Rating: 
Summary: The Power of Language
Review: I picked up this novel on a whim because the title caught my eye-- I never knew I would pick up a masterpiece of the English language. Once I started reading, I was mesmerized by O'Brien's unbelievable skill and language. The stories all possess a dreamy quality that blends the truth and fiction--ambiguity. Is it a waking nightmare? I could smell the napalm, feel the tropical heat, the terror...His imagery is unsurpassed, O'Brien's writing style is simply revolutionary. Each story is a nightmarish gem, this book evoked every possible emotion from me while I read. O'Brien makes Vietnam's madness and confusion come alive. Sometimes I felt as if O'Brien was actually talking to me, over coffee or something. Each story is etched so clearly in my mind. I know that everytime I reread this novel, the Alpha Company will become more than fictional charactars...but anecdotes of every kind of person in this world.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: I was first introduced to this book as part of a U.S. & Vietnam History course in college. The other novel the course required was The Quiet American by Graham Greene. Tim O'Brien's book is every bit as good as Greene's, and all the more timely.As a former soldier, and a veteran of Desert Storm, whose father avoided the draft during the Vietnam War, the book taught me that no matter what other people say about the war, no matter what I learn, I can never make any value judgements on an individual level. I was not there, and for better or worse, I am only a specator. I am currently re-reading the book, which I often use in teaching my creative writing class. I share the story-chapter, "Style" every year with my students. I also find the book essential to learn about the nature of fiction, which O'Brien challenges with every page of this book. For anyone looking for a book to read on the Vietnam experience, this book makes my short list every time. Not only of "Vietnam" books, but of any book worth reading. This book is simply essential.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This book is a must-read for any age. O'Brien's writing is captivating and his short-story style captures serve the book's purpose wonderfully.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting
Review: As a conbat veteran, several of the stories in The Things They Carried were eerily familiar - the good luck charms, the spine-crushing dead wieght of a full ruck, tokens from home. The stories are semi-autobigraphical, which is obvilious from the way O'Brein relates the tales. Vietnam was not my war - but I was surprised at how univeral many experiences were. It is one of the better works of fiction I have read, and is certainly one of the best works of fiction on war.
Rating:
Summary: seen it, read it, reviewed it
Review: I read this book last summer for pleasure, it was recomended to me by a friend who thought I would like and he was RIGHT.well the first thing I should talk about is, if its a collection of stories or a novel? Its hard to say, it is a collection of stories tied into a novel, for example in one chapter the character Rat Riley is telling the men of a story and finishes throughout the chapter but they talk about how he dramazise in his stories.So I'd call it fiction with a little extra on the side (if you know what I mean. I thought this was the greatest war book I have ever read. It does not just keep you interested but the author Tim O'Brien makes you feel like you know the characters. I liked thius book so much that Im going on to read the book "going after caciato" by Tim O'Brien.This book so far has lived up to my anticipation.Dont worry fellow readers I'll be back soon with a review on my next book, until then, good day sir.
Rating:
Summary: YOU WONT PUT IT DOWN
Review: this book was awesome. once you start reading this book you wont ever put it down. throughout this book, there are mini stories in it. every chapter there is a little story and they are all very cool and action packed. i definitly recommend it to others
Rating:
Summary: How it really was...
Review: This was a great book. It was one of the only war books ive ever read that told things the way they really were. It wasnt one of those, everyones a hero and we saved the day kind of books. It told about the effects the war had on everyone psychologically. It told about how bad the fighting really was and how messed up people really got over in nam. If your bothered by "offensive" lauguage or graphic violence, you prolly shouldnt read this book. But, i still thougth it was great.
Rating:
Summary: I'M GOING TO CARRY THIS BOOK EVERYWHERE!!
Review: Amazing, Phenominal, Exciting, Wonderful, Creative, Beautiful, Interesting, Original, Enticing, Thrilling, and just plain GOOD. This collection of war stories has poked at my view towards war intil it came out a slice of swiss cheese. It is terribly fantastic and could eaisily be read in one sitting. An instant classic in my mind and a good recommendation to anyone that can read in complete sentences.
Rating:
Summary: The Things They Carried-- 4 stars!
Review: I thought The Things They Carried was a good book about the Vietnam War. It wasn't just about the war though. It was more than just a war book. I thought that there was more to the book than just a war story. Tim O'Brien showed that some parts were true and some parts he made up, that was what you had to do in order to make the book good. You always wondered through the whole book what parts were true and what parts weren't. while he was doing this, you learned about the war and how the people fighting felt and what they went through. This was one good war book!!
Rating:
Summary: My 4 star review
Review: This was a good book to read because it gives you a lot of meaning of Vietnam and what the people who fought went through. When you read it and get into the book with the characters it feels like you could be there with them in their stories. I really liked this book. It's one of my favorite books now. I think it could be a sort of educational book because I now know more about war and Vietnam than I ever did before I read it. This book is a good book to read especially if you like war books and descriptive stories.
| 
