Rating: 
Summary: This is a MUST READ...
Review: In my opinion this is 'the' best novel to come out of the Vietnam War. Webb's book does a great job of illustrating life in a line company. "Fields of Fire" is the "All Quiet on the Western Front" for a generation of Americans who lost everything for an irresponsible and ungrateful nation. Thank the Lord for the Marine Corps and thank you Secretary Webb, we miss having you at the helm. Semper Fi...
Rating:
Summary: One of the best fictional works on the Vietnam War
Review: This Pulitzer-nominated book borrows brilliantly from authors such as Norman Mailer, Stephen Crane, Ernest Hemingway, and draws from the author's own experience as a Marine rifle platoon and company commander in a hell known as An Hoa Basin. Throughout the book, Mr. Webb painstakingly leaves political discussion out of the picture, and instead, focuses on a Marine rifle platoon in one of the fiercest battlefields of Vietnam where the American civilian value has no relevance, and the platoon, consequently, is pitted in a struggle for survival. Eventually, the entire platoon is wiped out during a regimental operation against the North Vietnamese regulars. Ironically, it is the crippled Harvard undergraduate--a misfit who is dubbed the "Senator" because of his elite background--who delivers the verdict on the anti-war demonstrators for their alleged cowardice. The book does not try to justify the "legitimacy"--or the lack thereof--of the war where Mr. Webb and his men fought and bled, but calls for its readers to sympathize with and respect the men who fought in it. As he suggests through a Maileresque device known as the Time Machine, everyone in the platoon, except for Senator and the lieutenant, joins the Corps to get away from grim prospects at home, unaware that they will die in a godforsaken war. However, in spite of this, unlike many other typical Vietnam War novels, it discusses abstract ideals such as honor and duty associated with battlefield through Lt. Hodges who willingly volunteers for a tour in Vietnam. True, the book is dark and depressing, but it is also entertaining and totally believable at the same time. That is why this book remains one of the finest literary works on the Vietnam War
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling portrait of Vietnam combat
Review: In "Fields of Fire," the trials and tribulations of a Marine Corps company are compellingly and evocatively portrayed. Webb's eye for detail, combined with his extensive combat experience, serve him well in this, perhaps the best book on Vietnam of the many I've read.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Journey
Review: "Fields of Fire" is an amazing journey back to a time of confusion and significance. Through the experiences of a group of diverse, interesting characters, Webb transports the reader to the chaotic environment of Vietnam when the U.S. was exerting its' last gasp into the mutated conflict known as the Vietnam War. The realistic dialogue and beautifully woven descriptions draw the reader into that world of madness and give a glimpse of what it must've been like. The book explores many of the issues surrounding the war; race relations, corruptness, moral dilemmas and the constant clashes between career soldiers and the new breed of drafted grunts. Webb puts the Marine Corp itself on display in this book, and reveals it as a living, breathing organism which is all the more endearing for surviving its' flaws during its' greatest test. Webb's choice to concentrate on a Marine platoon, and specifically a squad, is an interesting one because obviously these units don't act in a vacuum. That there is almost no interaction with the surrounding units is one thing, but the fact that Lt. Hodges (who is in charge of the 3rd Platoon) is predominantly featured interacting with the main characters of only one squad is remarkable. We never even meet Hodges' immediate superior- the Company's Captain, other than a couple vague descriptions. This approach helps keep the story on a personal level and I think successfully portrays the conflict from the most basic element of the conflict; the lone infantryman.
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Summary: An Outstanding Book of Vietnam
Review: James Webb has written an awesome account of the Marines in Vietnam during the year 1969. I'm a Marine myself...an infantryman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and also a writer myself and I found myself very much able to relate to the Marines in "Fields Of Fire" and also was able to draw a lot of literary lessons from this book.
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Summary: College Senior
Review: Best Vietnam book I've come across. Webb brings to the table insight and a style indicative of a man who has been there. I read this book after Robert Timberg's Nightengale Song and I must say that I was impressed.
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Summary: Can't wait for the movie
Review: This book is absolutely amazing. James Webb has done an excellent job at not only the reality of the situation in Viet Nam, but also at making a factually correct fictional work. I am currently an infantryman in the Marine Corps, 1st Bn, 5th MAR to be exact, and still can't believe how closely I can relate to the characters, even though I have never been to combat. I am currently deployed to Okinawa, and am on Camp Hansen, where Lt. Hodges meets the love of his life at the O-Club. And sure enough the O-Club is on a hill, just like in the book. I have heard that a movie is in the works and that everything will be on location, I certainly hope so. I also think that everyone, not just military, should read this book. It will change your outlook on life, and how you view the men that currently serve this fine and beautiful country. Semper Fi.
Rating:
Summary: A gripping war story by one who was there
Review: James Webb is a terrific writer. As a former marine infantry soldier who experienced the war in Viet Nam first hand, he could have taken that experience to extremes as some writers have, either exaggerating the Gung Ho comeradere of the soldier's experience or attacking the war itself as a meaningless and senseless horrer. Instead, while showing clearly the dehumanizing effects of terror and hardship that marines in the field experienced, he manages to make the reader care about the characters - even while honestly presenting them with their many faults. He doesn't turn his head away from brutality and inhumane actions on the part of his characters. Rather he creates a world where normal values have to be put aside in favor of survival, and even those characters one might dislike initially because they are crude, viscious and stupid, take on an almost larger than life image as they survive and help their buddies survive. Webb can really write. This is a book told with the authority of one who was actually there and has thought long and hard about his experiences. The characters are skillfully drawn, the action of the story moves forcefully forward with few lulls and the descriptive passages and dialogue are so right on that one really believes that this is real - these people, these actions. This is an excellent book and should be appreciated both by those who had the first hand experience and those who didn't.
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Summary: An incredible account of the Vietnam War from the front line
Review: I was lead to "Fields of Fire" after becoming interested in James Webb based on Robert Timberg's portrayal of him in "The Nightingale's Song". "Fields of Fire" was referenced several times as a portal into his character. "Fields of Fire" filled many of the gaps in my understanding of what the Vietnam War meant. It highlights the human element of combat and burns the cliche "War is Hell" into your mind in vivid fashion. It is a book that will linger with you for a very long time.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Written in the mid 70's, it is a classic Vietman war novel. It ranks up there with Killer Angels and The Caine Mutiny as one of my favorite war novels. It is not quite the "literary" masterpiece such as For Whom the Bell Tolls or Going After Cacciato. Nevertheless, it is a great novel and I highly recommend it.
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