Sog: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam

Rating:
Summary: Factual and fascinating
Review: I flew with First Flight Detachment, the SOG UC-123 unit mentioned in the book. Although he just briefly mentioned the unit, they did quite a bit during the early years of VietNam, but not near as much as the men of the teams. I gained a whole new respect for some of the men I knew. Their courage and respect for each other was unsurpassed. This book should be in history classes!

Rating:
Summary: Rates high with special ops Namvets
Review: Forty special ops veterans of the Vietnam War era interviewed recently for a book on Operation White Star rate this book #l--for its honesty, accuracy and just-plain readability--and recommend it to anyone (vet and non-vets) over the sloppy headlines on nerve gas, defector and other retractables we keep seeing. They wish someone had edited a special ops oral history like EVERYTHING WE HAD, A PIECE OF MY HEART, BLOODS; and a few suggest reading Sheehan's A BRIGHT SHINING LIE for the synergy of the two visions.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Terrific book in coverage, style and interest. Whether you're a Vietnam veteran or not (I am), you'll get a lot out of this book. Hope they make a movie of it!

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Summary: Insightful look at the often maligned and misunderstood SOG
Review: A very interesting and detailed look at the SOG, an often maligned and misunderstood group of commandos who played a critical and decisive role in the Vietnam War. The book leads the reader through their many successes and sometimes failures during the entire conflict. The author is very knowledgeable and detailed in his descriptions of the war and the SOG's missions. He does not, however, in his description of details lose sight of the broader war nor the readers need for suspense and continuity. Overall an enjoyable and interesting book.

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Summary: America's True Hero's
Review: One of the best written suspenseful books I have ever read. This book gave me a great understanding the sacrifices made by the S.O.G. during the Vietnam War. After reading the book I now realize my true childhood heros were not Superman and GI Joe but all the brave veteran's of the Vietnam War... All Veteran's: Thank You for all the sacrifices you made for me..... Tony Kowalczyk/ Westland, MI

Rating:
Summary: A stunning account of our nations elite warriors.
Review: This is a great insight into the daily lives of those men who performed the most dangerous missions during the Vietnam war. Having met some of the men written about in this book I can say that the element of truth is a thread woven throughout its contents. Some of the finest americans to serve our nation served with the SOG during the Vietnam war and if you want to gather some of their feelings and thoughts then this a book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Important Historical Work
Review: I am presently a member of the United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg. I can tell you that the procedures, doctrine and tactics developed by SOG are now standard Special Ops doctrine. Also, the courage of those men in SOG is presently reflected in the character of today's Special Forces man. The book finally gives the lie to all those duped voices on the left who insisted that the Vietnam conflict was "an internal civil war" and that Laos and Cambodia were "unoccupied by significant North Vietnamese Army elements".

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Summary: Unheard of and Unsung Heros
Review: As a former MARINE I don't want to hear that anyone else did anything in Vietnam, nevermind keeping the NVA at bay in Laos and Cambodia. This book made a believer of me, and I find the story spell binding. There is humor as well. I knew of the operations from being at Khe Sahn in 1967 when one group was lost, but I had no idea what they were doing. This MARINE recommends this book to everyone. Semper Fi Weid

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on Viet-Nam I have read.
Review: I knew and fought with some of the men in MACV-SOG so I was anxious to read the book when it came out. I found it to be a great read, I had trouble putting it down. The only thing wrong with the book from my point of view is that in telling of the battle of Hickory I wasn't correctly identified. In the book I am called Walton. My name is Walter not Walton. Even so this is a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Truly outstanding description of Special Forces in Vietnam
Review: This is unquestionably one of the best military history books I've ever read. The chapter on the psy ops by the SF "evil elves" was priceless. I'm glad Maj Plaster wrote this book. It is a testament to the bravery, skill, and selfless dedication of US servicemen in the face of an unappreciative US public and marginal political leadership. This book is a must read!