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We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam Paperback – January 1, 2004

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,575 ratings

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Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young.
In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War.
How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A GUT-WRENCHING ACCOUNT OF WHAT WAR IS REALLY ALL ABOUT, which should be ‘must’ reading for all Americans, especially those who have been led to believe that war is some kind of Nintendo game.”
–GENERAL H. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF

“Hal Moore and Joe Galloway have captured the terror and exhilaration, the comradeship and self-sacrifice, the brutality and compassion that are the dark heart of war.”
–NEIL SHEEHAN, author of
A Bright Shining Lie

“A powerful and epic story . . . This is the best account of infantry combat I have ever read, and the most significant book to come out of the Vietnam War.”
–COLONEL DAVID HACKWORTH, author of the bestseller
About Face

From the Inside Flap

Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young.
In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War.
How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Presidio Press; Reprint edition (January 1, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 034547581X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0345475817
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 1 x 9.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,575 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
5,575 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the writing quality awesome and compelling. They describe the storyline as remarkable, deeply moving, and wonderful. Readers describe the book as detailed, well-researched, and captures the spirit. They also find the emotional impact riveting and painful. Customers say the book provides good insight into the long-term strategic implications and discipline. They appreciate the candid depiction of a tragic period in American history.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

291 customers mention "Writing quality"291 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book awesome, well written, and a real page turner. They also say the movie is compelling.

"Great book but pages come loose...." Read more

"...Just a very well written book ,a real page turner...." Read more

"...This book was written by a veteran and an author. It's very good and respectful of all of the characters in it...." Read more

"...Excellent book, and much better than I expected. Still waiting, though, for Gibson’s mea culpa...." Read more

206 customers mention "Storyline"195 positive11 negative

Customers find the storyline remarkable, compelling, moving, riveting, and thought provoking. They appreciate the quotes from survivors and the historical perspective. Readers also mention that the action is intense.

"...Just a very well written book ,a real page turner. The end of the book was very interesting, a small follow-up on every main player be it non-com or..." Read more

"...portray a force of superbly-trained, well-led and highly motivated US combat forces...." Read more

"...that describes in excellent detail the deeds of so many great and heroic men...." Read more

"...This is a really good story and I would recommend that you read it. Follow up the book with the movie...." Read more

172 customers mention "Readability"142 positive30 negative

Customers find the book very readable, with detailed writing and complete descriptions. They say the book brings the fighting to life and brings them closer to the men.

"...Its a very very descriptive ,very detailed writing by two people who were right there in the battle...." Read more

"...This book is simply but brilliantly written and goes into extensive details which are quite profound and a sad reflection of the political arrogance..." Read more

"...First of all, it was a very detailed, well written Narrative, of the battle of the Ia Drang Valley, in 1965 Viet Nam...." Read more

"...The remarkable thing about this book, beyond the vigor and quality of the writing, is its directness and lack of histrionics or unnecessary drama...." Read more

153 customers mention "Insight"145 positive8 negative

Customers find the book very informative and excellent. They also say it provides good background about the enemy's army and the intention of our new helicopter. Readers appreciate the clear, wrenching, and detailed account. They say the book draws them in on a personal level and portrays the long-term strategic implications.

"...And it was bittersweet. Good to gain knowledge, heartbreaking for what happened...." Read more

"...Moore and Galloway have presented us with a fine and accurate accounting of the first major battle involving US forces in Vietnam, which took place..." Read more

"...These troopers were well trained and Moore's officers were of a very high level...." Read more

"An amazing and true account of a war we should never have ventured into...." Read more

44 customers mention "Emotional impact"33 positive11 negative

Customers find the book deeply emotional, sad, and moving. They say it makes them appreciate the sacrificial efforts of the men. They also describe the book as beautifully written, loving, honorable, and respectful. Readers also mention that the book is gut wrenching, sobering, and hurts to read at times.

