ARLEN'S GUN
BOOK DETAILS
PUBLISHER: Edgar Doleman Publishing
PUBLICATION DATE: January 18, 2023
LANGAUGE: English
ASIN:
ISBN-10: 1958518964
ISBN-13: 978-1958518960
AVAILABLE FORMATS: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
DESCRIPTION
The main character is Arlen Washington who grew up in a broken family on the worst streets of Baltimore. He is persuaded by a more fortunate friend to complete high school and enlist in the Air Force to avoid being drafted into the Army as the Vietnam War is raging. But getting into the Air Force did not keep them out of the Vietnam war. Arlen's friend gets an administrative job, but Arlen is assigned as a gunner on an Air Force AC-47 gunship.
The AC-47 was a novel type of warplane in that era. Traditional, warplanes were designed with guns mounted in the nose or wings to fire forward and the pilot aimed the guns by aiming the plane at the target. However, the AC-47's guns were mounted to fire out the side of the aircraft aligned with axis of the wings. To attack a target on the ground, the pilot would bank the aircraft into a turn and whatever the wing tip pointed at, the guns would hit. The AC-47 was simply an armed version of the military's C-47 which was a military version of the Douglas DC-3 passenger and cargo plane that that had carried cargo and paratroopers all over the world in World War II. It could linger over a battlefield for hours and deliver devastatingly accurate close support fire for embattled troops on the ground.
Arlen is an angry, alienated 19-year old and does not get along well with the rest of the crew.  The gunship crew includes two gunners, Arlen and airman Timmy Otis. Timmy is the opposite of Arlen, cooperative, positive, eager. One night at the height of the monsoon season, their gunship is hit by enemy fire and crash lands on a muddy road in a narrow valley unoccupied by either friend or foe. Bad weather grounds rescue helicopters. The nearest Army unit that could attempt a rescue is a motley Army engineer unit operating in the next valley on a road-clearing mission.
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The gunship crew manages to salvage the gunship's weapons, three powerful six-barrel miniguns, each capable of firing up to 6,000 rounds a minute. The rescue effort is successful, but at considerable cost to the engineer unit, which lose two armored combat vehicles representing most of their defensive firepower. Events strand Arlen and Timmy Otis with their rescuers who return to their mission opening a road to an isolated base near the border with Cambodia. The enemy used areas in Cambodia as both a sanctuaries from allied attacks and as staging areas for offensives into Vietnam. The road was to be cleared to enable a battery of heavy, long-range artillery to be moved to the base in anticipation of an expected major enemy offensive.
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Arlen had been harboring an angry, juvenile fantasy of somehow gaining possession of (stealing) one of the miniguns and smuggling it home to become the biggest badass in his neighborhood. This fantasy prompted him to argue for salvaging the guns during their rescue, especially one particular gun. The guns on an AC-47 were mounted in a fixed position and could not be individually aimed. However, one had been damaged and replaced with a different model, one that, depending on how it was mounted, could be individually aimed.
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Fantasy motivated Arlen to salvage the guns, fear motivated him to suggest and help devise a means to mount the flexible model on one of the engineer's dump trucks.
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Subsequently, both on the road and at their destination, they face desperate battles in the unfloding enemy offensive. Through these experiences, Arlen's shell of angry alienation cracks open, he learns true brotherhood and discovers an inner courage that, with Arlen's gun, proves vital to his and his rescuers' survival. The battles illustrate much the nature of combat in Vietnam based on actual events and individual actions, and of the character and compassion of American soldiers in that era.
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ARLEN'S GUN REVIEWS
LITERARY LUMINARIES REVIEW​​
Below are ratings (on a scale of 1 to 5) and general descriptions of the main sections of your book, followed by a review. Even though this is only a Mini-Critique, we hope it will help you understand how readers could perceive the various elements of your book.
Title: Arlen's Gun
Subtitle: A Novel of War in Vietnam - a Journey from Alienation to Brotherhood
Author: Edgar Doleman
Genre: Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Appearancce:
5
The appearance of a book can make a significant impact on the experience of a reader, whose enjoyment is often enhanced by an
enticing cover, an intriguing table of contents, interesting chapter headings, and when possible, eye-catching illustrations.
Plot:
5
The characters of a book should be well defined with strengths and flaws, and while they do not have to be likable, the reader does have to be able to form a connection with them. The tone should be
consistent, the theme should be clear, and the plot should be original or told from a unique perspective. For informative books -- those without plot and characters--this rating refers primarily to your concept and how well you presented it.
Development:
5
Development refers to how effectively you told your story or discussed your topic. The dialogue should be realistic, the descriptions should be vivid, and the material should be concise
and coherent. Organization is also a key factor, especially for informative books -- those without plot and characters. The order in which you tell your story or explain your topic and how smoothly it flows can have a huge impact on the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the material.
