* Title: Fields of Fire* Author: James Webb* Publisher: Pocket Books* Published: 1991* This book was about several different Marines’ experiences in Vietnam* My opinion on this book is that every Marine should read it. It paints a very true picture on what Marines went through during Vietnam.
The actual content may not be factual but it still leaves the reader with an idea of what it was like.* Introduction: Fields of Fire is about men from very different backgrounds joining the Marine Corps and going to Vietnam. Also how there different upbringings and experiences affect what happens to them during the war.* Body: The book begins in 1969 with three civilian men, Senator, Snake and Hodges, all coming very different backgrounds.
These are the three main characters and the each come from very different lifestyles that affect what they do in Vietnam.Each of the three main characters come from very different backgrounds. Senator was from a wealthy family, having attended Harvard, and his Father being a lawyer. Senator knew the draft was going to find him so instead of finding a way to dodge it like most of his friends he faced it like a man and joined on his own accord.
Snake on the other hand came from a poor family on the bad part of town. He always went from job to job after dropping out of high school, and constantly getting into fights due to his high temper. Snake enlisted thinking the Marines would be a suitable job for his personality.Hodges was a very prideful person, it was his main reason for joining.
He had a long history of ancestors serving in the military and he couldn’t wait to get his chance to, this is what gave him his motivation throughout the war. Throughout the war these three men become closer than they ever thought they would. They each show their strengths and weaknesses and how it was affected by their past. Every day feels like forever for these men, going through intense fire fights, wading through chest deep water, sleeping in the mud and living off of c-rations and cigarettes. They go through the most tremendous challenges of their lives and face death every day.
* Conclusion: Overall I would recommend this book to not only other Marines, but anyone who doesn’t understand how harsh the war in Vietnam was, and what Marines and Soldiers had to go through on a daily basis. The actual content was a bit fictional but it still painted a good picture on what it was like in Vietnam.