"...And it was bittersweet. Good to gain knowledge, heartbreaking for what happened...." Read more

"...books this summer, but reading the final chapters of this one brought tears to my eyes and led to a catharsis of the pain I have silently suffered..." Read more

"This book is a heartbreaking reinforcement of the senselessness of most wars...." Read more

"...War is indeed hell. Are there any other alternatives? Will we ever learn?..." Read more

34 customers mention "Visuals"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the visuals candid, real, and intense. They say the book clearly depicts the horrors of war and the wrack and ruin to both sides. Readers also describe the book as riveting and disturbing.

"...It's really a very compelling look as to what field commanders from both sides felt about what was happening during all phases of the different..." Read more

"...“We Were Soldiers” captures the reality of combat, which I believe is important for every human to know...." Read more

"...enlarged would have helped, but at the end of the book, the picture was so well painted in my mind that they visual aids were unnecessary...." Read more

"This breathtaking, eye-opening account of the first major military engagement between US forces and the NVA was a watershed moment in history that..." Read more

27 customers mention "Content"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an excellent, first-person account of the IaDrang battle. They also appreciate the brutal honesty and the large selection of the book.

"A great up-close account of the battles at LZ X-Ray and LZ Albany in the Ia Drang Valley..." Read more

"Came on time, Good Quality, Fine Product." Read more

"...An honest, heartbreaking account of those who went to war, and those who led them...." Read more

"I have read this book multiple times. It is excellent and well written...." Read more

12 customers mention "Plot"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the plot gripping, detailed, and powerful. They also say the book is touching and uplifting. Readers also mention that the impact is hard and the tactics are brilliant.

"...days in detail again, but I am glad they did because the end result is incredibly gripping...." Read more

"...This book is strongly written, detailed, and packs a powerful punch...." Read more

"...Still, this was a gripping account of several crucial days at an early point in the Vietnam War...." Read more

"...I read this at the beginning of company command, and it gripped me very powerfully to the point of where I've given several copies of it to other..." Read more

Search and Destroy and Keep the Faith
5 Stars
Search and Destroy and Keep the Faith
I am a Vietnam Veteran. I served as a Navy Corpsman with the 5th Marines from September 1967 to September 1968. I have experienced much heavy combat. Imbedded in my persona are the deep memories of that war. I am a veteran of The Battle of Hue City in 1968. We were vastly outnumbered. In the first few days of that struggle we had to endure ridiculous rules of engagement. We lost many good men due to this however we persevered and won the Battle. The enemy was defeated. He fled North with us in hot pursuit. The City was freed of the infiltrators and returned to its grateful inhabitants.This book will reveal the incredible hardships and challenges the Vietnam combat veteran faced especially in the beginning of that war. It is enlightening, educational, moving yet uplifting. We must never give up. Often we have no choice but to "stand and fight". The brave men who participated in this epic battle have shown us that.I met Mr. Galloway in August of 2019 at our USMC reunion in Louisville, KY. He is a gallant gentleman. Thank you sir for what you have done for your country and for telling this story of our fight "across the pond".I have written a story of my own experiences in Vietnam entitled "Battlefield Faith" with hopes that it would provide yet another truth of that war. I also trust it would be an inspiration to the Vietnam veteran who yet suffers the wounds of battle. God Bless the Vietnam Veteran and All Combat Veterans.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024
Great book but pages come loose. Highly recommend this read since our guys in uniform especially in Vietnam have not received the respect they deserved then and sometimes even now. Time to understand the struggles they went through in Nam.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2019
The book is so well written ,you are put right in the battle,yes its that good. Its a very very descriptive ,very detailed writing by two people who were right there in the battle.Just in case you've already seen the movie ,you'll find that the producers followed the book very closely. Col.Hal Moore along with reporter Joey Galloway really put a winner together here.Interviews also include their own diaries and interviews of the field commanders from the Viet Cong regular army to get their perspective.It's really a very compelling look as to what field commanders from both sides felt about what was happening during all phases of the different battles and the lesser skirmishes. I found it so beneficial to read the opinion of the other side,in this case the N V A .Also the opinions of our officers including Colonel Moore on how our very brave soldiers and pilots were constantly thwarted in their attempts to really deliver a knockout blow to the Viet Cong by descisions made by our politicians. Just a very well written book ,a real page turner. The end of the book was very interesting, a small follow-up on every main player be it non-com or commissioned soldier in the conflict. It will follow up on every soldier that you read about in the book. At this point many have passed away including Moore himself but there are many who still are with us. What a great piece of writing.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
I picked this book up on sale as I didnt know much about the Vietnam War and wanted to. And it was bittersweet. Good to gain knowledge, heartbreaking for what happened. And even worse was seeing the mistakes in hindsight that should have been found or corrected at the start. My heart goes out to all Vietnam veterans and those who didn't make it. I will now have a different view of the Vietnam Memorial next time I'm in DC. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the war.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2015
We Were Soldiers Once and Young by Hal Moore and Joe Galloway Jan 18, 2015

