Fiction Kicking the Hornets' Nest Gerry Wells Troubador Publishing 224 pages Author Gerry Wells offers readers a view of the front lines of World War II in his latest effort, Kicking the Hornets' Nest.
The book follows a five man English tank crew as they move across Europe with a larger regimen battling German soldiers.
This "fact-to-fiction" tale is built around a collection of incidents that the crew members manage by using their training and instincts.
Wells incorporates the experience he gained as a solider during World War II to tell a story that goes beyond the tactics of war or the politics that initiated the battle.
The author looks deeply at the human beings who fought and how they managed to survive by taking care of each other.
Matt is the commander of the tank crew.
His instincts and keen observation skills keep the crew safe from harm on numerous occasions, including an incident in which the tank is hit by friendly fire from the air.
Matt is a highly disciplined commander who believes in keeping morale high.
The commander plays by the rules, but he allows his team and himself flexibility when it comes to making decisions about the right thing to do out in the field.
When Matt sends his hull gunner/reconnaissance guy, Obie, out to do surveillance, he offers commands, but trusts that Obie will do what is necessary to keep them all safe.
It takes the entire crew, including Tom, Joe and Pancho, working as a unit, to keep them all alive.
As the team travels through destroyed villages, Wells educates the reader on the living conditions of the tank crew, which includes limited opportunities for a meal beyond the on board military provisions; going days without bathing; and practically living off of cigarettes.
But the close quarters create the perfect environment for the development of trust and respect among the men.
It is trust and respect that keeps the crew alive when they are hit by sniper fire and when they search for clever bobby traps left in abandoned houses by the Germans.
What develops as the story progresses is an incredible brotherhood, one in which each man puts his life into the hands of his crew members.
Wells does a wonderful job of putting the reader in every scene with the tank crew.
The descriptions of the crews' surrounding are vivid.
The author uses German and English army jargon to add color and authenticity to the story.
The most remarkable aspect of this book is the humanity that shines through each page.
The tank crew is repeatedly put into situations that demand quick decisions between right and wrong; even if the right thing means saving the life of an enemy solider who has been decent to them or changing the story of a child fighter in order to keep him safe from other English solders.
These men are fundamentally good, even in the middle of a war.
Kicking the Hornets' Nestdoes something most books about war, fact or fiction, fail to do: It showcases the underbelly of battle; the humanity that is so often overlooked or simply forgotten.
Unexpectedly, Wells reveals that goodness can exist even in war.
I highly recommend this book.
The book follows a five man English tank crew as they move across Europe with a larger regimen battling German soldiers.
This "fact-to-fiction" tale is built around a collection of incidents that the crew members manage by using their training and instincts.
Wells incorporates the experience he gained as a solider during World War II to tell a story that goes beyond the tactics of war or the politics that initiated the battle.
The author looks deeply at the human beings who fought and how they managed to survive by taking care of each other.
Matt is the commander of the tank crew.
His instincts and keen observation skills keep the crew safe from harm on numerous occasions, including an incident in which the tank is hit by friendly fire from the air.
Matt is a highly disciplined commander who believes in keeping morale high.
The commander plays by the rules, but he allows his team and himself flexibility when it comes to making decisions about the right thing to do out in the field.
When Matt sends his hull gunner/reconnaissance guy, Obie, out to do surveillance, he offers commands, but trusts that Obie will do what is necessary to keep them all safe.
It takes the entire crew, including Tom, Joe and Pancho, working as a unit, to keep them all alive.
As the team travels through destroyed villages, Wells educates the reader on the living conditions of the tank crew, which includes limited opportunities for a meal beyond the on board military provisions; going days without bathing; and practically living off of cigarettes.
But the close quarters create the perfect environment for the development of trust and respect among the men.
It is trust and respect that keeps the crew alive when they are hit by sniper fire and when they search for clever bobby traps left in abandoned houses by the Germans.
What develops as the story progresses is an incredible brotherhood, one in which each man puts his life into the hands of his crew members.
Wells does a wonderful job of putting the reader in every scene with the tank crew.
The descriptions of the crews' surrounding are vivid.
The author uses German and English army jargon to add color and authenticity to the story.
The most remarkable aspect of this book is the humanity that shines through each page.
The tank crew is repeatedly put into situations that demand quick decisions between right and wrong; even if the right thing means saving the life of an enemy solider who has been decent to them or changing the story of a child fighter in order to keep him safe from other English solders.
These men are fundamentally good, even in the middle of a war.
Kicking the Hornets' Nestdoes something most books about war, fact or fiction, fail to do: It showcases the underbelly of battle; the humanity that is so often overlooked or simply forgotten.
Unexpectedly, Wells reveals that goodness can exist even in war.
I highly recommend this book.
Source...