A short but powerful account of Wolff's year in Vietnam unfolds. It starts with him being a very inexperienced artillery advisor in a relatively peaceful Delta area.

However, as the Tet Offensive occurs, his sole concern becomes getting back to the United States alive.

Thankfully, he does manage to return and seizes the opportunities, both personal and educational, that come his way. Eventually, he graduates from Oxford University and embarks on a career as a writer and teacher of writing.

"In Pharaoh's Army" is not so much about the Vietnam War itself but rather about how that experience transformed Wolff, and in his case, for the better. It shows how a harrowing experience can lead to personal growth and the pursuit of a fulfilling life.

Wolff's story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that even in the face of great adversity, one can find meaning and purpose and go on to achieve great things.

There are simply an overwhelming number of rewards that come from reading this book, so many that they are difficult to even begin to mention. His sentences, whether in the realm of fiction or non-fiction, are truly among the very best that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It is as if one is listening to a person who is far smarter than anyone one has ever known, speaking with a poetic frankness that is completely devoid of any hint of sanctimony. Moreover, within this particular work, there are several passages and lines that have the power to keep you engaged in deep thought for days on end. They linger in your mind, challenging your perspectives and inviting you to explore new ideas. The beauty and depth of his writing are truly captivating, making this book a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

The boomers who lived through the Vietnam era, this book is very close to Nurse. It starts really accurately and underscores the real problem of those days.

Many people won't understand how difficult it was for a young man, a second lieutenant with no leadership skills, to put himself in charge of a group in Vietnam.

Whoever wrote this is very accurate. There are coming away stories from the 60s. In some parts of the country, people were highly patriotic and went off to war. In some places, it was a better deal to protest according to their conscience. And finally, there was an actual large group of those who, for various reasons, including children and protesters, didn't go to war and lived their public lives as ordinary American citizens.

Someone who went through these ages, like me, found it to be incredibly accurate and stimulating to my memory.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the Vietnam era and the experiences of those who lived through it. It provides a unique perspective and offers valuable insights into a complex and tumultuous time in American history.

War stories are truly my brother's specialty, and I have a great affinity for them as well. However, this particular book about Vietnam is a memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Since I read it for a Creative Non-Fiction class, it has left me pondering whether certain events actually took place. Does truth sometimes surpass the wildness of fiction?

I also had a deep appreciation for the interjections of writerly advice within the narrative. I only wish Wolff would have provided more of it. The image of a young man overseas, constantly having a novel at the back of his mind, really resonated with me. In many aspects, I could relate to his experiences. I found a great deal of truth within his words, and I believe I may have discovered my "entry point" into the novel I began writing.

The format of the book was especially charming. Each chapter functioned as its own short story. Although there was no strict linear progression, there was still a sense of coherence. We start in Vietnam, after he and his buddy have stolen a color TV to watch the Thanksgiving special of Bonzana. Then we are transported back to the States, following the author as he attempts to figure out his life. And then back to the war again. We are informed even before meeting some of his buddies that they are going to die, yet we witness their relationships develop without being aware of that fact.

He is funny without straining to be so, which is a unique trait among contemporary writers. His humor stems from a genuine person, not just a vehicle for witty remarks. It reads like the memoir of someone I might actually know. A full-timer, working in the dish room, who doesn't talk about his experiences much, but they are always there, like the dreams that were brutally snatched away from them and the dreams that they gave up on.

A book that I initially had no real inclination to read, yet it continuously beckoned to me. Having witnessed several movies about the Vietnam war and having long desired to embark on an adventure there (although I haven't), I had a perception of the country and the war that was shaped by those films and other trips to Southeast Asia. However, this book offers a much different account. It is one of looking back as a man, objectively reflecting on his life and the things he did as a boy. From the very beginning, this book was captivating, with well-crafted vignettes detailing the author's diverse experiences as an officer during the Vietnam war. He is American, but after studying abroad in Cambridge, his philosophical ponderings about humanity, cultural differences, and personal motivations struck me as remarkably accurate.

When talking about an early stint in the Coast Guard, he writes: "He was one of the ship's mechanics. He had rabbity eyes and red hair cropped so closely that his scalp showed through. His skin was white. Not fair. White, the pallor of a life spent belowdecks... I saw that he hated me."

