Don't Bunch Up: One Marine's Story and Some Notable Exceptions [Hardcover]

William Van Zanten (Author), General P. X. Kelley (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Inspired by Battle Cry, Leon Uris's novel about WW II Marines, Van Zanten joined the Corps in 1957, made it through San Diego boot camp and the even tougher officers' school at Quantico, then saw action in 1965-1966 as an executive officer and company commander in Vietnam. His sojourn there was for the most part a positive and rewarding one, though he had some frustrating experiences, such as getting lost on patrol and dealing with an officer whose quest for medals threatened to endanger his men. Van Zanten's upbeat memoir mostly reflects how impressed he was by the decency, courage and unselfishness displayed by his fellow Marines. Readers will find no brutality here, no bitterness, no drugs, no fraggings or racial confrontations. The memoir is a modest, well-written account of the author's coming-to-manhood during the earlier phase of the Vietnam era (i.e., pre-Tet) when life was simple. Marines will enjoy the book; others may find it naive and sentimental.

Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Any number of authors and filmmakers have glorified or mythologized the U.S. Marine Corps: Van Zanten's memoir of his military service details the processes by which the Marines took a young man, molded him into an infantry officer, and sent him to Vietnam to fight. Basic training, Officers' Candidate School, Basic Infantry Officers' School, and combat experiences are described and demythologized. Van Zanten's current nonmilitary life is only mentioned in passing; we are aware that he has a wife, for example, but she is not really part of the story. Macho, chauvinistic, ultrapatriotic: these are terms that might be applied to Van Zanten's story, but they are also characteristics deliberately sought and inculcated by the Marines. These are memoirs of Vietnam in 1965-66, while it was still a relatively "clean" war. Recommended for Vietnam War collections.-- Stanley Planton, Ohio Univ.
Chillicothe Lib.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Archon; 1st edition (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020802347X
• ISBN-13: 978-0208023476
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,756,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Vietnam War Experience Vividly Told., April 2, 2000

By 

Jason K. Morioka - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Bunch Up: One Marine's Story and Some Notable Exceptions (Hardcover)

From one Marine's experience comes a vivid retelling of what he experienced as a young U.S. Marine deployed into the early stages of the Vietnam War. It begins on aboard a troop ship sailing off the coast of South Vietnam. You can feel the tension and fear as these Marines are assembling to take the helicopter ride to shore to hunt and destroy the enemy. Makes one appreciate the U.S. Marine dedication to country and their focus on getting the job done. I thank the U.S. Marines for their service to our country. Thank you!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY FATHER, December 27, 2000

By 

"kedwards11" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Bunch Up: One Marine's Story and Some Notable Exceptions (Hardcover)

If you are interested in reading a REAL story about vietnam, this is it. My father is the man who wrote this book. Reading this book allowed me a great opportunity to learn about him...Come on, how many of you can figure out what makes the "old man" tick, especially if they were in that war? It was a very interesting and heartwarming experience to read this book. Many of you have had fathers that have been in this war. Sometimes after seeing all those Hollywood movies(i.e., Platoon, Hamburger Hill, need I go on?), you wonder how did he turn out so normal, and so good?? Let me tell you, he is the best man I know, and hope to always live up to. This is a remarkable story of his life and I believe it served a greater purpose for him to write it. To free his mind of the demons and to let us kids really reach into his heart and explore the great man that he is. Because, believe me, he is one humble god-loving man that will never realize the impact he has had on my life and many more...I am sure of that.READ IT

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY FATHER, December 27, 2000

By 

"kedwards11" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Bunch Up: One Marine's Story and Some Notable Exceptions (Hardcover)

If you are interested in reading a REAL story about vietnam, this is it. My father is the man who wrote this book. Reading this book allowed me a great opportunity to learn about him...Come on, how many of you can figure out what makes the "old man" tick, especially if they were in that war? It was a very interesting and heartwarming experience to read this book. Many of you have had fathers that have been in this war. Sometimes after seeing all those Hollywood movies(i.e., Platoon, Hamburger Hill, need I go on?), you wonder how did he turn out so normal, and so good?? Let me tell you, he is the best man I know, and hope to always live up to. This is a remarkable story of his life and I believe it served a greater purpose for him to write it. To free his mind of the demons and to let us kids really reach into his heart and explore the great man that he is. Because, believe me, he is one humble god-loving man that will never realize the impact he has had on my life and many more...I am sure of that.READ IT