Moore and Galloway have presented us with a fine and accurate accounting of the first major battle involving US forces in Vietnam, which took place at LZ X-ray in the ‘Valley of Death’ (the Ia Drang Valley, Central Highlands, South Vietnam) in Nov. 1965. The Battle of the Ia Drang presented many firsts for both the US Army and the US Government and the book does a good job of describing these firsts, including the policy decisions made in Washington which set the tone and rules for much of the Vietnam War. The battle was fought by the 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment, 1St (Air) Cav Division, commanded by (then) Lt. Col. Hal Moore. Joe Galloway covered the battle as reporter and photographer for UPI. The 1st Air Cavalry Division was the Army’s first ‘airmobile’ soldiers and set the standard for US offensive operations in Vietnam.
The book seems entirely comprehensive and accurate in the details of the battle. The analysis by the authors is generally correct in so far as it goes. (I.e. they note in detail the limitations put upon US forces in Vietnam by Lyndon Johnson, notably the prohibition on our forces to pursue the NVA into their sanctuary across the Cambodian border). Their analysis is less complete for their failing to state the obvious – that changes in all those “hands tied” policies would have made not one whit of difference in the outcome.

The book covers in detail the ~48-hour Battle of LZ X-Ray, which if one only watches the movie of the same name, would think ended in the glorious routing and compete defeat of NVA (North Vietnamese Army) forces. Moore’s book continues the real story of the battle after extraction and replacement of his (Moore’s) forces from LZ X-Ray. The replacement US forces (mainly the 2/7) were attacked and badly mauled the next day a few miles away near LZ Albany. The two battles, which became known as the Battle of the Ia Drang, killed over 200 US forces and got the attention of the Army, the government and the American people. The battle gave policy makers a good image of what the Vietnam War effort would entail and forced a decision between withdrawal from Vietnam, or massive reinforcement and commitment to a long, difficult war. Wrong decisions (*) based on wrong assumptions were made at every level by US policy makers, but most of that is beyond the scope of Moore’s and Galloway’s book.

I recommend the book and also recommend the movie. (**) “We Were Soldiers” captures the reality of combat, which I believe is important for every human to know. It is interesting and informative to note the vast differences portrayed of US soldiers in Vietnam by the movies “Platoon,” “Full Metal Jacket” and “We Were Soldiers.” We Were Soldiers accurately portray a force of superbly-trained, well-led and highly motivated US combat forces. Platoon and Full Metal Jacket (the first US-produced war movies of any accuracy and reality) show a force of drug-addled, indifferent grunts, poorly trained and led. The two portrayals are both true … the 1st Air Cav was highly trained, very well led and motivated …. in November of 1965. But the obvious absurdity and futility of the Vietnam War was apparent to anyone with a brain by mid-1967 – and everyone knew it – not the least of whom was the cannon-fodder grunt on the ground who developed one of the most prized philosophical maxims of all time … “It Don’t Mean Nothin.’” But the war could not be ended because of the vanity of old white men, and so another 40,000 US died, hundreds of thousands were maimed physically and mentally, maybe a million Vietnamese died, the national debt was trebled and the US economy was wrecked. All because Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon did not want history to record them as the first American president to lose a war. Such a shame too for Lyndon Johnson, whom I consider one of our greatest presidents, except …….

