Rating: 
Summary: Harrowing realism.
Review: "The 13th Valley" is a gripping account of Vietnam combat. I don't normally read war novels but a friend recommended the WWII novel "The Triumph and the Glory" to me, which was superb, so I asked for another recommendation and he told me to read this book. I'm glad I did, it was quite an experience. Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Harrowing, gripping, beautiful, heartbreaking
Review: A blurb on the book compares it to Mailer's NAKED AND THE DEAD, and that comparison is right on. Very detailed and engrossing alongside the ruminations on war and human character. An understatement, however, to say I was disappointed when the author refers to the Vietnam War as "...the most moral war this nation has ever engaged." To bring honor to the men who fought and died does not require this kind of statement. Del Vecchio's story, by focusing on those troops directly engaged with enemy forces in hostile territory and not those operating in civilian-occupied areas, can avoid the worst aspects of US operations and their effect on the Vietnamese. Civilians continue to be killed by left behind ordnance and agent orange. Americans nonetheless receive a kind welcome as visitors to Vietnam today (not to mention the welcome given to companies like Nike). And it's important to remember that the atrocities of Pol Pot in neighboring Cambodia were only ended by a Vietnamese invasion (Del Vecchio remarks in his prologue that we need war to deter tyrants like Pol Pot). The War itself was denounced by its main architect, Sec't of State McNamara, when he announced "we were wrong, terribly wrong." For many reasons, therefore, I'm confused by his statement. If that was the "most moral war" I fear for humankind.
Rating:
Summary: One of the very best
Review: An extraordinary novel, richly detailed, intricately plotted, coarse, brutal and very shocking. Years ago I read a great best seller, 'The Caine Mutiny,' and was captured by the images of World War II as seen by its engaging and complex characters. This book simply dwarfs 'The Caine Mutiny,' and for that matter, 'Catch-22,' as well. Although Del Vecchio isn't a very polished author, and he's surely no Tolstoy, 'The 13th Valley' may ultimately be seen as the 'War and Peace' of the late 20th century. Its overall effect is that powerful.
Rating:
Summary: The Best!!!! A 10 out of 11.
Review: As a member of the X-generation, I have really tried to understand events that happened before my time. I randommly picked up The 13th Valley and have never read a book as moving nor as disturbing in my life. I too found myself wepping at the boonie rats and not wanting the characters to ever end. I found myself rediscovering the American I love and want to love...A truly great read.. Thank You.
Rating:
Summary: A gripping Novel
Review: As a student in High School we had guest speakers from the Vietnam War come in and speak to us. They had mentioned that "The 13th Valley" was the most accurate account of what really happened in the war. I had never read another war book before, and thought that this may ake as an interesting read for our class. I was awe stricken. The detail and accuracy amazed me, and I couldn't wait to pick up another War Novel. I have now read multiple War Novels, and nothing compares. I have passed my copy around the school to teachers, all say that this is a marvelous book. DelVecchio combines awesome writing skills with great detail, resulting in a Novel worthy of careful reading.
Rating:
Summary: A gripping Novel
Review: As a student in High School we had guest speakers from the Vietnam War come in and speak to us. They had mentioned that "The 13th Valley" was the most accurate account of what really happened in the war. I had never read another war book before, and thought that this may ake as an interesting read for our class. I was awe stricken. The detail and accuracy amazed me, and I couldn't wait to pick up another War Novel. I have now read multiple War Novels, and nothing compares. I have passed my copy around the school to teachers, all say that this is a marvelous book. DelVecchio combines awesome writing skills with great detail, resulting in a Novel worthy of careful reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding personalization of an impersonal war
Review: del Vecchio creates a great masterpiece with this book. His attention to detail and descriptions of the people, as well as his clear cut, no B.S. account of how life was in the war is outstanding. As a historian of Vietnam War, I found this book frighteningly realistic (almost unbelievable). He has done a fantastic job in making the characters live in the readers mind. One cannot help but to feel the pain and pride the characters feel. OUTSTANDING READING.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Memorable
Review: I am an avid reader of both fact and fiction. Whenever asked about the best book that I have ever experienced, the 13th Valley is the first to come to mind. I originally read The 13th Valley in 1984; it left such an impression on me that to this day, I still feel the emotions it evokes. It is the number one book that I recommend to my friends. Even if you do not normally read books about the Vietnam experience, it is well worth your time to read this one. You will not regret it.
Rating:
Summary: THE Benchmark Vietnam War Novel!
Review: I am well into my third re-read of this book since I purchased it back in the '80's. It is, without a doubt, the best work to come out of the Vietnam War. You will not regret this read.
Rating:
Summary: A Contender for Best War Novel of All Time
Review: I bought one for myself and three for Christmas presents. My brother-in-law, who fought as a combat engineer from Normandy to the Rhine could only make his way through it in short stages. This is how much it moved him
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