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Daniel
On Jan. 17, 1972, during some of the darkest days of the Vietnam War, an American soldier walked out of the jungle and onto an isolated US Army firebase in the Central Highlands. The stranger had no identification, was in good health and otherwise seemed normal. But there was a problem. While the stranger said his name was Daniel Carson, he could remember almost nothing else. Quiet and reserved, he could not explain where he came from or why he had mysteriously shown up on Firebase Martha. Attempts by the base commander to confirm Daniel’s identity turned up even more odd details. Battalion reported that a soldier named Daniel Carson and fitting the description provided by the commander had been Killed In Action the week before. Who was Daniel? Was he a deserter? A faker? A lunatic? Or was he something altogether different? Was he a lucky charm or a savior sent to rescue the unfortunate soldiers on Firebase Martha? The answers to these questions are not revealed until 1976 when three survivors from the firebase meet after the war in a bar in Washington, D.C. and agree spontaneously to visit Daniel’s parents in nearby suburban Virginia. What they find shakes them to the core.
303 pages, Nook
First published November 10, 2009
61 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Keith Yocum
13 books111 followersKeith Yocum was born in Ridgecrest, California, the civilian town supporting the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in the Mojave Desert. He grew up overseas as an Army brat, including long stints in the Panama Canal Zone and Western Australia. He has an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a graduate degree in journalism. He had an extensive career in publishing, including publications like The Boston Globe and The New England Journal of Medicine. He lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and is the author of eleven novels. His espionage thriller "Valley of Spies," was picked by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best indie mysteries, crime stories, thrillers of 2019. He was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award with his Vietnam War mystery "Daniel."
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 23, 2025
A powerful and haunting tale of the Vietnam War
Dateline Vietnam 1972, US Army Firebase Martha located in the jungles of the central highlands. When an unidentified stranger, clearly bewildered, confused and disoriented, makes his way out of the night-time Vietnamese jungles and into the security perimeter of the firebase, it seems that only the grace of God kept the sentries from obeying their standing orders and shooting him down. Although he was clearly a white American, investigation into his background was unable to disclose whether he was civilian or soldier, lost or a wandering deserter, faker or a shell-shocked sufferer from post-traumatic stress syndrome. Some of the men on the base even came to see Daniel as a lucky charm or even a guardian angel sent by a watchful God to look over them as they realized they were about to be overrun by the massing Viet Cong.
When I initially reviewed the opening chapters submitted to Amazon's ABNA contest, I noted that they were intensely powerful and emotional. As with any good thriller, I found myself turning pages just as quickly as I could manage. The almost overwhelming fear that a young man might encounter serving as sentry for a US Army firebase during the Vietnam War is rendered almost palpable.
Now that I've had the privilege of reading the entire novel, I can say that Daniel fulfilled every expectation and blew away any concerns about its ability to maintain the tension established in its taut opening. The gut-wrenching horror of a bloody extended battle and the futility and political machinations of the war that the USA so doggedly persisted in pursuing in the early 1970s is brought to eye-popping life on every page of this fine debut novel. We see everything that we would expect to see in war - heroism and cowardice, life and death, brutality and compassion, fear and bravery, careful planning and foolhardy spontaneity, hope and despair and, of course, death and survival.
Even though the enigmatic Daniel Carson's part in the novel approached the paranormal, the story was told with such astonishing clarity and credibility that I found myself constantly checking to see if DANIEL was a non-fiction re-telling of one of those odd but true wartime stories that often capture our imaginations.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Dateline Vietnam 1972, US Army Firebase Martha located in the jungles of the central highlands. When an unidentified stranger, clearly bewildered, confused and disoriented, makes his way out of the night-time Vietnamese jungles and into the security perimeter of the firebase, it seems that only the grace of God kept the sentries from obeying their standing orders and shooting him down. Although he was clearly a white American, investigation into his background was unable to disclose whether he was civilian or soldier, lost or a wandering deserter, faker or a shell-shocked sufferer from post-traumatic stress syndrome. Some of the men on the base even came to see Daniel as a lucky charm or even a guardian angel sent by a watchful God to look over them as they realized they were about to be overrun by the massing Viet Cong.
When I initially reviewed the opening chapters submitted to Amazon's ABNA contest, I noted that they were intensely powerful and emotional. As with any good thriller, I found myself turning pages just as quickly as I could manage. The almost overwhelming fear that a young man might encounter serving as sentry for a US Army firebase during the Vietnam War is rendered almost palpable.
