second, brilliantly

loved the book brilliantly narrated, the author wrote with knowledge and worded wonderfully loved it

One of the greatest war memoirs

Absolutely captivated from start to finish. Nick is humble, honest, and hilarious. Great narration too!

A brilliant story

Listened to this 3 times. Excellent recount of Nick's war. An superb narrator as well

Not good

I've read all the SOG books and this is the worst so far. Read the reviews on Amazon.com first.

brilliant

real insight into the life of SF in the Vietnam era.
written and performed with wit and heart.

AMAZING

What a book. No matter where you are from Vietnam in the 60's to Afghanistan in the 2000's soldiers will be soldiers. I think I spent more time laughing and having to go back and listen again. Fantastic book. No matter how close to hell you are a soldier will always find some way to boost morale. I will defiantly be getting this book to read properly.

possibly one of my favourite reads in a long time.

If Hunter S Thomson had served in Vietnam, this is how he would tell you of his exploits. A great book! the way the people in the book are described really paints a picture in your minds eye. and the narrator compliments this perfectly. I'm really looking forward to the author's next book

A very different delivery and exceptional for it

Hard gritty Recce tales and very well written. clearly ghost written though as it's not the more normal, "I did this, I did that".