Better Him Than Me [Paperback]

Jack Eager (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

BETTER HIM THAN ME... A VIETNAM VETERAN'S TRUE STORY This book is the product of the author's struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, following his service in Vietnam. As part of his treatment for the disorder, his psychologist suggested that he tape-record his thoughts and feelings about his experiences during the war, and his life before and after. "BETTER HIM THAN ME" is the verbatim transcription of over 18 hours of the author's tape-recorded recollections and reflections.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The publisher Jim Criswell, February, 1999

This book is a chilling and compelling account of one man's wartime experiences in Vietnam, and his subsequent lifelong struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a shocking story of chaotic violence, of remorseless murder, and emotional detachment. It is also a powerful story of recovery, reconciliation, and redemption.

Better Him Than Me is not recommended for the faint hearted. It contains blunt and graphic accounts of appalling crimes of violence that the author confesses to committing in civilian life.

This is a controversial book, but it is a true story. It is a must read for anyone interested in what really happened in that tragic war in Vietnam, and for the family and friends of the thousands of U.S. veterans that are still struggling to cope with the effect of the war on their lives.

About the Author

I am a Vietnam Veteran who is trying to live and cope with a condition called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, P.S.T.D., for short. A private psychologist which I have been seeing on a weekly basis for the last several years, suggested that I should tape record my experiences as a combat infantryman in the Republic of Vietnam.

I agreed to do so, and firmly stated that I would record my extremely frank, graphic and totally true events as I lived them. Unlike all of the other past books and movies that dealt with the Vietnam War, my nonfiction story describes in detail everything that I saw and did in that horrific and insane war and country. I did not sugar coat anything or try to be intellectual or arty in any way, during the telling of my story. After hearing my first micro-cassette tape, the psychologist said that my compelling and forceful story would make a really good book! So a year and a half later, which is the time it took to complete the taping, we compiled a manuscript and submitted copies for publication.

My book also deals with my childhood and the physical and verbal abuse that I suffered at the hands of an alcoholic father. I discussed these events about my father, because it was my first introduction to the world of P.T.S.D. I also talked about my life treatments for this condition after I came home from Vietnam to the present time.

It was extremely difficult to recall all of these traumatic events of my life, and I strongly hope and feel that the telling of my unique story will help me and millions of others out there like me.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Truman Publishing Company (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966339339
• ISBN-13: 978-0966339338
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,689,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Discrepancies and falsehoods, July 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Better Him Than Me (Paperback)

Page after page contains discrepancies and falsehoods. Eager doesn't seem to know the difference between C rations and K rations, for example. But he does say he arrived in Vietnam on Feb. 9, 1968, and he names a number of men killed in his unit. Unfortunately for him, members of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade Association have a complete list of 196th LIB members who were killed in Vietnam. Eager's KIA names do not match those on the list.

I read 96 pages before Eager's fascination with torture, murder and mutilation sickened me and made me put the book down. If you want a provocative book about Vietnam, read "Stolen Valor" by B.G. Burkett, Glenna Whitley. Heavily documented, the book tells how and why hundreds of frauds have posed as Vietnam veterans to gain attention, money, special treatment in prison, and VA disability payments.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars LIARS LIE, BS is BS, November 21, 1999

By 

Charles L BERG/[e-mail] (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Better Him Than Me (Paperback)

This is an out right lie and the "author" and publisher should be sued for defaming the men who served in the unit. These men should contribute to a class action suit. I defy anyone to provide a bit of proof. I am a retired SFC, USA Special Forces, three tours in VN, two with SOG in Recon, medically retired due to wounds (loss of left leg at hip & multiple fragments) in 1968. This type of crap should not be allowed to remain in the public domain. If anyone out in the world has a sense of honor a fund will be started to get the truth out. This is why those veterans who do suffer from PTSD get a bad rap, but it is part of the PTSD "business" that make their living off the backs of good men who need help. For those vets with PTSD do not let this discourage or defame you.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS TOTALLY DEMENTED FICTION, July 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Cicero, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Better Him Than Me (Paperback)

I assume that the name Jack Eager is a pseudonym because this entire book is a work of fiction. As a combat infantry veteran of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, and its association's current Vice President, I can assure you that this is virtually all delusionary ramblings. If Mr. Eager is attempting to use this venue to substantiate a claim for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), he picked the wrong unit to defame. The 196th Light Infantry Brigade served proudly in Vietnam from 1966 through 1972 and was, in fact, the last ground combat unit to leave the field in Vietnam. The 196th suffered 1200 brave men killed and thousands more wounded during that conflict with never a spot of shame or scandal. The 196th was honorably deactivated after Vietnam but due to its exceptionally distinguished war record it was chosen to be reactivated in May 1998 as a training brigade with responsibility for the entire Pacific area. It WAS an Americal Division unit that was involved in the infamous "My Lai Incident" but it WAS NOT an element of the 196th. Our honor, and integrity as a combat unit is without peer. To say that this book is factual is a disservice to all of the brave men, living and dead, who served in the 196th. I believe that in the name of responsible journalistic oversight this book should either be removed from public offering or at least reclassified and marketed as a work of fiction until its veracity can be determined.