Review of Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
Posted: 26 Aug 2024, 11:54
[Following is a volunteer review of "Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath" by Randy Miller.]
Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath by Randy Miller is a historical fiction book dedicated to the veteran sailors who fought in the Vietnam War and suffered illness because of exposure to Agent Orange. Zack, the main character, is excited about joining the Navy, standing watch on a destroyer's bridge, and crossing the entire Pacific Ocean. Like other crew members, he believes that the war is justified and necessary. However, Zack's idealism is gradually challenged as he navigates the realities of naval warfare, does terrible things to civilians, and endures debilitating hardships even after his discharge.
Most war-themed works tend to focus on the men fighting in the war, their hard-won triumphs, and the painful sacrifices they make. The families and partners who are left behind are often reduced to little more than plot devices, existing to tell the audience that the soldiers have loved ones and nothing else. This is not the case in Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath. After Zack's discharge, his lover, Tally, is given a surprising amount of focus. This also applies to both their families and friends who are away from the war. Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath shows that the impact of war transcends the battlefield. It is not just the soldiers who bear the burden. The burden is also shared by the spouses, parents, children, and communities that are left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath.
Books about the ugliness of war tend to be depressing, so Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath makes sure to include funny and heartwarming moments so the story does not get too depressing. These moments include the banter between crew members, Zack and Tally's blossoming marriage, and Zack's little mishap related to a fermented egg. They ensure that readers keep on reading until the end.
To sum up, if you are interested in stories about veterans, the Navy, the Vietnam War, and institutional violence, Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath will be worth your time. The only drawback of this book is the editing. I found many grammatical errors while reading, so the editing needs improvement. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
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Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath by Randy Miller is a historical fiction book dedicated to the veteran sailors who fought in the Vietnam War and suffered illness because of exposure to Agent Orange. Zack, the main character, is excited about joining the Navy, standing watch on a destroyer's bridge, and crossing the entire Pacific Ocean. Like other crew members, he believes that the war is justified and necessary. However, Zack's idealism is gradually challenged as he navigates the realities of naval warfare, does terrible things to civilians, and endures debilitating hardships even after his discharge.
Most war-themed works tend to focus on the men fighting in the war, their hard-won triumphs, and the painful sacrifices they make. The families and partners who are left behind are often reduced to little more than plot devices, existing to tell the audience that the soldiers have loved ones and nothing else. This is not the case in Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath. After Zack's discharge, his lover, Tally, is given a surprising amount of focus. This also applies to both their families and friends who are away from the war. Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath shows that the impact of war transcends the battlefield. It is not just the soldiers who bear the burden. The burden is also shared by the spouses, parents, children, and communities that are left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath.
Books about the ugliness of war tend to be depressing, so Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath makes sure to include funny and heartwarming moments so the story does not get too depressing. These moments include the banter between crew members, Zack and Tally's blossoming marriage, and Zack's little mishap related to a fermented egg. They ensure that readers keep on reading until the end.
To sum up, if you are interested in stories about veterans, the Navy, the Vietnam War, and institutional violence, Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath will be worth your time. The only drawback of this book is the editing. I found many grammatical errors while reading, so the editing needs improvement. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
******
Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon