An interesting book about a controversial film. The author suggests the changing of the script from anti American to Pro American was done by the Director to make it more acceptable to the US public.
Yet he fails to mention the role model for the "Quiet American", Edward Lansdale, who was responsible for assisting Ngo Dinh Diem to maintain power. Lansale also had a hand in the changes to the film script yet is not mentioned in this book - why not?

See The Quiet American : Text and Criticism (Viking Critical Library) by Graham Greene, John Clark Pratt (Editor) (Paperback - January 1996) which includes letters from Lansdale to Mankiewicz showing his delight at the changes. Another propaganda tactic to sell the US on war? yet overlooked in this book, perhaps intentionally? Sad that 3 million Vietnamese had to die, and a few Americans.

What I like most about this book is that it takes a few months from 1957 on a film location and tells how it feels to be there. The movie was not great, and it was forgotten soon enough. Yet, the atmosphere of film making and the camaraderie of the crew and cast is just a wonderful experience. Yes, they had some terrible times, with ego clashing and scandals covered up, but it is such a nostalgic little story, reading like a novel. All the people in the story, Audie Murphy and Michael Redgrave, mostly are fascinating, and how nice to have a special look at them. I truly enjoyed this armchair escape to another time and another place. Thanks!

This book has info about Audie that is not anywhere else. The author interviewed people close to Audie who never have talked about him before for publication. The movie The Quiet American was a special project for him, according to his best friend Willard Willingham. He soon hated doing it because Vietnam, even in 1957, was not a pleasant place before the war. This book reads like a novel but is all true. If you really want insights into Audie Murphy, you must read this book. Despite all that happened, he knew what he had to do. He was not just an actor. He was a hero--and in the Quiet American, he played the part to perfection. There is another remake of the movie now filmed, but nothing can top the original.

This book is excellent! But, I am biased. Col Tom Yarborough was my Professor of Aerospace Studies at Indiana University and a major reason why I joined the Air Force. He a great and inspiring man. I highly recommend this book by a true hero.

Anyone who is an armchair flyboy or military aviation buff will find this book to be one of the best. Col. Yarborough's writing style keeps you on the edge of your chair as you follow his incredible hair raising missions in Veitnam and Laos. Best on all this is not fiction but the real item.

This is by far the best book I have read on Vietnam. It takes you to the air with the pilot like you are in the back seat. It's hard hitting and lots of action. I highly recommend it.

The Discovery of Luminous Being, Anthony Maulaucci's powerful first novel, is the story of two wars, the first being the distant but menacing conflict in Vietnam, and the second detailing a bitter generational conflict between a disillusioned father and his idealistic son. Fearful, confused, and searching for the keys to emotional independence, young Rafe Trager flees to the sanctuary of Montreal where, amid a culture of hope and mixed messages, he embarks upon a sometimes harrowing journey of self-discovery. Along the way he learns how to conquer his fears, especially those inflicted by his father, while coming to grips with the larger issues that will define his life in the years to come. Ultimately, it is this promise of a hard-earned personal peace that drives Trager to the novel's strring conclusion.

"The Discovery of Luminous Being" brought back a lot of memories about one of my favorite cities, Montreal. Anthony Maulucci creates characters with magnetism. The book touches many facets of a young man's life, dealing with the young man's discovery of his own self and his conflict in making choices about his future.

Excellent work! The story has the quality of a Picasso line drawing. I enthusiastically recommend this novel.

This is a great book that chronicals the experiences of an array of Vietnam Vets. My dad's story is in this book!

With the exception of a few errors this book is a must read for those who want to try to understand something about a very elite unit, the 9th Cavalry. I was in the Blues in 1966. I was a squad leader and the assistant platoon sgt. On occasion I was the platoon sgt. Never have I met a finer bunch of men who endured the trials of their home on the wire at night followed by running through the jungle the following day. I still wonder how we maintained ourselves, that is, staying awake on the wire and running the jungle. It was impossible to do what we did without sleep but we did it anyway. What the book describes between the Blues and the pilots is very true. We were united in a common goal. I think that goal was to destroy the enemy and go home alive. I personally know that when the lift pilots dropped us Blues on the ground they bided their time in agnony waiting for the call to saddle up and retrieve the Blues, and bring us home. This book describes how the pilots protected the Blues as much as humanly possible. Well done, Matt.

While not as good as "Brennans War", it's a great book.

I found Chief Bryant's memoir to be a very moving, and personal account of the life of the riverine sailor in Vietnam. The reader feels a part of the action because this is not a story written by an Admiral, General, or historian, but rather by one man who was part of a boat crew who was just trying to stay alive.Highly recommended for readers interested in riverine warfare or the Vietnam War. Also recommended is "Coast Guard Action in Vietnam" by Paul Scotti.

I served in Viet Nam on the gun boats, during the time Chief Bryant was in country. His book is written very well. The real history of the bravery,and dedication comes through. I recommend it for people who wish to know what really happened on the rivers of Viet Nam.

As a member of the base support personnel at Nha Be during Chief Bryant's tour I was and still am pleased to serve with people like Chief Bryant. This is a great book written by a humble man who truly represents America's finest.

Pedestrian writing can ruin any subject, even the ready-made drama of war. Vietnam memoirs are no exception. But such is not the case in James Kirschke's account of fighting in some of the bloodiest zones of the war in 1966-67. With a colorful, engaging style that does not shy from personal revelation, Kirschke weaves a compelling narrative made genuine by its generosity of spirit and plausible by its even hand. Kirschke's experience as both an English professor and a writer gives him an advantage over the competition, true. But potent material like this still needs adept storytelling, and in Kirschke, a retired Marine captain, it finds a capable craftsman. Casual and passionate reader alike will be touched as Kirschke relates the critical and formative aspects of his service: training and bonding with his mortar platoon at Camp Pendleton, exhausting daily combat in the area just south of the DMZ -- commanding first his mortar platoon and then a rifle platoon -- and his final battle of the war, the injury that left him near death for many months. The reader will also appreciate that Kirschke has steered clear of the kind of cynical self-confession and cloying apologia that too often mars Vietnam memoirs. Not Going Home Alone is about the work of war and the love and sorrow encountered along the way.

Lt. James J. Kirschke demonstrated outstanding leadership skills stateside and in Vietnam. He loved his men, and they loved him. As an 81 mortars platoon commander, Kirschke drove his men to become the best of their kind in the USMC. The men he trained developed not only incredible proficiency and stamina, but also a deeply seated sense of pride in serving their country and the Corps. After Kirschke transfered to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, he became the CO of a rifle platoon. At this juncture in the narrative, the action and tension in this finely written book heats up and never cools down. Kirschke was not a hell-raiser or macho warrior hyped up on testosterone. He was simply an excellent human being on whom God had generously bestowed such rich gifts as those of leadership ability, compassion, and sense of duty. It is incredible that Kirschke teaches literature in one of today's foremost universities, given the anti-white male and looney leftist fringe that rides herd over modern academia. When I put this book down, I thought of Kirschke the way Mark Antony thought of Brutus at the end of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, this was a man." Thanks, Jim, for your unselfish service and for writing this book.

Not Going Home Alone is the best example I have seen yet of the growing genre of Vietnam combat memoirs. Retired Marine Captain James J. Kirschke takes us through his tour in Vietnam with the 3d and 2nd Battalions, 5th Marines, sadly cut short by his grievous wounding in the An Hoa Valley. Kirschke goes beyond combat descriptions (although he provides plenty) and presents all the things that a platoon commander in combat has to think about and do. For anyone considering becoming a Marine or Army officer, especially as a grunt, this is a fine introduction to what one should be able to do. The book is very well-written; Kirschke does a great job bringing the Marines he served with alive for us, as well as conveying what Vietnam in the bush was like. Kirschke also provides a useful reminder that the Vietnam War and Vietnam veterans are not as portrayed by Oliver Stone and his ilk. With this book, Kirschke has given his comrades who died in Vietnam and since a wonderful memorial.
Not Going Home Alone has a special resonance for me; like Kirschke I was a grunt lieutenant in the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, although in more peaceful times (1981 through 1983). I cannot vouch personally for his Vietnam descriptions, but his descriptions of Camp Pendleton, Okinawa and the Philippines brought back a lot of memories. This is an outstanding book; here's hoping it finds a huge audience.
P.S. to Hollywood: Not Going Home Alone would make a great movie, if you don't mess with it.

I bought this book awile ago. Some of the things left behind have letters or notes attached to them. Very chilling. Awesome book for anyone. I love it.

My best friend and I used to curl up in chairs at the local book store to read this book and weep. It is a very touching and poignant book, a must see.

This book is beyond catagorization. More than any story, journalism, or war photos could ever do, this book demonstrates the horrors that soldiers in Vietnam were subjected to both "in-country" and state-side. Every American should own this book.

AASIGNED TO COMPANY "D" 1/46, 196 INF, I KNOW MR. NOLAN HAS TONS IF INTERVIEWS AND DOCUMENTS ON THE SUBJECT, FSB MARY ANN, I BELIEVE THAT VOLUMES COULD AND SHOULD BE WRITTEN AS WELL AS PHOTS, NOT TO STOP SHORT OF A FEATURE FILM.....

This book helped me remember how lucky I am to be here to read it. I was amazed at how much detail he found in his research, best one Ive read on viet nam and what it was really like. Thanks mr. Nolan

The war was winding down but for the men of the 196th LIB home was just a distant dream. As a member of Charlie Company, I can attest to the accuracy and fairness the author treats the grunts of LZ MaryAnn. I only pray that we will never see a war like VN again.

"Having read Sonny Gratzer's General Issue Blues, I was stunned to know he could read my mind. When I read Gratzer's words, I felt as if I had written them. I certainly thought them. I am not a writer. I am, however, a Combat Veteran of Viet Nam and I can feel what Gratzer has written about Viet Nam and he is on target. He should write more about his experiences because he strikes a chord. Fire for effect, Sonny!"

For years upon years, my bedroom in the basement on King Street (which he custom built with his hands, sweat, and broken body), was directly underneath my dad's "Vietnam writing room" (which I secretly called his office or den). This private place was, and will always be, home to his greatest weaponry; Mr. George Michael Gratzer's mind, memories and an ancient electric IBM. I wondered, while trying to sleep, when the pounding on the keys would finally end. Now I pray that sound won't go away. Gratefully, it'll be impossible to finish reading this wonderfully written work of art. I believed I knew my dad; after carrying his first published book around with me for a few years, I know I do! You, as well, will also be one of the privedged few to better understand the reality of Vietnam "lived" by one of this country's most honorable of men. His poetry captures you and puts you into the shoes of a man movies are made of, books are written about, and characters are dreamed of. As a little boy I would cautiously ask my dad to tell me what Vietnam was like...what the truth was. Sometimes he reluctantly spelled it out for me, which is what he's done here. During my Marine Corps career, a day didn't pass that I didn't think of my dad. Would I ever be under the command of a man who could lead the way he can? Although I knew some incredible studs, they couldn't hold a candle to "Bandit 6!" He IS the best of the best of THE best of men.

Nobody's perfect, but this book is. I know - I grew up with it every day, and now I carry this little piece of history with me everywhere. Everyone has something, if not a lot, to gain from any of his books (he's working on more and has been for the last few decades). We should be so lucky when they publish. Can't wait. He's written some darned impressive country music lyric's also! Where's Shania when you need her? As the gallant old man would put it...with silent breath whispering and eye's sparkling eerily, "Keep 'yer eyes peeled...they could be anywhere." But you can find it right here at amazon.com. Congratulations, DAD! I salute you.

Sonny Gratzer's undeniably powerful poems are reminders that every person is shaped and haunted by something. From his vivid images of the Vietnam War and its after effects on his life, an almost unbearable lonliness emerges. Written from an inner territory of emotional and physical turbulence, his collection of love and war poems depicts a body and soul torn, stitched, torn and mended again while forever visible scars remain.

The soldiers of the famed 101st Airborne Division literally spilled their "blood and guts" to take what was supposedly a strategic hilltop. Thanks to Samuel Zaffiris' tremendous account of one of the most horrific and costly battles of the Vietnam War was I able to fully appreciate the uncommon valor and sacrifices made by the American G.I.

this a great book. I was not able to put it down once I started reading it. I have read many books regarding Vietnam & this is one of the few that I would recommend. The author has done a great job researching the subject & has maps to reference as you read.

This is one of the best books I've read about war. Many war books do a fine job of recounting the historical data, but are dry and hard to read in spite of the fact that the action they cover was very exciting. Other books do a fine job of presenting the action, but gloss over the historical significance or hide key players behind fictitious names. This author does a great job of both drawing you into the action with good writing while covering the history and politics you need to know to really appreciate what happened and who (real names) did what. I recommend it.