Finished reading The Pacific - the companion book to the HBO series about WWII in the Pacific (duh!) as told via the experiences of Marines and Navy fliers. It was written by Hugh Ambrose, the son of Steven Ambrose (author of many works on WWII including D-Day, Citizen Soldiers, and Band of Brothers). I found the book interesting (I haven't see the HBO series yet, don't have cable), but I can't say I was enthralled.

I found Sledge's character most interesting. Here's a guy who was dying to join the Marines and get into combat, and then learns exactly what that means on Pelilu. His transformation from naive boot to embittered veteran is illuminating.

I wanted to join the Marines in 1967 and did so against the wishes of my parents, much as Gene Sledge. I'd like to think I wasn't as naive as Sledge, and I wouldn't characterize myself as embittered (though I certainly feel some bitterness at how most people perceive the Viet Nam war). My experiences in combat were undoubtedly less intense than Sledge's, but more prolonged. There wasn't a day when I was in 'Nam when I was "safe". I certainly don't blame the Marines for what happened there. If I knew then what I know now, I probably wouldn't join but I did gain some valuable experience and I became a better person because of that experience and because of the Marines.

Those of you who want a sense of what my war was like should read Dispatches and/or The Things They Carried. So far, there isn't a movie I'd recommend to help you on this score, though Full Metal Jacket is not bad. From the Vietnamese point of view, I'd recommend the movies Green Dragon and The Beautiful Country.