The men of Alpha Company battle the enemy (or maybe more the idea of the enemy), and occasionally each other. In their relationships we see their isolation and loneliness, their rage and fear. They miss their families, their girlfriends and buddies; they miss the lives they left back home. Yet they find sympathy and kindness for strangers (the old man who leads them unscathed through the mine field, the girl who grieves while she dances), and love for each other, because in Vietnam they are the only family they have.
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The men of Alpha Company battle the enemy (or maybe more the idea of the enemy), and occasionally each other. In their relationships we see their isolation and loneliness, their rage and fear. They miss their families, their girlfriends and buddies; they miss the lives they left back home. Yet they find sympathy and kindness for strangers (the old man who leads them unscathed through the mine field, the girl who grieves while she dances), and love for each other, because in Vietnam they are the only family they have.
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Add this copy of The Things They Carried to cart. $47.42, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Thorndike Press Large Print.
Add this copy of The Things They Carried to cart. $92.33, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hialeah, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2017 by Thorndike Pr.
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.
