The million copy bestseller that redefined the way the world saw war. One of the ten books - novels, memoirs and one very unusual biography - that make up our Matchbook Classics' series, a stunningly redesigned collection of some of the best loved titles on our backlist. The Things They Carried is the definitive account of what it was like being on the ground in Vietnam. But while that devastating conflict is central to the book, it is not simply about war. It is a ...
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The million copy bestseller that redefined the way the world saw war. One of the ten books - novels, memoirs and one very unusual biography - that make up our Matchbook Classics' series, a stunningly redesigned collection of some of the best loved titles on our backlist. The Things They Carried is the definitive account of what it was like being on the ground in Vietnam. But while that devastating conflict is central to the book, it is not simply about war. It is a book about memory, imagination, and the redemptive power of storytelling. It is also about the human heart - about the terrible weight of those things we carry through our lives. The men of Alpha Company - Jimmy Cross, Norman Bowker, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Henry Dobbins and Kiowa - slog through the emptiness and dangers of their Vietnam tour in this haunting and acclaimed collection, which has the cumulative power and unity of a novel.
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It's been over 40 years since I humped the Central Highlands of Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Tim O'Brien's account of those who served in the infantry coincided with many of my experiences and how I remembered feeling at the time of my service. It didn't glorify the life of an infantryman which is not glorious on a day to day basis, rather it described the experience in a way a true grunt can relate to.
nevermind
Aug 30, 2014
The best writing about Vietnam I know
I've known O'Brien's work for years, and used it in English courses. I ordered this copy for a friend who served with the Maine Corps at Khe Sanh.
Karen H
Apr 4, 2014
Excellent war tale
Many times while reading this book, I had to check to make sure this was not non-fiction. It was written so well and so believably. Having grown up during this period it made me understand the other side of the war and the veterans that came back. I didn't think I would like a book of this genre but it was quite fascinating.
JLH
Jun 20, 2013
Amazing
Very well written book that many should read to better understand the Vietnam war, because we sure didn't get the support then that all vets seem to get these days.
Robert
Jan 17, 2013
War seen from a different viewpoint
The book is an interesting perspective on the emotions at play in soldiering.The writer leads us to understand people through their possessions rather than their actions. This device more than compensates for a somewhat thin story line.