(*) I started to say here, “As everyone knows ….,” but then I recalled a conversation I had recently with a perfectly lovely, well-educated 30-something elementary school teacher. I was pontificating on the importance of the lessons learned from the Vietnam War, when she looked at me and asked, “That’s the one that had Pearl Harbor, right?”

(**) Which will undoubtedly be Mel Gibson’s last decent movie preceding his complete personal destruction with his production of the S&M Epic, The Passion of The Christ, his public problems with alcoholism and substance abuse, religious fanaticism, fanatic public Anti-Semitism and criminal conduct, just to name a few. Gibson (whose career is indeed over) was a decent actor with memorable performances in Braveheart and We Were Soldiers, among others. He is now revealed as a despicable person and, I think, representative of much that is wrong with America.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
A book that describes in excellent detail the deeds of so many great and heroic men. I thank them for their dedicate service and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Yves Laroche
5.0 out of 5 stars Merci
Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2024
Merci
AS
5.0 out of 5 stars one of the great battle memoirs - recommended
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2023
Got this after watching the Mel Gibson movie based on it. I'm not a military freak, but have valued reading some high-quality military memoirs over the years, just to get some sense of the realities of war and battle, which are so easily ignored or romanticised by those of us who have never experienced them. Plus I pick up important history at the same time.
This book is co-written by the commanding officer (USA), H. Moore, and an embedded journalist, J. Galloway, who was forced to fight for his life alongside the soldiers. The tone is one of neither glorification nor coverup, and the military input also tries to take a sympathetic note towards the Vietnamese army commander and units (as reflected in the movie). Lots of detail, especially trying to focus on the individual experience of a wide range of soldiers involved in a complex sequence of battles.
If you are familiar with the movie, the most important of many aspects that the movie could not cover, is that the Battle of Ia Drang Valley actually consisted of two major engagements, the second of which is not covered by the film. That said, I think the movie made a fairly good version of this.
This is major military history written with a sense of humility, compassion and comprehension of the realities of planning and engagement. Absolutely recommended.
Vitor Brandi Junior
5.0 out of 5 stars If you liked the movie you must read this book.
Reviewed in Brazil on July 29, 2020
Magnificent reading. The authors describe the action in both the LZs with plenty of details. The text is fluid and the reading is very enjoyable. There is a chapter with reports and letters from the wives and relatives of the deceased soldiers that brings tears to our eyes.
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NB
5.0 out of 5 stars Not an easy read...but worth it if you can stay till the end
Reviewed in India on April 24, 2020
This is a truly extraordinary war story that narrates the stark reality of combat action with vivid details and great depth. The fact that this is a real life account written by a war hero who lived to tell this story to the world, lends it a strain of unwavering honesty. No rigors of military training can ever prepare men for the reality of war. Finally it is the incredible human valor and commitment that takes over those who are in the midst of the battle, transforming them in unimaginable ways. The gore of raging battle weaves in with this glorious human spirit in every page of the book.

This book is not an easy read. War action is described in great details in the 400 pages. The author does service to every individual from the battalion who faught the La Drang battle by mentioning their part in the action, which makes it a complex reading experience. It takes some patience and even perseverance to stay with the story till the end, but it is worth it.
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Andre Marquand
5.0 out of 5 stars La guerre du Vietnam en vrai
Reviewed in France on August 17, 2017
Un vrai livre de guerre au plus près et dans la peau des combattants. Indispensable. Style léger, facile à suivre par tous.