Having read some of Wolff's other remarkable works, namely Old School and his poignant childhood memoir This Boy's Life, my anticipation to explore the author's encounters with the so-called "lost war" of Vietnam was palpable. Just like in This Boy's Life, Wolff employs the same concise and declarative prose to skillfully capture the elusive and often discrete sensations of war. For fans of Wolff, this memoir is bound not to disappoint.

In Pharaoh's Army details the author's one-year tour in Vietnam. As a Lieutenant in the Special Forces, he is eventually assigned the privileged and relatively "lucky" role of an adviser to a South Vietnamese Army battalion stationed in the Delta region of My Tho. The memoir is divided into 13 distinct chapters, each functioning as a standalone short story. Although all the stories directly pertain to Vietnam and the experiences that led to his enlistment, there is no clear linear narrative in this work. I believe this narrative structure effectively emphasizes the seemingly arbitrary and hazy nature of war itself, thus overall strengthening the tone of this piece. In Pharaoh's Army lacks the gritty realism found in a Tim O'Brien novel. Instead, Wolff writes in a低调的 minimalist style with an economy of prose that is reminiscent of Hemingway (which is not unexpected considering Wolff's admiration for all authors who served, especially Hemingway).

At the beginning, Wolff was an idealistic recruit, with a novel in his mind. Holding his deployment orders, he states, "The life around me began at last to take on form, to signify. No longer a powerless confusion of desires, I was now a protagonist, the hero of a novel to which I endlessly added from the stories I dreamed and saw everywhere." However, In Pharaoh's Army ultimately chronicles the author's growing disillusionment with the American presence in Vietnam. The title itself alludes to the absurd and doomed blind charge of the Pharaoh's chariots into the Red Sea. Despite being disillusioned, this year of combat nevertheless enabled the author to come into his own and discover his true character. In his own words, he "Lost Faith. Prayed anyway. Persisted...That's how we found out who we are."

A Gentleman Goes To War.

"THIS BOY'S LIFE" by Tobias Wolff is indeed a classic. In this remarkable book, Wolff masterfully captures the unsightly nature of class prejudice in America. He vividly portrays the convoluted strategies that people employ in their attempts to ascend the social ladder.

Regrettably, this book is not predominantly about Vietnam. Instead, it focuses on Wolff's own presence in Vietnam. In other words, what is truly on show here is not his courage or patriotism. Rather, it is his, one might say, refined powers of detachment. He is constantly stating, "Look, the majority of the grunts were low-class brutes. I was different. Sensitive, perceptive - I didn't truly belong there at all!"

This recurring theme eventually becomes tiresome. It gives the impression that Wolff is distancing himself from the reality and experiences of the common soldiers. One wishes that he had delved deeper into the true essence of the war and the diverse range of emotions and experiences that it encompassed, rather than constantly emphasizing his own supposed superiority.

I returned from 14 months in Vietnam in September, 1969. I had served in combat as a Forward Observer with valiant Infantry and Air Cav units of the 9th Infantry Division. Our theater was the mud, swamps, and jungles of the Mekong Delta. We chased the elusive Victor Charlie through the mud and monsoons, rarely seeing him. Our buddies fell to his sniper fire, pungi sticks, and booby traps. When I got home, I put the war away. Except for the occasional nightmare, I expected to forget it all, avoiding any reminder in the form of books or movies.

For the next 20 years, I never wore a badge, patch, or cap related to the war. When a Brother sent me a ball cap with the 9th ID logo, I felt obligated to acknowledge my service and began wearing it. I also started reading the published stories of my Brothers. I've since read many books about Vietnam, like "A Bright Shining Star," "The Things They Carried," and more.

I've wanted to read "In Pharaoh's Army" for a long time. I first discovered the author, Tobias Wolff, after seeing the movie "This Boy's Life." I enjoyed the movie, but even more so, the book. Since then, I've read more of his works.

Most books and movies about Vietnam are sensationalized. In reality, the true account is of a few minutes or hours of terror, followed by days and weeks of boredom. "In Pharaoh's Army" is different. It's Wolff's personal account of his reluctant service as a 9th ID artillery officer in 1967-68. Surprisingly, he never fires a shot in the book. He tells of his boredom and insecurities as an advisor to an ARVN artillery battalion. He mulls over many questions. The book explores his thoughts and misgivings, including his relationships back home.

