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Best Vietnam War Biographies

We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam
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. “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.
Reviews
"I found the book to be interesting."
"Excellent Book for those of you who enjoy military readings."
"After 40 plus years of vague thoughts built on scattered memories I can finally come to a conclusion on what I and everyone like myself experienced during this period of our country's involvement overseas."
"I felt obligated to read the follow up status paragraphs of the soldiers in Col. Moore's battalion at the end of the book even though it was written 20 years ago."
"Something about reading this excellent novel on a paper book that has dog-eared pages and worn cover, with yellowing paper makes it more, well more enjoyable, brings it more to life, it seems to get you closer to the soldiers in the book reading it the way they would."
"I've watched the movie, but the book explains the events in a slightly different way and along a different time line."
"Vivid account of America's first big engagement in Vietnam war."
"Excellent first hand account with lessons learned."
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Legend: The Incredible Story of Green Beret Sergeant Roy Benavidez's Heroic Mission to Rescue a Special Forces Team Caught Behind Enemy Lines
The true story of the U.S. Army’s 240th Assault Helicopter Company and a Green Beret Staff Sergeant's heroic mission to rescue a Special Forces team trapped behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War, from New York Times bestselling author Eric Blehm. Flown into the foray of battle by the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, Benavidez jumped from the hovering aircraft, ran nearly 100 yards through withering enemy fire, and--despite being immediately and severely wounded--organized an extraordinary defense and rescue of the Special Forces team. Eric Blehm masterfully encapsulates the hearts of the men, their impossible mission, and the quagmire of politics of the era and wraps it up in a single bloody battle that portrays the American fighting man at his best.” ——MAJOR GENERAL JOHN K. (JACK) SINGLAUB, U.S. Army (Ret.). Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez represented the best of the quiet professionals whose incredible actions were long overlooked and lost to history only to be rediscovered through Blehm’s painstaking research and magnificent writing.” ——LIEUTENANT COLONEL JASON AMERINE, U.S. Army Special Forces.
Reviews
"I needed to read this story."
"This true story of what truly took place in the Vietnam War helps all to understand why it so important to thank all war veterans!!!"
"Another gripping story about the secret war in Southeast Asia."
"This story is amazing and horrifying."
"If you've ever read MSG Benavidez' MOH citation, you know you're in for one heck of a story."
"A real American hero!"
"Even my dad who does not like to talk about Vietnam, started a dialogue with me about the war when I told him I read this book."
"I wish I didn't have to review a book like this as I don't feel I can give the credit that's due to a man like Roy Benavidez!"
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Dispatches
"The best book to have been written about the Vietnam War" ( The New York Times Book Review ); an instant classic straight from. the front lines. Michael Herr, who wrote about the Vietnam War for Esquire magazine, gathered his years of notes from his front-line reporting and turned them into what many people consider the best account of the war to date, when published in 1977.
Reviews
"He assisted Coppola with Apocalypse Now and Kubrick with Full Metal Jacket; fans of those movies should read Dispatches to get the unvarnished source material, more in feel than in actual events. I finally got a clue and bought the book on Kindle today so I don't have to go looking for it or buy yet another copy when I feel the urge to read this prose that can still give me chills almost four decades after I first found it."
"Let me start by saying that I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my grandfather who served in Vietnam and he absolutely can't put the book down."
"As a Marine vet of Viet Nam, I appreciate the candor of the author."
"In reading Michael Herr's account of his experiences during the American Vietnam War it appears that Apocalypse Now was more of a documentary than I ever imagined."
"The language will be familiar to anyone who watched platoon or full metal jacket."
"Effectively answers the questions, "What the hell were we doing in Vietnam and why did we (fortunately) lose?""
"This book brings back so many memories, things I had forgotten, things I wanted to forget."
"Also heard him on "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross on NPR several months ago that rekindled my desire to re-read the book."
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Best Biographies of the Vietnam War

What It Is Like to Go to War
From the author of the award-winning, best-selling novel Matterhorn , comes a brilliant nonfiction book about war In 1968, at the age of twenty-three, Karl Marlantes was dropped into the highland jungle of Vietnam, an inexperienced lieutenant in command of a platoon of forty Marines who would live or die by his decisions. Marlantes does not shy away from recounting experiences that, outside the arena of war, are horrifying or embarrassing and addresses a soldier’s self-imposed “code of silence” as an attempt to fit back in to a society that “simply wants us to shut up about all of this.” While American pop culture celebrates the warrior spirit and winning the battle, “reconciling the moral conduct we are taught... with the brutal acts we do in war has been a problem for warriors of good conscience for centuries.” Marlantes tempers the brutal truths of fear, power games, and courage with a thoughtful prescription for our soldiers’ well-being; caring for our soldiers and their families differently will benefit society as a whole.
Reviews
"All from the soul, every vet should read this regardless of when and where they served."
"Outstanding insights into what it's like to go to war, particularly in Vietnam."
"A lot to think about particularly concerning our view of ourselves as Americans and how that has changed in the last 75 years!"
"He gave up the soft life of a Rhodes Scholar during the sex, drugs and rock and roll days of the 60's to join his fellow Marines in Vietnam. The increasing numbers of officers who have not served In combat or on the cutting edge of the sword would probably benefit from a couple of evenings spent reading Marlantes' book. Too many of the tragic stories from our current wars include those further up the chain of command who fail to comprehend the violence and speed with which events occur in combat. Last week's Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House failed to mention that the heroics did not save the lives of four Marines who never received desperately needed air support in the intitial hours as a result of risk adverse seniors who had been tasked to provide that assistance. Beyond the combat and intellectual discussions thereof, there are simply heart stopping moments as he wanders through his post Vietnam life in a new search for meaning. It's a great read for the families and friends of warriors who have been in combat or perhaps dealt with very risky operations such at flying jets from carriers on a daily basis. addendum October 2011. The other evening we were talking about the changing face of war as more information is transmitted halfway around the world and decisions regarding employment of weapons made by people far from the action. There's a great risk that those at the top of the military (without combat experience) or those in the Whitehouse addicted to power (including staffers) will become even more involved with what should be tactical decisions."
"This book was a great representation of a personal experience with our forces fighting in Vietnam."
"I spent 24 years in the Navy as a surgeon and cared for several of the Hanoi Hilton POWs."
"I hope every person joining the military can read this or every person encouraging someone to join the military too."
"Combat for a veteran is something he or she experiences for a moment in time and will live with it for the rest of their lives."
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Best Afghan & Iraq War Biographies

Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other
The uplifting and unforgettable true story of a US Marine, the stray dog he met on an Afghan battlefield, and how they saved each other and now travel America together, "spreading the message of stubborn positivity." A poignant and inspiring tale of hope, resilience, and optimism, with a timeless message at its heart—"it is not what happens to us that matters, but how we respond to it"— Craig & Fred is a shining example of the power of love to transform our hearts and our lives. Fred not only stole Craig’s heart; he won over the RECON fighters, who helped Craig smuggle the dog into heavily fort-ified Camp Leatherneck.
Reviews
"Another great read, this marine had a lot to worry about yet he made time for the dog."
"I had looked at it at a big named bookstore but, I ordered it from Amazon and saved $12."
"What a great book."
"loved the book and the story I know several ex military that have PTSD and for them it is hard to let anyone know happy to see how Craig was able to cope because of the love he had for Fred."
"Highly, highly recommend."
"Bought this as a gift for my father, he's not a huge dog liver but i figured the story was one he'd enjoy."
"A lovely story about a man and a dog in a very scary place."
"A well written book giving insight into the life of a Marine, on the battlefield and off, and the sustenance the Marine (Craig) found in an Afghan street dog (Fred)."
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Best WWI Biographies

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women
The Curies' newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the "wonder" substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. " Radium Girls spares us nothing of their suffering; though at times the foreshadowing reads more like a true-crime story, Moore is intent on making the reader viscerally understand the pain in which these young women were living, and through which they had to fight in order to get their problems recognized...The story of real women at the mercy of businesses who see them only as a potential risk to the bottom line is haunting precisely because of how little has changed; the glowing ghosts of the radium girls haunt us still." "This timely book celebrates the strength of a group of women, whose determination to fight improved both labor laws and scientific knowledge of radium poisoning. Written in a highly readable, narrative style, Moore's chronicle of these inspirational women's lives is sure to provoke discussion-and outrage-in book groups." "Moore's well-researched narrative is written with clarity and a sympathetic voice that brings these figures and their struggles to life...a must-read for anyone interested in American and women's history, as well as topics of law, health, and industrial safety." "Like Da a Sobel's The Glass Universe and Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures, Kate Moore's The Radium Girls tells the story of a cohort of women who made history by entering the workforce at the dawn of a new scientific era. Moore sheds new light on a dark chapter in American labor history; the " Radium Girls ," martyrs to an unholy alliance of commerce and science, live again in her telling" - Megan Marshall, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Margaret Fuller: A New American Life and Elizabeth Bishop: A Miracle for Breakfast.
Reviews
"In The Radium Girls Kate Moore tells the story of these young women, seemingly so fortunate, who were poisoned by the jobs they felt so lucky to have. After some of the women died and more became ill the companies making large profits on radium rushed to dismiss any hint that the work was unsafe. Eventually publicity stemming from lawsuits filed by some of the victims (using their own scanty resources) focused enough attention on the problem that governments felt compelled to set safety standards and regulations. The safety regulations and restrictions which were finally put into place hardly seem adequate, and the Epilogue and Postscript giving details of the women's later lives, as well as an account of another industry that made careless use of radium as late as the 1970s, are especially harrowing."
"This is one these books that will stay with you long after you finished reading it."
"One of the best books I have read in a long time!"
"This moving but infuriating story about the Radium Girls is one I highly recommend you read."
"What this book offers is an opportunity to learn about these women personally, how they were not only dismissed and medically abused by so many, but treated contemptuously and lied to again and again."
"I learned so much from this book."
"Amazing women who were exploited by their employers."
"This was such a heartfelt story bringing to life the stories of such brave women and their suffering."
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Best WWII Biographies

