By Tim O'Brien: The Things They Carried [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2008] -Mariner Books-

Very compelling read about fighting in the Vietnam war, and it's not entirely about war anyway, it's about love, friendship, grieving, that can be entwined with war

Good read interesting how different individuals from different backgrounds carry different personal items as well as different personalities that make up a troop and the bonds that are forged and continue for years after. Goes to show family isn't always about those with shared DNA.

I read this years ago and was so deeply moved by it that I will be including it in a special topics History course on the Vietnam experience this coming fall at my college. O'Brien's unbelievable eloquence and visual writing are hard to explain in words. Don't miss this or any of his books.

Let me say right off, I liked it, read it through and found it quite true to life (as I know it). I always enjoy stories of upward bound people. It was quite predictable that Liddy would not be staying with the photographer but who she did bond with caught me off guard and the ending left me with questions the answers of which will be provided in a subsequent book. I can see her finding comfort and familial warmth with her noble and upright farmer but I would like that her hard-won skills in photography and dressmaking would not be thrown overboard, at least not forever.My only annoyance was the repeated use of blushing, color rising, averted eyes shyness. The morality is anachronistic but undoubtedly true to the times.The protagonist is a fine role model particularly for young women. As I said, even I, a grumpy old male, enjoyed it.

I bought this book for my English class. The story I had to read for my assignment was called "The Things They Carried", and after reading that one story, I had to read the rest. I wasn't expecting the emotional responses I had to each story. I felt as if I was there experiencing Vietnam with these soldiers. This is a realistic and very well written book.

As a Vietnam vet, infantryman, I can relate. My grandson had this book as a High School reading project and we had several good talks about my experiences and serving our country in uniform.

Great read

Guess I was looking for a detailed description of things we carried in Vietnam but then how could that be enough information to consume an entire book. Well written and still held my interest.

A little dry...too much military strategy detail...not enough personal anecdotes