angelofthe0dd's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in 10th grade and admittedly the depth of the book's theme went over my head. In my HS days, I assumed the book was an adventure story based around the time of WWII. After re-reading the story, I realize now how far off I was at that time. It's really about the ignorance of the American public of the Korean War. The service men and women who fought and gave their lives, did so with all the patriotism and sacrifice of any other war. Yet, back on the home front, no one seemed to notice that there was a war happening on the other side of the planet. The last several pages of the book really hit me in the heart. I kind of wish that my younger self had better understood the meaning of the story.
jeremyanderberg's review against another edition
4.0
The novels of James Michener tend to be sprawling, 900-page place-based epics that bring you through the entire history of a particular spot on the planet. I read Centennial as part of my Westerns project last year and really enjoyed it.
Early in his career, though, Michener served as an embedded reporter for the Korean War; he was specifically covering the battles in the air. From that experience came this 83-page novel that follows a group of young Navy pilots, and the Admiral, as their aircraft carrier navigates the rough waters off of Korea and is tasked with taking out an important series of heavily-guarded supply bridges.
The story pulls you in right away. Michener depicts the harrowing realities of landing an airplane on an aircraft carrier better than any other author I've encountered. Average Joe can't really imagine the stress involved both for the pilot and the man on the ship who's responsible for leading him in; with Michener's writing, you can imagine it. The same can be said for the harrowing missions the squadron embarks on.
Interestingly, even just a week later, I don't really remember the main character's names. And yet their stories are imprinted into my memory. With such a short novel there obviously isn't much depth, but I guarantee you'll remember the events and conversations.
The Bridges at Toko-Ri isn't a well-known novel; I only found it while specifically searching for the best novels of the Korean War. I'm not sure why that is, but to my mind, it's worthy of being a classic in the realm of war novels. (And will only take you an afternoon or two to read.)
Early in his career, though, Michener served as an embedded reporter for the Korean War; he was specifically covering the battles in the air. From that experience came this 83-page novel that follows a group of young Navy pilots, and the Admiral, as their aircraft carrier navigates the rough waters off of Korea and is tasked with taking out an important series of heavily-guarded supply bridges.
The story pulls you in right away. Michener depicts the harrowing realities of landing an airplane on an aircraft carrier better than any other author I've encountered. Average Joe can't really imagine the stress involved both for the pilot and the man on the ship who's responsible for leading him in; with Michener's writing, you can imagine it. The same can be said for the harrowing missions the squadron embarks on.
Interestingly, even just a week later, I don't really remember the main character's names. And yet their stories are imprinted into my memory. With such a short novel there obviously isn't much depth, but I guarantee you'll remember the events and conversations.
The Bridges at Toko-Ri isn't a well-known novel; I only found it while specifically searching for the best novels of the Korean War. I'm not sure why that is, but to my mind, it's worthy of being a classic in the realm of war novels. (And will only take you an afternoon or two to read.)
munchkindad's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
haohao9's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
david611's review against another edition
3.0
A very small book, but written in that typical Michener's way, with lesser depth than how he writes in his epics. Good book though. Writes about the Americans fighting the Korean War in the early 1950s.
The content is divided into three sections - SEA: in which we are introduced to the characters on an aircraft carrier in the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean peninsula; LAND: in which the men of war take a shore leave in Yokosuka, Japan, before their final assault; AIR: in which we are led through their mission to destroy the heavily-guarded four bridges at Toko-ri in North Korea.
Characterization is present even in such a small book, which makes it more touching. It brings out the emotions of the men fighting in the war (no women fighters were observed while reading!), the questions and thoughts raised by them, and even what the general American public outlook was, back in their country at that time.
The content is divided into three sections - SEA: in which we are introduced to the characters on an aircraft carrier in the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean peninsula; LAND: in which the men of war take a shore leave in Yokosuka, Japan, before their final assault; AIR: in which we are led through their mission to destroy the heavily-guarded four bridges at Toko-ri in North Korea.
Characterization is present even in such a small book, which makes it more touching. It brings out the emotions of the men fighting in the war (no women fighters were observed while reading!), the questions and thoughts raised by them, and even what the general American public outlook was, back in their country at that time.
carlymford's review against another edition
2.0
Apparently Michener's other novels were massive, but this was only 126 pages. Yay for that. Mostly about the pointlessness of the Korean War and how the government tried to keep it hush-hush.
bobbo49's review against another edition
4.0
Written in 1953, before the end of the Korean War or the beginning of Vietnam, this is a thoughtful reflection on who fights our wars and why someone has to. Poignant.
alex_ellermann's review against another edition
4.0
The Bridges at Toko-Ri, coming in at a brisk 147 pages, is one of Michener’s shortest and best novels.
Meticulously researched and drawing on the author’s experience as a naval officer in WWII, this novel recreates the feeling of serving aboard an aircraft carrier. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I attest that not a word rang false in the book’s descriptions of life at sea and the people who live it.
This realism works in service to the story, a tightly-spun tale of combat in the Korean War and the toll it takes on those involved. I tore through it and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Navy, military history, or well-crafted stories.
Meticulously researched and drawing on the author’s experience as a naval officer in WWII, this novel recreates the feeling of serving aboard an aircraft carrier. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I attest that not a word rang false in the book’s descriptions of life at sea and the people who live it.
This realism works in service to the story, a tightly-spun tale of combat in the Korean War and the toll it takes on those involved. I tore through it and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Navy, military history, or well-crafted stories.