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Readermail
Maj. Farmer,
I recently completed Iron Tigers and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was stationed at Ft. Bragg until I ETS’d in 2001. What I truly enjoyed most about your book was the beginning. You captured the bullshitting and the grab-ass and all of the little details with such ease that it brought me back to my shit-talking days in the platoon cp.
It has been my greatest privilege to be an American soldier and Paratrooper. I was part of something special, something bigger than myself. I have seen and done things that I can talk about with my friends and family, but no matter how detailed I get something is lost in the translation. In hindsight, the big things don't really matter much to me. Everyone's done something bigger, better, and badder. What I hold closest to my heart are the small things that made being a soldier and a leader the most memorable experience of my life. You know, like bagging on the cherries or playing spades on an MRE box at Jungle School; the eternal battle with the stupid decisions your soldiers seem to make and never-ending paternal concern for their welfare.
Even though I'm out and done, I can't help but feel I never really left. No matter how close I get to people, those sorry shit-talking bastards will always be my real family. Even my damned dirty rotten nasty LEG buddies. I guess my point is that those first chapters really struck a chord in me and no matter what I do or where I go, I can look back on that part of my life with pride because it was the people that truly made the experience. Thank you for "reuniting" me with the ghosts of my friends for that brief span.
All the Way,
Charles C. Rosenfield
(Ex-Buck Sergeant and 1LT)
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Charles,
Thanks much for the note, brother. That's the kind of response that a writer hopes for. I used to read a lot of Coyle, but Harry never brought out the "brotherhood" piece for me. I tried to capture it, sounds like I did okay. If you enjoyed IRON TIGERS, check out TIN SOLDIERS. If it's not in your local bookstore, it is available through Amazon.com within a couple of days of ordering.
Funny you were at Bragg. I'm originally from North Carolina (Goldsboro) and just recently was reassigned from MacDill to good old Fayett-Nam. Bought a little place on Pinehurst #6 where I'm currently on PCS leave and trying to get book three going.
Oh...and lest I forget, thanks much for your service.
Scouts out!
Mike
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Dear Sir,
I picked up Iron Tigers and I could not put it down, then I found out you wrote a book prior to this one, guess I'll read backwards. Thank you so much for putting in 19 D's. I was a Cav Scout in the first Gulf War attached to XVIII Airborne, folks seem to forget about us when they write a book. Keep up the great work!
Scouts Out,
Sgt. Randall Vallee.
New Mexico.
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Randall,
Don't thank me...thank you. I tell anyone that listens, screw Airborne/Marines/et al (all fine groups, mind you), 19Ds are bar none the best men in the military, soldier for soldier. Let me know how you like TIN SOLDIERS...and thanks for the service, brother.
Blackhorse!
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Mike:
Just finished and had to drop you a line.....MORE, MORE. Hope you’re writing a new novel. Can't wait.
David Norris
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Thanks much for the note, David. Glad you enjoyed TIGERS. And yes, working on book three, time now. Tentatively titled TOMMY GUN, it should be out in September 2005.
Scouts out!
Mike
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As a former tanker from WWII (Canadian armoured forces) I greatly appreciate your books. I am now reading "Iron Tigers". Sincerely hope you will continue to write these novels as they bring back a lot of memories, albeit an entirely different war. Good luck in your career.
N. Holbrook
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Thanks for the note, Mr. Holbrook. No matter what country you hail from, which steel beast you rode, or what timeframe you did it…tankers are tankers. It’s a mindset. Love hearing from fellow maneuver artists.
Glad you enjoyed TIGERS, and thanks for writing.
Scouts out!
Mike
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As a former Airborne Infantryman, I usually stick to books about ground-pounders, but your books have given me a new appreciation for armor. Thank you for such wonderful writing and please continue to do so.
Stay safe and God bless you for serving your country.
Chris Bailey
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Chris,
Thanks for writing, and thanks for the service. Believe it or not, I was dead-set on going light infantry myself all the way up until my senior year of college. Then I read a little book called TEAM YANKEE. Changed my life, and I haven’t regretted it a day.
Scouts out!
Mike
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MAJ Farmer:
I am currently reading your book "Iron Tigers" and wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying it. I purchased your book at a Wal-Mart in La Junta, Colorado on the way home from annual training at Pinon Canyon, Colorado. I especially appreciate your true-to-life army accounts. Normally authors don't understand how the Army really works. I feel though your technical editors have let you down because on page 138, you wrote about two Infantry soldiers diving into their hasty fighting positions after a Russian air defense system fired at an American UH-60 Black Hawk overhead. I wanted to let you know that the M240 that you describe these two infantry soldiers using is not a Squad Automatic Weapon. The M249 is actually the Squad Automatic Weapon which shoots 5.56mm ammunition and not 7.62mm ammunition (*** note from author, never let it be said that I edit my reader’s mail, no matter how much of a dumbass I appear in not doing so…Farmer ***). I very much enjoy reading about the Cavalry as I was a platoon leader for a 19D scout platoon in a Calvary troop. Currently I am waiting for the call to head to either Iraq or Afghanistan. Thank you for such a good read. I am headed out to buy "Tin Soldiers" as soon as I can.
"Love of Country, Sir!"
Thad Conwell
2LT, IN
Oregon Army National Guard
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Thad,
First, glad you enjoyed IRON TIGERS. Let me know what you think of TIN SOLDIERS once you’ve had a chance to read it. And what can I say on the SAW…you got me, brother. Consider the technical editor thrashed (man, that’s gonna hurt when I beat myself). Seriously, we try to get the technical stuff right, then I’ll catch mistakes, my “subject matter expert” friends will read the rough drafts, then my editor at the publishing house…but shit do fall through the cracks, don’t it. Thanks for keeping me honest.
Good luck in the Middle East and keep your powder dry. Given the option, I’d go for Afghanistan…prettier mountains and you’ll see more snow. And thanks for the service.
Scouts out!
Mike
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Hi Michael,
My name is Neil Farmer and I am a staff sergeant in the Australian Army currently, posted to the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Infantry). I have just finished reading your book and have to say it is one of the best combat novels that I have read. I am a big fan of Harold Coyle, Tom Clancy, and Joe Buff to name but a few. When is your next book due for release? Once again, an excellent book. Keep up the good work.
Regards,
SSGT N.A. FARMER
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Neil,
Great to hear from a fellow Farmer , even if he’s an Aussie infantryman. Seriously, I love hearing from fellow warriors of our allied nations. You guys and the Brits in particular I loved working with in Baghdad – you boys did fine work.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the book. I’m assuming you read TIN SOLDIERS. Its sequel, IRON TIGERS, is due for release this week. If they don’t have copies in your local bookstore you can order from Amazon or Barnes & Noble directly from my website.
Thanks again for writing.
Scouts out!
Mike
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