If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home

O'Brien recounts his time as a soldier sent to Vietnam. The writing was so good that it read like a novel and I found his descriptions of life on the frontline interesting.

A thinking man in Vietnam was a dangerous thing. Being a soldier in Vietnam was a dangerous thing. Tim O'Brien was both and somehow he managed to live to survive it and tell his story. He ends up in Vietnam after unsuccessfully dealing with his conflict between doing the right thing and being a courageous man. He tells of his decision not to follow his well planned escape route and stay with his country and its proposal to send him to Viet Nam. O'Brien describes Vietnam as a place with nameless soldiers and Buddys, faceless enemies and endless minefields.
This is an excellent text for learning about the experience of the Vietnam war, the choices that young man were faced with at that time and basic dilemmas in making moral decisions. It is a well written book which makes for a quick, satisfying read.

“All the soul searching and midnight conversations and books and beliefs were voided by abstention, extinguished by forfeiture, for lack of oxygen, by a sort of sleepwalking default”

Originally published in 1973, this book marks the author's debut and offers an analysis of human and moral ambiguities during the Vietnam War. The narrative stands out for its frankness and brutality, conveying a stark awareness: wars are essentially ruthless. In Vietnam, American soldiers often realized they were not defending any lofty principles, but simply wished to return home as soon as possible. They were perceived as invaders, arousing hatred rather than admiration. War is far from heroic: the group often finds itself committing atrocious acts against innocent civilians, as the threat of an enemy is constantly present, and the fear of being killed drives them to react with preemptive violence.

I really enjoyed this book I actually liked it a lot more than the things they Carried. I think what I liked is how raw it felt and at times while reading this I could feel the fear and panic and just hatred of the whole situation. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Vietnam war or combat memoirs.

Compared to The Things They Carried, which is a compilation of war stories from Vietnam, and one of my favorite books, If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home is a much more personal account. It is O'Brien's memoir of his own experience in the war, and his own views on its morality. Thus, this work contains some drudgery that would not normally be seen in an action-packed war novel. But that is why I love it. The accuracy and honesty of the memoir, and O'Brien's dependable writing style made me fall in love once again.

I finished this in less than a day, due to both my interest and its short length. However, I finished wishing that it had been longer, so I could take more time to digest O'Brien's story. He leaves nothing out, from the Vietnamese prostitutes to his dislike of his own officers.

O'Brien has managed to capture once again the accuracy and wonder of war that can only be captured by someone who has experienced it firsthand. Add this to his charming yet straight forward writing style and I was hooked.

"If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home" by Tim O'Brien is a profound and evocative memoir that delves into the harrowing experiences of a young soldier during the Vietnam War. This book transcends the typical war narrative, offering readers an intimate and unflinching look at the psychological and moral complexities of combat, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the human aspects of war.

O'Brien's writing is nothing short of masterful. He combines a journalist's precision with a novelist's flair for storytelling, creating a narrative that is both gripping and thought-provoking. The book is structured as a series of vignettes, each one meticulously crafted to capture the chaotic and surreal nature of war. From the terrifying moments of battle to the quieter, reflective times between engagements, O'Brien's prose brings to life the full spectrum of a soldier's experience.

One of the most striking aspects of "If I Die in a Combat Zone" is O'Brien's honesty. He does not shy away from depicting the fear, confusion, and doubt that plagued him throughout his tour in Vietnam. This candor is refreshing and deeply moving, as it provides a stark contrast to the often sanitized or glorified portrayals of war found in other accounts. O'Brien's vulnerability allows readers to connect with him on a personal level, making his journey all the more poignant and relatable.

The memoir also serves as a powerful critique of the Vietnam War and, by extension, all wars. O'Brien grapples with the moral ambiguity of the conflict, questioning the purpose and justification of the violence he witnesses. His reflections on courage, cowardice, and duty are particularly compelling, as they challenge the simplistic notions of heroism that are frequently associated with soldiers. Through his introspective and philosophical musings, O'Brien encourages readers to contemplate the ethical dimensions of warfare and the impact it has on those who are caught in its grip.

In addition to its philosophical depth, "If I Die in a Combat Zone" is also a vividly immersive account of the Vietnam War's physical and sensory realities. O'Brien's descriptions of the dense jungles, the oppressive heat, and the omnipresent danger are so vivid that readers can almost feel the humidity and hear the distant gunfire. This attention to detail not only enhances the authenticity of the memoir but also underscores the relentless and dehumanizing conditions that soldiers endured.

The supporting characters in the book are equally well-drawn and contribute to the richness of the narrative. From the stoic sergeants to the weary foot soldiers, each individual O'Brien encounters adds a unique perspective to the story. These interactions reveal the camaraderie and tension that exist within a platoon, highlighting the complex relationships that form in the crucible of war.

In conclusion, "If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home" is a poignant and powerful exploration of the Vietnam War and its profound effects on those who fought in it. Tim O'Brien's exceptional storytelling, combined with his unflinching honesty and philosophical insights, makes this memoir a timeless and essential read. It is a book that not only informs but also deeply moves its readers, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. For its literary excellence and emotional impact, it deserves a five-star rating without hesitation.

If you have the time, I highly recommend reading this book alongside the marvellous and gripping Ken Burns documentary about Vietnam in which the author plays a prominent role. In the documentary we get snippets of the fear, the absurdity, and at times the adrenaline rush of what being a combat soldier in Vietnam felt like. Majestic as the documentary is however, it is here in O’Brien’s memoir of his experience of the war, that it is fleshed out and truly comes to life. In these pages he loses more friends than he can count, clinically recounts the staggering number of different land mines that soldiers were likely to encounter (until he himself seemingly corrects himself halfway through the litany to laugh morbidly at how grotesque an endeavour it is).
This is not a book about battles however.
This is a very personal account of a very scared young man struggling to find bravery and some truth in what he sees around him. In retrospect, he finds very little of either:

“Now, war ended, all I am left with are simple, unprofound scraps of truth. Men die. Fear hurts and humiliates. It is hard to be brave. It is hard to know what bravery is. Dead human beings are heavy and awkward to carry, things smell different in Vietnam, soldiers are dreamers, drill sergeants are boors, some men thought the war was proper and others didn’t and most didn’t care. Is that the stuff for a morality lesson, even for a theme?”

Perhaps these are truths. Whatever these insights are, they came with a heavy cost to the author that he will probably be paying for the rest of his life. That he paid that cost and gave us this memoir to help future young men and women avoid paying it, is a service to his country that far surpasses anything he achieved in the Vietnamese jungle. With the clouds of war hanging menacingly over Asia once again, this book has become more prescient and important than ever. As the author himself so eloquently writes:

“I would wish this book could take the form of a plea for everlasting peace, a plea from one who knows, from one who’s been there and come back, an old soldier looking back at a dying war.”