Anyone know about novels or popularized nonfiction about Vietnam and Korean wars?

[Anonymous]

DS (high schooler) is a history buff and was talking to me about how he'd like to learn more about this period in history. I'd love to get him a couple of books for Christmas ... any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

The things they carried, Tim O'Brien. New audio version narrated by Brian Cranston.

[Anonymous]

There's always MASH

[Anonymous]

War Trash by Ha Jin.

[Anonymous]

Matterhorn is about Vietnam. I've heard it was very good. It's fiction but based on real events the author went through in Vietnam.

[Anonymous]

Oh and The Things They Carried is also amazing.

I know you did say Vietnam era but if he likes WWII at all, With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge is the best account I've read.

[Anonymous]

This is a really good one about Vietnam - "Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam". The author himself is really interesting as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Dereliction-Duty-Johnson-McNamara-Vietnam/dp/0060929081/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387403243&sr=1-1&keywords=dereliction+of+duty

Also, this one - McNamara owns up to some of his mistakes as Sec of Defense during Vietnam

http://www.amazon.com/Retrospect-Tragedy-Lessons-Vietnam/dp/0679767495/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387403452&sr=1-1&keywords=mcnamara

Finally maybe "Kennedy & Nixon: The Rivalry that Shaped Postwar America" by Chris Matthews. Even though it's not about Vietnam directly, It does cover the time period and how both presidents dealt with the war. Surprisingly enough, as a writer Chris Matthews is pretty balanced

http://www.amazon.com/Kennedy-Nixon-Rivalry-Postwar-America/dp/1451644280/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387403692&sr=1-1&keywords=kennedy+and+nixon+christopher+matthews

[Anonymous]

I think the show China Beach would be terrific to watch with a teen.

[Anonymous]

and I third (fourth?) Tim O'Brien's books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the show China Beach would be terrific to watch with a teen.

Yes, and the first season is out on DVD.

[jsteele]

Former US Senator from Virginia James Webb has an excellent novel about the Vietnam War called "Fields of Fire".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The things they carried, Tim O'Brien. New audio version narrated by Brian Cranston.

Dh adores this novel. Definitely check it out.

[Anonymous]

An excellent novel from a Vietnamese perspective is Novel Without a Name, by Duong Thu Huong.

[Anonymous]

<i>Armies of the Night.</i> Norman Mailer.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone!

I got Fields of Fire and the Things they Carried, for a start.