Rating: 
Summary: an amazing book.
Review: I read this book in March 1999 for my Humanities Interdisciplinary class, and I began it thinking it would be "just another boring school book." I was so wrong. This is one of the most mind-engaging (but also, disturbing) novels I have ever read, and I recommend it VERY highly. Here's an excerpt from an essay I wrote: "With the novel The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien proved himself an exceptional author to me. His fictional accounts of Vietnam disturbed, shocked, saddened, and amazed me. I felt definite realness in his writings and a sense of connection to some of the feelings he described." I'd also like to say this: I almost couldn't accept that O'Brien wrote this as a work of fiction. I understand that he wrote from experience, but this story seemed to go beyond that; it seemed quite real to me at all times. It is a remarkable work. I enjoyed reading it (finished in one night) and learned so much from it. P.S. Thank you, Tim O'Brien!
Rating: 
Summary: This book stunk
Review: Now yes...this book had some kind of value. IM not sure what though, but this book stunk. No moral lessons and there was no story line. It was like a bunch of short stories trying to make a novel. Everyone is entitled to their opinion though, but it stunk.
Rating:
Summary: Simply brilliant. A true American Masterpiece
Review: This will, with time, doubtlessly become a classic of American fiction. O'Brien is the most original writer on the subject of Vietnam. Yet this book not only deals with the horrors of Vietnam; it is also an insightful and fresh take on writing and storytelling. Although entertaining, this book could almost be a manual for the beginning writer.
Rating:
Summary: O'Brien's genius.
Review: Tim O'Brien's work has always dealt with what is in our head. Is what we are thinking real? Did we already do it? Do we what to? Can it happen? Life brings out moments when we wonder if we really are living what we seem to be experiencing. War is an intense time when things are confused. Did the girl in the pink sweater really become a killer? Seems silly, but why not? This book wonderfully shows the mental anxiety of war without resorting to tried methods of loud and dangerous episodes. O'Brien's episodes are only noisy upstairs, bringing out uncertainty of existence. Sifting through the mess in the mind is what O'Brien writes about. Veitnam brought it out in a pure and radical form for its young participants. After you read The Things They Carried and see how unreal the extraordinary life of a grunt can be, pick up In the Lake of the Woods and see how unreal all of our ordinary lives can be.
Rating:
Summary: WOW! I couldnt put it down!
Review: If you are having trouble deciding if you should read this book, read it. It made my stomach turn several times, but I kept turning pages. This book deals with feelings; O'brien wants you to feel what he felt, and his objective is accomplished. A wonderful story of storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting Memories of the Vietnam War
Review: "The Things They Carried" is the best book that I have yet read concerning the Vietnam War. O'Brien's personal experiences are evident in the brutal yet beautiful stories that he tells about the tragedy that was the Vietnam War. This is one book that will haunt you, as it carries in it the memories of all those lost to us in the war.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes you think!!!
Review: This is a great, great book. It is a war book that isn't all sadness, gore, horror. It could be read by and to all ages. I love how Tim O'Brien makes it into some-what of a diary. A wonderful book. I reccomend it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: We had to read this book for my English III class, and besides it being the best school book i have ever read... this book ranks up with my all time favorite books. I don't enjoy reading about war, but this book gave a great view of everything from love to killing.
Rating:
Summary: unbelievable!!!!!!
Review: This is one of the best books I ave ever read. I dislike reading yet i had to read this for school and i was impressed. i couldn't put it down. I loved it all. I would reccomend this book to anyone and everyone.
Rating:
Summary: A realistic view of the Vietnam War
Review: This book expresses, I believe, what it was like for the men in Vietnam. "The Things They Carried", gets inside the minds of the men and the mental turmoil that they went through during their time in Vietnam. Through the many episodes that the men endured, one can tell the stress and hardships they endured. Also the differences between the men and the different priorties they held made for conflicts of interest among them. The men's differences also were shown in the actual things they carried. This book ultimately shows the troubled times that men had in Vietnam and the effects it had on them. It also helps students like me realize the reality of the war when describing many different situations and how things happened. The objectiveness of the details was very characteristic of Realism. 5 stars
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