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Summary: LOVED THIS ONE
Review: Highly recommend this one wheather or not you are into military history. This book addresses the social problems, structure and everyday problems found in our country today, looking through the eyes of a specialized group. This book should be added to any military collection. The author has done a very good job of reporting. The book is an easy read and quite informative as well as thought provoking. Thank you Mr Atkison.
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Summary: Everyone Should Read This Book
Review: I bought this book when I was in college in part for its insights on Vietnam and also for its insights on West Point. I had a friend that went off to West Point and the tales that came back were almost too much to believe. Well, now I believe them. What a book!! It reads like fiction, but of course it's better since you know it all really happened. This book is a must read!
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Summary: one of the best military history/biographies ever written
Review: I consider myself a rational, intelligent person; unfortunately, I did a very stupid thing last night - I stayed up until 4:30am to finish this book! I could not go to bed! If you like military books, or if you just like engaging biographies about fascinating lives, you will love this book. Extremely well written. A must read.
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Summary: Superb History-Snapshot of an Era
Review: I found out about this book when it first came out and I was stationed in Washington DC. It was of immediate interest to me, as my brother, a member of the West Point Class of 1964, had been killed in action in Vietnam, and was mentioned in the book. I called the author introduced myself and told him how much I liked the book and who I was. Rick Atkinson is not only a superb author, he is a fine man, and this book is an accurate tribute to, not only the class he chronicles in the story, but to the American fighting man in Vietanm as a whole. If you want an even, unbiased account of part of the war in Vietnam, this is it. It is much better than the highly touted Bright Shining Lie, of which I don't think too highly, and is one of the best books written on Vietnam. Atkinson tells the tale with aplomb, wit, empathy, and just plain good writing. Accurate and entertaining, you really can't put it down. I have also read his book Crusade on the Gulf War, of which I was a participant, and it was the best book I read on the subject. If the book is written by Rick Atkinson, buy it and read it-you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Perceptive and accurate
Review: I graduated from West Point in 1991, some twenty five years after the class chronicled in the book. Atkinson's description of life at the Academy is dead accurate (amazing how few changes twenty five years have delivered) and one assumes that his perceptive reporter's eye extends to the combat scenes in Vietnam. Therefore, for me this book is one of the definitive accounts of the Vietnam era. In that my generation has to rely on second-hand accounts to understand this era, The Long Gray Line is an authoritative guide. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in West Point, the Vietnam War, or the societal upheaval which followed the war's conclusion.
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Summary: Duty, Honor, Country
Review: I had never read a book which has so deeply touched my heart. Check out the author other books. They are all in the same high quality.
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Summary: A wonderful piece of social and military history
Review: I happened across this book purely by accident but was intrigued by the premise and the reviews which it had received. I was not to be disappointed. Rick Atkinson has written a fascinating book which charts the course of West Point's class of 1966 from their entry into the Academy through the Vietnam War and the present. This book reads like an epic novel and soon it became impossible for me to put it down. At times hilarious, at times incredibly moving I was completely fascinated with the story of how the individuals in the class of 1966 dealt with all of the trials and tribulations which life threw at them and finished this book with a much more profound understanding of the suffering which Vietnam veterans have gone through, both in the war zone itself and on their return home. This book is not just military history, it is also social and political history and should be essential reading for anyone interested in reading about the events and ideas which shaped the last few decades of the 20th Century. I have absolutely no hesitation in giving this book five stars.
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Summary: Even-handed, compelling, hard to put down.
Review: I have read hundreds of accounts of military history and the people who have lived (and died) in service to their countries and causes. This book moves to the top of my list. The writing is masterful. I grew to care so much for these characters that I wish I could meet the survivors to discuss their experiences and to see what their lives have become since the book was published. If you're not interested in being totally absorbed by a 500+ page book, you'd better not start this one!
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Summary: Still Brings Tears Five Years Later
Review: I read this book five years ago. Yet I was sitting here this afternoon and - for reasons I can't begin to imagine -- began to see Tommy Hayes's face. I was flooded with memories and tears as I thought about these young idealistic men and the turbulent and morally confusing time in which they lived and died. This book is a masterpiece of reporting that blends a serious knowledge of history, excruciatingly vivid depictions of real flesh and blood people, and -- finally -- a brilliant understanding of the psychology of courage and fear and honor and shame. Want to be on the edge of your seat with excitement, be shattered with sadness, and learn more than you ever thought you'd want to know about Viet Nam, and all at one time? Read it. Read it. Now.
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Summary: This book is spectacular.
Review: I read this book several years ago, but I lost it. I've been searching for it eversince. I cannot put it in words how good this book was. The word spectacular comes to mind, but that's not enough!!!!!!
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