Review of Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath

[Rëâl Dūdé]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath" by Randy Miller.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War and Its Aftermath by Randy Miller is an engaging piece of historical fiction that delves into a distressing episode involving the United States Department of Veteran Affairs and a significant number of Vietnam Navy sailors who were unjustly denied compensation for illnesses stemming from exposure to Agent Orange. At the heart of this narrative is Zachariah Martin. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy. Following his training, he is dispatched to Vietnam, where he hones his skills as both a sharpshooter and a sailor. To their dismay, Zachariah and his fellow sailors come to realize that the organization they once trusted may forsake them.

I like many things about this book. This novel draws its inspiration from actual historical events, meticulously crafting the details to capture the essence of the period it portrays. Nevertheless, the author adeptly replicates the writing style of the 1900s, breathing life into the characters and imbuing the narrative with a sense of authenticity. The themes of love, friendship, and loyalty that thread through the story add depth to the overall reading experience. The narrative is both enlightening and educational.

It is disheartening to witness the extent to which public officials would go to conceal their errors and deny workers their rightful compensation. This included manipulating scientific findings to avoid acknowledging the link between Agent Orange defoliant and cancer. It is astonishing that these navy sailors had to wage an arduous battle for compensation that should have been readily granted.

There's nothing I dislike about this book, though the initial chapters presented some reading challenges due to the unfamiliar writing style and the need to fully grasp the story. However, this wasn't an issue for me. I did not come across any errors in the book, which is suggestive of the fact that it is exceptionally well-edited.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars for the reasons I mentioned above. I recommend this book to enthusiasts of historical fiction and individuals with an interest in the history of Vietnam.

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Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
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[Indasa Butler]

Thank you for this review. I enjoy reading historical fiction even though most novels present challenges at the beginning. Sometimes it is slower reading while you get used to the writing style or the setup of the historical setting takes more time than the reader would like. Nevertheless, I enjoy reading how a writer weaves the story into an historical timeline. I will be sure to put this one on my list. thanks, again!

[Muskan Afzal-]

Your review helps me in finding my next read. Thanks for your review.