Point Man

August 2, 1993
Watson led a Navy SEAL unit through three harrowing Vietnam tours between 1967 and 1970, conducting raids, ambushes and prisoner-snatching missons. His memoir, written with freelancer Kevin Dockery, is packed with exciting behind-enemy-lines action sequences, and readers will find the pre-Vietnam material--dealing with the rigorous training the SEALs had to endure--engrossing as well. The narrative, however, is replete with seemingly exaggerated anecdotes glorifying the pluck of the enlisted man: ``We'll be all right, Admiral. Just keep the three Bs coming.'' ``And what might those be, son?'' ``Beer, bullets, and broads!'' And Watson occasionally succumbs to delusions of grandeur: a lowly Navy Chief, he convinces himself that the entire State Department ``wanted my head on a platter.'' Yet for all its macho hot air, this self-portrait of a sailor proud of his deadly accomplishments in the jungles and swamps of the Mekong Delta is highly entertaining. Photos.

July 1, 1993
After reading this work, one understands why the U.S. Navy SEALS (Sea, Air, Land Commandos) are considered to be the best special forces in the world. The book tells the story of the formation of the SEALS and their baptism by fire in Vietnam as seen by chief petty officer Watson, who is a "plank owner," or founding member of the SEALS. The book's title comes from Watson's habit of taking the dangerous lead on patrols during his three tours of duty in Vietnam. His account is as exciting to read as any military thriller. For the lay reader, Watson does a good job of explaining military terms and slang used by the SEALS. This book would make a good companion to SEAL teammate Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior ( LJ 9/1/92) and E.J. Jernigan's Tin Can Man ( LJ 2/1/93), other histories of navy enlisted men during wartime. Recommended for most libraries and strongly recommended for libraries with military sciences collections.-- Terry Wirick, Erie Cty. Lib. System, Pa.

Copyright 1993 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.