17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blockbuster Potential, September 25, 2003
This review is from: Dear Mom (Mass Market Paperback)
The year Joseph Ward joined the marines, I turned 16. I knew the Vietnam War was going on, but hadn't met returning vets yet and didn't know any families who had a son or daughter over there. I watched television film footage of Vietnam occasionally, and saw the classic photo of the naked young Vietnamese girl who had been doused with Napalm running down a dirt road. By my senior year, I understood that the boy poking me in the back with a pencil in Trigonometry could be drafted-and killed.
Because my mom had volunteered as an art therapist at a veteran's hospital, I knew that some vets came back unable to cope with civilian life, but I didn't understand why. After reading this book, I think I understand why some vets came back with what is now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Now 50 and mom to a married 27-year-old son, I decided to read Ward's book because I liked the idea of comparing a son's letters to his mom with what every mother dreads: the real story.
As a sniper sent to several different companies, the author had the opportunity to interact with many Marines as well as Vietnamese civilians, ROCs (Republic of Korea soldiers) and Kit Carson scouts (often former North Vietnamese soldiers). Ward observed acts of heroism that saved lives but didn't garner medals, like the new guy curled up in the fetal position clutching a can of much-needed gun ammo until he overcame his fear and made several trips, inching under heavy enemy fire, to pass ammo to the machine gunners.
The author's writing style is clear and crisp-as if the reader is looking through the sight of his sniper bolt rifle. And the book is rich in detail.
Ward gets his first survival lecture in boot camp: hair isn't edible but fingernails are and should be swallowed as they grow.
Two months in-country, Ward was present when a company of about 100 Americans, swarmed into a little village and killed every person-even the animals-sixteen women and children, chickens and water buffalo. What did Ward write to Mom about this incident? "We've had a lot of casualties from booby traps and made contact with the enemy five times."
Less than two weeks later, Ward and four other men had to take cover in a crater as a Cobra helicopter gunship, mistaking them for the enemy, strafed the area and missed them by inches. The helicopter was supposed to be protecting a medevac chopper requested for a wounded VC. When Ward came up to the VC prisoner, he himself nearly went over the edge.
Here's an example of the way a true story can touch a reader: from the description of Herald Parker Tyner II, a recruit in Ward's boot camp platoon, I realized he was Tex Tyner, president of my old square dance club! I had received many a bear hug from Tex, who sometimes jokingly called us heathens.
I recommend this book to mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters who want to know what happened to loved ones who served our country during the Vietnamese war and refuse to talk. In my opinion, it's on its way to becoming a five-star classic. It has the makings of a blockbuster movie.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Controversial? Maybe. Entertaining? Absolutely!, June 24, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Dear Mom (Mass Market Paperback)
While researching a Vietnam exhibit for my museum, I read everything I could on the subject to get both historical and personal perspectives. The author, Mr. Ward, gives readers a compelling glimpse of the Marine Corps from Boot Camp and advanced training to Scout Sniper School and his tour of duty in Vietnam, and virtually put the 5th Marine Regiment on the map. I have read a great many personal accounts of the war and this one I consider by far the best. The illustrations and photographs are helpful and interesting. The letters to his mother provide an exellent framework with which to tell the author's story. Mr. Ward's attention to detail and clear writing style draws the reader in, in a very personal way. At times I actually felt as though I was there. I highly recommend this book.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb work!, February 1, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Dear Mom (Mass Market Paperback)
I have read this book several times and find something new each time to cause me wonder. It's so well written and concise. Anacronyms are explaind immediately so the reader is always kept up on what the writer is talking about. I felt as though I was serving along side Ward during his hair-raising tour. Good read for young and old, male and female.
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