I can relate to Wolff's experiences. We have much in common. We both enlisted looking for direction and adventure. We were both recommended to artillery OCS. We both ended up in the 9th ID AO, in what we thought were cushy jobs. We both had self-doubts and questioned the war.

Fifty years later, we're both still trying to make sense of it all. Wolff sums it up for me. On the last page of his book, he talks about his friend Hugh Pierce, who was killed in Vietnam. He says he wishes he could remember Hugh as he was, not as an absence. On this Memorial Day, I remember too. Rest In Peace, Brother!

A truly sublime memoir that is centered around Wolff's tour of duty in Vietnam. However, it doesn't stop there. It also encompasses a wide range of themes such as family loyalty, doomed relationships, and the power of friendship. What makes this memoir even more remarkable is Wolff's ability to bring every character and situation to life with a sheer economy of words. He doesn't rely on a direct narrative to tell the story. Instead, he allows his acute powers of observation to do the job. This subtle yet powerful style of writing is truly his gift. It makes the reader feel as if they are right there with Wolff, experiencing everything he did. It's a memoir that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

In Pharaoh's Army is a book that I have quite a bit to say about.

At first glance, it might not seem like the type of reading material I would typically choose. After all, it focuses on a young man and his experiences before and after serving in the army. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a really good read.

My class required me to read this book, and I'm truly glad they did. It offers a unique perspective on the life of a soldier and the impact of war.

I would highly recommend In Pharaoh's Army to anyone who has an interest in books about soldiers and war. Even if you're not specifically a fan of this genre, it's still a great choice for those looking for an engaging read.

While I did find myself getting a bit bored at times, overall, I was very pleased with how well the book held my attention. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I finished reading it before I was required to.

This book is definitely worth checking out.

The story is very good indeed, deserving a rating of around 4.5. However, it is just a touch too short to truly have a profound and lasting impact.

It has a certain feel that reminds one of a Vietnam version of Catch 22. It is filled with humor, an irreverent tone, and often presents absurd situations. What's more, it focuses not so much on the valor or terror of war but rather on the banality that war brings.

This piece has definitely piqued my interest and made me eager to read more works by Tobias Wolff. Surprisingly, I didn't even know that he was an American. It's always exciting to discover new and talented authors, and Wolff seems to have a unique style that I look forward to exploring further.

Perhaps with a longer work, he can fully develop his ideas and characters, allowing readers to immerse themselves more deeply in the world he creates. I can't wait to see what else he has in store.

**The Soul of America**

The failure of the US in the Vietnam War has been attributed to various reasons such as misunderstood interests, cultural arrogance, and silly military strategies. However, Wolff offers a more profound perspective, highlighting the spiritual corruption of the US Army, which likely mirrored that of the entire country.

South Vietnam was a materially corrupt place, with venal and nepotistic governments. This corruption, perhaps, was enough to lead to the North's victory, even without US military assistance. But the US's involvement added a new dimension to the conflict, providing a gift to the North in terms of morale and military advantage.

First-person accounts by Americans involved in the war share stories of the disconnect between soldiers on the ground and their commanders, the failure to understand the South Vietnamese Army, racism, and pervasive deceit. Wolff argues that these were not anomalies but rather symptoms of a spiritual void within the US military.
Wolff's memoir is unique in its treatment of these issues. He doesn't attribute anything to error but rather sees everything as intentional, even when the actors are unconscious of the purpose. The Vietnam War, according to Wolff, was a means for America to show itself to itself, revealing the country's moral desert.
The country has yet to come to terms with the true horror of its intentions in Vietnam. It has never truly been the spiritual haven it was purported to be. With Donald Trump, perhaps America has a second chance to see itself for what it really is.

Wolff's witness to this spiritual desolation is both moving and important. His memoir forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth about America's past and challenges us to consider its future.

In conclusion, the Vietnam War was not just a military conflict but a profound reflection of America's soul. Wolff's work provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this complex and tragic event.