Now that I've had the privilege of reading the entire novel, I can say that Daniel fulfilled every expectation and blew away any concerns about its ability to maintain the tension established in its taut opening. The gut-wrenching horror of a bloody extended battle and the futility and political machinations of the war that the USA so doggedly persisted in pursuing in the early 1970s is brought to eye-popping life on every page of this fine debut novel. We see everything that we would expect to see in war - heroism and cowardice, life and death, brutality and compassion, fear and bravery, careful planning and foolhardy spontaneity, hope and despair and, of course, death and survival.
Even though the enigmatic Daniel Carson's part in the novel approached the paranormal, the story was told with such astonishing clarity and credibility that I found myself constantly checking to see if DANIEL was a non-fiction re-telling of one of those odd but true wartime stories that often capture our imaginations.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
November 13, 2014
I was interested in reading something regarding the Vietnam War. Nam was a big factor in our lives when I was in High School. This novel gave me good insight into what life was like on a base in country. It is interesting and I enjoyed the read. If your interested in Nam then you probably would enjoy it, if not skip it.
October 24, 2022
I picked up the book as I didn’t know the author and the premise had a hint of spookiness. Who is Daniel, why is he there, what is really going on?
The first 2/3 of the book are really a set up for the twist of the last 1/3. Daniel is an interesting person who the Army says is KIA. The troops there don’t know what to make of him. Some think of him as just another shell shocked grunt. Others believe he is divine and will protect them. We see just how crazy war can be & how it affects each of the soldiers as they await their fate.
I like that the author keeps the hint of spookiness always hovering in the background. Nothing overt, in your face voodoo. But just enough doubt in the mind of those around Daniel. It held the story together all the way through to the epilogue.
The first 2/3 of the book are really a set up for the twist of the last 1/3. Daniel is an interesting person who the Army says is KIA. The troops there don’t know what to make of him. Some think of him as just another shell shocked grunt. Others believe he is divine and will protect them. We see just how crazy war can be & how it affects each of the soldiers as they await their fate.
I like that the author keeps the hint of spookiness always hovering in the background. Nothing overt, in your face voodoo. But just enough doubt in the mind of those around Daniel. It held the story together all the way through to the epilogue.
August 18, 2025
A 4.5. Really involving, mysterious plus really exciting action. Let down slightly by the end interaction with Daniel's mother as seemed toneless and little or no catharsis tho it seemed the author tried to make it so. However the epilogue was interesting.
May 3, 2023
Riveting account of life in Viet Nam. Compelling story and excellent writing.
August 5, 2012
Daniel, by Keith Yocum, is one of the most unique books that I've ever read about the Vietnam War. The story captivates you right from the start and keeps you guessing about this new visitor. For most of the book, I thought Daniel to be either a ghost or an Archangel with a mission to protect this outpost from being overrun by enemy soldiers. Yes, it is late in the war and many U.S. troops had already left the country, those remaining were simply in a defensive posture awaiting their turn - nobody wanted to be the last soldier killed in Vietnam.
The story is riveting and the reader can't read fast enough to see what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Keith did a wonderful job at describing those last days on Firebase Martha; the boredom, dust, loneliness and fear. I especially enjoyed reading about the main character's first encounter with the visitor in the middle of the night. The fear experienced in a situation like this can be paralyzing to the young soldier in the bunker. In the dark of night, the shadows played tricks on you; unnecessary firing at imagined enemy soldiers attacking was always frowned upon. However, Keith describes the fear and emotions perfectly - something real is out there...it is walking directly toward you...you are mystified by the appearance...afraid...this can't be happening!
Daniel is a wonderful story...the last chapter left me breathless...rejoicing finally when it was all over. A great read and highly recommended!
The story is riveting and the reader can't read fast enough to see what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Keith did a wonderful job at describing those last days on Firebase Martha; the boredom, dust, loneliness and fear. I especially enjoyed reading about the main character's first encounter with the visitor in the middle of the night. The fear experienced in a situation like this can be paralyzing to the young soldier in the bunker. In the dark of night, the shadows played tricks on you; unnecessary firing at imagined enemy soldiers attacking was always frowned upon. However, Keith describes the fear and emotions perfectly - something real is out there...it is walking directly toward you...you are mystified by the appearance...afraid...this can't be happening!
