Tour of Duty LP : John Kerry and the Vietnam War

Rating:
Summary: Book'c content not supported by Kerry's military records
Review: This book is more a work of fiction than reality. As a historian Brinkley's book contributes nothing to the history of Vietnam and it is inaccurate in it's portrayal of Kerry's exploits. It relies too much on Kerry's diary and not enough on the recollections of the 200 plus men who served with Kerry. As a retired naval officer and a collector of navy medals for over 40 years, I found major holes in Kerry's records indicating conflict between the book and reality. Regretfully, Kerry has not released numerous pages of his record thus the truth of the matter will not be resolved. One would expect that if the records indeed supported Kerry, that he would have proudly shown them to the world. In the end, Brinkley's scholarship is lacking through a failure to pursue readily available sources. The result is an unbalanced view of Kerry and his service in the Navy.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing but fiction
Review: This book should be in the fiction category. I'm sure Kerry stayed up late every night and dreamed up what would sound good for a person with political aspirations before he wrote up the days 'After Action Reports'. I just wonder why the author didn't talk about Kerry's three deferments he applied for and received. When he applied for his fourth to study in France he was turned down so he rushed down to join the Navy where he thought he would be far from action. What a shock it must've been when after a few months he was assigned to somewhere where there was real danger. This is probably when he dreamed up his plan to get three purple hearts so he could leave after only four months. How can he talk about his 'Tour of Duty' when he was only there for four months?

Rating:
Summary: Compelling and Heart breaking
Review: When I started to read Tour of Duty in January 2004, I knew very little about John Kerry. My knowledge of him was limited to bits and pieces of news picked up over the years. Since he had voted for the most recent war in Iraq, I had been a Dean supporter. As I read the book I came to feel as though I knew the man John Kerry. I could place my own life along side his remembering how the Vietnam war tore America apart. Kerry's own words in 35 year old letters provide insight into the heart and soul of a truely honest and admirable man. The book sheds light on his own personal struggle with doing what he believes to be right while fighting a war he knew to be wrong. It chronicles not only the war he experienced but also his/our fight to end that war. Like his fellow crewmates, who campaign by his side today, I would trust him with my life. John Kerry is the most knowledgeable, experienced, aware, hard fighting, honest and sincere presidental candidate I have ever known. If you have any doubts about how this man would operate under pressure, then read this book. He has my vote!