A Life in a Year: The American Infantryman in Vietnam, 1965-1972 [Paperback]

James Ebert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

This provocative in-depth book focuses on the experiences of the infantry soldier in Vietnam. More than 60 Army and Marine Corps infantrymen speak of their experiences during their year-long tours of duty.


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ebert combines interviews and printed primary sources in this brilliant reconstruction of the infantryman's experience during the Vietnam War. Though accounting for less than 10% of the American troops in Vietnam, the infantry suffered more than 80% of the losses. Ebert, a secondary school teacher in Wisconsin, tells their story chronologically, from the grunts' induction and training, through their arrival in Vietnam, their first encounters with battle and their final rendezvous with the airplane that would carry them home--the "freedom bird," one of the numerous military terms, abbreviations and Vietnamese words defined in the glossary. The infantrymen confronted environments from rice paddies to jungles, from densely populated cities to virtually empty countrysides. They fought in patrol skirmishes and in division-scale battles. They learned to kill, but few understood a war with no clear objectives. They survived, but most paid a price for their survival. The book belongs in every collection on America's longest and most controversial war.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Because of the relative lack of large, readily identifiable major battles during the Vietnam War (Hue, Khe Sanh, Hamburger Hill, etc.), military histories of the war can be difficult for the average reader to comprehend. Endless operations and campaigns without the anchor of a turning-point battle easily confuse and disorient. Vietnam literature retains an enthusiastic following, however, because it features a large number of oral histories and personal narratives. The reader follows the individual soldier rather than the large campaigns. Ebert, a high school history teacher, describes the combat experiences of 60 Army and Marine Corps infantrymen from basic training through their year in Vietnam. This is an outstanding example of history through the eyes of the ordinary person. Ebert's book is the finest of its type since Al Santoli's Everything We Had ( LJ 4/15/81). Highly recommended.
- John R. Vallely, Siena Coll. Lib., Loudonville, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Presidio Press (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891415394
• ISBN-13: 978-0891415398
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,002,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best down to earth, reality oriented Vietnam book I've ever, March 21, 1998

By 

William Ficks (Vincennes, Indiana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Life in a Year: The American Infantryman in Vietnam, 1965-1972 (Paperback)

I've read many books on Vietnam and this is the best yet if you are interested in the real life of the grunts. A very down to earth and human look at the Vietnam experience. From prior to induction to return home. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the real nitty gritty of the average guy in Vietnam. As I said, best I've ever read!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference for Infantryman's Experience, May 21, 2001

By 

dear.toni (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Life in a Year: The American Infantryman in Vietnam, 1965-1972 (Paperback)

When I first started researching the Vietman war, I happened to come across this book at the library--exactly what I was looking for since I wanted to understand the individual experience of the infantryman. I had been warned by veterans that a lot of inaccurate books were out there, and since the writer's credentials were simply that he was a high school teacher, I first read it with a somewhat skeptical eye. As I continued to read memoirs and histories and speak with veterans, though, I also kept coming back to this book. Finally I just broke down and bought it. Though I've only spot read various passages throughout the book, it is even-handed, always rings true, is consistent with other information I've gotten, and offers factual information to set things in context (I wish there was a little more of that). Ebert has done a great job getting vets to talk--not always easy--now maybe he should create an updated edition to flesh out the coming home aspects. I hope this author still teaches high school.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Real, April 23, 2001

By 

Jim Mills - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Life in a Year: The American Infantryman in Vietnam, 1965-1972 (Paperback)

Those who have read history about the Vietnam War are kidding themselves if they don't include "A Life in a Year--." This is the war as seen through the eyes of the lowest common denominator--the "grunt." Having served in the infantry in Vietnam and trusting Ebert's editing of what was individual braggadocio by some interviewees, I think this is an accurate portrayal of what Vietnam was like for thousands of soldiers and marines. Nothing fancy, nothing cute, nothing outlandish--just like really being there day in and day out. Straight shooting from basic to the freedom bird. If this was required reading before Vietnam I am not so sure the volunteer rate would have been as high as it was--but then we had to live Vietnam so such a book could be written.