PRAISE FOR 'OPERATION TOLLBOOTH'
Meticulous Detail Meets Raw Emotion
Operation Tollbooth, written by Kip Cassino, is a romanticized war story set during the Korean War in the 1960s. Xabier Brede, also known as Ex, is a free-spirited man with no direction in life. Half-heartedly, he makes the decision to enlist, hoping to find a more exciting future than the one he was currently living.
Not only does Ex discover that he is far more skilled as a soldier than anyone could have imagined, but he also finds a soulmate of unexpected nature. Amidst his newfound love comes his first war assignment: Operation Tollbooth. He packs up, leaving behind his blooming family, and volunteers to help in what he believes to be a safe mission.
Cassino’s novel is thrilling, heartbreaking, and an all-around amazing rendition of wartime in the 1960s. The emotions conveyed in this story had me close to tears by the end. The novel is detailed in a way that reflects the harsh reality many families faced during that time. It was truly a heart-tugging revelation. The military details were well researched and educational for those of us unfamiliar with the life of a soldier. Well written doesn’t even begin to describe how wonderful this story is.
At one point, the military acronyms became quite extensive, and I found myself needing to look them up to fully understand the content. However, there was an astonishing surprise at the end of the novel, a glossary explaining all of those very confusions! That was pleasant insertion.
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The author didn’t leave out any details, and I can genuinely say I haven’t read such an amazing book in quite some time. This could easily be adapted into a remarkable film. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good war story. The romantics just may love it too
The "What If" That Keeps You On Your Seat
Kip Cassino’s Operation Tollbooth is an intriguing and realistic novel based upon a hypothetical “what if” of the United States’ use of nuclear ground weapons in the Vietnam War. A veteran soldier himself, having been stationed in Korea, Cassino is an expert in military strategy, organization, and down-to-earth lingo. Though the narration is told from several points of view, the main protagonist is a young college dropout, Xavier Brede, nicknamed “Ex” by his buddies, who, based on his test results, was able to enter officer training school, where he excelled. The date is 1968, and though the Vietnam War is raging, Ex is sent to the demilitarized zone between South and North Korea. From there, he volunteers for a top-secret mission to deploy nuclear explosives launched from special artillery howitzers as opposed to airdrops. The setup for such a possibility involves a U.S. trade-off agreement with the Russians, who have aims on a nuclear site in China. The U.S. intends to use nuclear howitzer shells to close off the Ho Chi Min Trail in Vietnam.
Cassino’s realistic depiction of military culture and jargon is excellent. He also includes a glossary. His writing left no doubt in my mind that he writes from personal experience. He made me feel as if I was there. Ex has the unfortunate habit of volunteering for difficult projects, and Operation Tollbooth is one of them. While stationed in Korea, he meets a Red Cross nurse, thus adding a romantic dimension to the narrative, and the second part of the novel splits Ex’s and Jackie’s points of view. But for me, the most gripping section is when Operation Tollbooth is activated in the northwest section of South Vietnam as the nukes are deployed. Although the previous build-up in Korea is fascinating, the real action erupts well into the second part. Kip Cassino’s clear prose, precise descriptions, and thrilling battle scenes will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
- Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite