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
When his Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, against all odds, Zamperini survived, adrift on a foundering life raft. Appearing in paperback for the first time—with twenty arresting new photos and an extensive Q&A with the author— Unbroken is an unforgettable testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit, brought vividly to life by Seabiscuit author Laura Hillenbrand. Hailed as the top nonfiction book of the year by Time magazine • Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for biography and the Indies Choice Adult Nonfiction Book of the Year award “Extraordinarily moving . Hillenbrand’s writing is so ferociously cinematic, the events she describes so incredible, you don’t dare take your eyes off the page.” — People “A meticulous, soaring and beautifully written account of an extraordinary life.” —The Washington Post “Ambitious and powerful . a startling narrative and an inspirational book.” —The New York Times Book Review “Magnificent . [Hillenbrand] has crafted another masterful blend of sports, history and overcoming terrific odds; this is biography taken to the nth degree, a chronicle of a remarkable life lived through extraordinary times.” —The Dallas Morning News “An astonishing testament to the superhuman power of tenacity.” — Entertainment Weekly “A tale of triumph and redemption . nothing less than a marvel.” — Washingtonian “[Hillenbrand tells this] story with cool elegance but at a thrilling sprinter’s pace.” —Time “Hillenbrand [is] one of our best writers of narrative history. Amazon Best Books of the Month, November 2010 : From Laura Hillenbrand, the bestselling author of Seabiscuit , comes Unbroken , the inspiring true story of a man who lived through a series of catastrophes almost too incredible to be believed. Growing up in California in the 1920s, Louie was a hellraiser, stealing everything edible that he could carry, staging elaborate pranks, getting in fistfights, and bedeviling the local police. But as a teenager, he emerged as one of the greatest runners America had ever seen, competing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he put on a sensational performance, crossed paths with Hitler, and stole a German flag right off the Reich Chancellery. Stationed on Oahu, he survived harrowing combat, including an epic air battle that ended when his plane crash-landed, some six hundred holes in its fuselage and half the crew seriously wounded. Drifting for weeks and thousands of miles, they endured starvation and desperate thirst, sharks that leapt aboard the raft, trying to drag them off, a machine-gun attack from a Japanese bomber, and a typhoon with waves some forty feet high. I found it in diaries, letters and unpublished memoirs; in the memories of his family and friends, fellow Olympians, former American airmen and Japanese veterans; in forgotten papers in archives as far-flung as Oslo and Canberra.
Reviews
"I read it about 5 years ago, before the current movie was started & before Louis Zampirini died."
"I read this book over the course of a week and found it immensely pleasurable to read."
"I love Torrance and there is an interesting story about a letter being sent all around the world before it actually gets to Torrance from Japan. The book leaves littlle out when following Louis Zamperini as he grows up, goes to the Olympics then is in the military in WWII."
"I do not care for historical non-fiction books but Laura Hillenbrand brought this book into the most realistic and factual story about an American hero in WWII in the Pacific who's plane gets shot down, survives in a raft for 47 days in shark-infested waters, and captured by the brutal Japanese. I am so happy that they have made a movie and I only hope that it will truly reflect what the author was trying to convey in her story of Louie."
"Edward Herrmann's masterful narration of 'Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption' takes you through the lifelong journey of Louie Zamperini from a troubled youth, Olympic competitor, prisoner of war, and prisoner of his own mind. The best line to describe this story without spoiling the plot is to use a couple of lines from the book itself, "The paradox of vengefulness is that it makes men dependent upon those who have harmed them, believing that their release from pain will come only when they make their tormentors suffer [...] Louie had chained himself, once again, to his tyrant.""
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