Customer Reviews

Jungle Rules

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Vietnam has faded to an abstraction in the common perspective. Sacrifices, horrors and lunacy are trivialized and reduced to senseless idiom. Nothing is real.

Without preaching or explaining, this book simply takes the reader there, unlike anything I have ever read about any war. It's called a novel, but it reads as truth -- almost a personal journal. Nothing is spared. Crittenden made me care about these men and their condition, and wonder how they lived it, as half a World away we sat contented watching edited, manipulated two-dimensional image-bites on a 20" screen.

If you care about what happens to young men thrust into the face of violent death by whatever political inanity happens to govern at the moment, and the split second survival choices they are forced to make and pay for for the rest of their lives, buy this book -- then pass it to a friend.

It is hard for a civilian to understand what it must be like to serve in our country's armed forces during military conflict. The work of the men and women who are risking their lives each day is beyond comprehension. Sacrifices are made and we all hope they are for just and good causes. Sometimes, however, basic survival is the cause.

Many books have been written about Vietnam and there are many strong opinions about our country's involvement in that conflict. Some glorify the roles of soldiers in battle while others dwell on the absurdity of war. A few report on the atrocities committed by our soldiers. But until now, nothing that I have read captures the psychological and emotional process that transforms a normal young man into a hardcore boonierat.

Gaz Crittenden's Jungle Rules is a brilliantly written story and is of great current interest as it helps put into perspective the difficulties our military personnel face on a daily basis. For example, after reading this story, one may begin to have different understanding how the alleged events at Haditha could have occurred. This is an excellent book, a true book, and a must read for anyone who wants to have a better appreciation for what war is really like and for the conditions under which our soldiers do their work.

I began to read JUNGLE RULES with trepidation as I lived this divisive part of our nation's history (at least vicariously) as a young teen and into my adult years). Other books have been so horrific that I had to put them down. While this does not sugarcoat what our boys went through it is an honest and open examination told by a fictional 20 year old of the horrors of war, the importance of humor (Black though it may have been) and the ultimate survival of the human spirit. I laughed, I cried; it is one of the best books I have read this year and holds it's own with MASH as a reflection of what the men in our lives (and now women) experience. Gaz speaks with a strong voice and my only disappointment was when the book ended as I wanted to savor it. I look forward to more books by this writer.

"Jungle Rules" builds a bridge of understanding between civilians and military personnel, enlightening the former to the harsh realities that transform an individual faced with battle and/or the threat thereof. Crittenden takes his reader for a brief journey into the front lines of the Vietnam War, where through Andy; we learn the complexity, the fear and the human side of a soldier's experience in war.

From the perspective of an individual that straddles the x and y generation, who has not had to experience war either voluntarily or involuntarily, who shudders at the thought of watching a war movie, I found myself devouring "Jungle Rules." But that is not to say that the book is only valuable to those who have not experienced war. My guess is that soldiers, veterans and x-military alike could all benefit from a journey with Andy.

Jungle Rules arrived a few days ago. I was in the middle of reading, "Breaking the Spell" by Dennett a professor of philosophy and cognitive studies at Tufts. An interesting read but heavy at times. While reading a particularly convoluted argument I decided to put down that book and for a change of pace read at least the first chapter of Gaz's book.

I found the book so good I couldn't put it down. What a story. Through Andy, Gaz describes a war, personal anxieties, behavior under stress, a country, leadership styles, in fact pretty much most facets of life.

It is a great story about the transition in Andy. Movies have exhausted the Viet Nam war, but this book should be a movie. The story is just as applicable today. I bet there are hundreds of Andys in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Looking forward to the sequel.

Written by Viet Nam veteran Gaz Crittenden (served with 1st Cavalry Division Airmobile in the Viet Nam central highlands from 1966-67), Jungle Rules: A Novel of Viet Nam is a gripping debut novel about the brutality of war in a land where life is cheap. A vivid experience of daily life in the field and the ruthlessness of combat, as well as longing for the pleasures of civilian life while stationed far from its comforts, Jungle Rules pulls no punches in its description. A singularly powerful reading experience, dedicated to the memory of two soldiers who did not make it back from the jungle.

Author, and a former 1st Cavalry veteran, Gaz Crittenden has written a bold and emotional novel about the men who fought in his war. "Jungle Rules - A Novel of Viet Nam" gives the reader colorful and action packed images created from the creative mind and heart of this former veteran. It is not "a feel good book" as it hits and explores parts of the human experience where normal people never dare tread. But he gives you a glimpse of what life may have been like for those men who did their "tour of duty" during one of America's most turbulent times.

Crittenden guides the reader along as we bear witness to how the lead character "Target" evolves and changes the longer he is exposed to the insanity and the ethical fog of this war. Our "hero" begins his tour idealistic enough and even is appalled at the immoral actions of others when he is the new FNG in the company. However, he begins to lose his way on this journey and the reader can sense the terrible changes within him and the others in this story.

The phrasing is tight and the dialog is just enough to carry the reader through the jungles with this group of men. It will make you think and reflect not only on the wars of the past but also on what might be happening to the soldiers in battle fields now in Iraq; after all, soldiers are only human and the painful and spiritual damaging events of fighting an elusive enemy can take its emotional toll on all those touched by events.

The author obviously has a talent for telling a tale and even though this is just his first novel, he writes like he has been doing this all his life. This is a recommended book to read for those seeking to gain some understanding of the human element of war and not just the Vietnam War. Add this to your reading list but be prepared to think and feel and empathize with those who have worn the various uniforms of battle. This book will alter your views on war, PTSD and why old vets are what they are today even decades after they walked "point" through some jungle long forgotten by history.