James Webb's 4th Novel, "Something to Die For", 1991, Reviewed by Webb Volunteer, C. W. Dean

If you have followed this series, you might notice that Raising Kaine  has scooped the Washington Post on both topics by many weeks.  Beginning August 17, 2006, this project has tried to persuade those who are interested in James Webb to explore his six novels, written to critical acclaim over three decades.

Neither James Webb nor his campaign staff participated in this effort.  I am an unpaid campaign volunteer and this idea is mine alone.  C. W. Dean, 20 October 2006

If you have not followed the exclusive Raising Kaine reviews of James Webb's six novels, you may still view them:

Fields of Fire, (1978), click  HERE.

A Sense of Honor, (1981), click  HERE.

A Country Such as This, (1983), click  HERE.

Something to Die For , 1991, is a fictional view of political intrigue leading up to an armed conflict involving U. S. forces in the East African region.  The feeling that this is an GÇ£insideGÇ¥ view is possible because the author had recently served in high positions in the Department of Defense and was a veteran of intense combat in the Viet Nam war.

A suspense thriller, Something to Die For, brings back a dominant and popular character from WebbGÇÖs second novel, A Sense of Honor, 1983.  A young GÇ£Wild BillGÇ¥ Fogerty was last seen on graduation day at the U. S. Naval Academy in 1968.  He is now 45 years old and a full Colonel in the United States Marine Corps commanding the 51st Marine Expeditionary Unit.  His unit is deployed at sea in a U. S. Navy battle group destined to encounter a division of Soviet-supported Cuban soldiers in the Eritrean desert off the Red Sea.  Colonel Fogerty survived the Viet Nam war with distinction and has been recognized within the hierarchy of the U. S. Marine Corp as a peerless commander.  He remembers everything, he can provide a crisp analysis of any situation in a moment; he questions authority to a fault yet he will never refuse a lawful command.  Fogerty knows that he and his Marines will be the human force doing battle at the direction of a deeply flawed and out-of-control martinet.  He desperately wants to assure his Marines that their mission is in defense of the United States and not merely something to die for.

FogertyGÇÖs immediate commander is U. S. Navy Admiral GÇ£Mad DogGÇ¥ Mulcahy, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet.  His nickname brings anxiety to those who must deal with him.
Mulcahy earned his 4 stars as an aggressive GÇ£ship driverGÇ¥; he now seeks a place in history alongside world class naval legends.

The story works its way back and forth from the Horn of Africa to Washington, D.C., where we are introduced to charming civilian personalities who thrive on their cultivated power and connections.  As all good novelists, Webb observes and enlarges the traits that make his characters believable while advancing the story.  These characters include Ronald Holcomb, who used his intelligence and oral eloquence to become the youngest Secretary of Defense in history.  His power of persuasion is vast and the President of the United States listens to him above most all others.  Holcomb has an enormous network of connections throughout Washington.  One of his tactics is to destroy rivals by planting gossip with accommodating outlets in the media.

GÇ£DocGÇ¥ Rowland is a mighty Congressman with a slick wit and abundant energy.  He usually prevails when the odds are against him.  He will give up very little and call it a compromise.  He is both the professional and personal nemesis to Secretary Ronald Holcomb.

Back in the 51st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Colonel Bill Fogerty knows that these Washington civilians will not be thinking about his Marines when they reach their nonchalant decisions to make war.  Nevertheless, he suppresses his anxieties and prepares his men for the worst.

James Webb works high-level intrigue, ruthless manipulations, and harsh betrayal through the rapid action of his novel.  We do not have to wonder about the authenticity of the military sequences GÇö no one describes warfare better than James Webb.  I believe we can further conclude that the descriptions of the Washington power elite are disturbingly accurate, especially in the context of current history.  If you read Something to Die For, you may wonder whether it was written last year instead of 15 years ago.

Coincidental footnote:  In this 1991 novel, the Secretary of the Navy is a woman who is widely respected for her intelligence, accomplishments, and charm.  This is one of many examples that gainsay weak allegations of WebbGÇÖs unflattering treatment of women in his writing. 

Two more reviews will finish this series.  I hope to finish by November 7. However, if someone would like to volunteer to help by reviewing WebbGÇÖs last novel, Lost Soldiers, rewards will come your way!

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C. W. Dean has been a Professional Photographer in the State of Virginia since 1972 specializing in portraits.  He is a Vietnam veteran, son of a World War II veteran, and, like James Webb, proudly traces his origins to Virginia's Scots-Irish immigrants.  He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, near Mount Vernon, Virginia. To visit his website: click HERE.

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