This is the first volume of what became the Honor Bound series, introducing First Lieutenant Cletus Howell Frade, who—like most of Griffin’s heroes--happens to been born filthy rich and therefore can get away with most everything-you know: he smokes Cuban cigars, drinks Old Grouse, and sleeps with every pretty woman he meets. As the novel opens, Frade is a 22-year-old U.S. Marines pilot of Wildcat fighter planes on Guadalcanal and has just shot down his sixth Japanese Zero, making him an official ace. As a consequence, he is told, he is being relieved of duty and sent back to the states to serve on a war bond tour as an inspirational model to encourage other young men to sign up. When he gets stateside, however, he is informed that he has been selected to lead a three-man OSS team being sent to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where their mission will be to damage a “neutral” ship being used to replenish German submarines, with the hope of putting it out of commission. There are, of course, a few difficulties. Frade happens to be the son of El Coronel Jorge Guillermo Frade, who is the financier and leader of a revolutionary group that is about to initiate a coup to dethrone President Castillo and who may be the next President of Argentina, but Lt. Frade has never met him, as the family was estranged when his mother died shortly after childbirth. Meanwhile, another Argentinian, one Jorge Duarte, who happened to be the son of El Coronel Frade’s sister, was killed when the German observation plane he was flying over Stalingrad crashed, and his body is sent back to Argentina, accompanied by Hauptman Hans-Peter von Wachstein, the son of a German general, who thinks this is a good way to get his son out of harm’s way.As it happens, I read the sequel to this novel y ears ago, so it was a delight to go back in time to see how the things that I had been told had occurred actually happened, how all the numerous characters got together, etc. In fact, it was so long ago I may read it again and then look for more books in the series which has grown since then.
This is the first book in the Honor Bound series. Set during World War II, this book covers Hitler's interest in controlling neutral Argintina, and the U.S.' interest in the same; the specific goal of the U.S. appears to be sabatage against Argintine ships using American petroleum to refuel German warships; but, as we all know, nothing is as it seems. The OSS has selected three servicemen (from various branches of the service) to go to Argentina and disable a ship which will be refuling enemy ships; one former marine, LT. Frade will meet his biological father for the first time, a man of power in Argentina and possibly the next President. As the story evolves,a lurid truth will be learned, a Germain Commadant will betray his country in friendship and a plot to through nuetral Arentina into the war will be stifled. During all of the confusion that ensues, each of the newly recruited OSS men meets the love of his life, which seems to set the stage for future books in the series.... For those who enjoy drama, historical fiction, or war novels, this book will satisfy your needs!
What do You think about Honor Bound (1994)?
I am a big fan of Griffin. His books almost always get 3 stars from me but they always meet my expectations. I am not reading Griffin for great literary achievements. I read him because I know I will enjoy the story.This is the first book in the Honor Bound series. Set in Argentina during World War II it follows a cast of characters involved in U.S., Argentine, and German politics and military machinations. Their is political intrigue, spy stuff, beautiful women, fast cars, and a pretty good story. It is James Bondish but with more story and less action.I recommend Griffin's books to people who enjoy reading Tom Clancy or other authors of that type.
—Matthew
Again, this book has pretty good reviews, but I "JUST COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Boring beyond all belief!This is a soap opera for men. While it is billed as a WWII story, it has little to do with the actual War and is much more about people during WWII. Trying to find a plot was like trying to drill for water in Abu Dhabi. After 50% there was almost no story line. Just characters....characters...and more characters. Who they went to bed with, what they had for dinner, what restaurant they ate at, the maid, the butler, the chauffeur, how cute the girls were in their little tennis outfits, how deep the "valley" was between boobs, whether he could "keep it up" after multiple "attempts" ...you get my point? I know the guys were 20-year-old marines, but really? Is there nothing more to write about??Upon reading reviews of other Griffin books, this is a typical story. Guess it will be my last of his.
—GymGuy
I have to say that though I am a big fan of Mr. Griffin, I don't know if this one would top my list. I mean, look I know everyone loves Killer McCoy, and Charley C.G. Castillo and I am sure that the Griffin fans of the world probably view most of the other main characters in Griffin's novels through the lens of McCoy and Castillo. And like most, I most assuredly do as well. With that being said there is somewhat of a bias if you will towards Mr. Griffin's novels that either don't meet those expecations or simply do not have those two characters in any of the other Griffin novels out there. However, this story is still an intriguing story as there are not that many fictional novels of spies operating in Argentina during WWII. And I don't know if it's just me, or if there is something that is off with this novel. But it almost seems to me that the Honor Bound series was Mr. Griffin's first attempt at writing a novel where most of the action occurs in Argentina, and then decided that he would freshen the Argentine story up a bit by writing the Presidential Agent series. I know that might be a little harsh, but like I said something was just off, and I felt that by books end the novel was left wanting. Yes I do understand that this novel is a series, and like most other series the author cant just go ahead and lay out all of the cards on the table at once. But if you are looking for a good spy novel, then I recommend picking this up.
—Rob Gould
