Rating: 
Summary: An orgy of Americanism self-indulgence
Review: This book is exactly what Americans love after Sept 11, 2001. It pampers to the myth of the American heroic spirit in war. The purpose of the book is to glorify the " brotherhood" and "bond" of American soldiers using their superior firepower to inflict maximum kills on the enemy. The high moral tone of the book started with the mention about the Air Calvary's historical links to Custer. How can the authors take pride in associating themselves with a barbaric Indian killer? And like Custer, the US military in Vietnam thought they could take on the North Vietnamese Army whom they regarded as no more sophisticated than the American Indians slaughtered by them in the 19th Century.There was some tribute paid to the Vietnamese but it was done grudgingly. The only way the American soldier can prove himself is to take on an enemy with equal firepower. I am glad I didn't buy this book with its load of self-indulgent nostalgia.
Rating: 
Summary: Personal thoughts
Review: Over a year ago my brother sent me this book with two words on the cover -"must read". (He is 75 & I am 79 and both veterans - luckily for us, Air Corps). I sat down the day I received the book and read most of the night, pausing freqently to wipe away
tears. Mr. Galloway and Lt. Gen. Moore have honored their
comrades in arms by telling this amazing story so graphically
and yet so simply. It IS a "must read" and I bought a copy for my own library. I did write to Lt. Gen. Moore to express my
thoughts and would like to have an address for Mr. Galloway; by
coincidence I saw his appearance at the Naval Institure on C Span
last night. It is my earnest hope that the scholarship fund is
a success. My utmost respect to Mr. Galloway and a sharp salute
to Lt. Gen. Moore. Bill Gossett -- Lincoln, Il. 62656
Rating:
Summary: The Truth About Warfare
Review: LTG Harold Moore served in the U.S. Army for 32 years prior to his retirement in 1977. A USMA graduate, class of 1945, commissioned into the infantry he commanded at every level from platoon through division during his career. His first experience of combat was in the Korean War as a company commander. His participation in the Viet Nam war consisted of his tour as a commander at the battalion and brigade levels in the 1st Cavalry Division. He went on to achieve three star rank and commanded the 7th Infantry Division and Fort Ord prior to his retirement. A co-author in this effort, Mr. Joseph Galloway was born and raised in Texas and began his career as a reporter at the age of 17 by working for a daily newspaper. He spent the next 15 years working for United Press International for the most part from assignments in Asia. We Were Soldiers Once... And Young is primarily a first hand account of the two main actions, the combat at LZs X-Ray and Albany, which occurred during the battle of the Ia Drang. LTG Moore begins the story shortly before he assumes command of the 2/23 Infantry Battalion, later changed to 1/7 Cavalry, at Fort Benning. The first several chapters are used to set the stage for the remaining chapters and allow the reader to put the combat actions into perspective in both a historical and strategic sense. Although not the focus of the book the authors provide an overview of the national reasoning that led to increasing American involvement in Viet Nam's civil war and the deployment of U.S. forces, to include the 7th Cavalry Division, to the country. The reader is also acquainted with, at this point, LTC Moore's new unit. LTG Moore details his unit's training regimen, some of the problems encountered prior to their deployment such as personnel turbulence, the key leaders of his battalion, and some of his basic principles of leadership and training that he used to focus the preparation of his unit. The focus of the remainder of the book, in the main, consists of the battles involving 1/7 Cav at LZ X-Ray and 2/7 Cav at LZ Albany. The story of LZ X-Ray is mainly told in the first person from LTG Moore's perspective; however, the accounts of numerous other participants are utilized to provide a more encompassing and balanced account of the combat. The same technique is used when describing the battle at LZ Albany, the authors provide the overall picture of the actions which they then stitch together with the first hand accounts of people directly involved. This book, in very much the same way as Guadacanal Diary, does a very good job helping the reader visualize the battle from both tactical and personal viewpoints. From the tactical viewpoint the presentation of the actions, positions and overall situations of the various units involved is very clear and understandable and done in a way that allows the reader to keep a picture in his mind of what the battle looked like at any given time. At the same time the numerous personal accounts that are used to embellish the account produces in the reader the ability to visualize the heat, death, noise, fright and other factors that served to make this battle so intense and horrific. Unlike other first hand accounts of other battles that I've read the authors conclude this book by taking the time to explain the pain and loss experienced by the families that lost sons, husbands and fathers in the battle. Most often the costs of war are associated with the casualties and equipment losses experienced by the military while the very human price that is paid is overlooked. More than anything else in the book this demonstrates the mutual feelings of respect and kinship felt between LTG Moore and the men he commanded. This book should be read for two main reasons. It provides a very realistic picture of the horror experienced by soldiers in combat and forces the reader to understand that the affects of death in combat effect more than just the unit. It also demonstrates the huge impact that personal leadership, training and experience can have on a unit in combat, either to the unit's benefit or detriment. PJZ
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book!!!
