Everyman in Vietnam: A Soldier's Journey into the Quagmire Illustrated Edition

After reading this book it is evident that this was a labor of love by the nephew Jimmy never knew, Joseph Gilch. This is a well written book that balances the history of the Vietnam War with the personal lens of Jimmy Gilch. I found the background of the times and politics involved enlightening. As a child growing up in the sixties and an adolescent / teenager of the seventies, I believed what I was told and this shed light on a country that we were led to believe was our enemy. This book opened my eyes to the Vietnamese people who were just as innocent in this as our own soldiers. At times, humorous and others poignant, the personal letters written by Jimmy added that human perspective and heart; you feel his emotions and can personally connect with him. My heart ached when I read his letter in which he tells his mom that he had wished she pushed him more in school and how when he returns he was going to go back to school and make something of himself only for it not to be. I highly recommend this book!

"Everyman in Vietnam" is a riveting and heartbreaking account focused on the United States’ involvement in Vietnam from the 1950s to the 1970s. Eminently readable, we are drawn into the narrative through the experiences of the Gilch family, a typical middle class family thriving in a post-World War II U.S. economy. Letters written by infantryman Jimmy Gilch, as well as letters written by other young 19 and 20 year olds provide a backdrop in understanding the horrific results of the political decisions taken by America’s leaders. A line of the book continues to haunt me. When President Lyndon B. Johnson asked General Dwight D. Eisenhower if he thought the United States could win, Eisenhower replied “We are not going to be run out of a free country that we helped to establish.” The arrogance and ignorance of these words go a long way to explaining how so many Vietnamese and American lives were lost.

This book is an excellently-crafted narrative that juxtaposes the national struggles of the Vietnamese with the development and life of Jimmy Gilch. Clearly a literary masterpiece that prevents the reader from empathizing with a particular side of the conflict. The only (minor) quibble I have is the revelation of Jimmy's death: at the time it was hard to exactly understand the manner of his death. Otherwise, a fantastic read I would recommend as an educator, lover of history, and just as a human being.

I think everyone can agree the Vietnam War was not a shining moment in US history from beginning to end. In that era the government feared Communism and today we have terrorism and we know how that is working. I wondered why interviews and statements highlighted Jimmy as a dropout and not the fact he was a man serving his country. The Gilch's were not the average family as indicated but special they had more letters than the authors had ever seen. Many sources were documented for military and Vietnam history and heresay was used in regard to the Gilch family. A historian's role is to preserve and document the past and not create a new perspective based on their own personal or political views. The letters tell of a naive young man growing up overnight in a situation he had no control of and wondering if he would be alive the next day. He now views his life differently and realizes mistakes he has made and hopes that he will live to make changes. To see statements that he was too uneducated to accomplish dreams, that his father was a rascist, and his letters used to make a point other than how they were intended is the tragedy. If you truly knew Jimmy and his family you would know that they valued family, honor, hardwork, integrity and respect. I know because Jimmy was my brother.

This is an absolutely amazing book. It is written so well. When you read it - the hand written letters from the soldier himself gives you chills. His emotions that he shares about being there are incredible. It is so nice that his own nephew that he never even met was able to bring some of their family history forward in a professional manner. I truly hope Joseph Gilch continues to write in the future. Thank you for preserving a soldier memories. Sad, but also found it inspiring that such a young man seem to become a man so quickly.

Outstanding book on the war. It balances a history of the middle 60s with the story of one soldier's experience of growing up, entering the Army, and fighting in Vietnam. As a Vietnam veteran, I highly recommend this book.

Quite possibly one of the best books I've read on the Vietnam War. Concise, balanced, and Well Written. Gripping and heart wrenching. And it includes a number of great photos, many of the Vietnamese, that I've never seen before.

EXTRAORDINARY BOOK ! If you are interested in Vietnam this is all the book you will need. A well researched, fascinating read. I highly recommend this book.