Mr. Callaway does an excellent job of taking the reader to Vietnam. He doesn't dwell too much on pre-Vietnam biographical material except as it related to how he got to Vietnam. His story unfolds sort of like sitting with an uncle or grandparent would tell the story sitting on a front porch drinking iced tea. His writing has a rambling style that jumps back and forth at times. We can feel his pain, his fear, his frustration, and, unfortunately, at times, his ego.

After awhile, Callaway comes across as extremely judgmental. He complains about inept officers so much that the reader begins to believe that nearly every superior officer Callaway ever came in contact was inexperienced, ignorant, incompetent, etc.

That isn't to say that one does not feel gratitude for Callaway's work in Vietnam, minimizing his own platoon's losses. I expect Callaway did an excellent job in Vietnam. His description of military tactics are informative and enlightening. His descriptions of battlefield geometry,fields of fire, defensive perimeters, patrol operations, etc. are spot on.

It is good to read a book by someone who was there in the thick of things.. this one just rambled a bit too much and offered a bit too much criticism of others for me to rate it any higher than I did.

Sorry, Mr. Callaway... if you are reading this somehow, I appreciate your service on behalf of our country.. it is your book I was not overly impressed with.