Rating: 
Summary: Professional Work Prior to Propaganda
Review: 1. Factcheck.org looked into the Swift Boat Vet controversy and summarized their ad like this: "[It] features vets who claim Kerry `lied' to get Vietnam medals. But other witnesses disagree-and so do Navy records."
Factcheck.org notes that one of the key vets who signed a statement against Kerry wound up retracting it, saying to The Boston Globe: "It was a terrible mistake probably for me to sign the affidavit with those words. I'm the one in trouble here.... I knew it was wrong... In a hurry I signed it and faxed it back. That was a mistake."
2. Jim Rassman, the army lieutenant saved by Kerry during a firefight, directly contradicted many of the claims made by the Swift Boat Vets. Rassman supported Kerry's Bronze Star and has always backed up Kerry's version of the story.
3. The Swift Boat Vets are politically funded by a major GOP donor, and are going after Kerry decades after the action in order to help their candidate-George W. Bush-retain control of the White House.
4. Nightline went to Vietnam to research the facts of Kerry's Silver Star firefight disputed by the Swift Boat Vets, talking to local villagers who had witnessed the battle. Nightline discovered that Kerry's version of the story was correct.
Present author has admitted he has some corrections to make and is working on a revision; no such comment from O'Neil who is proven to be false on many accounts. Brinkley is a professional who tries to get it right.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fine Work on a Fine Leader
Review: Anyone curious as to how John Kerry surged to the front of the Democratic presidential race need only read this tremendously well-written and -researched account of his gallant tours of duty in Vietnam and beyond. Historian Douglas Brinkley does a terrific job of telling Kerry's heroic story, along the way tracing the compelling path of a thoughtful and highly principled politician. It hardly seems a coincidence that this book came out right before Kerry's leap to the top of the Democratic pack--anyone who reads it will see just how much this brave onetime Navy lieutenant could bring to the presidency. And whether one agrees with Kerry's politics or not, Brinkley's book not only offers a fascinating assessment of a crucial era in recent American history but is also just a darn good read.
Rating:
Summary: Still waiting for the full story
Review: Brinkley's book contains many factual inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and fallacies; likely unintentional on his part. Several naval officers and enlisted who served with Kerry have submitted changes to Brinkley, often with supporting documentation. Most of Kerry's colleagues wonder if Kerry deserved any medal he received--as he proposed most of the awards for himself--so take any statement from Kerry about his three-month "tour of duty" with a grain of salt. Kerry clawed and scraped to get these awards, then called himself a war criminal on the Dick Cavett Show in 1971 and hurled the medals on the White House lawn. Now he wears the medals proudly. As a Bronze Star recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom, I'm embarrassed to see others receive undeserved wartime recognition. I suggest waiting for re-release before taking this book on gospel.
Rating: 
Summary: To see the real Vietnam try Naked In Da Nang
Review: I don't care what you think of John Kerry -- war hero or traitor -- all you are going to get prior to November 2 is a pile of political mumbo jumbo targeted to the undecided voter. NOW, if you are interested in the REAL human perspective on the men who served in Vietnam, then Naked In Da Nang is the book you need to read. I have heard the authors speak and I have read the book -- twice. It is very simple in its presentation -- and very complex in all the images and emotions it stirs (especially for veterans.) You can read it and decide if it represents John Kerry's Vietnam or you can read Tour of Duty and contrast it with "Naked." Between these two men, I'd rather see Mike Jackson running for President -- but methinks he's a tad too smart for that! If you're interested in the TRUTH about the guys who fought and died in Vietnam, John Kerry is not the guy to consult.
Rating:
Summary: John Kerry is a real war hero!
Review: I find who is really John Kerry. He is a real war hero. John Kerry is very patriotic and loves this country so much... He is FIT to be the "Commander in Chief" of the United States of America.
Rating:
Summary: Kerry loves himself
Review: i hope kerry gave brinkley a reach around. its a love fest. does anyone remember bob doles service. we were told it had nothing to do with his ability to be pres. hillary in 08 dean for chairman dnc. in the words of loyd benson "mr kerry your no jack kennedy" amen
Rating:
Summary: Half the Story
Review: I'm afraid that Dr. Brinkley missed the boat on this one. By ignoring the Swift Boat Vets, he lost any claim to having written an honest biography of Kerry's war months. Kerry's unwillingness to release his military file would have signaled to any true biographer that there is more to this story than just Kerry's diary.
Rating:
Summary: Garbage
Review: Nothing but a whitewash of Kerry's military "career" intended as propaganda for support of Kerry's political ambitions.
John Kerry's entire life is a lie. This book takes from Kerry's writings the false biography of his Vietnam experiences. It is nothing but a rehash of Kerry's false reports and self-glorifying phony biography.
Rating:
Summary: Tour of Duty
Review: The book reads very well, but the analysis is pure political puff. As a Vietnam Vet, I can tell you that atrocities were few and far between. Brinkley ignored most of the Swift Boat charges against Kerry. He presented most of the Winter Soldier "Investigation" as fact when much of it has been discredited.
It is interesting to read this book in conjunction with Unfit for Command. You get a totally different interpretation of what went on. And it appears to me the numerous officers who contributed to Unfit for Command have it right.
One of the interesting things is that Brinkley never even bothered to delve into Kerry's admission on the Cavette and Russert shows that he committed war crimes, including the burning of civilian homes. Hard to believe he did not ask that question. A glaring ommission.
Rating:
Summary: As A Vet, This Book is Questionable in the least
Review: This book is filled with so many distortions and questionable facts that I find it amazing that more Vets have not totally discredited it.
This makes me really wonder what kind of man John Kerry really is. A very disturbing read considering I was there and know the facts.
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