Review of Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
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Review of Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
[Following is a volunteer review of "Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath" by Randy Miller.]
As the title suggests, Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath by Randy Miller focuses on the extended and contentious Vietnam War. The novel follows the journey of Zach Martin, a young farm boy from Vermont, as he navigates life in the navy. Fueled by a deep sense of patriotism and duty, at the tender age of 17, Zach decides to enlist in the U.S. Navy, marking the beginning of an interesting but arduous chapter in his young life. His upbringing on the farm instilled in him a relentless work ethic and a humble demeanor, traits that would define his journey through the tumultuous waters of war. However, as is often the case, the wounds of war penetrate deep into the fabric of life, with actions undertaken during warfare yielding profound and lasting consequences for all parties involved, regardless of their allegiance.
The book is broken down into three parts: the first section covers active warfare in Vietnam from both the Viet Cong and the U.S. point of view, the second delves into the period between combat and leave, and the final part explores the aftermath of the war and its impact on the lives of those involved. Initially, I had pacing issues due to Randy Miller's attempt to accurately depict characters' dialect by writing English in their specific accents as well as his very detailed descriptions of military equipment and jargon, which required a certain level of research to fully grasp the scenes. However, as the story unfolded and I became more conversant with the topic, it became significantly easier to follow. It is worth noting that the author has provided a glossary at the end of the book.
The primary protagonist, Zach, was beautifully written and developed, portrayed as an inspiring and heartfelt figure whom one would admire and desire as a friend, husband, or son. Randy Miller brilliantly executed a rich tapestry of themes in this book, enriching the narrative with additional poignancy and depth. Although the primary focus is on the Vietnam War, the book delves into themes of undying love, friendship, individual resilience beyond military roles, and the malevolence of those in authority. The touching portrayal of the romantic bond between Tally and Zach, as well as the profound platonic love shared between Zach and his military brothers, particularly Professor/Bill, adds a layer of beauty and depth to the story, showcasing the enduring power of love and true friendship in the face of adversity. Conversely, characters like Lieutenant Bordreau serve as stark reminders of the depths of malevolence that those in positions of power can descend to, especially when they focus on self-serving agendas and vindictive revenge.
This book provided me with valuable insights into the Vietnam War and the dynamics within the military, particularly the Navy. One surprising revelation was the deep interservice rivalry between the Navy and the Marines, a fact of which I was previously unaware, and the devastating and lasting effects of dioxin poisoning.
The book was professionally edited and grammatically correct. There were hardly any notable mistakes. However, there were several instances where long sentences lacked essential commas, particularly in introductory phrases and compound sentences, which slightly detracted from the overall readability. It is important to note that this book covers the raw realities of military life, including the prevalent use of profanity. This is not unexpected given its military context, where colorful language is often the norm. That said, it's not suitable for younger readers or those who are sensitive to cursing, including religious audiences.
My rating for Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath by Randy Miller is 4 out of 5. The only reason it missed the top score is due to some of the sentence structure, particularly the lack of comma usage after introductory clauses and phrases that precede the main clause. It is well articulated and offers deep insights into an essential social and political issue that demands attention and discussion. Through Zach's journey, we are confronted with the harsh realities of conflict and its profound consequences, yet also inspired by the unyielding love, courage, camaraderie, and integrity of those who stand by their principles. The heartbreaking reality that this book is based on true events stirred deep emotions within me and prompted a contemplation of the unfairness inherent in life and society. Even if you strive to be the best person you can be and give your all, the fact of life is that you may still experience unfair treatment. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in military literature or simply seeking an enjoyable read, regardless of the genre. It is captivating and insightful while touching on universal themes of love, friendship, resilience, and injustice.
******
Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
As the title suggests, Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath by Randy Miller focuses on the extended and contentious Vietnam War. The novel follows the journey of Zach Martin, a young farm boy from Vermont, as he navigates life in the navy. Fueled by a deep sense of patriotism and duty, at the tender age of 17, Zach decides to enlist in the U.S. Navy, marking the beginning of an interesting but arduous chapter in his young life. His upbringing on the farm instilled in him a relentless work ethic and a humble demeanor, traits that would define his journey through the tumultuous waters of war. However, as is often the case, the wounds of war penetrate deep into the fabric of life, with actions undertaken during warfare yielding profound and lasting consequences for all parties involved, regardless of their allegiance.
The book is broken down into three parts: the first section covers active warfare in Vietnam from both the Viet Cong and the U.S. point of view, the second delves into the period between combat and leave, and the final part explores the aftermath of the war and its impact on the lives of those involved. Initially, I had pacing issues due to Randy Miller's attempt to accurately depict characters' dialect by writing English in their specific accents as well as his very detailed descriptions of military equipment and jargon, which required a certain level of research to fully grasp the scenes. However, as the story unfolded and I became more conversant with the topic, it became significantly easier to follow. It is worth noting that the author has provided a glossary at the end of the book.
The primary protagonist, Zach, was beautifully written and developed, portrayed as an inspiring and heartfelt figure whom one would admire and desire as a friend, husband, or son. Randy Miller brilliantly executed a rich tapestry of themes in this book, enriching the narrative with additional poignancy and depth. Although the primary focus is on the Vietnam War, the book delves into themes of undying love, friendship, individual resilience beyond military roles, and the malevolence of those in authority. The touching portrayal of the romantic bond between Tally and Zach, as well as the profound platonic love shared between Zach and his military brothers, particularly Professor/Bill, adds a layer of beauty and depth to the story, showcasing the enduring power of love and true friendship in the face of adversity. Conversely, characters like Lieutenant Bordreau serve as stark reminders of the depths of malevolence that those in positions of power can descend to, especially when they focus on self-serving agendas and vindictive revenge.
This book provided me with valuable insights into the Vietnam War and the dynamics within the military, particularly the Navy. One surprising revelation was the deep interservice rivalry between the Navy and the Marines, a fact of which I was previously unaware, and the devastating and lasting effects of dioxin poisoning.
The book was professionally edited and grammatically correct. There were hardly any notable mistakes. However, there were several instances where long sentences lacked essential commas, particularly in introductory phrases and compound sentences, which slightly detracted from the overall readability. It is important to note that this book covers the raw realities of military life, including the prevalent use of profanity. This is not unexpected given its military context, where colorful language is often the norm. That said, it's not suitable for younger readers or those who are sensitive to cursing, including religious audiences.
My rating for Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath by Randy Miller is 4 out of 5. The only reason it missed the top score is due to some of the sentence structure, particularly the lack of comma usage after introductory clauses and phrases that precede the main clause. It is well articulated and offers deep insights into an essential social and political issue that demands attention and discussion. Through Zach's journey, we are confronted with the harsh realities of conflict and its profound consequences, yet also inspired by the unyielding love, courage, camaraderie, and integrity of those who stand by their principles. The heartbreaking reality that this book is based on true events stirred deep emotions within me and prompted a contemplation of the unfairness inherent in life and society. Even if you strive to be the best person you can be and give your all, the fact of life is that you may still experience unfair treatment. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in military literature or simply seeking an enjoyable read, regardless of the genre. It is captivating and insightful while touching on universal themes of love, friendship, resilience, and injustice.
******
Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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