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And a Hard Rain Fell: A Gi's True Story of the War in Vietnam
And a Hard Rain Fell A Gi's True Story of the War in Vietnam Author:John Ketwig I didn't set out to write a book. It was 1982, fourteen years after I had last set foot in Vietnam, and thirteen years after I returned to The World. I had a family and a career. I’d never written more than an occasional letter to the editor in my life. My twisted insides had spawned ulcers. The nightmares were more frequent. I needed to ge... more »t Vietnam out into the open, but I couldn’t talk about it. Not after all those years. Thus begins John Ketwig’s powerful memoir of the Vietnam War. Now, over 15 years after its initial publication, Sourcebooks is proud to bring …and a hard rain fell back into print in a newly updated edition, with a new introduction by the author and eight pages of never-before-published photographs. From the country roads of upstate New York to the jungles of Vietnam, and finally to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., …and a hard rain fell is a gripping and visceral account of one young man’s struggle to make sense of his place in a world gone mad.« less
A guy who grew up in upstate New York and went to Vietnam not as a willing participant. A very powerful look at war and the effects of a draft although he elected to enlist after facing the draft. They told him he probably wouldn't go to Vietnam but that was a lie stated by the Army. He was on the list to be drafted and thought if he enlisted maybe he would not have to go there. Very eye opening that many of the Gi's did not want to be there which did effect there performance. Not everyone is cut out to fight in Wars. Not everyone has the collective mind to withstand it.
An illuminating account, passionately written on Vietnam and war in general. Reading this has crystallized some of my half-formed thoughts on the horrors of not just war, but choosing to make war. Seems fresh material in light of our continuing to feel little reluctance to go to war.
Even accepting that Ketwig feels little interest in dazzling the reader with gruesome war scenes, there are stretches in the story that are too ruminating and wound-licking. It obviously didn't diminish my overall praise very much, but there will be readers that will react with, enough already. I'd recommend it to anyone who is serious about considering the costs of maintaining our status in the world through our military.
Tammy D. reviewed And a Hard Rain Fell: A Gi's True Story of the War in Vietnam on
This is one of those books that I had a hard time putting down. It has been several months since I finished the book and I find myself thinking about the contents often. I am very impressed with the way the book was written. No political crap; it was simply written from the author's perspective. I highly recommend. Especially if there are combat Veteran's in your life.
Wow! Awesome insight into the life of a young soldier in Viet Nam. Especially meaningful to me, because when my brother returned from his time there, he was a different person. He never talked about it, but we knew, he wasn't the same. Reading this book helped me understand that which can never be comprehend, unless you were there. But it makes me want to reach out and thank every soldier who was there, or in other areas, fighting "for their country."
Matthew S. (theszewczyks) reviewed And a Hard Rain Fell: A Gi's True Story of the War in Vietnam on
Back in the 80's when Platoon and Full Metal jacket created a brief flurry of interest in a grunts view of conflict there were many books published, this was one of the very first books and remains one of the best.
Sharon D. (booklit) reviewed And a Hard Rain Fell: A Gi's True Story of the War in Vietnam on + 473 more book reviews 