Keywords: Vietnam War, spiritual corruption, US Army, America's soul, Donald Trump

The search for a Vietnam War memoir has proven to be more difficult than anticipated. Tim O'Brien is perhaps a well-known figure in this genre, yet it turns out that he is penning fictionalized accounts. "Guns Up!" is forceful and unreserved in its own way. Then there is Tobias Wolff. At first, echoing Will Manchester's (a World War II veteran) seemingly distant, dissociated, and even perverse encounter with the absurdities and emptiness of war, Wolff soon engages in a somewhat mournful yet at times biting analysis of military realities. He is not a overly enthusiastic hero, nor is he an officer burdened with a superiority complex. The actual substance of some anecdotes may not always be astonishing (one entire story is simply about hovels being demolished by rotor downwash), but there is an acknowledgement of Vietnamese realities, as well as rule-breaking and risk-taking.

One of the purposes of war books is that they assist us in handling the frustrations of civilian life. Yesterday, I was sort of pressured into spending an extra $4 or $5 at a Tokyo Internet cafe. However, when compared to being under mortar fire, it becomes clear that things should be put into a better perspective.

Wolff lovers find themselves in an odd position. They are grateful for his cowardice, for without it, his memoirs might never have been written. "In Pharao's Army" is a good and fluid book, filled with the heat and air of Vietnam. However, it is strangely vacant. The author presents no climax, little action, and only the unredeeming (and unsurprising) exhortation to persist.

Although this book purports to be about Vietnam, it is really about Wolff's attempts to manage his image among those close to him. It is a series of dramatic encounters that come under his unsparing and satiric gaze.

While Hemingway creates semi-autobiographical protagonists who are braver than himself and lives in the shadow of these figments, Wolff seems to wallow in his own faults. He confesses, even when all he can say is that he is unable to confess (as he does in "This Boy's Life"). These confessions and metaconfessions, the seeming products of the same drive Wolff attaches to himself in his memoirs, are a gambit to be read, respected, and popular.

Wolff shows the depth of his flaws in lovely, honest prose, attempting to make us like him based on how he has taught us to dislike him. The result is a dirty, complicit feeling, which may well be why this sort of writing is called dirty realism.

Tobias Wolff's autobiography, This Boy's Life, vividly chronicles his tumultuous childhood.

His stepfather was, to say the least, quite unhinged. Wolff managed to escape to an exclusive Eastern prep school by falsifying his application, but this victory was short-lived.

Despite the efforts of both him and his teacher, he ultimately flunked out. After taking a few hesitant steps into adulthood, he enlisted in the Army and was dispatched to Vietnam.

Wolff regarded military life as an essential part of his journey to becoming a fully grown man, influenced by his literary idols such as Mailer, Shaw, and especially Ernest Hemingway, whose guidance he sought in all aspects.

Through his brother Geoffrey, literature became a father-figure for Toby. His own father was mostly absent from his life, and when not in jail or otherwise unavailable, he was a con artist and petty criminal. His mother's boyfriends and his eventual stepfather were, at their best, anti-role-models.

Consequently, his heroes were writers and their characters, with a particular emphasis on the writers themselves. His account of his time in Vietnam is deeply personal, revealing the profound effect of war on the inner man, not only due to the horrors of bloodshed but also because of the countless daily choices, both big and small, that a soldier is compelled to make.

I had to give it less than This Boy's Life. However, I really liked it. If there was an option, I would give it 3.5.

It is a very slight work, and in some way, it is even more detached than that other book. But its sad and slightly absurd tone still manages to ring true.

I have never experienced war firsthand. However, I can imagine that moments of sheer terror and a sense of vague detachment are abundant during war, perhaps more so than moments of heroism or life and death decisions.

The story seems to capture these complex and often overlooked aspects of the war experience, making it a unique and thought-provoking read.

Despite its slightness, it manages to leave an impression and make the reader reflect on the nature of war and the human experience within it.

Overall, it is a book that I would recommend to those interested in exploring the less glamorous and more nuanced side of war.

I have a profound affection for memoirs, and this one was no different.

The Vietnam era-related content often touches me deeply due to my dad's experiences and the subsequent psychological trauma he endured. However, this memoir was truly excellently crafted. Wolff is an honest storyteller who didn't refrain from presenting himself in a less than flattering light.

It's not really a war memoir that focuses solely on the front lines of battle, although we do get some glimpses of that. Instead, it delves more into the situation he found himself in, the constant struggle he felt throughout, his platoon, friends, family, and his personal growth.

I highly recommend this memoir to anyone interested in a unique and honest perspective on the Vietnam War and the impact it had on an individual's life.