ebooks The Bridges of Vietnam: From the Journals of a U.S. Marine Intelligence Officer by Fred L. Edwards Jr. in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well organized; easy to read; and surprisingly interestingBy Bernie (xyzzy)I have read quite a few books made from journals of individuals in Vietnam. Most are either dry accounts of movements or almost novelized disjointed experiences. This Book "The Bridges of Vietnam : From the Journals of a U. S. Marine Intelligence Office" Is not only chronologically organized; but also has a list of external events that took place at the same time.With out a frame of reference it would be hard to tell if he was barging or borrowing someone else's idea of Vietnam. However in chapter Three "Internship" he covered the same territory (II Corps TZ) as I did; only he was there six months earlier. I saw his reference to the Fourth Infantry with out any reference to the armed reconnaissance First of the Tenth attached to the Fourth Infantry. I also spent some time in other locations and he does a good job of describing daily life. It looks like he left out how to do the job he does and maybe some things he did. For the most part he was dead accrete as to the people and environment of the time. He makes you feel that you are there.This book is well worth reading and then keeping as a reference. Especially as time passed and you forget your first taste of warm "33" beer.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. You did wellBy Ronald L. ChristopherA friend sent me this book; asking that I read it and the only requirement he had for me keeping the book was to write a review. OK I thought; no problem. I; however; had a problem. Even though I liked this book; it was again about the Marines; those camera happy reporter loving Marines. Sorry about that; as the author says. But then; I am retired US Army; having served as a real honest to life Ranger in a Recon unit; the eyes and ears of the 1st Cavalry Division. And then I went on to form the 1st Cav Div LRRPs (as assistant to Capt Jim James). I was the first team leader running missions on an experimental basis so that our Division could be TOE a LRRP capability. So when Edwards revealed in his book that he was ordered to visit all units in Vietnam; especially Long Range Recon Units I was more than anxious to read his work. When I finished I gave him only 4 stars because he did not only not mention the 1st Cavalry Division; but he did not mention my Long Range Patrol unit. Somehow he must have flown over or around the Central Highlands so high; he did not see us down there; even though we were the division that saved the Marines in Hue and Khe Sanh. I must say that he does make a Postscript of the 1st Cav but he got the info out of Moore and Galloway's book and some other information from General Schwarzkopf's book; It Doesn't take a Hero. But I read on hoping to find at least one short visit to my A Troop; 9th Cavalry unit or to my LRRP unit. Nothing. The boldest Cavalrymen the world has ever known was missed by Edwards. He might have learned something if he would have stopped by. But; and laying all ribbing aside; Edwards did well and it is a book worth reading. I am not sure a Marine grunt would be interested; but I am sure once started; even a Marine grunt would find this book satisfying. I did find one thing very unique though; that I have not found in any other book I have read on Vietnam thus far; Edwards and I were in Vietnam at the same time give or take two weeks. I was a senior NCO (Ranger) in a reconnaissance unit while he flew around as a Marine (Captain/Major). Yeah; he should have stopped in; I could have taught him a few things. Nonetheless; I recommend this book; especially to all my Marine brothers in arms. You can find my stories of war in A Troop; 9th Cavalry and Above All Else. I have also written Bumblebee Mountain: A Question Unanswered PTSD and; The Coming of the Storm Clouds. I should know a little about how to write a book and how to review one. A very good friend of mine; now deceased Dave Pryce; sent me his book for review telling me to be very honest; so in reviewing I found that Cavalry was spelled incorrect (twice). He informed me that it was a major error. I laughed. It is very difficult to write a book as I have learned. I have written 7 and I have had 5 published. In saying all that Edwards did well.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A vivid and candid memoir of the warBy Midwest Book ReviewFred Edwards served as an intelligence officer during the Vietnam War and visited very major ground unit from Special Forces camps and ground reconnaissance unites; to armored calvary units; and waterborne reconnaissance units. An invaluable and strongly recommended contribution to the military annals of the Viet Name conflict; Edward's The Bridges Of Vietnam: From The Journals Of A U.S. Marine Intelligence Officer is as vivid and candid memoir of the war from the perspective of a front-line intelligence officer as is available to the non-specialist general reader or military buff.