Naomi Deluca Deluca itibaren Sam Rong Klang, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan, Tayland itibaren Sam Rong Klang, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan, Tayland

I really enjoyed this read. Felt at times that I was involved in a game of Cluedo.

This book follows the careers of the West Point class of 1966 for a 23 year period. Some stayed in the military, many did not but all carried with them, together with their wives, the experience at West Point and the compulsory 5 years of service in tumultuous times. These cadets were the product of the 1950's and the idealism of John Kennedy which was put to the test in Viet Nam and its aftermath where morale and conditions plummetted throughout the Army. The book describes the carnage of Viet Nam battlefields and the agony of defeat followed by the end of the draft and the creation of a volunteer force and the revitalization of the military. You get real insight to the career soldier who is the product of West Point, for better and for worse. Atkinson is compusively readable as witnessed by my finishing this 540 page book in just seven days. It is a good read even for those with only a passing interest in the field because of the descriptions of coming of age and to grips with a changing and often bewildering world for this generation.