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Acceptable Loss: An Infantry Soldier's Perspective
This mass market paperback has the same ISBN as the hardcover edition.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 20, 2023
The story follows the author, Sargent Jorgenson, through his campaign in the Vietnam war. It has stories from his fighting on the front lines and the life in the military bases and surrounding villages in between the fighting. It doesn't shy away from the realities of war and how it affects those who are doing the actual fighting. The author intersperse his outlook on the war throughout the book and you can see how it changes as he experiences more and more of what war is really like. The book will definitely be transformative for any reader. As a bonus, there are some proper laugh out loud moments with the soldier's type of humor and banter between "buddies". I highly recommend the book.
September 16, 2023
It’s really a great Vietnam memoir from a Ranger LRRP/ 1st Air Cav “blue “.
July 22, 2022
You know, this is honestly the last thing I was wanting to pick up. The cover screamed something that would be on the Duck Dynasty guys' book shelves and it just seemed way too Republican dude bro. I have always been grateful for our nations' veterans, but I have often felt politically frustrated by the idea of war and concerned about the overly patriotic, almost religious reverence people give to our Armed Forces. Nonetheless, I persisted and began this book. Little did I anticipate just how powerful of an emotional journey this would kick start for me. Though not as powerful in my mind as Home Before Morning, this memoir was absolutely worth the read. Despite one's personal political views of whether the United States should have gotten militarily involved in Vietnam, it is difficult to not feel overwhelming respect for the noble and courageous individuals who answered the call to fight for their brothers. The book starts on Jorgenson's first day on his tour of duty and ends the day he flies home to the United States. In his time in Vietnam, he shows what it truly means to be brave. Early in the book while engaged in a fight and displaying true heroism, Jorgenson spends the rest of his time in Vietnam, not accepting the opportunity to do a cush job after his traumatic experience but, going out of his way to fill one of the most dangerous jobs as a member of a quick reaction force team. Accepting the call to put his life on the line and help his fellow soldiers, he does not shy away from danger, but courageously fights for his friends. Though he may humbly refuse the title of "hero", one does not finish this book without seeing that this is truly what he is, just like so many who accept the call to fight. Through his vulnerability in sharing his immense emotional scars, feelings of fear and deep mourning, the reader grows to feel such love and gratitude to Jorgenson and the MANY veterans like him.
June 5, 2016
From The Red Badge of Courage onwards, there are many awe-inspiring books on war; quite a few great ones on the Vietnam war, in fact. I've found that the great ones seem to strive for something epic--the writing itself being so beautiful or horrifying that the work of art stands on its own, or the book carries a message of some kind that ennobles the book, or even the writer.
Kregg does something else, and I think it is some of the most remarkable writing I've ever read. He writes the war through the eyes of the unimaginably courageous, yet humble 19-2o year old kid that he was. He writes about no higher purpose, no grand political scheme, simply what it was like to be a kid who sought war as a kind of rite of passage, and found himself in a chaotic world. His writing is narrowed down to battles and comrades and a few encounters with rear echelon folks. You get a sense of a war in which no territory is really won; only positions taken and then abandoned, enemies killed and brothers-in-arms as well. Kregg never dehumanizes the enemy, but describes himself and his fellows as simply men who strove to survive, strove to protect each other at any cost. I've never read a book that gave a truer window into the world of young men on the "front" lines in Vietnam - except there really weren't any real front lines.
"Disclaimer" - it is easy to stand by this review because I'm honored to call Kregg a friend. His humility is genuine--the nineteen year old kid he writes about is so much the man he is today. Only more so.
Kregg does something else, and I think it is some of the most remarkable writing I've ever read. He writes the war through the eyes of the unimaginably courageous, yet humble 19-2o year old kid that he was. He writes about no higher purpose, no grand political scheme, simply what it was like to be a kid who sought war as a kind of rite of passage, and found himself in a chaotic world. His writing is narrowed down to battles and comrades and a few encounters with rear echelon folks. You get a sense of a war in which no territory is really won; only positions taken and then abandoned, enemies killed and brothers-in-arms as well. Kregg never dehumanizes the enemy, but describes himself and his fellows as simply men who strove to survive, strove to protect each other at any cost. I've never read a book that gave a truer window into the world of young men on the "front" lines in Vietnam - except there really weren't any real front lines.
"Disclaimer" - it is easy to stand by this review because I'm honored to call Kregg a friend. His humility is genuine--the nineteen year old kid he writes about is so much the man he is today. Only more so.
October 4, 2019
Personal perspective well told
Vietnam is hard to read about. This account gave me a clear look at the experience without dwelling on the gory or negative while still being honest.
Vietnam is hard to read about. This account gave me a clear look at the experience without dwelling on the gory or negative while still being honest.
January 23, 2020
Excellent
Wonderful book that not only captures the fear and horror of war, but the personal bonds formed between soldiers...very well done
Wonderful book that not only captures the fear and horror of war, but the personal bonds formed between soldiers...very well done
April 12, 2020
Excellent coverage of one mans trials in Vietnam
From beginning to end, this book keeps you reading. You can picture the situations, the smells, the sights through his words.
From beginning to end, this book keeps you reading. You can picture the situations, the smells, the sights through his words.
May 16, 2020
When I picked up this book, I was expecting a book to be on par with Chickenhawk or Xin Loi.
I was a little disappointed though.
Still it was quite good.
I was a little disappointed though.
Still it was quite good.
August 18, 2020
Good book
A good account of a certain time and place in Vietnam. The writer’s insertion of remembered dialogue was a nice touch.
A good account of a certain time and place in Vietnam. The writer’s insertion of remembered dialogue was a nice touch.
