Fortune Favors the Bold: A British LRRP with the 101st

by James W. Walker

Book Overview

A unique, unvarnished look from the only British citizen serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam AN UNCONVENTIONAL SOLDIER Born in England to a British father and a Canadian mother, James Walker was... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804116008
• ISBN13: 9780804116008
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Step into a LRRP's jungle boot!

Having never been to Vietnam James Walker's writings brought me into deadly job that the 101st LRRP's faced on those "Long Walks" in the steamy jungle. Mr. Walkers descriptions of being a "newbie", training, insertions, missions, extraction's, after actions are worthy reading to both the novice and the veteran. Fourntue Favors the Bold held my attention well into the late night.These men "lived" with the danger and wrote history with their blood and lives. A great tribute to the Airborne soldiers that were called LURP's!

A book that affected another Limey - a masterpiece

James W Walker presents you with the story of his time in Vietnam and allows you to be transported there as if you were watching yourself. He starts the story by describing how he managed to get to the States - via Hull, UK and through various schools in the area before moving with his mother to the USA, volunteering for the Army and shipping out to Vietnam. Walker's description of his time in Nam is written so clearly that he betrays the fact that so many years have passed between the Tour and the book. His writing is not in the style of a list - like so many other books in this genre - but of a well-structured novel by a clearly talented author. Fortune Favours the Bold - Walker was certainly bold. A number of tales in this book must have taken sheer courage to undertake. But Walker does not flaunt this - there is no ostentatious hint that he was the best, nor did he even think he was anything other than an average young man. The book has, as all Nam books do, a fistful of photos taken of the author and his friends. The dipped head of Walker in one of the photos underlines my earlier statement - Walker is a real person. One with whom you can associate and befriend. Being British myself it could be understood that out of the endless Vietnam books I have read this one would stay in my mind more than others, but Walker has a style that allows you to become him, to understand him and to like him. I would recommend anyone to read this book, regardless whether they are interested in Vietnam, war, fear and courage or not because it is a good read that will transport you from noon to night as you glide through the book, living your own war. I think you should buy this book - you will read it, love it and recommend it to your friends.Mr Walker, Sir, when will you bless us with another book?

Ray J Sonnier An Ex Ranger w/ E 75th

I have read this book at least three time, and have enjoyed it each time. Limey is an acquaintance of mine, and what you read in the book, is just the kind of man he is. He is a man who fought for our country, when he really didn't have to. His book is an expert look at the War in The Nam. Rangers Leads The Way

An outstanding story that you will never forget!

Limey's account as a 101st Airborne LRRP in Vietnam will keep you riveted to your seat and you immediatly feel yourself being transported to the action! Fortune Favors the Bold is extraordinary. Step into the lives of tough, rugged, professionals who performed their jobs well and with pride,under extremely difficult conditions. One you start this book, be prepared - you can't put it down!

A real story, by a real man, telling it like it really was.

Do you think that life in Lurps was all guts and gore and glory? If so, you're wrong. If you're looking for a book about these things, look elsewhere. If you want to know what Lurping was REALLY like, read this book. It tells it like it was, warts and all. As you read it, you'll meet a gamut of emotions. You'll laugh, and you'll cry; you'll be angry and you'll be frustrated. Just like Limey Walker and the men who made up the famous recon unit of the 1st Brigade/101st Airborne Division in Vietnam: LRRP--Long Range Reconaissance Patrol, The Foul Dudes, The Eyes of the Eagle. This is the story of the life of an unusual man, one who was a hero, but not the Audey Murphy type. The Limey was born in Britain and spent the first two decades of his life looking for something truly meaningful. His search took him 3 continents to come to an end. He found what he was looking for when he wound up in Lurps, in Vietnam, the only subject of Her Majesty, the Queen of England, to serve with the Foul Dudes. FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD is the story of his search, and the record of what he found at its end. It tells how he grew from a child into a man, and then grew as a man. It tells of his mistakes and the trouble he got into along the way. It tells of the remarkable men he served with, in great honor. It's a Lurp's-eye view of one phase of the War in Vietnam, in the rear, and on the line as a member of a 6 man recon team creepy-crawling in Mr. Charles' backyard. It's the story of a common man who joined with others like himself, and together created created an uncommon legend of uncommon courage, valor and gallantry that was acknowledged even by the enemy, who feared them more than a B52 raid. This made them--and him--a shining part of the history of a war without luster. Read it, and learn what Lurps was really like. And learn what the Limey was really like at the same time--a very brave man with a big heart, who epitomized a "Band of Brothers" who never let their friends down, nor failed to do their duty. If LRRP history interests you--read FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD. If courage interests you--read it. If men who put honor first interest you--read it. If you just want a good read--read it. The Limey's book has them all, and is worth the effort. It's plain and unvarnished truth, told by a heck of a soldier, and told very well indeed. It's a keeper.