Customer Reviews

The Vietnam Worm

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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Jimmy Johnson has a hit with his first attempt at writing. He tells the truth with a splash of fiction in a series of short stories. Johnson's book is based on his time in Vietnan and the men he served with. The central character being Sergant Tom Danville who had two enemies: Charlie and Combat Fatigue.

I liked this book because I was there with Jimmy and he has added one more chapter in history to what really happend in Vietnam.

Jimmy, has brung to light another reality in the lives of men who gave some and who gave all for fredom and democracy. Jimmy,though he writes in a strictly non-coincidential manner using fictious names has actually put the face to many a forgotten real names and times as memories will be stirred but you won't stop reading.

I liked the book not only because I served with Jimmy in the 27th Infantry Regiment Wolfhounds but because the book is easy to read. The stories gives you the feeling of the emotions and the hardships his comrades faced in their day to day lives on the battlefield of Vietnam.

I have read it three times already.

This is a great reading adventure for those who are seeking novels that deal with the Vietnam War in a slightly different fashion. First time author James Johnson, gives us an inside look at the men of that famous unit "The Wolfhounds." He allows the reader to observe the mental and emotional states of these veterans through the eye of a fictional story and characters; however, it runs so close to the author's and his former unit member's actual experiences, that it gives the storyline a very high intensity impact.

This is the best novel about the men who fought the ground war in Vietnam that I have read in the last 5 years. It captures the area, the sights, sounds, smells and feelings like an emotional digital camera. I flew most of my helicopter missions in this same area and time period where this story unfolds, so I had little trouble visualizing where he was at and what it was like. The descriptions and action come off as believable and real. Readers will be taken on an emotional ride. You will be changed in some way after reading this book. It will be difficult to forget some of the people and stories.

Johnson uses great word and phrasing skills to capture the emotional and spiritual moments that his cast of characters goes through. "The Worm" refers to that mental process that slowly eats away at these combat veterans--eventually becoming infected with a bad case of PTSD!

The book is given the MWSA highest rating. It is recommended reading for all mature age groups.

2005 Reader's Choice Award!

Thirty years ago, Vietnam veterans were reluctant to say they suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, it seems to be a real badge of courage. I have PTSD, America. Look what you've done to me. So it is with James Johnson's book: read and see what you've done to him. It's a kind of Humpty Dumpty story of a soldier that fell off the wall and couldn't be put back together again. This novel is not plot-driven, has little character development, and lacks dramatic impact. If you're not a Vietnam veteran or a devoted Wolfhound, you'll find it difficult to read and most likely will not finish it. It makes one wonder whether Johnson meant it that way or was incapable of writing a logical story. Maybe the book is, in a way, a self-fulfilling prophesy. As for the subconscious worm that supposedly motivates the characters in the story, I say nonsense. The author would have been much better off writing a memoir rather than trying to interpret the war by inventing a mythical creature to give it meaning. We've had too much of that with Vietnam. Books and movies about war are vain representations, and authors that do not admit this in their work are not being honest to those that suffered and died in the war. For a really good memoir about Vietnam, read "On Point" by Roger Hayes (also of the 25th Division), or "Traces of a Lost War" by Richard Barone, a frank narrative of heavy combat encountered by the 2d Wolfhounds, 1968-69.

A GREAT READ FOR ALL AUDIENCES! UNLIKE ANY OTHER VIETNAM STORY YET! GREAT STORY LINE WITH EXCELLENT DETAILS AND EMOTION. TRUELY A MUST READ!
THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER VIETNAM STORY!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE WORK BY JAMES E. JOHNSON III

Although the Vietnam War "officially" ended over three decades ago, the memories, nightmares, and reflections live on in the lives of many veterans of America's unpopular war. James Johnson III refers to the psychological and emotional suffering as "The Vietnam Worm." I highly recommend this book. It is not only a book for adult readers, but it is especially salient for younger readers as well. It is written in PG-13 language and all audiences will find the stories accessible. History teachers, for example, will find the book especially helpful as a supplemental reading. It offers a glimpse of the war that textbooks will not address...if Vietnam is even mentioned.

I found James Johnson's writing, like The Vietnam Worm, to be infectious. The characters, both central and peripheral, come to life and infiltrate the reader's imaginary senses. With each story, the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions...at times being left hanging upside down or twisted inside out. Many times I was left wondering how much of the content was fictional and how much was factual? The blend between "real and imagination" keeps the reader somewhat off-guard and I found myself periodically wondering, did this really happen? One thing is certain...James Johnson's "fictional" account could only have been written by a man who lived it. James Johnson is "for real" and his account of the Vietnam War will come to life before your mind's eye...Guaranteed.