Title: The Red Stocks Company
Author: Troy Hibbs
Publisher: WP Lighthouse
ISBN: 979-8895183892
Pages: 938
Genre: Military Fiction
Reviewer: Ephantus M.
Pacific Book Review
Taking a sharp look into the dark reality of war, power struggles, espionage, and immeasurable heroism, author Troy Hibbs’s astute storytelling is wrapped up in the truth of the Vietnamese War. Set in the dusk of the politically charged war in the sun-scorched and dusty terrain of Vietnam and Cambodia, The Red Stocks Company blends personal storytelling and historical details into an historical fiction book. As the US is retreating from the war, Lieutenant David Drew and Lt. Timothy Horton, along with their Naval teams, are unexpectedly tasked with a dangerous mission to retrieve a secret weapon as another revelation emerges of the Soviet Union’s covert scientific experiments conducted on prisoners of war. Elsewhere, a Soviet officer turns into an espionage agent becoming an enemy of his state.
Set in this tempestuous era, Hibb’s story transcends the usual tropes in this genre as the tale transverses across continents, moving to the US where individual ambitions play a part in these international intrigues. As the novel progresses, readers get a glimpse of the brotherhood, resilience, and sacrifices made by soldiers, which is told from an intimate point of view, in the center of a man-made fiery furnace and emerging issues which were initially unforeseen. Here, the hearts and minds of the characters are probed and examined, excellently manufactured through their actions, introspections, and musings. The book employs alternating perspectives to craft a complex narrative that reveals power struggles within different nations and their political systems.
Hibbs demonstrates a great understanding of the intricacies of war and the moral complexity that surrounds this brutal reality. His work reflects actual events, while serving as the foundation for certain historical fiction novels, have not been examined as thoroughly as this text has. Certain characters will be more memorable than others, which is justified; for instance, the quirky scientist Assuzi Issuymorri and the Soviet officer Igor Nicholgrab, whose stories are captivating and deeply engaging.
The Red Stocks Company is so powerfully told, stirring up a range of emotions within readers. The writing is richly detailed, beautifully capturing battle scenes and alternating landscapes. This author managed to pique my interest in the military fiction genre. Although the book is quite lengthy, it should not dissuade readers, since it’s incredibly rewarding and ties up well at the end. Fans of engaging plots filled with action, military adventures, and international relations should not miss this title.
