The Things They Carried....

Okay so one of the books i read this summer was The Things They Carried, by Tim O' Brian. I found it to be sick yet irresistible at the same time. It derived focus from the romantic aspect of war and instead brought the readers attention to the horrors one might encounter both in and out of action in Vietnam. O' Brian turns the book into a collection of memories and thoughts from the war. He talks about the injustices the Vietnamese faced at Americans soldiers hands, the harsh reality of the brutal treatment of the natives. He even goes as far as to make the point that not only America was at fault, but a large majority of American soldiers too. The disturbing but sad stories of drug addiction, internal motivation, and other thrilling complexities will keep any reader clutching the book. No matter your opinion on the war or any any type of war at all, this book will defiantly influence the way you think about it all together. A definite favorite of mine.