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Vietnam #4
Casualties of War
Morris, Rudi, Ivan, and Beck are best friends for life. So when one of the teens is drafted into the Vietnam War, the others sign up, too. Although they each serve in a different branch, they are fighting the war together -- and they promise to do all they can to come home together.
Of the four, it's Beck that has the most to lose. He's the smart one of the bunch, and he could be -- SHOULD be -- going to college. His parents certainly think so. But he has a pact to honor, and so Beck enlists in the US Air Force.
As their tours of duty near completion and the war itself spirals further out of control, the four best friends are at last on a collision course. Will they all survive long enough to be reunited?
Of the four, it's Beck that has the most to lose. He's the smart one of the bunch, and he could be -- SHOULD be -- going to college. His parents certainly think so. But he has a pact to honor, and so Beck enlists in the US Air Force.
As their tours of duty near completion and the war itself spirals further out of control, the four best friends are at last on a collision course. Will they all survive long enough to be reunited?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
49 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Chris Lynch
61 books161 followersChris Lynch is the Printz Honor Award-winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including KILL SWITCH, ANGRY YOUNG MAN, and INEXCUSABLE, which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. He is also the author of FREEWILL, GOLD DUST, ICEMAN, GYPSY DAVY, and SHADOWBOXER, all ALA Best Books for Young Adults; EXTREME ELVIN WHITECHURCH, and ALL THE OLD HAUNTS.
He holds an M.A. from the writing program at Emerson College. He mentors aspiring writers and continues to work on new literary projects. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.
He holds an M.A. from the writing program at Emerson College. He mentors aspiring writers and continues to work on new literary projects. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 1, 2018
It was a great book one of my favorites, the only thing i don't like is the ending.
April 19, 2013
The fourth and final installment in Chris Lynch's Vietnam series, Casualties of War follows Beck, the smarty pants of the group of four friends this series revolves around. Due to the oath sworn by the four that if one of them goes to Vietnam they'll all go. Beck joins up with the Air Force, finding what joy he can in the war by maintaining the aircraft.
Casualties of War can't quite stand up by itself in the same way books two and three could've, and relies heavily on those two books for its plot, and while books two and three give good insight into the other three characters (Ivan, Morris, and Rudie) I felt like they sold Beck short. Even though this book is about Beck, it still feels more like a capstone on the Ivan/Rudie plot, leaving Beck out in the cold once again.
That's not to say Beck doesn't get to shine for a little while. We see how he has a different sort of battle to face, coming from a home of intellectuals who are extremely against the war, and don't understand why Beck would leave to join when he doesn't have to go.
Now, for the ending. The ending is explosive. Morris and Beck get pushed aside so that we can see the end result of Ivan and Rudie. The ending will be lost on anyone who hasn't read those two character's books, but for those who have, it ends in a (sadly) fitting way. I thought it was the perfect way to end the series, and am dying to see if other people caught the implications I saw in the last pages. (So drop me a line if you've finished it).
Anyway, I recommend the series as a good war series for younger readers. It shows the horrors of war without getting too graphic.
Casualties of War can't quite stand up by itself in the same way books two and three could've, and relies heavily on those two books for its plot, and while books two and three give good insight into the other three characters (Ivan, Morris, and Rudie) I felt like they sold Beck short. Even though this book is about Beck, it still feels more like a capstone on the Ivan/Rudie plot, leaving Beck out in the cold once again.
That's not to say Beck doesn't get to shine for a little while. We see how he has a different sort of battle to face, coming from a home of intellectuals who are extremely against the war, and don't understand why Beck would leave to join when he doesn't have to go.
Now, for the ending. The ending is explosive. Morris and Beck get pushed aside so that we can see the end result of Ivan and Rudie. The ending will be lost on anyone who hasn't read those two character's books, but for those who have, it ends in a (sadly) fitting way. I thought it was the perfect way to end the series, and am dying to see if other people caught the implications I saw in the last pages. (So drop me a line if you've finished it).
Anyway, I recommend the series as a good war series for younger readers. It shows the horrors of war without getting too graphic.
March 19, 2013
Not sure this one would stand on it's own and i didn't get enough of the "smart" i thought i would from this charachter.
Good series, one all middle schools should have. The ending was sad, but realistic and left you wondering about something about the friends. Makes me think i need to go back to book one to check something out. The boys will like this series so i will certainly recommend it.
Good series, one all middle schools should have. The ending was sad, but realistic and left you wondering about something about the friends. Makes me think i need to go back to book one to check something out. The boys will like this series so i will certainly recommend it.
March 2, 2018
I liked the book because it showed a good representation of what the war was like. It showed what the soldiers had to go through and it had great detail. I was hooked to it because it was action packed and had a twist around every corner. The book had a good story line and the heart break of losing teammates, friends, and family.
February 24, 2018
This book is AMAZING!Though it had a sad ending the characters throughout the story where amazing and it was sad to see *SPOILERS AHEAD* what Rudi had become killing people for Ivan and even though he died at the end it was still great to see this monster that Rudi had become.*SPOILERS END* Great book and character build up and would recommend.
April 4, 2017
This wasn't quiet as good as the other three books, but I still enjoyed it. The ending was killer though and I'm not sure that I'm happy with it.
The book in itself wasn't very stand alone as the others were and it made it less enjoyable.
I wish there had been a future view at the end of the book of what happened to the guys after they got back or if they even made it back.
The book in itself wasn't very stand alone as the others were and it made it less enjoyable.
I wish there had been a future view at the end of the book of what happened to the guys after they got back or if they even made it back.
January 6, 2015
This book Was really good. It showed how war affects people and where they live in a way I've never heard. There's action, drama and all sorts of awesome and interesting things in this book, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. This story is about 4 friends that make a pact or a promise that if one of them gets drafted into the military for the Vietnam war then every one volunteers No matter what. Great book and a fun read.
November 17, 2016
I loved this series by Chris Lynch. It showed how each character was changed by the Vietnam War. Warning: the end of this book (and the series) is a shocker and I found it quite upsetting although it made sense based on the circumstances. I was hoping that the author would write a follow up book, but I don't think it is happening.
November 1, 2019
The book I’m reading is Casualties of War by Chris Lynch. The Lexile value is 890. Beck the main charter is a very smart guy who goes off to Vietnam. Everyone in his family thinks this is a horrible choice because he could of gone off to a very good college. His goal is to take it one day at a time until he leaves. But that will be tested at the experiences of the war first hand. One time on a normal mission his plane gets hit badly by a missile. His plane dives down then BOOM. he is thrown into the jungle with only a pistol. Will, he survive?
The theme of the book is don’t get too deep. It develops by Beck starting to be friends with an escort pilot, then next flight his plane gets blown up. “Then annihilates the A-1. and it’s Pilot”(p.24). Another time is when Beck is helping his buddy deliver bombs to the fighter jets. About 15 minutes later those bombs blew up killing everyone in that hanger.”That was the revetment we just- ‘I know’ he says flatly” (p.54). The final time is when Beck’s best friend Rudi is on patrol and gets shot by a sniper killing him instantly. “‘No’ I scream, using both hands to stop the blood” (p.181).
I really liked this book but it also had some braw backs. One was it was easy for me to read. Another one was how the book ended that was when Rudi got killed. But the book was very good. Such as the way the book made you want to keep reading it. Also the way it felt real instead of a historical fiction book like what it is.
The theme of the book is don’t get too deep. It develops by Beck starting to be friends with an escort pilot, then next flight his plane gets blown up. “Then annihilates the A-1. and it’s Pilot”(p.24). Another time is when Beck is helping his buddy deliver bombs to the fighter jets. About 15 minutes later those bombs blew up killing everyone in that hanger.”That was the revetment we just- ‘I know’ he says flatly” (p.54). The final time is when Beck’s best friend Rudi is on patrol and gets shot by a sniper killing him instantly. “‘No’ I scream, using both hands to stop the blood” (p.181).
I really liked this book but it also had some braw backs. One was it was easy for me to read. Another one was how the book ended that was when Rudi got killed. But the book was very good. Such as the way the book made you want to keep reading it. Also the way it felt real instead of a historical fiction book like what it is.
March 1, 2018
My book is called Casualties of war, the author is Chris Lynch the book is really interesting i've read his other Vietnam books and their cool to read them because it seems so realistic. I was personally affected by it because most of his squad dies.
Some specific things the author does to make the book realistic is how he explains the fighting, and it makes it seem like your in the book fighting the war with the squad in the book “ Another rocket slams us, tearing into the tail , and i can't even attempt to get u right now as the plane twirls like a huge oak leaf falling from a tree.”
I really recommend this book if u like war book because this book does really good on explaining the war and how everything happens it explains in good details i really like this book just because i'm really into war or historical fiction books.The book was kinda confusing at some parts but not all the parts, it was fairly hard to read but not really hard because it was confusing at some parts. Some connections i made with other war books is that they're all interesting.
Some specific things the author does to make the book realistic is how he explains the fighting, and it makes it seem like your in the book fighting the war with the squad in the book “ Another rocket slams us, tearing into the tail , and i can't even attempt to get u right now as the plane twirls like a huge oak leaf falling from a tree.”
I really recommend this book if u like war book because this book does really good on explaining the war and how everything happens it explains in good details i really like this book just because i'm really into war or historical fiction books.The book was kinda confusing at some parts but not all the parts, it was fairly hard to read but not really hard because it was confusing at some parts. Some connections i made with other war books is that they're all interesting.
April 1, 2019
I thought that this book was very good, for a reader who likes action and violence I thought this book was very good. I was confused at the beginning on why a very smart intelligent boy would want to go to war when he could have gotten a great education and had a even better life? But he used his knowledge to help him fix planes if damage were done to them and fix the guns. Anytime he had to shoot a gun from above he would always have the mentality that he did not shoot anyone which led him to do greater things. I would recommend this book to people who like war books, violence and action this was a very interesting book that kept me wanting to keep reading.