Daniel is a wonderful story...the last chapter left me breathless...rejoicing finally when it was all over. A great read and highly recommended!
April 29, 2016
Daniel is worth reading, with a very engaging plot and a number of well-developed characters. The ending is also satisfying. It's impressive that Yocum can pull off this story about the Vietnam War without having participated in the conflict. The book is fiction, but Yocum's Postscript would seem to imply otherwise. I found that a little confusing. Also, in my view the author's pacing and writing style are somewhat uneven: too much trivial dialog, some awkward phrasing here and there, and a few laborious chapters. Yocum is at his best, though, when describing what's going through the heads of the participants.
In summary, high points are a very tight plot, well-developed characters, and an ending that lives up to the rest of the story. For me, these are three vital ingredients of a good novel.
In summary, high points are a very tight plot, well-developed characters, and an ending that lives up to the rest of the story. For me, these are three vital ingredients of a good novel.
April 30, 2016
As a civilian, I give it a 5
I'm a 62 year old woman who has never really understood the Vietnam War, neither why we were in it or why we left it as we did. As part of completing my own bucket list I've decided to do some research. However, I did not want to start with dry, informative military books. I picked this up and could not put it down. Yes, it may seem far-fetched to some, but if you live long enough both magic and the supernatural comes back into your life. I won't insult those brave soldiers who fought that war by saying that the book made me understand their plight. But it did give me an ever so little taste of the fear they must have lived in throughout their tour. My only suggestion would have been to have just left Daniel to each character and reader to solve. It was a great first Vietnam read!
I'm a 62 year old woman who has never really understood the Vietnam War, neither why we were in it or why we left it as we did. As part of completing my own bucket list I've decided to do some research. However, I did not want to start with dry, informative military books. I picked this up and could not put it down. Yes, it may seem far-fetched to some, but if you live long enough both magic and the supernatural comes back into your life. I won't insult those brave soldiers who fought that war by saying that the book made me understand their plight. But it did give me an ever so little taste of the fear they must have lived in throughout their tour. My only suggestion would have been to have just left Daniel to each character and reader to solve. It was a great first Vietnam read!
December 5, 2011
I bought this book because I loved the concept. Unfortunately, the concept was poorly executed with bad prose, needless amounts of cussing, and too much telling instead of showing. I stuck with it to the end to find out the truth about Daniel, and frankly, it was the best part of the whole book. The truth about Daniel was far more thrilling than any of the action scenes, which mostly fall flat. I'm a fan of war stories but this one didn't do it for me.
September 11, 2011
I liked Matterhorn, a fictional account of Viet Nam and so this book was recommended to me by Amazon. I rate it just as highly as Matterhorn. Except better in terms of the suspense. Just when you think you have figured it out, this book takes some sharp hairpin turns and gets even better. An excellent, roller coaster ride of a book.
December 1, 2011
Loved this book. Yocum is a great story-teller. The book is riveting without falling back on cheap tactics to keep you engaged.
February 16, 2012
A really strange novel. Starts off a little slow, builds to an exciting middle, and ends suddenly is a totally different way than expected. Was Daniel real, was he a ghost, was he an angel?
June 11, 2012
A good read with a terrific twist!
April 3, 2013
I bought this book as it was only 50p on the Kindle and needed something to read on holiday.
I didn't know what to expect but thought the book was rather good, if somewhat poorly written.
I didn't know what to expect but thought the book was rather good, if somewhat poorly written.
January 24, 2015
Daniel
I don't usually read military fiction but I was intrigued by the mysterious Daniel. It was that mystery that kept me reading to the end. A good read.
I don't usually read military fiction but I was intrigued by the mysterious Daniel. It was that mystery that kept me reading to the end. A good read.
June 17, 2015
Daniel
I don't read a lot of fiction but I'm changing my mind after reading this book. I really enjoyed this one. It was well written and. Very very exciting. I loved it!!!!!
I don't read a lot of fiction but I'm changing my mind after reading this book. I really enjoyed this one. It was well written and. Very very exciting. I loved it!!!!!
June 28, 2015
Daniel
Great story, beginning to end. I did not set this book down until I finished it. The Lord works in mysterious ways
Great story, beginning to end. I did not set this book down until I finished it. The Lord works in mysterious ways
February 24, 2016
Excellent and not what one would ordinarily expect from a Vietnam novel at all. Fast paced and highly gripping.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews