“Few writers since Stephen Crane have portrayed men at war with such a ring of steely truth.”—The Houston PostWith a new introduction by the author for the book’s 40th anniversary. They each had their reasons for joining the Marines. They each had their illusions. Goodrich came from Harvard. Snake got the tattoo—“Death Before Dishonor”—before he got the uniform. And Hodges was haunted by the … And Hodges was haunted by the ghosts of family heroes. They were three young men from different worlds, plunged into a white-hot, murderous realm of jungle warfare as it was fought by one Marine platoon in the An Hoa Basin, 1969. They had no way of knowing what awaited them. Nothing could have prepared them for the madness to come. And in the heat and horror of battle they took on new identities, took on each other, and were each reborn in fields of fire.
Fields of Fire is James Webb’s classic novel of the Vietnam War, a novel of poetic power, razor-sharp observation, and agonizing human truths seen through the prism of nonstop combat. Weaving together a cast of vivid characters, Fields of Fire captures the journey of unformed men through a man-made hell—until each man finds his fate.
Praise for Fields of Fire
“A stunner . . . Webb gives us an extraordinary range of acutely observed people, not one a stereotype, and as many different ways of looking at that miserable war.”—Newsweek
“A novel of such fullness and impact, one is tempted to compare it to Norman Mailer’s The Naked and the Dead.”—The Oregonian
“Webb’s book has the unmistakable sound of truth acquired the hard way. His men hate the war; it is a lethal fact cut adrift from personal sense. Yet they understand that its profound insanity, its blood and oblivion, have in some way made them fall in love with battle and with each other.”—Time
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Very good read. Not much out there on this subject. Author did a great job
Good book of the Viet Nam era. Good depiction of a Marine platoon in the bush
A very gritty reveal of real Americans in Vietnam.
Really addicting once you start to read this book. I enjoyed it!
I had read Senator Webb’s book several years ago, but did not remember the minute detail he covered in his most realistic account of a combat tour in Vietnam. He described just about every kind of NCO one encounters during a military career. I grew very fond of Snake and was stunned when he died. His death reinforced the unpredictability of war. It is a shame the Democrats did not offer Senator Webb as their candidate in the last presidential election. They might actually have had a chance of victory if they had.
This book opened my eyes to what my husband faced and endured while he was a Marine in Vietnam. It made me very proud of him.
If you want to know what Viet Nam was like, this book should be on your list to read.
Very well written. Totally believable. The really nitty gritty boots on the ground feel.
wow such a realistic story
Older brother was in ‘Nam’
sounds about right
One of the best Vietnam novels I have read. Lots of details and told “close to the ground” so you can empathize with the characters.
Still the best Vietnam based novel ever written.
Brought back a ton of memories.
One of the best books on Vietnam War, riveting and haunting. Don’t know why this isn’t more popular on this topic. Written by a veteran who was there.
The Vietnam War from a soldier’s perspective.
One of the best books to come out of the Vietnam war.
Great read..
Very real.
Made me glad I drew a high number in the draft lottery
The sad fiasco of Viet Nam comes to life in this book. A thorough portrayal of the time.
This could not be classified as a fun read. However, it is likely one of the more realistic books of the Vietnam war.