At the height of the Vietnam conflict, a complex system of secret underground tunnels sprawled from Cu Chi Province to the edge of Saigon. In these burrows, the Viet Cong cached their weapons, tended their wounded, and prepared to strike. They had only one enemy: U.S. soldiers small and wiry enough to maneuver through the guerrillas’ narrow domain. The brave souls who descended into these … into these hellholes were known as “tunnel rats.” Armed with only pistols and K-bar knives, these men inched their way through the steamy darkness where any number of horrors could be awaiting them–bullets, booby traps, a tossed grenade. Using firsthand accounts from men and women on both sides who fought and killed in these underground battles, authors Tom Mangold and John Penycate provide a gripping inside look at this fearsome combat. The Tunnels of Cu Chi is a war classic of unbearable tension and unforgettable heroes.
Praise for The Tunnels of Cu Chi
“A claustrophobic but fascinating tale.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Chilling . . . what war really was and how it was fought.”—The New York Times
“Gripping . . . highly recommended.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Remarkable.”—The Washington Post
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If you lived through the sixty’s and seventies you probably have heard about the tunnel warfare fought by the Viet Cong and also about the Tunnel Rats from the US who went down the tunnels to try to route out the enemy soldiers. This is the story told of the famous tunnels from the side of the Viet Cong. Where they were, how they lived there and why they were so important to the army. I also played this for two of my young Vietnamese relatives. I was shocked to discover that one of them did not realize America had lost that war. Eye opener.
Little did I realize some of the unique and absolutely compelling aspects of the Vietnam War. This book goes beyond just describing the impact of the tunnel warfare, but also takes a wide ranging view of the war.
Gives you insight into how the tunnels of Vietnam impacted the war.
As a veteran, wounded while an infantry platoon medic in War Zone C, this book gave me much insight, unavailable at the time. We knew we could not ‘win’, now I have an understanding of why. This book had me sobbing.
Insights into the tunnel rat’s life and n Nam
I have read this book before but couldn’t get into it this time
Appreciated getting to know the men (and women) on both sides of one of the most hotly contestest fields in Vietnam. The stories of the soldiers’ courage and their leaders’ foibles were striking
Shows the war from both sides
Gives a good explanation of the problems faced by both sides fighting the tunnel war in Vietnam. Good background for those not well informed on the war. Overall a very good book.
Especially for veterans of the Nam
Explained so much about this era that’s unknown to too many. The war that likely should never have begun and how futile it was for the most part. The courage and ingenuity it took to finally figure out the impossible.
I met wounded young American boys in huge C130s coming from the battlefields of Vietnam when I was 16 years oldat Hickham AFB, Hawaii. ILL NEVER FORGET – a candy stripper volunteer. My Dad an Air Force major at the time had just returned to our Mom and five kids – aged 2-15! Through the info and vingnettes in this book, I learned more about our boys and the miserable VC who hid in these tunnels, emerging often at nite to slay many! I’m still so angry – my family’s experiences in that horrible year – 1963 – the still experienced in dreams, the “boys on the planes”, bloody bandages, missing limbs, unconscious. I have made sure my children will never forget – will educate my grandchildren soon. A hard to read, yet necessary book!
I already had such regard and respect for our American troops who fought, suffered and died in Vietnam, but this made me realize how hard and terrible the war was on our people.
I am a vietnam vet who lived through 1970-71. I met some of these men and was awestruck at their courage. This was an unwinnable war fought by indomitable people on both sides.
If you lived through the Vietnam era, this is a MUST read. You don’t know what you don’t know and I learned a lot. Well written, factual and mind blowing! Who would have thought? I certainly don’t remember hearing about this part of the “conflict” in the news.
Very dry. To much history. Not enough of the physical contact between combatants in the tunnels.
These guys are hero’s