Through the Valley: Vietnam, 1967-1968

Rating:
Summary: The way combat really is...
Review: After viewing movies, watching televsion, and reading novels, most Americans have a completely distorted picture of what the day-to-day life was like for real warriors actually engaged in combat in Vietnam.

Colonel James f. Humphries, who served as a infantry company commander for nearly a full tour before he was seriously wounded, gives us a superior work on what real fighting is about for the soldiers at the squad, platoon and company level...where real war goes on.

Rarely inserting himself into the narrative, he uses extensive interviews with soldiers of all ranks to insure that the real story is told. Additionally, he combines that with painstaking research to assure the facts are right.

The result is a book that you'll rarely find on Vietnam. A work that tells the unvarnished truth. It is a must for real warriors, or people that want to understand what real warriors do.

Colonel Humphries brings a full "ruck" of experience to this superior story. He served as an enlisted paratrooper in the 101st prior to Vietnam, and being commissioned served mainly with soldiers at the "pointy" end of the Army's spear. He went back to Vietnam and served in the same battalion as in his first tour...at his own insistence. No "staffie" he.

Avoid the smoke and mirrors of less authenic works. Go for the real deal. I did, and I'm most grateful to read a book that is true to the way it really was.

Rating:
Summary: Candor and truth about a not yet told Vietnam battlefield.
Review: Candor and truth imbued with wonderfully woven metaphors tells a story yet tackled about the most critical years of the Vietnam war; 1967 and 1968. Well researched and documented by those who were there is the manner in which Colonel Humphries has preserved, immortality, a part of the Vietnam War that has long been forgotten.

Gut wrenchingly honest and soul penetratingly provocative this true story chronicles events validated by over 50 soldiers interviewed that were there with Captain Humphries about an intensely controlled territory of the formidable North Vietnamese Army. A soldier's story about soldiers; what they are confronted with and how they overcome it in combat. This important book addresses all battle field conditions from survival, to being captured to being wounded.

For me, a fellow soldier, the journey into the thought process of a battlefield commander at company level was mesmerizing, insightful and validating of the importance of good leadership at the working level. Humphries describes countless situations were the commander made the ultimate difference of life or death.

In his low key, metaphorically enriched writing style, Colonel Humphries unfolds the situation on the battlefield on both sides; enemy and friendly. He adds to that a smattering of thought processes and decision-making at all levels of command from Private to the Colonel and grippingly tells it, 'like it is'.

His unique approach of weaving survival in with accomplishing the mission captivates the reader. Closeness to his men and a few select officers dominate his leadership style. This is a lesson for senior commanders to think about their commands because the subordinate will execute the command with vigor. They have the fate of the men in their hands.

In the eye of the enemy Humphries battlefield tactics were calculated and dynamic allowing the company to accomplish the mission. From a ground pounder's view, the foot soldier is seen at his craft, surviving and charging ahead as directed.

There were no drugs or liquor or fooling around, probably because these fighting men had no time. Their concern was fighting for their very survival. There has been little written about this critical battle-ground. I submit for the same reason; there was no time.

Well done, Colonel Humphries, lets see more books with your witting descriptive story weaving. I'm sure there is more for you to tell the world about soldiers. Thanks for a job well done.

Rating:
Summary: Candor and truth about a not yet told Vietnam battlefield.
Review: Candor and truth imbued with wonderfully woven metaphors tells a story yet tackled about the most critical years of the Vietnam war; 1967 and 1968. Well researched and documented by those who were there is the manner in which Colonel Humphries has preserved, immortality, a part of the Vietnam War that has long been forgotten.

Gut wrenchingly honest and soul penetratingly provocative this true story chronicles events validated by over 50 soldiers interviewed that were there with Captain Humphries about an intensely controlled territory of the formidable North Vietnamese Army. A soldier's story about soldiers; what they are confronted with and how they overcome it in combat. This important book addresses all battle field conditions from survival, to being captured to being wounded.

