Shawn McClellan was part of a fierce, tight group-a platoon of fewer than twenty United States Marines. A machine gunner deep in the Vietnam bush, Shawn fought and won battles with no names, and watched brave friends give the ultimate sacrifice. Death chased him. Rain, leeches, and malaria sapped his strength. And back home in an ungrateful country, right and wrong were decided by what was … easiest. Prayer was his last refuge, but it was hardest of all.
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Having been a Marine Corps infantryman in Vietnam’s I Corps around the same time as the setting of this book, I could relate to much of it. The descriptions of the life of a grunt and the see-saw emotions superimposed on a steady loss of innocence leading to a cynical isolation were very accurate in my experience. You can’t know what it was like if you weren’t there, but you can know what it was like for those who were there through this book.
I really enjoyed reading a book on the Vietnam War, my era, that wasn’t laced with F-bombs. This book was action-packed and very realistic without being profane every time a character opened his mouth. I am a vet, and know that many people in the Services do talk that way, but I don’t enjoy reading it, and the lack of profanity does not lesson the realism of the story at all. Great job and keep up the good work!
great read
Well written, with a good interestng story .
Pretty well tells the story of a sniper and all the things they go through. It kept my interest all the way through.
seemed like the author was telling his life story
I found it gritty. Troubling in a way since I was navy during Vietnam.
The way it was
I was never in a war zone, but this seems like a realistic account
Excellent Book
Seems inauthentic. Reads like a low-grade novel. I was looking for non-fiction, a vet’s own story. I read another book by this same fellow and didn’t care much for it either.
Great
It was a wonderful story about soldiers in the bush in Vietnam
Awesome book!
Loved the book, shows the dedication , respect, comradery and courage of our soldiers, as well as character building .
Was in Nam at the time of this story and also walked with marine unit 1st battlion, 5th marines
Semper Fi!
When you buy this book don’t think that it is action packed because it isn’t. Probably 60 percent is activity during time waiting to to into the field. Reminds me of the Army – Hurry up and wait.
A must read!!
Read this after watching the PBS series about the Vietnam war. This rang true to me and was very realistic and informative.