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Chasing Understanding in the Jungles of Vietnam
- My Year as a Black Scarf
- Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
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Chasing Understanding in the Jungles of Vietnam
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Summary
Author Doug Beed relates his memories of the men and missions during his year (1968-69) as a combat soldier with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam. After two years of college he couldn't afford to continue, so he was forced to relinquish his student deferment and enter the draft. He tried various strategies to get a non-combat job; nevertheless, he ended up in the infantry and was assigned to Vietnam.
The stories in this book depict the year Doug spent in Alpha Company, where he spent days on patrols finding and killing North Vietnamese soldiers along the hundreds of miles of trails heading for the Saigon. These stories range from funny to tragic, from uplifting to extremely frustrating, and from touching to horrifying. This book gives the listener a sense of life in the infantry in 1968 and 1969.
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What listeners say about Chasing Understanding in the Jungles of Vietnam
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr. S. Haq
- 16-06-23
Good book, well read
Good interesting book that was well read
Book felt a little short compared with others, but is well worth a listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr P R Keogh
- 11-05-23
Really good audio book
Loved the way they author also tells the reader more about how the platoon is set up, strategy and operational information. So as well as a good insight into what happened to the troops, it’s interesting to know more about the set up
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Fox 3 Simulations
- 22-04-23
A Vietnam Story With Final Understanding
First Time I've given overall higher rating than performance and story. This is based entirely on his, the authors, final chapters where he attempts to make sense, decades after the event, of what all the combat was about, the at times "senseless killing" and the emotional toll that had taken on him, evident after the many years since returning home. This large gap between the event, and him writing the book is perhaps why some of the earlier chapters are somewhat lighter on detail. This guy is clearly a thinker, and has morals, and that's plagued him, and is reflected in his book. He's very likeable, which helps, at times lazy, seeking to dodge (or cheat) the NCOs to avoid extra duties. At times cunning, and always doing what's best for him and his men, including scuppering the CO's plans for dangerous tactics - to save his men. The book had me chuckle at times, and fight to hold back a tear at others. It did all this without the author using any fancy big words, there's so much there in raw everyday language. Those with little to say can use the long words - they are "The Lifers" that the author paints quite vividly as a group of high ranking NCO's and Officers, that if repeated, would no doubt get this review censored several times over!
I hope the author, the Vietnam vet was able to heal some of his traumas, which he hoped writing the book would help him achieve. If he weren't a good man, it wouldn't have bothered him in the first place.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 18-05-23
Short but pretty good.
I thought this was a good story and perspective from the enlisted point of view.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Audie
- 08-05-23
Enjoyed it
I enjoyed listening to Mr. Beed’s point of view on the Vietnam War. I have A LOT of respect for ALL Vietnam Veterans and what they went through over there and after they got home. Welcome Home! to all of you that made it home.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bubba Joe
- 06-04-23
Reflective and real
Told from the view of a grunt trudging through the knife grass and blood sucking leeches of Vietnam. Read this book and the next time you see an old guy wearing a hat with the words Vietnam over rows of ribbons you’ll want to pay his back or shake his hand. The author takes you to those jungles, the firefights, loss, friendship, the fine line of fear and rage, and finally an understanding which leads to healing invisible wounds.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael D. Stuart
- 12-03-23
Excellent
Best and most accurate story of a draftee’s time in the Green Machine I have encountered. Brought back many memories, both good and bad. I related closely to the author’s exploration of his own emotions as his experience progressed. He was coerced into service but performed honorably despite the inequities of the system and the abuse of power by the lifers. Well said, Brother!
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- jsv777
- 01-01-19
Author has chip on his shoulder
Constantly putting down his superiors and calling them names. I did not enjoy this book.
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