Gangway, Regular Navy: Memoirs of Life and Humor in the United States Navy during the Cold War Review

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Gangway, Regular Navy: Memoirs of Life and Humor in the United States Navy during the Cold War ReviewAlthough "Gangway Regular Navy!" is technically classified as a memoir, it is actually less about one man's tour of duty than it is a reflection of American military life in the 1960's and 1970's. As a lighthearted, whimsical tale that expounds upon the premise that "boys will be boys," the book introduces us to life inside the U.S. Navy before the current unfortunate era of political correctness and over-sensitivity.
"Gangway, Regular Navy!" takes a refreshingly different approach from other military books by focusing strictly on the fun side of serving in the military. The author's diverse background as an enlisted man and a warrant officer allows him to write from a unique dual perspective that walks the reader through the slime-ridden back alleys of places like Olongapo and Hong Kong, and then into such haughty locales as the Shah of Iran's palace and the Vatican.
Featuring intriguing chapter titles like "Scatologically Concatenated Adventures," "Around the World in 274 Days," and my personal favorite "I Met a Ho' in Olongapo," Merrell gleefully describes wildly boorish behavior, walks us through important historical events, and introduces us to an amazing cast of characters ranging from waterfront winos and sleazy hookers, to some of the world's most revered dignitaries.
"Gangway, Regular Navy!" is laden with dozens of delightful first-hand accounts of American pop culture. The very first chapter finds the author, just one day out of boot camp, in the jam-packed streets of Pittsburgh helping thousands of maniacal Pirates fans celebrate Bill Mazeroski's miracle home run that upset the mighty Yankees in the 1960 World Series. From there Merrell whisks us away on a wild, unforgettable world tour through trendy tourist destinations like Naples, Barcelona, and the French Riviera. We slosh through the filth, hookers, and sleaze of Olongapo, glide through the Edenesque beauty of the Seychelles, Guam, and Hawaii, and sail into some of the most opulent palaces in the Middle East. In doing so, "Gangway, Regular Navy!" turns even the most dedicated recluse into an experienced world traveler.
Throughout this fast-paced, abundantly charming book, Merrell unleashes some of the most hilarious and bizarre moments ever recorded in a military memoir, and introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters that reads like a who's who list of world culture. American icons like Harry Wayne Casey of K.C. and the Sunshine Band, guitar god Jimi Hendrix, and a beloved New York Met by the name of Ed Kranepool are just a warm-up to amazing personal encounters with worldly socialites that include former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, Seychelles' President Albert Rene, Cardinal O'Conner of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and First Lady Jackie Kennedy.
In order to relay his tales with maximum effectiveness, Merrell makes full use of the requisite swine language expected of a true sailor, though not in a distasteful way. In fact, the salty language is an integral part of the book's gritty appeal. A nice touch to the book is a chapter entitled, "And you Think New Yorkers Talk Funny?" This chapter acts as a makeshift dictionary that expands the vocabularies of "slimy polliwogs" like myself with navy vernacular like "Geedunk," "Stacking Swivel," and "Pogeybait."
"Gangway, Regular Navy!" is a must-read for anyone looking for an upbeat compilation of amazing experiences, international travel, and jut plain fun. With the grim, ongoing concerns regarding the state of the military weighing on the minds of Americans everywhere, "Gangway, Regular Navy!" provides a much needed breath of fresh air. If you want to experience a thoroughly enjoyable book, then I highly recommend "Gangway, Regular Navy!"Gangway, Regular Navy: Memoirs of Life and Humor in the United States Navy during the Cold War Overview

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