Formatting:
5
Formatting is the single most overlooked area by authors. The way in which you describe scenes, display dialogue, and shift point of
view can make or break your story. In addition, excessive grammatical errors and typos can give your book an amateurish feel and even put off readers completely.
Marketability:
5
Marketability refers to how effectively you wrote your book for your target audience. Authors may include content that is above or below the understanding of their target reader, or include concepts, opinions or language that can accidentally confuse or alienate some readers. Although by its nature this rating is very subjective, a very low rating here and poor reviews may indicate an issue with your book in this area.
Overall Opinion:
5
The overall starred rating takes into account all these elements and describes the overall reading experience of your reviewer. This is the official Readers' Favorite review rating for your book.
Review:
Reviewed by K.C. Finn
Arlen's Gun is a work of fiction in the military, action, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Edgar Doleman, the narrative centers around Arlen, a young man from the tough streets of Baltimore, alienated and angry, facing the looming threat of being drafted into the Vietnam War. To escape the draft, he volunteers for the Air Force, leading him and a friend to Vietnam. While his friend gets an administrative role, Arlen becomes a gunner on an AC-47 gunship. His initial attitude isolates him from the crew until a crash landing in no-man's land changes everything. Stranded with an army unit, Arlen becomes integral to their survival, forging a path from self-centered alienation to brotherhood.
Author Edgar Doleman has crafted a truly powerful reading experience that offers a poignant exploration of the impact of war on individuals in its action-packed storyline. The character of Arlen undergoes a profound transformation as the story delves into the harsh realities of war, camaraderie, and the journey from isolation to connection. It was impressive to see how naturally these emotive moments are woven into the plot and conversations of the characters without it ever feeling like a big therapy session on the page. Doleman has a skillful touch with narration, dialogue, and pacing that enables him to navigate the complexities of human emotions amid the chaos of conflict, whilst also telling the story at hand with never a dull moment. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Arlen's Gun as a compelling and thought-provoking read for military fiction fans everywhere.
LITERARY LUMINARIES REVIEW​​
Below are ratings (on a scale of 1 to 5) and general descriptions of the main sections of your book, followed by a review. Even though this is only a Mini-Critique, we hope it will help you understand how readers could perceive the various elements of your book.
Title: Arlen's Gun
Subtitle: A Novel of War in Vietnam - a Journey from Alienation to Brotherhood
Author: Edgar Doleman
Genre: Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Appearancce:
5
The appearance of a book can make a significant impact on the experience of a reader, whose enjoyment is often enhanced by an
enticing cover, an intriguing table of contents, interesting chapter headings, and when possible, eye-catching illustrations.
Plot:
5
The characters of a book should be well defined with strengths and flaws, and while they do not have to be likable, the reader does have to be able to form a connection with them. The tone should be
consistent, the theme should be clear, and the plot should be original or told from a unique perspective. For informative books -- those without plot and characters--this rating refers primarily to your concept and how well you presented it.
Development:
5
Development refers to how effectively you told your story or discussed your topic. The dialogue should be realistic, the descriptions should be vivid, and the material should be concise
and coherent. Organization is also a key factor, especially for informative books -- those without plot and characters. The order in which you tell your story or explain your topic and how smoothly it flows can have a huge impact on the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the material.
Formatting:
4
Formatting is the single most overlooked area by authors. The way in which you describe scenes, display dialogue, and shift point of
view can make or break your story. In addition, excessive grammatical errors and typos can give your book an amateurish feel and even put off readers completely.
Marketability:
5
Marketability refers to how effectively you wrote your book for your target audience. Authors may include content that is above or below the understanding of their target reader, or include concepts, opinions or language that can accidentally confuse or alienate some readers. Although by its nature this rating is very subjective, a very low rating here and poor reviews may indicate an issue with your book in this area.
Overall Opinion:
5
The overall starred rating takes into account all these elements and describes the overall reading experience of your reviewer. This is the official Readers' Favorite review rating for your book.
Review:
Reviewed by Grant Leishman
Arlen’s Gun by Edgar Doleman is a stark and horrifying reminder that all war is brutal, bloody, and ultimately pointless. Arlen Washington, a young man from the mean streets of Baltimore, is angry, embittered, and frustrated. Persuaded by a friend to avoid the draft and escape almost certain induction into the army, Arlen enlists in the U.S. Air Force where he quickly finds himself in Vietnam as a gunner on an AC-47 Gunship. Whilst on a mission to provide air support for an army company trapped in the jungle by the North Vietnamese, Arlen’s plane is struck by enemy fire and forced to crash land on a clay road in the middle of the jungle, potentially surrounded by enemy forces. The able survivors of the crash prepare as best they can to defend themselves from enemy attack until a rescue mission can reach them. The gunship’s crew, eventually rescued by an army unit, quickly find themselves caught up in a frantic battle to defend an old French fort from a determined and relentless enemy. It is here in the fiery cauldron of battle that Arlen finally can transition from alienation to brotherhood and come to terms with himself and his life.
Arlen’s Gun is a gut-wrenching, incredibly vivid reconstruction of a war that few participants were ready for or even understood. Author Edgar Doleman has faithfully created a fascinating cast of characters who represent the eclectic mix of men sent to fight in Vietnam, to forge unity and brotherhood despite their disparate backgrounds. The men range from the rookie career officers and experienced NCOs through to the “gung-ho” young recruits, the reluctant draftees, and those like Arlen who volunteered only to allow some choice of where they would be assigned. That all these men were able to support each other and ultimately fight for their very survival demonstrates the power of the bonds of brotherhood formed in that sweltering Southeast Asian jungle. The author pulls no punches in his descriptions of the horror and carnage that munitions have on soft human flesh. Readers will be left in no doubt about the bloody nature of combat, as well as the randomness and sheer luck of who lives or dies in these situations. The message of this narrative for me was undoubtedly the indomitability of the human spirit and the belief that anyone is capable of redemption.
Following Arlen’s journey from alienation to brotherhood was a sobering and humbling journey. This is an incredibly powerful story that makes the reader ponder and question long after the book is finished, which is a real testament to the author’s ability to engage the reader’s deepest emotions. I can highly recommend this read.
LITERARY LUMINARIES REVIEW​​
Below are ratings (on a scale of 1 to 5) and general descriptions of the main sections of your book, followed by a review. Even though this is only a Mini-Critique, we hope it will help you understand how readers could perceive the various elements of your book.
Title: Arlen's Gun
Subtitle: A Novel of War in Vietnam - a Journey from Alienation to Brotherhood
Author: Edgar Doleman
Genre: Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Appearancce:
4
The appearance of a book can make a significant impact on the experience of a reader, whose enjoyment is often enhanced by an
enticing cover, an intriguing table of contents, interesting chapter headings, and when possible, eye-catching illustrations.
Plot:
5
The characters of a book should be well defined with strengths and flaws, and while they do not have to be likable, the reader does have to be able to form a connection with them. The tone should be
consistent, the theme should be clear, and the plot should be original or told from a unique perspective. For informative books -- those without plot and characters--this rating refers primarily to your concept and how well you presented it.
Development:
5
Development refers to how effectively you told your story or discussed your topic. The dialogue should be realistic, the descriptions should be vivid, and the material should be concise
and coherent. Organization is also a key factor, especially for informative books -- those without plot and characters. The order in which you tell your story or explain your topic and how smoothly it flows can have a huge impact on the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the material.
Formatting:
4
Formatting is the single most overlooked area by authors. The way in which you describe scenes, display dialogue, and shift point of
view can make or break your story. In addition, excessive grammatical errors and typos can give your book an amateurish feel and even put off readers completely.
Marketability:
5
Marketability refers to how effectively you wrote your book for your target audience. Authors may include content that is above or below the understanding of their target reader, or include concepts, opinions or language that can accidentally confuse or alienate some readers. Although by its nature this rating is very subjective, a very low rating here and poor reviews may indicate an issue with your book in this area.
Overall Opinion:
5
The overall starred rating takes into account all these elements and describes the overall reading experience of your reviewer. This is the official Readers' Favorite review rating for your book.
Review:
Reviewed by Bil Howard
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Rather than being drafted to go to Vietnam, Arlen Washington volunteered to join the Air Force. In the neighborhood where he grew up, looking out for number one was how you stayed alive. A gunner on a Spooky AC-47 Gunship, Arlen was part of a team that provided close air support for ground troops, but he wasn’t interested in fitting in with his team. Arlen was enamored with the aircraft’s door-mounted minigun. Though it was an enormous risk, Arlen had plans to sneak one home piece by piece so that he could mount it on a Lincoln and cruise his neighborhood at the top of the heap. When Washington’s plane was shot down near the Cambodian border and an unlikely group of army engineers was sent to rescue them, the minigun was rigged for a new purpose. No longer soaring above the brutal action, Arlen and his minigun take on a new combat role in Arlen's Gun by Edgar Doleman. Will Arlen make it work on the ground and will it be enough? Dive into this gripping story from the Vietnam War to find out.
The connection between Arlen and the gun is unmistakable as the minigun becomes a useful tool outside the AC-47 gunship, and so does Arlen. However, Arlen and the minigun aren’t the only misfits struggling to discover if they have what it takes to survive and conquer a tough and determined enemy. Edgar Doleman expertly crafts a story of transformation from alienation to brotherhood using realistic combat situations and characters that draw you into Arlen's Gun. I felt bullets and shrapnel whizzing by, and I was rocked by several explosions as Doleman provided detailed battlefield action. It is impossible to remain aloof like the Spooky Gunship as VC troops do their best to overrun their American enemy in the face of the out-of-