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Summary: Arc Light
Review: "Arc Light" is a better read about the Vietnam War.
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Summary: BAPTISM: A Vietnam Memoir
Review: ...One can really experience the grinding toil, heat, and dust our troops of the First Cav went through as you read this fine author's writing. My helicopter flying in the Delta was (almost) all fun compared to these experiences "up north" with the American troops, especially during this first year in country for the Airmobile division! I urge you to read this book to fully comprehend life as a combat infantryman operating out of An Khe, in the first couple of years when we should have learned something about the Vietnam conflict and where it was going. "Outlaw 23" salutes you, "Silent Slasher 5!" And, man, am I glad that I didn't go through the horrible carnage you did.... Now part of the History Channel's series on the Vietnam War.
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Summary: A Great Memoir of a Year in Vietnam
Review: After reading the first chapter of Larry Gwin's book, I was hooked. This memoir, a story of a naive 1st lieutenant who is sent to Vietnam, survives a nearly disastrous battle, then is horrified by the reality of war and death and suffering, is well-written and spellbinding. He writes openly and honestly about himself, warts and all, as well as his fellow officers (the good, the bad, and the cowardly) and the "grunts" in his platoon. Many of the NCOs and enlisted men who go into battle with lieutenant Gwin prove to be brave in the face of death and loyal to their buddies who are either wounded or dying..."No one is left behind." I felt as though I was there with lieutenant Gwin as he and his men are airlifted into a hot LZ, praying to come out alive and in one piece. While this is a story about the horror of war, there are quite a few light moments which are humorous. All in all, this book is a real page-turner. Perfect for a rainy afternoon's read in a comfortable chair.
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Summary: Best Vietnam war memoir ever published
Review: Barrels of blood, not one drop of ego. I am very suspicious of anyone who claims to be the most highly decorated soldier, the bravest or the strongest. Dig beneath the surface, and there's always a rich lode of puffery, ego and phoniness. Gwin makes no claims, yet his episodes are, literally, spell-binding. He doesn't hesitate to pin the tail on the donkey...or himself.
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Summary: rayjoy@ipa.net
Review: I think Larry did an extremly god good on tnis book. I laughed and cried while reading it. He wrote it so realalisticly. It is not often that you see someone admit that he was scared, but anyone that has been in combat that says he was not scared is either a liar or a fool. Looking forward to any other book that Larry writes.Roadrinner6 Out
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Summary: Real, Gritty, Often Angry
Review: I think that Gwin's version of his time with 1 Cav will become a classic. His narrative style is clear, contise, and pulls no punches. Gwin's anger over rear echelon...leadership that put men in danger is clear. Especially interesting if you follow the 1st Cav's history ("We Were Soldiers Once... and Young" by Moore and "Pleiku" by Coleman.) A must for the Vietnam history buff.
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Summary: First Rate - gritty and unvarnished truth
Review: Larry Gwin doesn't pull his punches with this very good book. I must admit that when I picked it up I could't put it down. I appreciated his refreshing honesty, his humbleness and his humanity. As a former infantry/paratroop officer myself I can relate very directly to his experiences - though thankfully I was spared the horrors of the Vietnam conflict that Larry Gwin had to endure. I hope that he chooses to write more.
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Summary: First Rate - gritty and unvarnished truth
Review: Larry Gwin doesn't pull his punches with this very good book. I must admit that when I picked it up I could't put it down. I appreciated his refreshing honesty, his humbleness and his humanity. As a former infantry/paratroop officer myself I can relate very directly to his experiences - though thankfully I was spared the horrors of the Vietnam conflict that Larry Gwin had to endure. I hope that he chooses to write more.
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Summary: A Shared Pain
Review: Larry Gwin has written what I believe to be the finest personal portrayal of our experience in Vietnam. Gwin saw more direct, bloody combat than most Vietnam vets. He portrays the pain that the we mostly only share with each other. Not for the squeamish, Baptism may be the "River and the Gauntlet" for Vietnam.
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Summary: Eye-Opener!
Review: The title of this book was appropriate for me, since it was the first memoir of the Vietnam War that I have read. It was my 'baptism' into seeing the war through the eyes of combatants rather than historians and journalists. The story details the experiences of one of the thousands of heroes who served their country in some of the worst conditions imagineable. I found myself feeling very grateful for their sacrifice, and thankful that I was born a generation too late to serve in this hellish conflict. From humping through a rice paddy to facing death at a 'hot' LZ, I was astounded at the stamina, fortitude and bravery of our troops. Hats off to Lt. Gwin and all who served in Vietnam. And thanks! A must read, ESPECIALLY if, like me, you weren't there yourself.
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