For me, a fellow soldier, the journey into the thought process of a battlefield commander at company level was mesmerizing, insightful and validating of the importance of good leadership at the working level. Humphries describes countless situations were the commander made the ultimate difference of life or death.

In his low key, metaphorically enriched writing style, Colonel Humphries unfolds the situation on the battlefield on both sides; enemy and friendly. He adds to that a smattering of thought processes and decision-making at all levels of command from Private to the Colonel and grippingly tells it, 'like it is'.

His unique approach of weaving survival in with accomplishing the mission captivates the reader. Closeness to his men and a few select officers dominate his leadership style. This is a lesson for senior commanders to think about their commands because the subordinate will execute the command with vigor. They have the fate of the men in their hands.

In the eye of the enemy Humphries battlefield tactics were calculated and dynamic allowing the company to accomplish the mission. From a ground pounder's view, the foot soldier is seen at his craft, surviving and charging ahead as directed.

There were no drugs or liquor or fooling around, probably because these fighting men had no time. Their concern was fighting for their very survival. There has been little written about this critical battle-ground. I submit for the same reason; there was no time.

Well done, Colonel Humphries, lets see more books with your witting descriptive story weaving. I'm sure there is more for you to tell the world about soldiers. Thanks for a job well done.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone claiming to know VN combat history.
Review: Humphries is extrememly qualified to document the day-to-day action in the Que Son and Hiep Duc valleys of northern I Corps. He has researched the official files to glean the fine details of the units involved in fierce action against the Viet Cong and NVA.

Adding to this scholarly research, Humphries has first hand accounts of the men that fought it out with a persistent and fierce enemy. Their stories tell of the cost that was paid in the effort to secure the South Vietnamese countryside.

A special treat is the numerous maps and sketches that show the movements of the opposing forces. Paired with the gripping descriptions of those who were there, THROUGH THE VALLEY fulfills the need for the truthful telling of the sacrifices made by American soldiers in this costly war.

Every soldier that fought in Vietnam should have his story told. Humphries helps complete this necessary effort. This book is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone claiming to know VN combat history.
Review: Humphries is extrememly qualified to document the day-to-day action in the Que Son and Hiep Duc valleys of northern I Corps. He has researched the official files to glean the fine details of the units involved in fierce action against the Viet Cong and NVA.

Adding to this scholarly research, Humphries has first hand accounts of the men that fought it out with a persistent and fierce enemy. Their stories tell of the cost that was paid in the effort to secure the South Vietnamese countryside.

A special treat is the numerous maps and sketches that show the movements of the opposing forces. Paired with the gripping descriptions of those who were there, THROUGH THE VALLEY fulfills the need for the truthful telling of the sacrifices made by American soldiers in this costly war.

Every soldier that fought in Vietnam should have his story told. Humphries helps complete this necessary effort. This book is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: The REAL thing! Platoon & Company fighting in Vietnam.
Review: Most of the books I've read about Vietnam usually fit into one of two types, either the "I was there and what a helluva job I did" type, or the academic tome that is removed from the face of battle and ponticates on how things should have been. Colonel Humphries' "Through the Valley" is neither. While avoiding much of his personal role (though he was in "the weeds" as a company commander for most of a full tour), he uses the words of warriors from PFC through colonels to provide the reader with what it was really like.

Extensive interviews with a large number of participants, combined with his own observations results in one of the very finest works of real combat in a very tough war. If you want to know what life, and death, were like at the warrior level, this is the book to buy.

I suspect that the active Army and Marines will recommend this superior work to all their leaders...at all levels. It is important to note that Colonel Humphries served as a paratrooper in the 101st Division before the Vietnam war. He was later commissioned and served two tours in Vietnam. Both tours were at the "sharp" end. He brings a wide perspective to the business of war...especially where war is really fought, by small groups of men facing mind-numbing hardship and performing truly heroic acts on a routine basis. If you buy one book on Vietnam, this is the one to buy!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: One of those rare books that really gives the reader a feel for the mass confusion of combat and how the little things can win or lose a fight. Makes one wonder why the 196th didn't get more recognition for their performance--lot of good soldiers.