Review of Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
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Janice Asero
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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.]
Deadly Waters by Randy Miller tells the heartbreaking story of Zack Martin, a Vietnam veteran who is slowly succumbing to Agent Orange-induced cancer, while also battling an indifferent and often hostile Veterans Administration (VA). The novel weaves together Zack’s present-day struggles with flashbacks to his time in Vietnam, creating a deeply personal narrative that explores not only the physical toll of war but the emotional and psychological aftermath that haunts veterans long after the fighting is over.
One of the things that struck me immediately was the narrative structure. The story jumps between Zack’s present—where he’s dealing with his illness, his frustrations with the VA, and the strain on his relationships—and his past experiences in Vietnam. These shifts between past and present are seamlessly done and, rather than feeling jarring, they enhance the story. They give us a fuller picture of who Zack was before the war and who he’s become because of it. For example, there’s a moment where Zack, exhausted from his latest bout of chemotherapy, flashes back to the jungles of Vietnam, and you can almost feel the weight of those memories on him. It’s not just a narrative device—it’s a reflection of how trauma works, how it pulls you back into the past even when you’re desperately trying to live in the present. I think Miller handled this beautifully. Instead of dumping Zack’s entire backstory on us in one go, we get it piece by piece, making his current suffering even more poignant as we see the man he used to be.
Now, onto the personal reflection. I’ll be honest—this book hit me harder than I expected. It’s impossible to read Zack’s story and not feel something. I found myself reflecting on the sacrifices veterans make, not just on the battlefield but in the years (and sometimes decades) that follow. Zack’s story isn’t just about one man fighting cancer—it’s about how much we, as a society, expect from our soldiers, and how little we give back. The scenes where Zack is stonewalled by the VA, forced to navigate a broken system just to get the benefits he’s entitled to, are infuriating. And they should be. I found myself thinking about the veterans I know and wondering if they’ve had similar experiences. It’s a sobering thought.
What I appreciated most, though, is that Miller doesn’t try to beat you over the head with these reflections. He lets the story speak for itself. The moral lessons are there if you want to see them, but they’re woven into Zack’s personal journey in a way that feels organic. Zack isn’t portrayed as a hero or a martyr—he’s just a man trying to survive, both physically and emotionally, and that’s what makes his story so relatable.
There’s also something to be said about the way the book leaves you feeling at the end. Without giving too much away, the ending isn’t neatly tied up with a bow. It’s tragic, yes, but it feels inevitable, which makes it all the more powerful. You’re left with lingering questions—about justice, about how veterans are treated, about what we owe to the people who sacrifice so much for their country. It’s not an easy ending, but it’s the right one for this story. And personally, I appreciated that Miller didn’t go for a more "feel-good" conclusion. Sometimes the truth is hard, and this book doesn’t shy away from that.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say that there are a few moments where the shifts between past and present slow the pacing down slightly. There were times when I was so engrossed in Zack’s present-day struggle that being pulled back into a flashback felt like a bit of a distraction. But honestly, this is a minor issue, and it’s more a reflection of how gripping the main storyline is than a flaw in the structure.
Finally, let me just say: the book was flawlessly edited. The transitions between scenes were smooth, the pacing (for the most part) was spot on, and there wasn’t a single clunky sentence to pull me out of the story. Every chapter felt polished, intentional, and perfectly balanced.
In conclusion, Deadly Waters is a deeply moving, incredibly well-crafted novel that deserves every bit of its 5 out of 5 stars. It’s not just a story about one man’s fight with illness and bureaucracy—it’s a reflection on the cost of war, the weight of trauma, and the systems that so often fail the people they’re supposed to serve. Even with a few moments of slower pacing, the emotional depth, the strong narrative structure, and the thought-provoking themes make this book a must-read. If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, this is it.
******
Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Deadly Waters by Randy Miller tells the heartbreaking story of Zack Martin, a Vietnam veteran who is slowly succumbing to Agent Orange-induced cancer, while also battling an indifferent and often hostile Veterans Administration (VA). The novel weaves together Zack’s present-day struggles with flashbacks to his time in Vietnam, creating a deeply personal narrative that explores not only the physical toll of war but the emotional and psychological aftermath that haunts veterans long after the fighting is over.
One of the things that struck me immediately was the narrative structure. The story jumps between Zack’s present—where he’s dealing with his illness, his frustrations with the VA, and the strain on his relationships—and his past experiences in Vietnam. These shifts between past and present are seamlessly done and, rather than feeling jarring, they enhance the story. They give us a fuller picture of who Zack was before the war and who he’s become because of it. For example, there’s a moment where Zack, exhausted from his latest bout of chemotherapy, flashes back to the jungles of Vietnam, and you can almost feel the weight of those memories on him. It’s not just a narrative device—it’s a reflection of how trauma works, how it pulls you back into the past even when you’re desperately trying to live in the present. I think Miller handled this beautifully. Instead of dumping Zack’s entire backstory on us in one go, we get it piece by piece, making his current suffering even more poignant as we see the man he used to be.
Now, onto the personal reflection. I’ll be honest—this book hit me harder than I expected. It’s impossible to read Zack’s story and not feel something. I found myself reflecting on the sacrifices veterans make, not just on the battlefield but in the years (and sometimes decades) that follow. Zack’s story isn’t just about one man fighting cancer—it’s about how much we, as a society, expect from our soldiers, and how little we give back. The scenes where Zack is stonewalled by the VA, forced to navigate a broken system just to get the benefits he’s entitled to, are infuriating. And they should be. I found myself thinking about the veterans I know and wondering if they’ve had similar experiences. It’s a sobering thought.
What I appreciated most, though, is that Miller doesn’t try to beat you over the head with these reflections. He lets the story speak for itself. The moral lessons are there if you want to see them, but they’re woven into Zack’s personal journey in a way that feels organic. Zack isn’t portrayed as a hero or a martyr—he’s just a man trying to survive, both physically and emotionally, and that’s what makes his story so relatable.
There’s also something to be said about the way the book leaves you feeling at the end. Without giving too much away, the ending isn’t neatly tied up with a bow. It’s tragic, yes, but it feels inevitable, which makes it all the more powerful. You’re left with lingering questions—about justice, about how veterans are treated, about what we owe to the people who sacrifice so much for their country. It’s not an easy ending, but it’s the right one for this story. And personally, I appreciated that Miller didn’t go for a more "feel-good" conclusion. Sometimes the truth is hard, and this book doesn’t shy away from that.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say that there are a few moments where the shifts between past and present slow the pacing down slightly. There were times when I was so engrossed in Zack’s present-day struggle that being pulled back into a flashback felt like a bit of a distraction. But honestly, this is a minor issue, and it’s more a reflection of how gripping the main storyline is than a flaw in the structure.
Finally, let me just say: the book was flawlessly edited. The transitions between scenes were smooth, the pacing (for the most part) was spot on, and there wasn’t a single clunky sentence to pull me out of the story. Every chapter felt polished, intentional, and perfectly balanced.
In conclusion, Deadly Waters is a deeply moving, incredibly well-crafted novel that deserves every bit of its 5 out of 5 stars. It’s not just a story about one man’s fight with illness and bureaucracy—it’s a reflection on the cost of war, the weight of trauma, and the systems that so often fail the people they’re supposed to serve. Even with a few moments of slower pacing, the emotional depth, the strong narrative structure, and the thought-provoking themes make this book a must-read. If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, this is it.
******
Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
