Review by gcarli1952 -- Back to Serve

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gcarli1952
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Review by gcarli1952 -- Back to Serve

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Back to Serve" by CW3 Cesare Giannetti U.S. Army (Ret.).]
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3 out of 4 stars
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My review of Back to Serve - Return of a Soldier by CW3 Cesare Giannetti

This is a fictional historical military novel. The author is a military veteran and writes from an interesting perspective that introduces the civilian to his world. For those civilians, he writes it with few military terms that he doesn't define. It is plainly written and develops well without much guesswork to understand it. At 209 pages it is a quick read and the story keeps you turning the page.

Cesare builds his main character, Nico Corretti, well. He makes him personable. It starts out with miliary retirement and all it's trappings and a trip home. There is some profanity in this book but most happens in high-stress situations. The author uses intimate details and specific descriptions very well to show the male human element. At times, he describes the other characters well enough you can see them and smell their perfume. As the story goes on you are introduced to many characters some present in the story line and others in his memories of different situatons.

He tells this story soley thru Nico's eyes and uses the weather, the seasons, and the time of day to get the reader into the seat beside him. He does a good job intertwining the history of many places he goes. He begins with mustering out protocol and suddenly an seductive Russian lady brings the suspense in. Not sure where this story is headed, it shifts gears and he is right back on the way home. He has a homecoming but then shows the reader the employment challenge for such soldiers returning from service. In an artful way, he brings the reader to the New York City area in all it's crowded splendor, keying on 9/11 and the fall of the twin towers but yet showing you his home, family, and the New York Yankees. He goes on to visit the game of baseball and the players with the cultural attraction for it that he grew up with. He paints the picture of his family, his growing up years, and their traditions related to baseball.

As you would anticapte, he goes back into service and tells a plausable story all the while referencing historical events. His travels takes the reader places and still leaves intrigue. The action is believable and allows our hero to survive to fight another day. He leads us thru Nico's life and his desire to return home to his family. The author shows the reality that all soldiers face, a conflict between the bonds and faith of family and the dediction to serve those that lost their lives, even when they have obviously served enough.

This book is written in common language and well understood. The story is easy to follow. There were no errors and it must have been edited well. My only critisim is the slow development, but sometimes you have to go around the barn to get to the gate. I also expected a greater climax. I give it a 3 out of 4 stars rating. The first use of profanity was on page 10 at then end of the first paragraph (kind of fucked up too). This book was a pleaseure to read.

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Back to Serve
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