Customer Reviews

Don's Nam

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4 star:		(1)
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Reviewer: David A. Willson, author of REMF Diary, The REMF Returns and In the Army Now

In my role as a Vietnam War literature bibliographer, I have read hundreds of books dealing with the war. Most of the memoirs and novels are junk or the same basic book over again. Rast's book is not junk. There is no other Vietnam War book even a little bit like it. His lively narrative (from an Army lieutenant's point of view) deals with 1969-70, when Nixon was taking his time withdrawing the U.S. from the war. The subject is the extremely hazardous job of convoy commander assigned to the "Orient Express," the 534th and 379th Transportation Companies, 7th Transportation Battalion. Rast has written a unique and fascinating book filled with comic absurdity, phantasmagoric scenes and believable characters of all ranks and races. And he includes the Vietnamese, unlike the authors of most Vietnam War memoirs and novels. The insanity of the war has never been better explored and exploded. I highly recommend Don's Nam.

First of all, I am a member of Lt Don's platoon from the 379th Trans Co. Reading about our experiences gave me some laffs, a few tears and a lot of goosebumps ! Lt. Don has captured the absurdity, streaks of madness and overall experience of the convoy truckers of the Nam (unsung heroes). He tells of the maturing of young boys into men (American & Vietnamese alike). His insights into east/west philosophies, the politics of the day and the plight of everyman should be required reading.

Don's Nam is an excellent book describing the daily experiences of the men of the 534th Transportation Co. This is a must reading for all those interested in this not-so-popular political war of Vietnam. The fire fights, ambushes, and sweep patrols were described about as vividly and accurately as you can get. Thank you for reporting the events and situations that have been pushed far back in our minds. You have, I am sure, helped many of your readers recall, relive, and rethink their experiences in Vietnam. The book along with the photographs provides a way for us veterans to share our experiences with our spouses and children and perhaps help them to understand us better. Every word you have written is so meaningful to me, since I served with you during part of your tour of duty, and can personally vouch for the authenticity of the events you described. The last time I saw you was 30 years ago in a rice paddy on patrol outside of Long Binh, and to find you alive, well, and on the Internet, was quite a suprise. God bless you. Christoper Cross---Vietnam, Oct. 68-Nov. 69.

Even though I was just a young kid when America was fighting the war in Vietnam, the subject always fascinated me. Guess I've read about every book regarding to Vietnam that shows up on the bookshelf, each time getting more and more of the same thing, firefights with statistics and who got killed or wounded with how many of the enemy we disposed of in the process; frustrated military leaders held back by red-tape, evasive politicians misleading the public into thinking the war was to support a democratic Saigon government. This is all just great but somehow the true feelings, bitterness, sorrows, fears, humor and doubts evaded my conception of the war until I read Rast's story from his diary along with the pictures he took. The events he describes stayed with me and they stuck. I felt like I was right there with him and I kept going back into chapters in the book and rereading them with different feelings each time. There is a little bit of all of us in his characters, situations and the emotions they display: maybe that is why it feels so real to read and see something about the war I never experienced before.

As a driver for the Orient express 10th and 534th truck companies in 1966-67, I can certainly relate to the excellent compilation that Don has penned. It is actual, factual, and just plains tells it like it was. I recommend it to anyone who desires a well documented view of the daily challenges that were experienced.

I have just finished reading the daily account of life in the nam. As a driver with a transportation unit myself I could relate to many of the events in this book. The heat, dust and monsoon rain can be felt once again. The expierence is one that only a trans unit member can really relate to. It will give you an insight into what we went thru. It will let you feel and think like we did.You will be able to see and feel what the locals felt. This account brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. Pick it up and you will not put it down. Very powerful and moving account of what the American GI went thru.

What a remarkable experience. "Don's Nam" was an eye opener for me. I am a retired Navy Veteran of twenty-years. I enlisted into the Navy after the Vietnam war, and didn't know much about it. What an eye opener. It's a book that you don't want to put down. Don's vivid accounts of events and experiences was remarkable. Orient Express is must reading for everyone who has even the remote interest in the Vietnam War.

Just completed reading the book Don's Nam. Having served in the "Orient Express" with the 47th trans part of the 64 QM "Petro-Main" 7th trans bn 48th GP 1969-70. I think Don Rast has done an excellant job with presenting a realistic account of transportation units and the stress of convoying in combat zones of Vietnam. A book like this has been long over due.

DON'S NAM, "about the beginning of the end of the United States involvement in Vietnam from a junior officer's perspective on a conscious and subconscious level," bristles with passion, compassion, wry wit, and plainspoken authority. This powerful and original portrait of one man's odyssey is filled with selfless acts of bravery, outrageous shenanigans, extraordinary courage, and insightful wisdom. Rast's voice is as eloquent and compelling as any that has yet risen from the ashes of the debacle in Vietnam. Rippling with authenticity, Don Rast's DON'S NAM should be on everyone's top-10 list of "Must-Read Vietnam War Books." An epic adventure, Don Rast's DON'S NAM should also be on every Hollywood director's top-10 list of "Books That Would Be Great Movies." Sincerely, Diana Dell, author, "A Saigon Party" and "Memories Are Like Clouds."

After reading this wonderful book I realized what my father went through during this time. I am know able to relate to the deep feelings that were never shared as I grew up. What a great book!