Later, in the chapter titled Old China, which follows a gripping description of the Tet offensive, he says: "How bizarre to enter the streets of Saigon after a night at Pete’s table. Everything was newly foreign: the buildings, the look of the trees against the evening sky, the sounds and smells, and most of all the people in their absolute otherness, crowds of them on the sidewalks and roads, under awnings, in doorways and restaurants, so many it seemed they must be out for some purpose. We worked our way among them to the street, flagged cabs and began our descent into the night."

Near the end, in the Civilian chapter, he discusses how and why he wrote this book: "How do you tell such a terrible story? Maybe such a story shouldn’t be told at all. Yet finally it will be told. But as soon as you open your mouth you have problems, problems of recollection, problems of tone, ethical problems. How can you judge the man you were now that you’ve escaped his circumstance, his fears and desires, now that you hardly remember who he was? And how can you honestly avoid judging him? But isn’t there, in the very act of confession, an obscene self-congratulation for the virtue required to see your mistake and own up to it? and isn’t it just like an American boy, to want you to admire his sorrow at tearing other people’s houses apart? And in the end, who’s listening? What do you owe the listener, and which listener do you owe?"

And he also remarks: "Not that I didn’t like what I was writing as I filled up the pages. Only at the end of the day, reading over what I’d done, working through it with a green pencil, did I see how far I was from where I wanted to be. In the very act of writing I felt pleased with what I did. There was the pleasure of having the words come to me, and the pleasure of ordering them, re-ordering them, weighing one against another. Pleasure also in the imagination of the story, the feeling that it could mean something. Mostly I was glad to find out that I could write at all. In writing you work towards a result you won’t see for many years and can’t be sure you’ll ever see. It takes stamina and self-mastery and faith. It demands those things of you, then gives them back with a little extra, a surprise to keep you coming. It toughens you and clears your head. I could feel it happening. I was saving my life with every word I wrote, and I knew it."

Good non-fiction that reads like fiction. Wolff is a master storyteller, and he presents his tales with a warm yet sardonic tone. This tone, to me, validates the true chaos and horror of the Vietnam conflict. The gravest consequences, such as death, can emerge from the most random of circumstances. The most highly decorated, well-trained, grade A Yankee killing machine can witness his bowels burst in horror due to chance. Meanwhile, dumb luck can save the life of a teenage boy who was so desperate to lose his virginity at the last school social. This work is not focused on the conflict itself. Instead, it delves deeper into the day-to-day life of a soldier, from basic training to R&R and beyond. It offers a unique perspective on the experiences and emotions that soldiers endured during this tumultuous time.

His memoir offers a captivating account of his life before, during, and immediately after his time in Vietnam. It is truly great writing that takes the reader on a journey through his experiences. Before Vietnam, we get a sense of his ordinary life, the dreams and aspirations he held. During his time in Vietnam, the vivid descriptions bring to life the harsh realities of war, the chaos, the fear, and the camaraderie among the soldiers. We can almost feel the heat, smell the gunpowder, and see the destruction. And immediately after his return, we witness his struggle to readjust to civilian life, the ghosts that haunt him, and the challenges he faces in finding his place in the world again. This memoir is not just a story of one man's experience in Vietnam; it is a powerful exploration of the human spirit in the face of war and its aftermath.

As far as the numerous books I have perused regarding the Vietnam War, this particular one seemed to focus less on the actual combat and the associated death and destruction. Instead, it delved more deeply into this soldier's memoirs and his FEELINGS about being in that place during that specific time period.

I found it to be just okay. It didn't quite leave as lasting an impression on me as, for instance, Matterhorn did (which is yet another book about the Vietnam War). However, I do recall being GLAD that I read it. Tobias Wolff is indeed a talented writer. His ability to bring the emotions and experiences of the soldier to life on the page is quite remarkable.

Despite not being my absolute favorite among the Vietnam War literature I've consumed, this book still offers valuable insights into the mindset and experiences of those who served during that tumultuous time. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the profound impact that war can have on an individual's psyche.

Overall, while it may not have been a five-star read for me, it is still a worthwhile addition to the body of work on the Vietnam War.

The most succinct, and possibly the best, memoir I've read of Vietnam. Each chapter is a gem, directly to the point, not a word wasted. Wolff seems to be one of those rare memoir writers, at least one of those rare contemporary memoir writers, who has actually digested the experience he's writing about. It's truly a beautiful book.

He manages to capture the essence of the war and its impact on him and those around him with such clarity and precision. The stories he tells are both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.