Review: This book is great. I have read it a few times, and it never fails to grab my attention, and admire what these men did...
Rating:
Summary: We were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang:
Review: This is the first book I've read about the Vietnam War that truly depicted what many of us experienced. As a Vietnam veteran, I thank the authors. Job well done.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Tribute from a Commander to his Soldiers
Review: Lieutenant General Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway have written what is probably the definitive book on the soldier's experience in Vietnam. Covering the American campaign in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965, the book focuses in on two battles: the Battle of LZ X-Ray, where an American battalion held off attacks by a People's Army of Vietnam division, and the Battle of LZ Albany, where another American battalion was decimated by other elements of the same PAVN division. The Ia Drang campaign set the tone for Vietnam, demonstrating both American solders' fighting abilities and the strategic failure of American planners who could never take the initiative away from the enemy. When the battle was joined, the Americans would fight well and inflict devastating losses on PAVN forces, but the battles were almost always fought on their terms, at times and places of their choosing. American willingness to fight the war on their terms ensured the North Vietnamese would win in the end, as long as their will to fight persisted. But while Moore and Galloway touch on these factors, their focus is firmly on the young men who fought and died in the Ia Drang. Moore, the battalion commander at LZ X-Ray, and Galloway, a UPI reporter who rode into LZ X-Ray to cover the battle, have done meticulous research to produce a well-written, easy to read account of the two battles that drags the reader headlong into the terror and tension of the fighting. We are introduced to each soldier in turn, and the book is careful to note the circumstances of each American death as best it can. The result is a gripping read, impossible to put down. Moore and Galloway are to be commended for their hard work and dedication in writing this book. There's no way to understand how it truly feels to be trapped in a desperate firefight when people you love are dying all around you, but this comes as close as humanly possible. After decades of propaganda calling Vietnam veterans either emotional wrecks or horrible baby killers, "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" finally puts out the truth about the Americans who fought and died for their country in a war few cared about. It is a fitting tribute to all those men.
Rating:
Summary: Hal Moore definately gets the job done!!
Review: This book is a paradox of emotions as you are drawn into the battle of lz x-ray. you are on the front lines with the men and boys as they found a new level of courage with every hour they were there. X-ray shows what can happen when well trained men are led by great officers. lz-albany shows everything that can go wrong in combat. ultimately there were alot of lives lost over stupid decisions and indecisive action. both battles will keep you glued to your seat. The "where they are now" portion of the book, will leave you feeling like you know these men. overall a truly awesome book.
Rating:
Summary: Why Change the Cover?
Review: This is a riveting work. It is a " true war story" --a work of courage, integrity, and finally love. But please, why change the cover on the lastest edition of the book? I like Mel Gibson in the movie just fine-- but there was no need to "sell" the work by putting his face on the cover of the book. Shame on you Harpers!
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Summary: IN THE BEGINNING!!!
Review: Many books have been written on the war in SE Asia, mostly personal histories or dry, boring official studies. This book takes us to the first major battle between highly motivated troops on both sides. just reading it gives one pride in the early efforts of our soldiers, especially the First Cavalry.
It shows us the war before politics, protests, drugs and racism enetered into the picture... The book is a must read to anyone who sees the movie. I can only hope that General Moore(ret) writes about the rest of his experiences in the war.
Rating:
Summary: WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!!
Review: For a long time I have been biased towards reading only WW II histories and therefore thought that no book could describe war better than MacDonalds 'Company Commander'. Well, I was wrong, and this is the book that convinced me of this. This is without a doubt the harshest, most vivid picture of war I have yet to see between the covers of a book. Moore describes, literally, every moment of the most ferocious battle in Vietnam. And unlike the movie, which only shows you half the battle, he tells about the second big NVA attack that decimated the Americans. In this book you will see war in all of its horrific colors, like you have probably, never seen before. In fact it almost makes a war historian not want to study war any more. There is no glory here...only bravery and terror and horror and pain. Pleasse take time to read this book that is oh so different from the movie...you will not be disappointed...
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