The Advisor: Co-Van

by Carl A. Nelson

Book Overview

The Advisor happens to be set during the Vietnam War, but its message is universally applicable -- the characters could be State Department, Peace Corps, or soldiers in Bosnia.

What sets The Advisor apart from many other novels written about Vietnam? This provocative story deals with the complexities of being an advisor to foreigners in wartime: a clash of cultures, combat action and political intrigue. Played out through Viet Cong as well as American...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563115131
• ISBN13: 9781563115134
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Turner
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Viet Nam Vet

It brought me right back to my time and place in Nam. The characters were believable. The backdrop the RSSZ was accurately portrayed. Capt Nelson nailed it. Very entertaining.

The Advisor-Vietnam War Insights

The story is told in a personal way: in episodes. It both holds your interest and engages you to share in the thoughts and feelings of the professional military who served in Vietnam. The novel introduces historic struggles for power among the Vietnamese people as a backdrop of activity creating an unforgettable perspective of our forces' departure. Its rare to be entertained and also be presented with a perspective to help clarify your thinking of the war. This books shows how integrity was so strongly tested and yet prevailed in the conduct of many Vietnamese and American officers. A quick read-but with lasting images! The fact that the Naval Officer who is the main character displays such total disregard for his personal safety by infinging on a Marine Officer's relationship with a woman is unrealistic.He'd have been harmed!

A wonderful novel about the tragic period of Vietnam history

I really enjoyed reading this book. Dr. Nelson has certainly contributed a refreshing and enduring perspective to the Vietnam War experience. Starting from his offshore involvement of the Vietnam War to his hands-to-hands combat with the enemy guerrillas deep in the killer forest, Commander Blake Lawrence is a classic American warrior who despite his apathy for the war received and returned the call of duty for democracy with grace and dignity. This book is beautifully written with concrete details of the country, the people, and the thrilling events of Vietnam. After reading the first few pages of the book I found it's difficult to put down as each additional readings lead on to more intrigue and suspense. Even though Blake only served in the war of Vietnam for three years the intensity of characters and the events as told by Dr. Nelson strike a resounding chord in generations of veterans past, present, and future to the conflicting values of society, family, and self that a warrior must endure to survive. I truly recommend this book to all those who want to find out more about the complex struggles for a nation and the sacrifices and ordeals that must be paid for its unending resolution.

The Advisor

The Advisor is not only a fast-paced action novel, it also contains a moving story. I was impressed by the altered views about Vietnam that I had after reading The Advisor. The author clearly knows his history of the country and its people. Overall, I felt that The Advisor was instructive while also an exciting adventure, with memorable characters and action scenes tied to the story--not just thrown in to keep the reader's attention. The book is filled with details that add depth to understanding those tumultuous times,and the clear compassion the author holds for the people who were forced to fight in them. This is fine novel. By all means, read it. You won't feel the same about Vietnam.

The advisor

Hi, well this is strange, i havent read the book as yet , I do know the author , I have a good reason for not reading the book at this time, I have known the author since high school days, I believe that if he wrote it, i must be good, I have spoken many times with him and if the book at all reflects the man who is the writer , then the book will be of great interest and integerity to any reader ,. They say dont judge a book by its cover , ? Well you CAN judge the man and then his writing will surelly reflect the Man , From what i know of Carl,, the book will be concise , the book will be direct , the book will expound truth and there will be valuable leasons to be learned , Thank you, and please read The Book .