The 13th Valley (Paperback)

~ John M. Del Vecchio (Author) "From that day on they called him Cherry and from the night of that day and on he thought of himself as Cherry..." (more)
Key Phrases: organic weapons fire, sachel charges, military phonetic, Khe Ta Laou, Doc Johnson, Phu Bai (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There have been a number of excellent books about Vietnam. . .but none has managed to communicate in such detail the day-to-day pain, discomfort, frustration and exhilaration of the American military experience in Vietnam." --Joe Klein, The New York Times Book Review

"The novel about the Vietnam War. . .Del Vecchio has constructed a classic war novel, a complex and frightening book, that gets it right." --Chicago Sun Times

"An important and distinctly American book." --William Plummer, Newsweek
-- Review

Review

"There have been a number of excellent books about Vietnam. . .but none has managed to communicate in such detail the day-to-day pain, discomfort, frustration and exhilaration of the American military experience in Vietnam." --Joe Klein, The New York Times Book Review

"The novel about the Vietnam War. . .Del Vecchio has constructed a classic war novel, a complex and frightening book, that gets it right." --Chicago Sun Times

"An important and distinctly American book." --William Plummer, Newsweek

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (February 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312200811
• ISBN-13: 978-0312200817
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #359,980 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the great Viet Nam books, May 26, 2000

By	Doug Vaughn (Washington, Dc USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

If one were compiling a list of great novels dealing with the Viet Nam War, I believe that John M. Del Vecchio's harsh and gripping novel of infantry combat, The 13th Valley, would have a high place on that list. It is one of those novels that seems so realistic, both in its presentation of character and in the action (which literally wears the reader down just as it does the soldiers who are at the heart of the story). Unlike the view of Viet Nam taken in such books as Stone's Dog Soldiers and the movie "Apocalypse Now", this story doesn't dwell on the fringe craziness of drugs, secret missions or exaggerated characters for the sake of social commentary. It focuses on the lives of grunts in the bush and how they are transformed by the harsh reality of repeatedly facing and delivering death as their daily job. The universal questions don't have to be asked. They are implicit in the life or death struggle that Del Vecchio recounts so well. This is a stunning book; harsh, gritty, realistic, touching and disturbing. I you thought there was anything romantic or "exciting" about this war, you won't after experiencing this book. I highly recommend it.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!, January 9, 2002

By	John D. Costanzo "johndc" (Bensalem, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you want to be picked up and dropped in the jungles of Vietnam in the middle of a major operation, then read this book. It was one of the best Vietnam War books I have ever read. Written with both detail and compassion for all involved, it is a brilliant portrayal of the soldiers who fought in the "boonies" during that horrible war. Unlike many Vietnam novels that concentrate heavily on the psychological effects of fighting an invisible enemy, this novel is also about the military aspects of the war, and makes the often-overlooked point that our military had some brilliant successes brought about by the heroic actions of the thousands of valiant soldiers who fought the battles. I highly recommend this dramatic and finely written novel.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving . . . A novel that stays with you, July 19, 2005

By	S. Pollock (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read many military fiction and non-fiction books and none I have encountered present a more poignant and lucid picture of war. The characters are wonderfully brought to life.

It does a fantastic job of illustrating the experience of jungle warfare (and all the horror it entails). The march of the "boonie-rats" through the valley is exciting and described in magnificent detail. You really feel that you are marching along with them. The battles are vivid and intense.

It is also a touching love story with keen insight on romantic relationships.

Most importantly, it attempts to answer the philosophical question of how and why familial/racial/global conflict happens. It does this in a brilliant way and comes up with some TRULY FASCINATING ideas.

Read James Webb's "Fields of Fire" for another illuminating account of the Vietnam war.