Hey, I'm doing some research for a paper on the conditions that the common soldier in the Vietnam War had to endure. Do any of you guys have suggestions for some good secondary sources on the life of soldiers in Vietnam? I have quite a few good primary sources written by soldiers themselves, but not a whole lot of good stuff written people not directly involved with the war. Thanks.
Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" is a wonderful novel based on his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam. I think it really gives an insightful look into the conditions that the average grunt had to go through over there. Here is a link of the book notes. http://www.bookrags.com/notes/tttc/
"Dispatches" by Michael Herr a correspondent for Esquire in Vietnam. "The 13th Valley" by John M. Del Vechhio who was a combat correspondent in the 101st Airborne. "Bright Shining Lie" - an epic by UPI correspondent and pulitzer prize winner Neil Sheehan. They are all very high quality writing and content.
Carlos Hathcock's "Marine Sniper - 93 Confirmed Kills" is a pretty amazing account. That '2 snipers spot each other at the same time & the quicker one puts a bullet through the other one's eye/scope' scene in that cheesy movie "Sniper" is based on a true life event he describes in his book.
ALL of them great, don't forget "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young" the movie was okay, book is much better.
Chickenhawk- Robert Mason. He was a 'Huey' pilot so he had a little different perspective than a foot soldier. Great read.
