Review of Down from the Mountain
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Review of Down from the Mountain
Down from the Mountain by Brian Vickery is a memoir about commitment. It illustrates the author's life experiences, his regrets, and enjoyable moments. Also, this non-fiction book presents themes such as leadership, survival, and comradeship.
Briefly, the 17 chapters of this book focus on Brian Vickery's military career. He shares his vague memories of his childhood, the sports he practiced, and the challenges he experienced during the Vietnam War. Also, Brian presents his family background and his personal achievements.
I liked how the author highlighted the contrast between his family life and the war experience. I appreciated how he described his job as a training officer in different regiments and his family adaptation in the married quarter. For instance, I empathized with the guilt that consumed him when he was with his family, knowing that he had to go back to the war zone. Also, I enjoyed that Brian included various hilarious moments, like the presence of an officer's python at morning tea.
There was nothing I disliked about this book. I appreciated the short descriptions of the operations in South Vietnam and that the author succinctly explained the degree of difficulty of the missions and the climatic conditions. I was impressed with how Brian faced the war's hardships despite fatigue, dehydration, and dangers at every step. For example, I loved his commitment both to his job and to his wife, Carole, and their two daughters. Also, unlike other biographies about the war, the presentation of the completed trainings and courses did not bore me, and the sadism of some staff members highlighted the military life even better.
I enjoyed the descriptive writing style and liked the book's structure as a journal. I empathized with the author's complexes and appreciated that he shared both the pleasant and dramatic experiences of his life. His unforgettable memories and adventures from jungle warfare captivated me, and I never questioned the accuracy of his stories. Also, Down from the Mountain was professionally edited since I only discovered two minor closing punctuation errors. So, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this book to people who like military biographies and social history. It is perfect for those interested in the experiences of war and the administration of a battalion, especially those who would like to read about the adventures of a baby boomer. Also, Down from the Mountain is suitable for young adults and adults because it has non-borderline profanity and no erotic content.
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Down from the Mountain
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