If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home

"If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home" by Tim O'Brien is a profound and evocative memoir that delves into the harrowing experiences of a young soldier during the Vietnam War. This book transcends the typical war narrative, offering readers an intimate and unflinching look at the psychological and moral complexities of combat, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the human aspects of war. O'Brien's writing is nothing short of masterful. He combines a journalist's precision with a novelist's flair for storytelling, creating a narrative that is both gripping and thought-provoking. The book is structured as a series of vignettes, each one meticulously crafted to capture the chaotic and surreal nature of war. From the terrifying moments of battle to the quieter, reflective times between engagements, O'Brien's prose brings to life the full spectrum of a soldier's experience. One of the most striking aspects of "If I Die in a Combat Zone" is O'Brien's honesty. He does not shy away from depicting the fear, confusion, and doubt that plagued him throughout his tour in Vietnam. This candor is refreshing and deeply moving, as it provides a stark contrast to the often sanitized or glorified portrayals of war found in other accounts. O'Brien's vulnerability allows readers to connect with him on a personal level, making his journey all the more poignant and relatable. The memoir also serves as a powerful critique of the Vietnam War and, by extension, all wars. O'Brien grapples with the moral ambiguity of the conflict, questioning the purpose and justification of the violence he witnesses. His reflections on courage, cowardice, and duty are particularly compelling, as they challenge the simplistic notions of heroism that are frequently associated with soldiers. Through his introspective and philosophical musings, O'Brien encourages readers to contemplate the ethical dimensions of warfare and the impact it has on those who are caught in its grip. In addition to its philosophical depth, "If I Die in a Combat Zone" is also a vividly immersive account of the Vietnam War's physical and sensory realities. O'Brien's descriptions of the dense jungles, the oppressive heat, and the omnipresent danger are so vivid that readers can almost feel the humidity and hear the distant gunfire. This attention to detail not only enhances the authenticity of the memoir but also underscores the relentless and dehumanizing conditions that soldiers endured. The supporting characters in the book are equally well-drawn and contribute to the richness of the narrative. From the stoic sergeants to the weary foot soldiers, each individual O'Brien encounters adds a unique perspective to the story. These interactions reveal the camaraderie and tension that exist within a platoon, highlighting the complex relationships that form in the crucible of war. In conclusion, "If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home" is a poignant and powerful exploration of the Vietnam War and its profound effects on those who fought in it. Tim O'Brien's exceptional storytelling, combined with his unflinching honesty and philosophical insights, makes this memoir a timeless and essential read. It is a book that not only informs but also deeply moves its readers, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. For its literary excellence and emotional impact, it deserves a five-star rating without hesitation.

. . . but the writing is five stars when compared with others). When I read O'Brien's memoir/novel "The Things They Carried," I came away incredibly impressed with O'Brien's storytelling style. He's one of the few great writers out there, as far as I'm concerned. He's very concise, painting detailed images with an economy of words, and that's what makes his style so powerful. He has a point to make and doesn't waste time--yours or his--making it. He comes across as direct yet literary--sort of like Hemingway--but far more engaging and intimate. "If I Die in a Combat Zone" doesn't quite measure up to "The Things They Carried," but it's still miles above many other first-hand accounts out there. While it comes across as honest, it lacks the humorous style of Philip Caputo's "A Rumour of War." I grant that there's nothing particularly funny about wandering purposelessly through Vietnam wondering whether or not you're going to make it, but Caputo comes across like a funny guy while O'Brien takes a more serious tack. The result is that Caputo seems like the guy you'd wanna have a beer with whereas with O'Brien you're not quite sure. Basically, "If I Die . . ." reads a lot like "The Things They Carried," honest and poignant. Interestingly, there's a few occasions where O'Brien mentions his friend, Erik, from basic training and it almost seems like the two are lovers or something (they're not). Granted, Erik has an interest in poetry (a regular Siegfried Sassoon, he is), so his letters, perhaps, come across as a bit more sensitive, flowery and introspective than the usual dispatches you might encounter from the typical Army recruit. You just don't capture much humor between the two. You might expect that "If I Die . . ." is strictly an account of O'Brien's one-year tour of duty in Vietnam, but he includes depictions of his home town right after high school, how he responds to being drafted, how he plans to skip the country (and why he doesn't). In addition, if you're in the Army for a year, you've got to get trained first, so O'Brien talks about his time in basic and advanced training. You're well into the book before he even gets to Vietnam (and the book is less than 210 pages long). But, as I said, O'Brien is concise and completely captures his Vietnam months without seemingly missing any of the details, so you won't feel as though anything's missing. Highly recommended.

This is a very articulate and well written book about the Vietnam War. Almost literary in style, I would say, and quickly put me in mind of Charlie Sheen's Taylor character's commentary in the film 'Platoon.'. A real account of the personal battle the author had with his conscience over whether he should ever have allowed himself to be drawn into the Vietnam War. There was not as much action in it as I normally like. The author often times wanders into speculations about common themes to war like the nature of courage, what makes war just etc., but this in itself is actually very well done and very interesting, so didn't detract from the book for me. It still very successfully portrays the mixture of tedium and terror that was the lot of the author as an infantryman in Vietnam though, constantly in terror of mines and booby traps, snipers and ambushes. It also has beautifully described imagery. More importantly though, this book is a criticism of a war that the author saw as very wrong, but which his obligations to society led him to enter anyway, despite very thorough planning to dodge his draft by fleeing to Canada and then Sweden. For me this was the most interesting part of the book, as the author deliberately writes in a detached way. Like an outside commentator, wanting to hate everything about the US ARMY but most especially the government for sending him to fight a wrong war. Yet by the end we see he is just the same as all the other soldiers. Just as confused and conflicted. From this perspective then, it is a book all politicians and anyone quick to judge their soldiers as murderers should read as the author discusses arguments about war and courage as old as time. It shows the pain and suffering all those involved went through, from the soldiers of both sides to the civilians caught in the middle. Suffering common as such to all wars. And ultimately it shows the often impossible position governments place their people in by sending them to war with little or no consideration for those men, so that as in Vietnam, their own people turned on the soldiers who were viewed as murderers of innocents. Yet this book clearly shows how hard discerning enemy from friend was in this guerrilla style war. As such this book is, despite being short, an all encompassing memorial to all those caught up in this war, and as the reviews on the cover say, will stay with the reader. But then this is true for all books about this conflict I have read, with excellent other examples being: 'Once a Warrior King.' 'We Were Soldiers Once and Young.' 'Pathfinder.' 'To the Limit.' 'The Boys of '67.'

Vietnam war novel of the finest quality. Well written, lots of detail, highly recommend this!

Good read, but I preferred “the things they carried”

Slightly dated in its style, which makes the story all the more authentic, this novel gives an account of the mindset of the young soldier posted in a war which he doesn't fully understand. Harsh, yet strangely fascinating.

‘It is a beautiful, painful book, arousing pity and fear for the daily realities of a modern disaster’ (The New York Times, July 1, 1973) From his initial draft into the army, through basic training and fighting on the front line, Tim O’Brien’s first hand and philosophical account of a foot soldier’s tour of duty in Vietnam packs a poignant punch. This memoir touches upon the atrocities committed at My Lai, an event the U.S army buried deep for one year before the realities of the massacre came to light. O’Brien infuses the brutal account with poetry, philosophy and his own battle coming to terms with being drafted into a war he did not believe in. This book is an oldie, it’s still a goodie worth reading if you’re interested in the Vietnam war and it’s human toll.