Besides, you have to like an author who can write an insult like "Captain Kale owned records of people playing accordions, and could tell the difference between them." It shows his unique sense of humor and the ability to find the absurd in even the most serious of situations.

This memoir is not only a great read for those interested in the Vietnam War but also for anyone who appreciates good writing and a powerful personal story. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

When I describe Wolff's work to people, I say that he is perhaps the most emulated short story writer in America.

To truly understand what I mean, one has to read one of his stories and have read a significant amount of American creative writing work.

These stories are memoirs, which is quite indicative of American fiction.

He has the clarity of Baldwin, the structures of Carver, and seems to have lived a life like Hemingway.

However, I don't recognize his tone, which is often a little cruel. So, I'll say it's distinctly Wolff.

This is probably his best collection of stories overall, but there is nothing as perfect as 'Bullet in the Brain'.

Each story in this collection offers a unique perspective and delves deep into the human condition.

Wolff's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, making his work a must-read for any lover of short stories.

Whether it's the vivid characters, the intricate plots, or the powerful themes, Wolff's stories have something to offer everyone.

Overall, this collection is a testament to Wolff's talent as a short story writer and solidifies his place as one of the most important voices in American literature.

Craft counts more than life experience.

Author Tobias Wolff arrived in Vietnam in 1967 as a 22-year-old First Lieutenant. He was uneducated, having been expelled from the elite Hill School for forging transcripts and recommendations. He was aimless and undisciplined, having deserted a Coast and Geodetic Survey ship.

Then he enlisted in the Army. Despite not being a high school graduate, his "command presence" got him into Officer Candidate School, where he graduated at the bottom. In a wry twist, he says they let him graduate because he was a master of farce.

He wanted to be a writer and joined the Army because the writers he admired had war experiences. But it took him almost 30 years to write this memoir. What happened in between?

After a drunken spree on returning from Vietnam, he pulled himself together, got into Oxford and graduated with a First Class Honors degree in Literature. He then got a Masters at Stanford.

Four books followed, with "This Boy’s Life" being the most celebrated and made into a movie.

What happened in between is that he became a deeply schooled and seasoned writer. He couldn't have written this book in 1968 as the craft was not there yet.

His experiences in Vietnam were objectively unremarkable. He was sent to Airborne and Special Forces training, then to a year of Vietnamese language school. But he was posted as an advisor to a Vietnamese artillery battalion instead of a Special Forces camp. His memoir reveals little combat exposure except for Tet '68.

Yet he produced an absorbing account of his unremarkable year. There's a lesson for would-be writers: it takes a great writer to make great experiences.

I admire this book for conveying so much in a short space. It's a series of vignettes, each revealing some truth.

There's tragedy (his friend Hugh's death), self-importance (the Foreign Service Officer), ineffectualness (the Vietnamese officers), and macho arrogance (the Captain).

But I also have a criticism. Wolff was well-positioned to view the mindlessness of America's actions and the inertness of the Vietnamese allies, but he largely skipped over the cruelty of the Communist enemy.

Regarding Tet, he watched as the Communists captured and ravaged My Tho until it was "liberated" by the Allies. He mentions the execution squads but holds that Tet was a lesson to the Vietnamese people. I think it was more of a lesson for the Americans.

The title of the book conveys its main theme, but it's the one thing that's overdone in this crisp memoir.

I was extremely surprised that I had a liking for “In Pharaoh’s Army” by Tobias Wolff. It is a memoir of sorts, and if I didn't know better, I would have believed it was a work of fiction. I'm not a big fan, or a fan at all, of reading about wars or battles, whether they are fiction or non-fiction. But Wolff does an outstanding job of selecting moments from his life, mainly from his time in Vietnam, and allows the readers to see what he sees.

The most “real” part of the book was right after his discharge after four years of service, and he didn't know what to do with himself. I guess I found it so relatable because it was the only part where I wasn't at the mercy of the writer. When Wolff was writing about his time in Vietnam, I felt like I wasn't allowed to have an opinion on anything because I had never been there. However, I have had moments in life where I've been deeply involved in school or at home for a long time, and when my “tour” ends at that particular place, I feel lost and wonder what to do next.

This book really made me think about the experiences of those who have served in the military and how they might struggle to readjust to civilian life. It also made me realize that we all have our own “battles” to fight in life, whether they are related to war or not. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about real-life experiences and the human condition.