Military Writer's Society of America Review
of
Victory Road

"Victory Road is the second installment of the award-winning World War II Texas Gun Club Novel series.   Bowlin continues the story of cousins Sam Taft and Perkin Berger of the 36th Division, Texas National Guard, as they push on to Rome after horrific fighting at “Bloody Salerno” and the liberation of Naples.
Action this time is centered around the heavily-fortified German “Winter Line” in and around San Pietro Infine. The geography of the area with its mountains and narrow valleys made it a strategic German defense point, but an Allied victory was crucial for the advance to Rome. Bowlin has seamlessly woven his characters into actual events of that ten day bloodbath.
To counterpoint the battle scenes, Bowlin adds a twist of espionage and dangerous liaisons that will impact the tight-knit Texans. I appreciate that Bowlin also includes true-to-history scenes of what the German occupation and subsequent fighting did to the remaining local population of San Pietro Infine. War is brutal for the combatant as well as the civilian caught up in it. These Texas soldiers are tough yet a poignant scene between Captain Berger and an injured German breathes a bit of humanity into that living hell.
I’m hooked on the boys in the Texas Gun Club and the history that they are reliving for us in this series. I await Bowlin’s third installment which continues with the hard slog to ultimate victory in the Italian campaign."

Review by Gail Chatsfield, Military Writer's Society of America (May 2011)


Praise for The Texas Gun Club – 2010 winner of the Gold Medal Award from the Military Writer’s Society of America


“The Texas Gun Club is an excellent WWII war novel…Realistic, well-plotted, many actual events…Describes the successes and failures of command and battle—friendly fire, poor communications, death, destruction, courage, and valor….It has found a place on my bookshelf…I am looking forward to the author's promised next novel in the series.” 

Review by Lee Boyland, Military Writers Society of America (January 2010)


“The Texas Gun Club is a well-written account of a very real critical World War II battle.  Only the characters are fictional.  Careful attention to detail in weapons and equipment as well as period “soldier slang” bring them to life as real people that we might have known back in 1939....The Texas Gun Club highlights one great tragic truth of warfare: Because of personal turbulence and logistic screwups, and despite Unit Lineage that may go back to the Revolution, we almost always fight the first battle with ad hoc organizations.  The Salerno landing found the 36th Texas Division executing a difficult maneuver (establishing a lodgment on a distant defended shore) against a experienced well led (Field Marshal Kesslring) commander with precious little time and space to sort it out and get it right. A good read for those who would lead.”

MG Don Daniel, USA (Ret.)
Former Commander, 49th Armored Division, TXARNG


“The Texas Gun Club is an absolutely superb book.  The characters are incredibly realistic, as is the action and the storyline of the two cousins dovetailing through history.  That it will be a series is refreshing and I look forward to reading the next excerpt…For a Navy guy, Commander Bowlin has a great handle on the Army.  Time for him to get back to the next installment…” 

BG Jack Grubbs, USA (Ret.) Ph.D., P.E., Author of Bad Intentions


“Bravo Zulu to Mark Bowlin for writing an exceptionally entertaining, interesting and educational novel.  I could hardly put the book down, and found the narrative and story line just captivating….I can’t wait to read the further adventures of The Texas Gun Club, and I’ll happily pass along this book as a great read to all those interested in history, Italy, military operations and, of course, just a good yarn!” 

RDML Tony Cothron, USN (Ret.), Former Director of Naval Intelligence


“I found it a fantastic historical fiction that all members of the division should read. Having been a member of the 141st, it gave me a great sense of pride in the regiment and the 36th Division.  I actually chose to have my regimental affiliation with the 141st after reading Commander Bowlin’s book…” 

SGT Casey Mueller, TXARNG


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