And a Hard Rain Fell: A GI's True Story of the War in Vietnam [Paperback]

Ketwig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1988

In "the first Vietnam book written from the point of view of an army private" (Rochester Times Union), Ketwig urges the reader to understand how greatly the soldiers longed to return to The World, how the "conflict" was in fact a war that claimed over 57,000 lives, and how he feels today about the turmoil. HC: Macmillan. (Military History)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Another recovered war memoir this one with a first printing of 15,000 is John Ketwig's ...And a Hard Rain Fell: A GI's True Story of the War in Vietnam, first published in 1985. Enlisting to avoid the draft in 1966, Ketwig ended up a platoon sergeant in Thailand, "in charge of 43 Americans and numerous Thais." He is articulate and perceptive throughout, voicing doubt, witnessing horrors, trying to fit in on returning. Ketwig has supplied eight pages of new photos and a new introduction for this edition; the press chat notes that Ketwig will do an NPR affiliate tour, and that the book is a "staple" in campus Vietnam courses.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"[Ketwig] is articulate and perceptive throughout..." -- Publishers Weekly --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Pocket (October 15, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671680544
• ISBN-13: 978-0671680541
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,456,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One Soldier's View on Serving in Vietnam, November 19, 2002

By 

C. W. Emblom "Bill Emblom" (Ishpeming, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: And a Hard Rain Fell: A Gi's True Story of the War in Vietnam (Hardcover)

Not having ever served in the military I don't know how typical John Ketwig's experiences he relates in this book are, but I did find it to be a very interesting book. Given the choice, Ketwig would rather have not served in the military at all, but he enlisted in the hopes of avoiding being sent to Vietnam. His recruiter told him he would probably end up in Germany. He relates a story that took place in basic training involving a recruit named "Fatso" who was physically abused by a sadistic sergeant who took advantage of his authoritative position to bully this soldier in ways that this so-called officer will have to live with for the rest of his life. The soldier eventually took his own life and the officer was "relieved" of his duties. Ketwig's attitude probably was typical of other soldiers in that they just wanted to put in their time in Vietnam and survive. Rather than come home to an uncertain future after his year in Vietnam to serve the remainder of his time, he volunteered for a year in Thailand. Once home, he felt he didn't have much in common with his former classmates who were now in college. He saw a lot in his two years in the military and now came home to find it hard to get a job. Ketwig provides the reader with a cynical view of the army, and not having served in the military, who am I to say he is wrong. I can only say I enjoyed the book and found it easy to read. I'm sure a lot of veterans who served in a like capacity will be able to identify with him.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars striking up a conversation, May 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: ...and a hard rain fell: A GI's True Story of the War in Vietnam (Paperback)

Like many Vietnam veterans, my father has not provided many details about his tour in Nam. I read this book hoping to get some insight about what he may have encountered while in the War and the internal conflicts he may have experienced. After reading this book I was able to ask specific questions to my father and he was willing to share for the first time....This book is a MUST READ for anyone looking for a personal experience, horror, mental hardships, relational issues that this Vietnam Veteran experienced.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vietnam: a view from a reluctant draftee, May 10, 2004

By 

J. BAILEY (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: And a Hard Rain Fell: A Gi's True Story of the War in Vietnam (Hardcover)

A few reviews here criticize Ketwig for being anti-war before, during, and after. But isn't that the point of the book? Ketwig makes it pretty clear early on. No, he wasn't a heroic grunt fighting in the rice paddies and central highlands... he was just a kid who loved muscle cars, motor racing, getting laid, and playing drums. Not college material, he was faced with enlisting and learning a trade, or waiting for the draft and surely being sent to Vietnam. As it was, he enlisted but wound up in Vietnam anyway, working on the motorpool as a welder and mechanic. But he was exposed to things most of us would consider traumatic. It left him scarred, and being a civilian myself, I do not feel entitled to judge him. If you want to read the story of a true hero, read "Brennan's War" by Matthew Brennan. If you want a firsthand account of a scared teenager who wanted to be anything BUT a soldier, read this book.

The fact is, not everyone is cut out to be a soldier. Ketwig was not, and never claims otherwise. Being the mother of a soldier myself, my heart lies with the volunteer soldier, one willing to lay his or her life on the line to protect our freedom. But on the other hand, I sympathize with those draftees of the Vietnam era. It was a rough time to be young. And Ketwig's story is gritty and heartfelt. And tells one side of the story quite well.