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October 27, 2020When his three best friends go to Vietnam, Beck knows he must honor his promise to go with them. He joins in the US Air Force, where he's able to work as a mechanic, learning about planes and helicopters and supersonic jets. He has not seen any VC yet, but neither has he seen his friends, so when he gets shot down while on a routine mission of spraying Agent Orange(A herbicide), he finds himself vowing to get back to his friends. Finally, he does after a VC spares him. He gets a return trip home and is visiting his family and his friends family, and answering all of there questions. He thinks he can stay home. Little does he know, Vietnam is not done with him yet.
October 19, 2021
By chris lynch
So this book itself is an awesome book its crazy to think my grandpa was in this so it was really cool to learn about.Its starts off with the troops at there base they are gearing up to go look at a camp up spot they are getting thunder pigs and every thing if you don't know what a thunder pig is it is a c-123k big boy its what carries them to there spot.
I think the theme of the book is like realistic stuff that any army member goes threw and the stuff that went on in vietnam.The character is nervous at first he is well prepared for the job and the incline is really good in this book it will get super high then something bad happens then they have to rebuild the incline a lot but all around a great book.
I recommend this book because it is awesome you learn a lot actually. If you like action and some history then you will love this book it was kinda hard to read at some points in the book but it was a all around good book.
So this book itself is an awesome book its crazy to think my grandpa was in this so it was really cool to learn about.Its starts off with the troops at there base they are gearing up to go look at a camp up spot they are getting thunder pigs and every thing if you don't know what a thunder pig is it is a c-123k big boy its what carries them to there spot.
I think the theme of the book is like realistic stuff that any army member goes threw and the stuff that went on in vietnam.The character is nervous at first he is well prepared for the job and the incline is really good in this book it will get super high then something bad happens then they have to rebuild the incline a lot but all around a great book.
I recommend this book because it is awesome you learn a lot actually. If you like action and some history then you will love this book it was kinda hard to read at some points in the book but it was a all around good book.
February 7, 2024
Vietnam book four casualties of war
Pages 182
Author Chris Lynch
The publisher is scholastic Reissue edition
Historical fiction
The price is $6.22
The book is about Vietnam and these four friends who joined so they can be together but they got separated I enjoyed the book because their was a lot of action and adventure and they kept talking about what has happened during the war and what happened to all of his friends
I would recommend this book to kellan because he likes to read war and historical books This book is interesting It happened in the past and it was a war so it is more interesting .
Pages 182
Author Chris Lynch
The publisher is scholastic Reissue edition
Historical fiction
The price is $6.22
The book is about Vietnam and these four friends who joined so they can be together but they got separated I enjoyed the book because their was a lot of action and adventure and they kept talking about what has happened during the war and what happened to all of his friends
I would recommend this book to kellan because he likes to read war and historical books This book is interesting It happened in the past and it was a war so it is more interesting .
July 2, 2017
This is a book about the ambiguities of war. About how it affects the men who fight, in both good and bad ways. About how ridiculous war can be. And about how it changes those who fight in them.
The writing is excellent. The story is very interesting. Four boys, all childhood friends, decide to go to war together, because one wanted to and the others promised. How it affects each of them is the subject of the story, told from the POV of one of them.
This is not a story about combat. It's about how war affects men's minds and hearts and changes them as brutality becomes a way of life.
The writing is excellent. The story is very interesting. Four boys, all childhood friends, decide to go to war together, because one wanted to and the others promised. How it affects each of them is the subject of the story, told from the POV of one of them.
This is not a story about combat. It's about how war affects men's minds and hearts and changes them as brutality becomes a way of life.
May 8, 2017
The book “The casualties of war” was about what branch Morris, Rudie, Ivan, and Beck were going to be assigned to. The book then talked about what kind of weaponry they used in and during the war.
It also talked about their memories when they were children, like playing baseball. I liked the part when they talked about what they used for war.
It also talked about their memories when they were children, like playing baseball. I liked the part when they talked about what they used for war.
February 20, 2018
Casualties of War is a very unsuspecting book. Many things happen throughout the book and at the end, a young comrade dies in a very confusing way. Did he die to a fellow comrade? You might Find out in the next book.
January 18, 2020
This book is another great historical fiction book. It shows the lives of young soldiers during the war and how the men and woman had to fight. It takes on a character who has to fight his way through war. This book is great!
November 2, 2016
This book gave grave detail on the Vietnam war and he is in the army trying to survive from the victimize and gave detail about what happens in the army.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2017
This book was really exciting and fun to read! I enjoyed reading it! The whole book had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to read the next book!
November 8, 2017
I liked this book. It was funny and educating.
January 22, 2018
What a heart wrenching book. The author does a really good job at keeping the reader at the edge of their seat.
April 3, 2018
It was really difficult to read this book alongside TTTC because they are so similar in topic, but O'Brien trumps Lynch with his content and writing style.
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June 4, 2019good book
October 24, 2019
Pretty good, accurate representation of the culture at the time.
June 4, 2021
Called it.
August 4, 2021
Loved this series. Helped me learn more about the Vietnam War.
March 10, 2023
no spoilers but reallly good book also forgot to update so srry
January 30, 2024
Very good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
This book was okay. It was about friends that went to fight in the Vietnam war together. One friend got drafted into the war so all the other friends joined him and fought the war with him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews