this account of the vietnam war from a helicopter pilot's perspective is THE BEST book i have read about that war from anyone's perspective.the author does an excellent job of describing the combat action, but more importantly, he gets you right into the cockpit with him -first in flying school, then coming into a "hot" LZ when the intensity of feelings is almost unbearable.mason is that unusual combination of compelling writer with a compelling true story to tell.The sequel to this book-"chickenhawk-back in the world" is possibly even better! what happens when he gets back is maybe as much of a dangerous mission as any during the war. in the end the writer succeeds in the ultimat mission--letting you into his head.

This book helps to understand the Vietnam experience a little better. The book is well written and moves along too fast. You will be finishing this story before you are ready!

Mr. Mason, like so many Vietnam Veterans, went through pure hell over there while the American citizen went about his life casually and seemingly unconcerned. This book shows some of the times that our brave soldiers faced for us. They did their duty and I for one am proud of them!

For good, easy, fun and thoughtful reading, I highly recommend this book. It is one of my all time favorites about Vietnam and I have read it 3 times so far. Thanks Mr. Mason and God Bless!

Being a helicopter pilot myself for the past 6 years, this book has always moved me deeply, thinking about those men, trying to maintain some sort of sanity in a crazy situation.

I have had the unfortunate luck, of evacuating wounded soldiers, from a war which is still controversial in my country, but I never faced the kind of situations that Mason discribes in the book, and I have always wandered how they did it, knowing that every morning and evry mission could spell sudden death, from the enemy, or worse, by your commander's stupidity.

I think it's a book about bravery, about how these helicopter pilots in Vietnam were willing to risk their lives every day for their fellow soldiers. I believe that flying into combat, surviving it, seeing what might happen if it wasn't your lucky day, then doing it again and again and again, takes a special kind of character. Character shown by Mason.

I have read many war books, some about Vietnam, some not. My country is (unfortunately) filled with veterans, including my entire family (my father was also a pilot and my brother was in the special forces, we've all been through combat). I think this book is special in the way it touches you intimately, making you feel, just as if you were hearing the story from the author in person.

This is not about victory or defeat, this is about something else, and to know what this thing is you must read the book and look inside to see the impact it has on you.

I was learned of James "Nick" Rowe's book "FIVE YEARS TO FREEDOM" on the old Robert K. Dornan TV show in Los Angeles way back in the early 1970's. I bought it and read it back then. In Five Years to Freedom, James Rowe exemplefies all that is good in the American Soldier. All that is good in the Vietnam Vet. Courage, Honor, Duty, so absent today by our political leaders. I never knew or met Col. Rowe, but I felt after reading his book, that I was family. And I cried. When he was assinated in the P.I., I re-read it, and cried again. As a vet, I will miss Nick. GOD BLESS JAMES. This book is A MUST read for all student's of the Vietnam War, and should be read at the HIGHEST LEVELS OF OUR GOVERNMENT. WELCOME HOME NICK.

Nick Rowe was already a giant among special operations soldiers when I had him as an instructor in Special Forces in 1982. Every page of his book only serves to demonstrate that which he would never claim - Nick Rowe is an American hero of the model few can match. Read the book to understand what character, courage and a will to live really mean. Years later, in the late 1980s, Nick Rowe autographed my copy of his book. I recall telling him how remarkable I found his story. His response, without batting an eye - "sure hate to have to research it again." There, in a nutshell is Nick Rowe, and the kind of wit that kept him alive. Get a copy of this book and read it. Then remember him every time you see the American Flag. Remember this man, James N. (Nick)Rowe died three weeks before Memorial Day, 1989, at a time this country enjoyed peace, and tell me tears do not come to your eyes.

James N (Nick) Rowe was the quintiessential Green Beret. His story is about how he survived for 5 years as a prisoner of war of the Viet Cong. His story is about the pressures of survival of day to day torture and interrogation. He tells of seeing his friends die. His experience was the basis for the US Army starting the school to teach military personnel how to survive in captivity. He escaped on his way to be executed after Jane Fonda brought a copy of POW personnel files during her visit to North Vietnam. COL Rowe is credited for many saves with the quality of his teachings. The book is a fast read and shows how articulate Nick Rowe was. SIDE NOTE: COL Jame "Nick" Rowe was assasinated in the Phillipines on 21 April 1986. The US State Department called it a "Random Terrorist Act". But he was killed 21 years after his escape on the 2100 block and shot 21 times. Only the Embassy knew his route that day and he was ordered NOT to be armed, though his name was on a "hit" List. Aquino granted freedom to all of his killers several years ago. You can visit Nick's grave. It's on the hill next to the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary.

From the first paragraph, Jim Webb paints the perfect picture of the war in the rice paddies that was fought by so many Marines.

His characters are true to life--many similar men were in my rifle platoon in the same area at the same time.

This book reveals a very well known aspect of war at the small unit level. What is happening 1000 meters down the road is of utmost importance. What is happening back home "in the world" means very little. And the idealistic views of the protected elite who are quite willing to let someone else do the dirty work and would never think to grab a rifle and go to war change graphically when they are suddenly in the line of fire. That is when the basics of survival kick in, and an entirely new world view is born.

A must read.

"Fields of Fire" is an amazing journey back to a time of confusion and significance. Through the experiences of a group of diverse, interesting characters, Webb transports the reader to the chaotic environment of Vietnam when the U.S. was exerting its' last gasp into the mutated conflict known as the Vietnam War. The realistic dialogue and beautifully woven descriptions draw the reader into that world of madness and give a glimpse of what it must've been like. The book explores many of the issues surrounding the war; race relations, corruptness, moral dilemmas and the constant clashes between career soldiers and the new breed of drafted grunts. Webb puts the Marine Corp itself on display in this book, and reveals it as a living, breathing organism which is all the more endearing for surviving its' flaws during its' greatest test. Webb's choice to concentrate on a Marine platoon, and specifically a squad, is an interesting one because obviously these units don't act in a vacuum. That there is almost no interaction with the surrounding units is one thing, but the fact that Lt. Hodges (who is in charge of the 3rd Platoon) is predominantly featured interacting with the main characters of only one squad is remarkable. We never even meet Hodges' immediate superior- the Company's Captain, other than a couple vague descriptions. This approach helps keep the story on a personal level and I think successfully portrays the conflict from the most basic element of the conflict; the lone infantryman.

This book is absolutely amazing. James Webb has done an excellent job at not only the reality of the situation in Viet Nam, but also at making a factually correct fictional work. I am currently an infantryman in the Marine Corps, 1st Bn, 5th MAR to be exact, and still can't believe how closely I can relate to the characters, even though I have never been to combat. I am currently deployed to Okinawa, and am on Camp Hansen, where Lt. Hodges meets the love of his life at the O-Club. And sure enough the O-Club is on a hill, just like in the book. I have heard that a movie is in the works and that everything will be on location, I certainly hope so. I also think that everyone, not just military, should read this book. It will change your outlook on life, and how you view the men that currently serve this fine and beautiful country. Semper Fi.

This was a very profound telling of what the War of vietnam was like for the people who were in country and what they went through, there are some very humerous parts that everyone who has served in the military can share in some of those experiences. Having served on Destroyers and Aircraft carriers and Major Relay Communication ships doing tours during vietnam, nothing like the heartaches that the grunts endured. This book is very compelling and should be read by everyone as it will help appreciate the need for people to realize the problems caused by war. This was a superb book, dedicated to the authors fellow comrades and is a complement to the author. well done

I have read Gerry Stesiak's book twice. It does bring back memories I had forgotten. I was with Gerry at Fort Campbell, KY., on the ship USS General John J. Pope that left Oakland, Ca. on 06 June 1966 (D-Day Anniversity WWII) and landed in Viet Nam on 20 June 1966 (The Anniversity of the start of the Korean War). I thought then that this was going to be one hell of a year and it was.
I believe the book should be in every high school in this Country to teach the young people about this conflict.
I have lent my copy out to many friends and have had nothing but raves for it. Especially sons and daughters of the men we served with. This book is really I believe for them more than for us.
I remember well in Viet Nam when I would see Gerry writing in his diary and would kid him about writing a book. Just get the names straight I would tell him.
He has fulfilled a promise to the Medical Platoon which I was a part of. As a matter of fact I am Tom Brown in the book. I am the one that actually did get his strips. That part is very true and I do remember it well.
The book brought tears to my eyes many times when I read it and reread it. For me it brought back emotions that I had buried very deep.

G. K. Stesiak's work, Raptor's Prey, is unique in that it gives a true to life picture of what it was like to be a grunt during the Vietnam War. The book flows well and holds your interest from cover to cover. As a fellow veteran, many of the senario's in the story brought back lost memories of similar experiences I had during my own tour of duty. This was not a bad thing.

It is a warm feeling to know that Mr. Stesiak has lived up to his promise to share the story of his experience with his fellow soldiers. He even goes the extra measure to support the Vietnam Memorial in his home state.

I am proud to have the opportunity to share in Mr. Stesiak's story and wish him well. Hopefully the future will see his novel become a feature motion picture.

Actually, Navy SEALs are undoubtedly the best. But unfortunately, they were underused in Vietnam because their existance as a guerilla warefare unit was still relatively short at that time. This book gives us continual action throughout the book because green beret operations were frequent and consisted of an unlimited supply of Montangard volunteers to keep the fight going. Also, unlike the SEALS, whose area of activity existed mainly in central Vietnam, the Green Berets were almost indegenous to areas such as Laos and Cambodia where the NVA possessed its most heavy concentrations of fighting forces. As a result, the Army Special Forces activty in Vietnam as described in this book gives a whole new meaning the term "suicide missions". Before I read this book, I knew only of the SOG missions that were portrayed on the syndicated television show "Tour of Duty" if you can remember. On the show, a regular army infantry platoon eventually ascends to the status of "SOG" team probably as an attempt to revive the shows falling ratings and bland plot line. As a "SOG" team, I don't believe the TV soldiers ever set foot in hot spots like Cambodia or Laos; and, as with every TV show, noone ever really dies. That is not the case as you will come to realize after reading this book. I don't think you could show what real SOG mission was like on TV not because of the SOG's secret nature, but because SOG mission were gorier than gory and would probably look like something out of Saving Private Ryan. What strikes me as most peculiar is the fact that the son of the owner of Walgreen's served three (or was two tours) as a SOG agent in Vietnam when he could've stayed home with his family's millions. That's dedication. Not to say that everyone else wasn't dedicated, but I'm sure that not everyone had that kind of option waiting for them back home.

This book is full of stories that would you would criticize as unbelievable if you saw them in a movie. Like most folks, I had never heard of SOG. I became aware of it because a friend of mine told me the name because he fought with the group during his three tours in Vietnam. He has never said very much about his experiences because they are still classified. He responded to my many questions by pointing me to this book.

This is an amazing book. Every page is full of bravery, loyalty, and heroism beyond understanding. Well, there are a few shameful pages of cowardice and treachery and those few pages will anger and sicken you as much as the deeds of the heroes will amaze and fill you with awe.

SOG is the acronym for the Studies and Observations Group, which was a euphemism for a very secret and elite special operations team that was the forerunner of groups such as today's Delta Force. They gathered intelligence about enemy activities and slowed enemy advances through Cambodia and Laos down the Ho Chi Minh trail and other places the NVA denied being.

I certainly can't do justice to the history of all this activity, but if you pick up this book you will have a very hard time putting it down. You will be reading about actual flesh and blood men who are very extraordinary people and who did unbelievable things in service to America. The writing is captures the events very effectively and moves quickly. For me, it was more exciting than any fiction.

John Plaster has done a service in taking us through the history of this group. He shows us the formation of the group and its early development. He covers its history through its most effective years to the way it was handicapped by policies that really ended up allowing the North Vietnamese to strengthen their position rather than bringing them to serious negotiations. Finally, we suffer with them through the last days of the group as the war wound down.

Whatever your position on the war, you shouldn't diminish the nobility of these soldiers. When I think about these stories I am profoundly moved by their sacrifice and feel a deep gratitude to each of them and all soldiers who put everything on the line for me and mine.

Thanks to Mr. Plaster for this vital and amazing book.

I , when I whine or complain daily, stop, open up Mr. Plaster's book and Photo History book; and think: wow! I am so stupid; I have "no right" whatsoever to ever complain about anything! How we all are today! How lucky I am that I am here in America; never knowing what it would be like to be in a foreign land, fighting for "our great country" or to be a P.O.W.! mR. pLASTER'S BOOKS HELP ME "DAILY" APPRECIATE MY LIFE, FAMILY, AND MY COUNTRY so mush better! The book's by Mr. Plaster helps us to understand just what our men and women had to endure in S.E. ASIA! Yet these (SOG) men goes mant steps further; out on-a-limb; for you and I; risking their lives and limbs to keep us all safe and "free" here, in America on some of the most-dangerous-secret missions ever done during The Vietnam War for our country! If only "we" in today's society could be (true) team players such as these fine-brave men of SOG were; our country wouldn't have the disrespect problem that it has today! We "all" need to go back, read Mr. Plaster's book and photo history; and realize how " truly-really" blessed we "all" are to have had such a "fine-brave-unselfish" units of men like the SOG units; that so-gallantly fought in S.E. Asia in Vietnam War; so that we all might be here, today, free and democratic! Mr. Plaster's work's are; as far as i am concerned; true/definative and complete work's of the SOG units! Can't get any better than this! Thank's Mr. (Major-ret.) Plaster/ SOG! I'd give anything to someday be able to meet "all" you brave men in person, GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Much respect!

I haven't stopped thinking (or talking!) about ANGEL FIRE since reading it several months ago. This beautiful and compelling story of two brothers has something to teach us all about the necessity of our relationships and what they bring to our lives: about love and loss, pain and redemption. Daniel and Cassidy's story seems so familiar to us because it involves these universal themes; it captures our imagination so completely because Mr. Franscell shows us essential truths within a seamlessly constructed "vivid, continuous dream." Ron Franscell presents us with authentic and complicated characters so fascinating they force us to care about them. His writing is at once richly poetic and deceptively simple, without a single wasted word. ANGEL FIRE is a beautiful story, beautifully told, and one that will stay with you long after you've devoured every page. I recommend ANGEL FIRE to all readers who believe that the best literature provides us with stories that entertain and truths that enlighten; you'll find both in this passionate, inpiring novel. Go buy it. Right now.

I have read BOTH Angel Fire and Don DeLillo's "Cosmopolis" and I think there's not much question that one (Angel Fire) is good, under-read literature and one (Cosmopolis) is simply sitting on shelves today because the author is "known." I take nothing away from DeLillo, and I agree with Ron Franscell's review of his book as being brave but not praiseworthy. The New York Times and Washington Post were even tougher on "Cosmopolis." But I want to praise Angel Fire as being one of those books that should be read for its insights into the human spirit. I've followed Ron Franscell's book reviews in the Chicago Sun-Times and read his novels, and I would highly recommend his work to anyone. I think Angel Fire, which is a story about two brothers in a very close relationship under heartbreaking circumstances, should be read by mnany more people. It's a book that proves if you only buy best-sellers, you'll miss a lot of the best writing.

"Angel Fire" is a beautifully written story about two brothers growing up in a small Wyoming town. David and Cassidy McLeod experience every childs dream of living in a world full of make-believe, adventure and folklore. The story within many stories takes the brothers on their own personal "adventure" away from home. Eventually, the brothers return full circle to West Canaan finding strength, peace and a sense of self.

Growing up in Wyoming, I found myself going "home" while reading "Angel Fire". I was there with Daniel and Cassidy sharing the places, adventures, people and stories told by generations before. Thank you, Ron, for bringing me "home" through your gift of writing this novel. My life is richer and I will forever treasure the magic and memories of "home" given back to me through this wonderful book.

"A Rumor of War" is a darkly disturbing book. It is set in what was the early, "optimistic" Vietnam in the spring of '65 when we thought we were fighting for "freedom" and before the reality of the place hit home. Vietnam hits Lieutenant Caputo very quickly, as it must have for all Marine Corps platoon leaders. It's all right there-booby traps, mines, trip wires, leeches, foot blisters, jungle rot, constant shelling, dysentery, pigs eating corpses and cold C Rations. As a Vietnam vet, I was surprised the author never mentions RATS!, but we both know they were there too. (THEY were everywhere). Lt. Caputo's transfer to a staff job is worse than the field, so he transfers back to the bush as a platoon leader.It's more of the same-patrolling and repatrolling the same trails, the same hills, the same villes. All watched over by unsupportive and bureaucratic commanders. "RW" offers yet another look at the Vietnam War, one more pessimistic than most because so many of us felt that the years of '65 and '66 were more positive than this. I might suggest reading Joseph Owen's "Colder Than Hell" to compare the Marine experience in Korea with Lt. Caputo's. Reading the late Bernard Fall's "Street Without Joy" will make us aware, again, that perhaps there was never a time to be optimistic about Vietnam. I must admit that I constantly found myself curious as to how I would have handled many situations in "RW". How would I have measured up? What would I have done? How would the men have judged me? While the story of "RW" tends to stray at times, I found no fault since the author is relating a painful part of his past. One small point: "RW" would benefit from better maps-these are so often lacking in military books. The bottom line:"A Rumor of War" belongs on the bookshelf of any serious military book reader or anyone searching for yet another angle to the frustrating Vietnam War that affected so many of us.

It is hard to imagine that such a gifted writer is also capable of being an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. In "A Rumor of War," author Philip Caputo offers us an intimate portrait of the Vietnam conflict. Caputo uses a powerful lens and provides an up close examination of what the war is like for a Marine infantry "grunt."

This book is about the Vietnam danger, the boredom, the casualties, the weather and the mood of the American soldier. Throughout the book one can feel the soldiers enormous desire to "go home" and abandon the macho madness of the Vietnam tragedy. Caputo's protagonist, the element that moved the plot is the Marine's desire to survive. The author brilliantly uses the constant threat of "death" to act as a powerful antagonist that lurks from page to page.

Best of all, this book documents the brutality of war using the language of the Marine "grunt." Hence, it provides a front row seat to the thoughts and emotions of those who were condemned to risk their lives each day while in Vietnam. This is a great book that deserves attention..especially from the leaders of the nation who audaciously talk of war while never having the courage to set foot on a battlefield.

"A Rumor of War" is a darkly disturbing book. It is set in what was the early, "optimistic" Vietnam in the spring of '65 when we thought we were fighting for "freedom" and before the reality of the place hit home. Vietnam hits Lieutenant Caputo very quickly, as it must have for all Marine Corps platoon leaders. It's all right there-booby traps, mines, trip wires, leeches, foot blisters, jungle rot, constant shelling, dysentery, pigs eating corpses and cold C Rations. As a Vietnam vet, I was surprised the author never mentions RATS!, but we both know they were there too. (THEY were everywhere). Lt. Caputo's transfer to a staff job is worse than the field, so he transfers back to the bush as a platoon leader.It's more of the same-patrolling and repatrolling the same trails, the same hills, the same villes. All watched over by unsupportive and bureaucratic commanders. "RW" offers yet another look at the Vietnam War, one more pessimistic than most because so many of us felt! that the years of '65 and '66 were more positive than this. I might suggest reading Joseph Owen's "Colder Than Hell" to compare the Marine experience in Korea with Lt. Caputo's. Reading the late Bernard Fall's "Street Without Joy" will make us aware, again, that perhaps there was never a time to be optimistic about Vietnam. I must admit that I constantly found myself curious as to how I would have handled many situations in "RW". How would I have measured up? What would I have done? How would the men have judged me? While the story of "RW" tends to stray at times, I found no fault since the author is relating a painful part of his past. One small point: "RW" would benefit from better maps-these are so often lacking in military books. The bottom line:"A Rumor of War" belongs on the bookshelf of any serious military book reader or anyone searching for yet another angle to the frustrating Vietnam War that affected so many of us.

Atkinson did a wonderful job with this book. Atkinson wrote about the West Point Class of 1966, following the lives of the men during their years at West Point, through Vietnam, and beyond. As he told a fascinating tale of the cultural changes in our country from the 1960's to the 1980's, he attacked a few Hollywood myths about the Vietnam experience. For one example, the army was not full of unhappy druggies at the time.

Atkinson shared anecdotes about many people, but he followed most closely the story of three. One was George Crocker, an army career man; then there was Tom Carhart, whose attitude towards the Vietnam War and the army went through peaks and valleys; and finally there was Jack Wheeler, who liked the army, but did not want to fight. To further flesh out our understanding of life in the army for the West Point graduate of 1966, Atkinson went into great detail on the lives of a couple of people who never served in the army. The two were a minister who worked at the West Point Chapel even though he was a civilian and a widow of an officer who survived Vietnam only to be killed in a border incident between North and South Korea.

The book was very well done, but it was not without flaw. Of course this problem might not have been possible to solve, given the scope of the work. As the lives of the graduates unfolded over the years, and Atkinson switched from one person's story to update another, it was sometimes hard to keep all the names straight. It was occasionally difficult to remember all the back story of someone and fit the new developments within the appropriate context. Again, this probably could not have been helped, since Atkinson wanted to cast his net as wide as possible to show us what life was really like for these people. He obviously could not narrow his focus without losing a part of the big picture.

This book was great for pleasure reading, but it was informative enough to serve as a wonderful resource for students of military history, Vietnam, and/or life in AMerica in the 1960's and 1970's.

My friend, whom graduated from West Point in 1991, recommended "The Long Gray Line" to me. My object for reading this book was that I wanted to learn more about the Vietnam War, what happened and why. I also wanted to understand more about the problems and turmoil that followed when the War was over. Further, I realised the book would be a great source of information about the West Point Academy, something I wanted to learn more about since my friend had attended the Academy. (A discussion with the same mentioned friend about the Vietnam War had left no doubt that I had considerable gaps in my knowledge of both West Point and the Vietnam War).

I was completely fascinated with the story, and it soon became impossible for me to put the book down. I even wished for longer commute to work, so I could read more (I already have 1 hrs 20 min of commuting each way to work!). After I had finished the book I asked my friend "Was is really like that at West Point?" and he answered "The book gives a 'pretty accurate' description of what it was like"..

The first part of this book is about the Academic life at West Point, and at times this part of the book is absolutely hilarious! It left me smiling and laughing for myself.. I love the way the author, Rick Atkinson, describes the different characters. I had no problems picturing the different events in my head and I finished the book feeling like I practically knew all these cadets. The latter part of the book is about the war and it's aftermath. This part of the book is incredibly moving. The author describes these young men's (and their families) trial and suffering so well that you almost feel it as if the pain was your own. This part of the book left me in tears more than one time.

I finished this book with a deeper comprehension of the pain and distress which Vietnam Veterans has experienced both while fighting for their country, and later returning home. Anyone interested in history, reading about the events and ideas that strongly influenced America in the latter part of the 20th century, should read this book. The words "Duty, Honour, and Country" will never mean the same to you after reading this book. It is not often that I read a book, which so deeply touches my heart as this one did!

To anyone who lives outside of the United States, the term West Point is synomous with military leadership. But how, someome is made into a West Pointer is always being a little engimatic. Rick Atkinson's brilliant book tells us what is like to attend West Point and also the leadership of men in combat and the pressures of command. His depiction of the West West Point years of the Class of 66 are great and full of stories that you would not read elsewhere. The Class of 1966 suffered West Point's greatest number of casualties in Vietnam and that section of the book is almost impossible to put down. The fight on Hill 875 is documented with great care and gives some idea of what a waste war is. The period after the war is also documented with great sensitivity especially the incident at the DMZ in August 1976 when Captain Art Bonifas was murdered by vengeful North Korean guards.

My only complaint with the new edition is that it could have gone into more detail about what class members have done since the original publication as some of these men were trusted with some of the US major military commands.

I read I served by Don Hall in two nights. It was so riveting I could not put it down I had to read one more page until three in the morning each night. I was in Vietnam during Tet of 1968 at Plantation Army airfield in Long Bien. I served with the 195th. Assualt Helicopter Company. I supported F. Co. 51st Inf. (Airborne) LRPs until May of 1968 when my helicopter was painted Camo (first ones in the Army) and I was assigned to MACV- SOG. Our first platoon kept on supporting F. Co 51st Inf (Airborne) LRPs. Don's story of his upbringing in an orphanage where he met his wife and then his tour with one of the greatest LRP companies to serve in Vietnam is compelling reading for anyone who would like to get a feel for combat in Vietnam. I have given the book to others to read and they all agree with me you can't put it down. As a Soggie I have supported the best and Don Hall's book tells it like it is. Don has searched the Army's achives and obtained the after action reports so his story is woven with the actual facts.

A well written factual account of what it was like to be a LRP in Vietnam.

There are veterans and there are veterans, but then there are
"Professional Veterans".

Over the years, millions of books
have been written by "combat authors", expounding on their
exploits, their heroics, regardless of war; the main theme which I've
gathered from all of these books has been "This war could not
have been won if it wasn't for me being in it", or "I won
the war by myself". The books being well written, just like a
typical "Hollywood Script", leaving the reader with that
very impression. These "Hollywood Books" will suffice the
average reader, fulfilling a need for adventure. In reading "I
Served" by Don and Annette Hall, the reader isn't left with the
two above characteristics (the book is well written too), it relates
the saga of a unit, not just about a man who served in that unit,
Co. F (LRP), 51st Infantry (Airborne). While I personally didn't care
to read about another's hardship in his early years, it set the stage
for what the author endured for the sake of life, it made the man, THE
MAN. Readers are offended about exposing the fact that mercenaries
were employed by the U.S. in the war, yes the U.S. Government did
employ mercenaries, and they were ruthless
adversaries. ... Recommending the book to a histroy student is a must,
if that student wants to read the facts about one unit and the war
which one man endured. If the student wants to read real fiction, try
one of the other million books available on the subject.

War is
always hell, dying is the easy part, surviving it is harder.

I have read this book several times, and each time enjoy itmore than the time before...................................... I think that both Don and Annette Hall did an excellent job writing about how their lives were shaped by their experiences. The Halls have a unique ability to write so the reader can hear, feel and smell what's happening. The statistics at the end of the book help the reader understand how much this honored unit contributed to the war in Vietnam. Much like "In Love and War" by Admiral James and Sybil Stockdale, this book artfully uses and interweaves the background of childhood and adolescent events to set the stage for adulthood experiences. This book also lays bare some of the less romantic aspects of war -- that interspersed among the heroic and selfless deeds and acts of compassion by good soldiers and great leaders are also those which do not bring much glory or honor. And that's what makes this a great story - it is how Don Hall remembers the events which make him the man he is today - one who served. I highly recommend this book.

Vladislav Tamarov is barely nineteen when he is drafted into the Soviet army and sent to Afghanistan. His immersion in Soviet propaganda does not prepare him for what he will find there. His training has little to do with his assignment as a mine-sweeper. He serves his two years, somehow survives, and returns home to Leningrad. His life becomes chaotic. Somehow his Afghan experiences seem more real than the life he is living. Later he emigrates to the United States where he lives now, thirty-eight years old. But really, he never comes home from Afghanistan. In his spirit, he is still trapped in that war.

As luck would have it, Vlad (as he likes to be called) is a talented photographer and writer. Somehow he manages to keep a journal and take pictures during his entire tour of duty. Now he shares the pictures with us. Plain pictures of grim, haunted young men. Men who will never go home. Men who will die within hours of being photographed. Men resting briefly before the next battle or ambush. The book is built around these photographs, with accompanying text that is simple and spare.

Vlad serves his time, but really, he never comes home. In his spare, simple writing, his consciousness wanders back and forth between "home" and Afghanistan, never at peace. For him, only the war experience is real. The only people he can really feel at home with are Afghan veterans, and--interestingly--veterans of Viet Nam.

Afghanistan is not a sentimental book. It is a simple, plain-spoken account of a very bad time. It is a powerful statement about war, all war, yet it does not lecture the reader. It is not a book you enjoy, but it will make a deep impression on you. It is exquisite photo-journalism. I recommend it highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

This is the extremely poignant story of a young Russian from Leningrad by the name of Vladislav Tamarov who at the age of nineteen was conscripted into the Soviet Army knowing full well his destination upon completing his basic and airborne training, Afghanistan. Rarely if ever have I read a story such as this, told with the full depth of emotions over what someone has seen and been forced to participate in.

After his conscription, Vladislav went to basic and airborne training, where by his description the training was wholeheartedly inadequate to the task at hand. But then, armies can train basic trainees in the very basics of soldiering but they can never fully prepare them for the realities that lay ahead when facing actual combat. Of note is the fact that he and his fellow trainees spent a lot of time on the airborne training only to never use it in Afghanistan.

Armed with this most minimal of training, Vladislav and his fellow basic training graduates headed off for Afghanistan. Landing in Kabul he saw the first of many dichotomies where the people of Afghanistan attempted to continue to live their lives the best they could despite rocket attacks and a constant shifting between the Afghanistan government's forces and the Mujahadeen. To add to his already cumbersome load of trying to learn how to survive in combat, he was also immediately picked out to be a minesweeper, the job that few soldiers of any army wants to have.

Vladislav goes on to tell us of the many strife's and hardships that both he and his fellow soldiers endured and some which who did not survive. I found the style in which he told his story to be quite compelling as he tells it with a great depth of emotion to include areas where he seems to almost be in a dream/nightmare state where in one paragraph he's home, he's made it and in the next paragraph he's still in Afghanistan running for his life or attempting to save a friends life.

Of interest is how for quite some time at the beginning of this war the Soviet people were not told what was happening and why young soldiers were coming home in zinc coffins. To us, as Americans, it would seem unthinkable for our government to commit so many assets to a combat action without telling the general populace. To think that the USSR attempted to do is almost inconceivable.

Overall this is a story in pictures and words that is very telling of the experiences young men go through in war and the author deserves high praise for bringing it to print and those of us fortunate to have read it! I myself am in the Army and I found that I learned a great deal from this person that today I call a friend but back in my early days in the Army I was told he and his fellow soldiers were my enemy, thank God that's a war that never happened. I hope for him today that the demons of this war do not still haunt him for he and his fellow Afghansti have seen enough demons!

I highly recommend this book to any and all for it will certainly enrich your knowledge of the Soviet Afghan war and bring you in touch with the author who a truly honorable man who when he was but a mere teenager was forced to grow old before his time. {ssintrepid}

Vladislaw Tamarov, the author of "Afghanistan: A Russian Soldier's Story" was a mere 19 years old when he was drafted to Afghanistan. Once there, Tamarov was 'selected' to be a minesweeper, and he served almost two years before returning home to Leningrad. Tamarov was one of the lucky ones; he returned to tell the story of his time through photographs and journal entries.

Tamarov describes the history--official and unofficial--behind the Soviet presence in Afghanistan, training prior to deployment, and the four types of military action that took place there. Weapons are also described, and there are also photographs of unexploded mines, minesweepers at work, and many photographs of the other young men who served with Tamarov.

The one thing that struck me over and over again as I read this book was the word "WASTE." The photographs of the young soldiers who never returned home stand as a monument to the utter ridiculous waste that occurred under the name "Afghanistan War." What difference did it make to the world or humankind? Has anything changed as a result? Did the world improve immeasurably or even measurably for that matter? The answer to those questions is a single, loud resounding 'NO'. And the only message that can be drawn from this book is the utter futility and madness of war. I would like to commend the author for creating a memorial through his marvellous photographs for the men who seem to be destined just to become empty statistics. The young men memorialized in Tamorov's photographs did not belong in Afghanistan, and neither did they deserve to die. I am glad that someone was there to record their short lives before they were stolen away forever--displacedhuman