The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War [Paperback]

Frederick Downs Jr. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393310892 | ISBN-13: 978-0393310894 | Publication Date: February 17, 2007

“The best damned book from the point of view of the infantrymen who fought there.”—Army Times

Among the best books ever written about men in combat, The Killing Zone tells the story of the platoon of Delta One-six, capturing what it meant to face lethal danger, to follow orders, and to search for the conviction and then the hope that this war was worth the sacrifice. The book includes a new chapter on what happened to the platoon members when they came home.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frederick Downs Jr. received four Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star with Valor, and the Silver Star for his service in the Vietnam War. He lives in Fort Washington, Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (February 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393310892
• ISBN-13: 978-0393310894
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > History > Asia > Vietnam > Vietnam War

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

225 of 235 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Been there, done that, December 20, 2000

By 

Michael Medley (Salt Lake City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War (Paperback)

Although a combat veteran of Vietnam, I had (or thought I had) put the war behind me for the first dozen years back. Then I ran across Fred's book, saw that it dealt with D 1/14th and bought it. And read it. And read it again.

I humped with Delta on a few occasions in 1969-70 as a fill-in enlisted FO (Recon Sgt) and remember the stories from some of the short-timers about the mythical period of a year previous when the company left the roads and entered the jungle. Fred was part of that transition period.

When my wife first started asking me about Vietnam in the late-80's, I gave her "The Killing Zone" as a primer. I told her after she finished she would have a sufficient background to understand my story. The same situation occurred with my son in the early-90's when he was in college. I now pick up copies whenever I find them in the used bookstores to give to civilians who want to hear "war stories", with the proviso that they read the book first.

As I write this I realize that I am not a proper person to provide a review of this book, since it is like trying to judge a prequel to my own experience. So I will only say that it is a totally honest book. If you are a combat veteran, you will recognize it. If you are a civilian or a non-combat troop, you will come away with a greater appreciation of what the war was like at grunt-eye level.

Mike Medley

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A harrowing personal account, June 17, 2000

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War (Paperback)

This book belongs on a short list including Phillip Caputo's "A Rumor of War" and Lt. General Harold G. Moore's "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young," as one of the best first person narratives to come out of the Vietnam War. Downs was a fresh faced platoon leader who, like "Born on the Fourth of July"'s Ron Kovic, looked forward to the opportunity to prove his mettle under fire. Like Kovic, Downs came back from the war with a shattered body and a psyche that was deeply affected by what he experienced. Down's account of Vietnam is simple and straightforward. He is also an excellent writer and his book is a compulsive page turner. This is not a book that should be missed by those with an interest in America's most tragic war.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exiciting reading about a real life hero!, December 6, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Tucson, Az) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War (Paperback)

Fred Downs worked for me when he was recovering from his wounds at Fitzsimmons General Hospital outside of Denver, Colorado. The events in the book were described by some of his friends who were there and are very accurately portrayed in the book. Fred's impact on the wounded at the hospital was almost as spectacular as his adventures in Vietnam and he was an inspiration to everyone around him. I still remember him after 35 years and I am willing to bet everyone who knew him feels the same way. Read the book and you will see why Fred is such a special person. (Someone should ask him to write about his experiences in the hospital and his adventures while he was there.)