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Summary: I CHALLENGE ALL OF MY MARINE FAMILY TO READ THIS BOOK
Review: This is without a doubt the most powerful story I have ever read about the Vietnam era. As a "new generation Marine" I have never prior to reading this book had a more clear understanding of what happened "over there"...this book although fiction had me captivated from start to finish!! I laughed, I felt nervouse, and I felt angry as the story progressed...EVERY MARINE YOUNG AND OLD...should read this book. Civilians will like it as well! OOORAH!
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Summary: A non-stop action book about grunts in Vietnam!
Review: This book was absolutely amazing. I was always interested in the Vietnam War but I only found out about FOF after Richard Pittman (a Congressional Medal of Honor winner) recommended it -- in "And Brave Men, Too." I could NOT put it down! And the fact that James Webb WAS in Vietnam makes it seem as if it were true instead of fiction! It's a must for anyone's collection of books!
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Summary: ALL YOU WANNABE SOLDIERS, LINE UP!
Review: First you read this work, then go to Michael Herr's Dispatches, then on to Sand in the Wind. Then decide if you still want to go to war. All you need to know about action is right there.
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Summary: Best Vietnam era book in print, perhaps best war novel ever
Review: This is the only novel-length book I have ever read cover to cover in one sitting. As a man of Vietnam era age, I connected with this book in a powerful way, from it's treatment of the strange comradery of the soldiers to the numbing, almost casual way that the horror of this war is portrayed. One gains the sense that the war was about the process of waging war, and the dreary nightmare seems to be perpetuated on both sides more from habit and obligation than from promoting any issue. The characters in this book were not super-human, nor was the war romanticized in any way. You are quite literally in VietNam when you read this book. An interesting side light in this book is the surprising amount of our vernacular that came from VietNam, some words having even been left there by the French, and assimilated by our GI's (eg. beaucoups). WWII was not alone in it's contribution to our language. I have read this book 3 times. It is hard to believe it is out of print. I am also surprise that this was never made into a movie.
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Summary: The novel best depicting the Marine's war in Vietnam
Review: From the first paragraph, Jim Webb paints the perfect picture of the war in the rice paddies that was fought by so many Marines.His characters are true to life--many similar men were in my rifle platoon in the same area at the same time. This book reveals a very well known aspect of war at the small unit level. What is happening 1000 meters down the road is of utmost importance. What is happening back home "in the world" means very little. And the idealistic views of the protected elite who are quite willing to let someone else do the dirty work and would never think to grab a rifle and go to war change graphically when they are suddenly in the line of fire. That is when the basics of survival kick in, and an entirely new world view is born. A must read.
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Summary: You don't just read this, you live it.
Review: The story is solid and engrossing,and the characters are complex and alive. But the most incredible aspect of this book is Mr. Webbs ability to actually make you experience what he is describing. The writing is vivid and the story ufolds before you like a panoramic painting. I give this book my most enthusiastic endorsement.
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Summary: Powerful and thought-provoking.
Review: This could be the best book I have ever read. It ignited my passion for history. I found myself wrapped up in it, unable to stop thinking about it. It didn't talk about the politics, it just talked about the truth--How the grunts dealt with life and the emotional and physical toll it took on them. My fasination with war is only increased after reading this book. I can't wait to read more books about Vietnam.
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Summary: Outstanding as always
Review: I have read my two autographed copies of this book several times, each time I have laughed and cried. Lt. Webb, in his books, and in real life drives one thing home, Marine Corp Honor. This man walks you through a grunts life, a real grunts life, because he was there not only walking us through it, but always leading us through it. My undieing loyalty will always be with this author. Semper fi Lt. Webb
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Summary: My First Vietnam War Novel
Review: The summer before my junior year in high school, my parents gave me Fields of Fire as a gift. I was deeply moved by the story. I still feel that way when I recall the book...just a paperback, but what a fascinating read it was. After Fields of Fire, I couldn't resist falling dizzily into the exciting world of Vietnam War literature. I feel lucky that it was my first book of this genre.
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Summary: 100% REAL!
Review: This is the most authentic book I have read on combat in Vietnam. Webb is a Grunt who tells the Vietnam Grunt's story better than anyone else. If you were an Infantryman in Vietnam, you will know the characters in this book Should be required reading for anyone who expects to be a leader.
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