Nelson DeMille - Up Country (A message to DU Veterans)

[Catch22Dem]

Just finished reading this book. John Kerry gets a little mention in the early parts of the book. I don't wanna dig back through it (right now) but it's in reference to Senator Kerry being a veteran and part of a PBR crew. I thought it was kinda cool. Not part of the plot though. The book was written in 2002, so I thought it was nice.

To my DU Vietnam vets. I'm at a loss for words...truly. The great thing about DeMille's book is, he was a Nam vet who returned, in real life, to some of his old battlefields. Specifically Quang Tri, Hue, A Shau Valley, and Khe Sanh. You can watch a million movies, and you can see the war (any war) all Hollywooded up, but nothing compares to a personal retelling of events. Obviously this is a fiction novel, but I'm very curious how much of the stories he's telling his female traveling companion are drawn from actual experiences.

I highly recommend this book to any and all who enjoy good fiction, good writing, and good characters, with a huge dose of realism thrown in. Please read this book BEFORE they turn it into a movie. In the Afterward, DeMille says Paramount bought the story, so please read it before it becomes a "summer blockbuster" or something like that. I'm sure it will make a really good movie, but it won't be the same.

Once again, to our DU veterans, especially our combat veterans, please let me give you a truly heartfelt Memorial Day salute. I am a veteran myself, but I'm a veteran of 8 years of peacetime. I don't pretend to know or understand some of the things you must have seen. To be honest, after a dose of reality (cleverly disguised as fiction) I have to admit, I'm a little ashamed to play the veteran card right now. I like to give my repuke co-workers shit about them never serving, and me being a veteran who hates Bush to the core, but next time I play that card, a part of me will be embarrassed and ashamed when so many of you have sacrificed so much.

Happy Memorial Day to all our DU Veterans. I appreciate each and every one of you. :toast:

[Zorra]

1. I read that book. It was a really great read.

I asked a two tour Vietnam vet friend of mine that read "Up Country" if the book was realistic and he said it was.

[No Passaran]

2. I haven't had a chance to read it

Thanks for posting it.

Right now there are few books that very realistically capture my experience during OIF. One of them is "Thunder Run". I have my name in the back of that book. However, I just can't read it. For some odd reason it brings back too many bad memories along with accelerated heartbeat and my breathing becomes heavier. I think it will be years before I read Thunder Run or any other book that I was a part of.

[TahitiNut]

3. Try "Zombie Jamboree" by Robert Merkin some time.

I really don't know how folks who aren't Viet Nam Vets will "get it" but I know several of us that were there enjoyed (and other things) the book.