Rating: 
Summary: Heroic act, yet a so-so book
Review: There is absolutely no doubt that Hugh Thompson, Glenn Andreotta, and Larry Colburn did an unbelieveably heroic thing on March 16, 1968. Let there also be no doubt that Trent Angers should be commended for his research and efforts to bring yet another angle to this horror known as the My Lai Massacre. I have just one criticism, and unfortunately it is decisive: It is a poorly written book.I am not suggesting that one not read the book, because it does perform as a vehicle to bring to light the events surrounding the massacre, its aftermath and Colburn's and Thompson's return to My Lai 28 years later. However, it takes form more as a children's book than it does as an examination of an important historical event, or even as a third-person narrative intended for adult reading. Don't expect an abundance of three or more syllable words, inspired imagery, or thought-provoking passages. For instance, page 77, "He seemed to take a particular liking to the older woman." Seemed to who? Could you tell the reader how this was apparent? No indication whatsoever is offered in the text. Or, page 102, describing an American casualty as being "blown to bits." Is that what was written on the After Action Report? If so, there's another book in there somewhere. Or, page 103, "The cows were mooing to be milked." For a minute there I thought I had opened "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by accident. There is never a mention of exactly what kind of helicopter Hugh was flying...a Kiowa? Cayuse? Defender? Souix? Loach? The first indication of this simplistic approach to the subject matter is right on the dust jacket, as it is a simplistic, amateurish illustration of Thompson in an exaggerated heroic pose (arms outstretched, shirt unbuttoned, no flight helmet, no flak jacket, dog tags swinging in the wind, in front of a small huddled mass of Vietnamese). It looks much like the artwork that adorned the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich children's books published in the late '70s. One more note: if you're going to write a book wherein the principle character is a helicopter pilot, at least have the courtesy to refrain from calling helicopters "choppers," as most pilots despise the term. Unless, of course, you're writing for children, who find it analogous - for obvious reasons. Anyway, you get the picture. Still, I say God bless Hugh, Larry, Glenn and Trent. But Trent, at the very least, get a new copy editor.
Rating:
Summary: Heroic act, yet a so-so book
Review: This book was given to me by the authors' brother, Gerald Angers. The book so instired me that I asked Gerald Angers if his brother (Trent Angers, the author) would sign the book for me. He not only had his brother sign it but also had Hugh Thompson sign it. This book is not only an inspiration to all Americans but also a guide for showing us the diference between right and wrong. In a time when America is bombing countries for attrocities and ethnic cleansing, we need to take a long look at ourselves. I'm not real sure we would like what we see. Thank you Hugh Thompson for sharing this story with us and for Trent Angers for allowing us to have it in print. War shouldn't turn us into animals. We should use our own judgement regardless of what our supperiors tell us to do. God bless you both and keep up the good work. You will be blessed.
Rating: 
Summary: Hero above and beyond the call of duty
Review: This book was given to me by the authors' brother, Gerald Angers. The book so instired me that I asked Gerald Angers if his brother (Trent Angers, the author) would sign the book for me. He not only had his brother sign it but also had Hugh Thompson sign it. This book is not only an inspiration to all Americans but also a guide for showing us the diference between right and wrong. In a time when America is bombing countries for attrocities and ethnic cleansing, we need to take a long look at ourselves. I'm not real sure we would like what we see. Thank you Hugh Thompson for sharing this story with us and for Trent Angers for allowing us to have it in print. War shouldn't turn us into animals. We should use our own judgement regardless of what our supperiors tell us to do. God bless you both and keep up the good work. You will be blessed.
Rating:
Summary: Human-interest story should appeal to many
Review: This is an excellent human-interest story of how one man changed history. It is NOT a "war," or even a "military," book. It IS a "page-turner" that will appeal to readers from diverse reading perspectives. If you enjoy a good yarn about overcoming adversity and standing up for what you know is right, this book is for you. It also exposes the dark sides of two influential congressmen and a President who preferred to ignore what was really happening in Vietnam. This book should be of interest to any soldier who served during those days. It also is for those who didn't, but remember the tensions of the times. For those not around then, this book should be a "must read" for knowing exactly what was happening then.
Rating:
Summary: Great book - tells the truth about an important event
Review: Thompson and his crew stand tall, a moral beacon in a world that still does not know much of them. When people mention My Lai, almost no one knows that our guys (American soldiers in the persons of Thompson, Colburn, and Andreotta) stopped it, and then stood up to corrupt politicians and threats to testify. A very important and powerful book indeed. Highly recommended, and timely today even after all these years.
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