Posted: Yesterday 7:19:17 PM EST
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I've read scores of Vietnam war books, and Ed Mann's ability to describe his experiences on point in the jungle is absolutely unique and unlike anything I've ever read. Hard to describe his descriptions as "beautiful", but volunteering to walk point on a continuous basis honed his perception skills to a spooky level, thus "Ghosts In The Jungle". His senses were honed to the level of a wild, predatory animal, and 50 years later he writes with the same skill. Proud to have become his friend, and HIGHLY recommend this one.  
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Originally Posted By FZJ80: Someone mentioned that book here a while back and I ordered a copy. Probably me, but I couldn't find the thread to update it. Seriously, I'm an amateur Vietnam war historian, and this one is absolutely unique. More like art than literature. |
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Originally Posted By VAbull: It's on backorder at thrift books. I'll give you just a peek at his story. He realized the full pack weight they had to hump might get him killed. So, the dumped everything nonessential including his parka, even carried less food and water than everyone else. He went hungry and got terribly thirsty (never asked for anyone's water), drank black water from bomb craters, etc. BUT he became quiet and agile and didn't get as tired like the rest of his team. On point he believed milliseconds determined life and death. |
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Originally Posted By billth777: I’ve probably read 100 vietnam war memoirs at this point. I’d rate this one in the top 25%. I think we all know a sugar bear. Wasn't that amazing that super pain in the ass he was, they still fought rabidly to protect each other? |
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| My ex father in-law walked point in Vietnam, he would not let anyone else do it. He was adamant on doing so himself. At the very end of his tour his best friend asked to walk point one time just so he can say he did. He watched his bestfriend step on a landmine the one time he did. He was never right after that. Severe PTSD. |
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I just read that 3 weeks ago. Yes, very interesting book. I've also read many Viet Nam war accounts. He seemed to have a sixth sense when in the jungle. My local library system didn't have it, so I requested it via the Inter Library System. It came from the University of Chicago. |
"Americans can always be relied upon to do the right thing. . . . . . after they have exhausted all other possibilities." -Winston Churchill
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Originally Posted By FudgieGhost1: I just read that 3 weeks ago. Yes, very interesting book. I've also read many Viet Nam war accounts. He seemed to have a sixth sense when in the jungle. My local library system didn't have it, so I requested it via the Inter Library System. It came from the University of Chicago. His description of the terrain itself is unmatched, both the jungle and the Highlands. |
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Originally Posted By doc540: His description of the terrain itself is unmatched, both the jungle and the Highlands. Originally Posted By doc540: Originally Posted By FudgieGhost1: I just read that 3 weeks ago. Yes, very interesting book. I've also read many Viet Nam war accounts. He seemed to have a sixth sense when in the jungle. My local library system didn't have it, so I requested it via the Inter Library System. It came from the University of Chicago. His description of the terrain itself is unmatched, both the jungle and the Highlands. |
"Americans can always be relied upon to do the right thing. . . . . . after they have exhausted all other possibilities." -Winston Churchill
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Originally Posted By FudgieGhost1: Plus, he was pretty scrappy as well! Especially regarding officers. Some amusing anecdotes. True dat. Despised authority who never led in combat. Early on he went AWOL while already being detained. The officer asked him if he'd left and gone home. Ed replied, "Yessir, I went home for the weekend because there was no way I was staying in that room and listening to loud music". Officer said, "I think you'll do well in combat in Vietnam", and sent him on his way to Riceland. |
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Originally Posted By wyopatr: It’s pretty expensive compared to most other books of that style. But Amazon has it in stock. It will be here Wednesday. |
When your state is shaped like a huge, droopy penis, you have to expect there to be some huge nuts as well.
Mech 2007
Mech 2007
