Tag: War Stories

Death in the Jungle – Diary of a Navy SEAL

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Death in the Jungle, Diary of a Navy Seal
by Gary R. Smith, Alan Maki

Edmond Gagnon‘s review – Jan 14, 2026  

A well written account of what U.S. soldiers and especially the Navy Seals went through in Viet Nam. I wasn’t aware of their role in that war. Their elite training obviously contributed to their survival rate, where many other ‘trained’ soldiers weren’t so lucky.
It’s completely insane, reading about how they spent hours and even days in waist deep muck and swamp water, waiting to surprise the enemy. They had to endure mosquitos, snakes and even crocodiles, while trying not to be discovered by an enemy who often outnumbered them.
The authors do an excellent job in describing the Seals dangerous missions as well as their every day life stationed in a hostile country on the other side of the world.

Reading Progress

Hell From the Heavens – The U.S.S. Laffey

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Hell from the Heavens: The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II’s Greatest Kamikaze Attack
by John F. Wukovits

Edmond Gagnon‘s review Sep 08, 2022  

An excellent read for any war buff or even those slightly interested in World War II and naval actions. Very few novels can evoke emotion from me as this book did, while the author describes the triumphs and horrors of war from the perspective of soldiers on the front lines.
Hell from the Heavens gives us a look at the every day life of sailors aboard the USS Laffey, a ship that saw action in all the major amphibious landings in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Not exactly knowing the difference between a destroyer, cruiser or battleship, I learned how powerful yet vulnerable ships like the Laffey were.
I learned just how destructive the Japanese Kamikaze pilots were on the navy and particularly to the Laffey when they were attacked by 22 of them in 80 minutes. Often wondering where I’d rather be in the military, whether in the air, sea, or on land, this story has me reconsidering my choices.
I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a local book show and he told me the book rights have been purchased and a movie is in the works with Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg. I can’t wait to see this story on the big screen.