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93rd out of 135 books
—
210 voters
Guns Up!: A Firsthand Account of the Vietnam War
by
Johnnie Clark (Goodreads Author)
THIS GUT-WRENCHING FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF THE WAR IS A CLASSIC IN THE ANNALS OF VIETNAM LITERATURE.
"Guns up!" was the battle cry that sent machine gunners racing forward with their M60s to mow down the enemy, hoping that this wasn't the day they would meet their deaths. Marine Johnnie Clark heard that the life expectancy of a machine gunner in Vietnam was seven to ten secon...more
"Guns up!" was the battle cry that sent machine gunners racing forward with their M60s to mow down the enemy, hoping that this wasn't the day they would meet their deaths. Marine Johnnie Clark heard that the life expectancy of a machine gunner in Vietnam was seven to ten secon...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
January 2nd 2002
by Presidio Press
(first published 1984)
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So I'm really trying to find some nonfiction of quality that would convert my students to this different kind of reading. I'm reading a LOT of nonfiction, but having particular trouble finding accounts of soldiers and war that might appeal to my male students but without sexual references and language that would bring community wrath down upon us. This version treats a soldier's experiences as a gunner in Viet Nam, with language very much censored by the author; however, he DIDN'T censor quite e...more
An amazing book that tells of the life in Vietnam. John Clark was an average soldier, not special ops or anything just a gunner. He tells of his training back in the U.S. and his mentor, Red, one of the most decorated men that died in Vietnam and holding off VC sappers/engineers. John Clark also had a friend named Chan who sticks with him throughout the war and after the war, they are some of the few veterans that stayed friends when they returned to the United States. Another great thing about...more
Aug 04, 2012
Joe Gande
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Joe by:
My nephew
Just finished up this awesome book..and want to reread it again already!! Everyone should read this book! It is REAL and it is gut wrenching and very sad...But... it also shows such emotion, bonding, friendship, humor, camaraderie...Being since I was a child a military supporter, enthusiast and huge war buff...I found this book riveting...but like I said..I really think that everyone should read it...I still can't wrap my head around what our soldiers went through...what a true nightmare...it is...more
I could not believe how tough this must have been. How hard to accept the fact that your life was in the hands of politicians and 'pogues' who were not themselves in danger.
I can understand that a lot of people disagreed with the Vietnam war, but not with the fact that the returning vets had such a hard time.
I recommend this book to anyone, especially if you don't think you have courage.
I can understand that a lot of people disagreed with the Vietnam war, but not with the fact that the returning vets had such a hard time.
I recommend this book to anyone, especially if you don't think you have courage.
Good book, and I highly recommend it if you are not overly familiar with the genre. If you are, then you will enjoy this book but not be captivated.
I enjoyed this book. First hand account by a marine during the Vietnam war.
Enjoyable, if shallow, memoir of the Vietnam War through the eyes of a Marine
Great Book about the life of a Marine in Vietnam.
A very true depiction of the Vietnam war.
Nov 05, 2008
Art
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in Nam.
Recommended to Art by:
Terry Linscott Sr.
I really enjoyed this book.
The Corps and Vietnam from a 1st person point of view.
My unit in Germany had the best kept and firing M60's in our Battalion. I was real proud of this due to that of the use of gun jeeps in my unit.
Also I liked how Chan kept quoting scripture to the author and in the end, He quoted Chan's words back to him.
Outstanding book.
I would read more of Clark's work.
The Corps and Vietnam from a 1st person point of view.
My unit in Germany had the best kept and firing M60's in our Battalion. I was real proud of this due to that of the use of gun jeeps in my unit.
Also I liked how Chan kept quoting scripture to the author and in the end, He quoted Chan's words back to him.
Outstanding book.
I would read more of Clark's work.
This is a book about the war in Vietnam. It's a true story, written by a marine who survived harrowing situations. It's well written, and there seems to be a pervasive Christian theme throughout the book, which is good. But that doesn't necessarily make it a Christian book...there is swearing etc... wouldn't recommend to anyone.
This is the first and only book that i ever cried during. This is a must read!!
Not my normal type of reading material, But I culdn't put it down.
Oct 23, 2012
Alex Raines
marked it as to-read
Fairly mediocre, to be honest.
May 25, 2013
Joel James
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May 11, 2013
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Craig Stackpole
marked it as owned
Apr 25, 2013
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marked it as to-read
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added it
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marked it as to-read
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Johnnie Clark was wounded 3 times with famous 5th Marine Regiment as a machine gunner. He was awarded the Silver Star, 3 Purple Hearts, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry among other decorations. GUNS UP! was his first book, a non-fiction classic now in a 34th printing. It has been required reading in many high schools and colleges as well as the Commandant's list for suggested reading for all Mari...more
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Nov 28, 2009 09:13pm