Customer Reviews

The 9th Engineer Battalion, First Marine Division, in Vietnam: 35 Personal Accounts

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A neighbor of mine, Jim O'Kelly, contributed to this book. So I ordered it to get to know what he had been through and to relate a little better to his experiences. I was too young for Vietnam, but have always had an interest in the war. I found the book very informative and interesting. Very true to the way life really was for the engineers and others who served over there. The interviews gave me an insight to the feelings the men all felt deep inside about the experience. And the everyday routine of getting the job done, and just trying to survive the enemy and health problems associated with the living conditions. I enjoyed the book a great deal, and it really made me appreciate the small things we all take for granted every day. Thanks to all the men and women that served over there. They deserve to be recognized and admired for their efforts and endurance. It's strange though. Many folks back then did not give the honor the Vietnam vets deserved when they returned home. Knowing what I do about Vietnam and how horrible a war it was to acually be invloved in. I've always thought of the Vietnam vet as one of the most couragous vets. Not taking anything away from other vets. But it was such a different type of war in many ways.

Ms Shellenbarger has done a great job of organizing a lot of information into a book which is easy to read and communicates the experience of having been a soldier in Viet Nam. It covers the initial entry of both the battalion and its members into the war, their experiences while there and upon returning home, and their view of the war from the present. VERY revealing! There is no editorializing or conclusion-drawing by Ms Shellenbarger, which is just fine. The men's words stand alone. An admirable job with difficult subject matter!