About:
Alone in the Valley: A Soldier's Journey in the Vietnam War by George R. Lanigan is a memoir of the Green Beret of his time in as a soldier in the Vietnam war. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Lanigan is a 30 year veteran of the US Army Special Forces.
- 286 pages
- Publisher : CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1518825370
My rating for Alone in the Valley - 5
Buy Alone in the Valley from Amazon.com*
More books by George R. Lanigan*
Thoughts:
This book follows the author’s journey from a college dropout to a Green Beret operating in Vietnam during the war. After leaving the University of Maryland in 1968, he signed up for the US Army and became part of a program, top secret back then, to train the Forces Armées Nationales Khmères (FANK - the Cambodian Army).
This memoir captures the raw emotions, boredom, terror, and Army mentality in the field of war and day to day operation. It’s an authentic look focusing on the Special Forces advisory roles, it’s also open and honest look at PTSD and non-traditional combat roles.
Alone in the Valley by George R. Lanigan weaves together his attitude as a young soldier, gathered from letters he wrote home, and his reflection as a mature adult who retired as a Lt. Col. This is a fascinating book written in several layers.
The letters, as mentioned, captures his immediate reaction to what he’s going through without a filter. Mr. Lanigan’s perspective as a retired soldier takes a different perspective than his younger self which creates a fascinating duel narrative. I thought the philosophical question if the "valley" is a physical place or a mental being which lasts long after the war ended was in interesting take.
The ending chapters deal with his return home and the ugly reception he got from the American public that voted in the same politicians who keep the war going, but resent the soldiers sent to fight it. He also talks about the psychological toll the war took on him and the difficult transition to civilian life, especially when he couldn’t talk what he did the previous years.
Buy Alone in the Valley from Amazon.com*
More books by George R. Lanigan*
Lt. Col. Lanigan's memoir is defined by the 'valley'—both as a place and a state of mind. Have you ever read a memoir where the setting felt as much like an enemy as the opposing army?
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I bought this book
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