November 1, 2020
Kregg Jorgensen does a great job depicting how the war took a toll on him along with his friends and family. Also you can see ambush with the CBS crew on youtube.
November 3, 2025
From the perspective of: An Infantry Soldier. People outside of the environment just don't have the same conversations about Mission, Men, Materiel that one gets in a combat arms team room. Long before the 'day of', receiving an operations brief staring at a map on a wall or hood of a Jeep by flashlight, teammates talk about what happens when they die. Leave a letter, phone number, favorite picture - something for the friends who survive to use to 'complete the picture' or finish the story. Kregg's work here is spot on. Life expectancy, skills that matter, internal social struggles - all pale in comparison to living and dying in the moment. This is a story about real guys who did real stuff and some really died while others are still around today. As a point man who lived through it, keeping it to oneself is common, only sharing with those who may have to do the same someday.
February 6, 2023
3,5 Sterne
Jorgenson erzählt wie er sich freiwillig mit 19 Jahren voller Idealismus und Träumen von Mut und Heldentum für den Vietnamkrieg meldet, nur um vor Ort schnell von der grausamen Realität des Krieges eingeholt zu werden. Anfangs noch etwas holprig geschrieben, wird es nach hinten raus interessanter. Lesenswert.
Ein Einsatz von seinem Platoon, bei dem er verwundet wurde, wurde von einem CBS Team gefilmt. Den Beitrag kann man sich auf youtube anschauen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89_3D...
Jorgenson erzählt wie er sich freiwillig mit 19 Jahren voller Idealismus und Träumen von Mut und Heldentum für den Vietnamkrieg meldet, nur um vor Ort schnell von der grausamen Realität des Krieges eingeholt zu werden. Anfangs noch etwas holprig geschrieben, wird es nach hinten raus interessanter. Lesenswert.
Ein Einsatz von seinem Platoon, bei dem er verwundet wurde, wurde von einem CBS Team gefilmt. Den Beitrag kann man sich auf youtube anschauen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89_3D...
October 3, 2019
Got it for my husband
My husband ( Army vet) couldn't put the book down. He said it was one of the best stories about the "real" war in Vietnam he's read . He relived a lot of memories reading it, the scenes were both funny and sad. Jorgensen pulled no punches describing the ugly aspect of war, and the visceral emotions that warriors feel.
My husband ( Army vet) couldn't put the book down. He said it was one of the best stories about the "real" war in Vietnam he's read . He relived a lot of memories reading it, the scenes were both funny and sad. Jorgensen pulled no punches describing the ugly aspect of war, and the visceral emotions that warriors feel.
November 20, 2019
I was interested in this book because of the perspective of the author. He went to Vietnam as a young man, like many young men did at the time, and he relays his experiences as a soldier there. It was a personal record and gave me a realistic picture of what happened to him. Although it was sincere and informative, no one, who was not there, would be able to relate to what went on there.
January 3, 2020
A good book hard to stop reading.
I have it 5 stars because it was well written and kept my interest. The author told his story about his time in the man straight up from different perspectives of an enlisted solder, leader, hero, wounded patient and human being with emotions we should all have. It is a great book about a terrible undeniable war.
I have it 5 stars because it was well written and kept my interest. The author told his story about his time in the man straight up from different perspectives of an enlisted solder, leader, hero, wounded patient and human being with emotions we should all have. It is a great book about a terrible undeniable war.
January 26, 2020
The war in Vietnam as seen by a decorated veteran
The author has written a compelling book about his experiences. He wrote a book in which he describes raw combat, up close and personal. He also is very honest about the rear officers, who did nothing, but make life miserable for troops coming in from the bush. I highly recommend this book.
The author has written a compelling book about his experiences. He wrote a book in which he describes raw combat, up close and personal. He also is very honest about the rear officers, who did nothing, but make life miserable for troops coming in from the bush. I highly recommend this book.
October 2, 2019
A totally different novel on Vietnam based on the author's actual combat experience. Gives the reader unique insight to the experience of special unit frontline units. i.e 1st Cav and 1st of the 9th.
I highly recommend this book. It's the best o I have read. It is compelling.
I highly recommend this book. It's the best o I have read. It is compelling.
October 16, 2019
Reality
This book is about as real as it gets. It shows the ugly side of the war itself and some of the ugly side of those who managed it (officers). Well worth the time to read. Great character development and follow-up.
This book is about as real as it gets. It shows the ugly side of the war itself and some of the ugly side of those who managed it (officers). Well worth the time to read. Great character development and follow-up.
December 14, 2019
Good title, well paced and moving memoir that shows careful editing. Thank you for being who you are and for sharing that with the rest of us. One of the better stories to come out of this horribly corrupt war.
March 8, 2021
A Great Read
The author makes his experience in Vietnam real for the reader. You feel the emotions expressed as closely as one can
In the written words. You share his experience as a very young
man thrust into a living and dying hell. It will move you and shake you.
The author makes his experience in Vietnam real for the reader. You feel the emotions expressed as closely as one can
In the written words. You share his experience as a very young
man thrust into a living and dying hell. It will move you and shake you.
September 22, 2019
Very well written story!
I enjoyed this account of experiences from the VietNam war. It told of the joys of soldering as well as the total gripping terror defined by a firefight.
I enjoyed this account of experiences from the VietNam war. It told of the joys of soldering as well as the total gripping terror defined by a firefight.
October 3, 2019
Good reading
It,s a shame more people do not realize what our military have done a d Re still doing to keep this country safe.
It,s a shame more people do not realize what our military have done a d Re still doing to keep this country safe.
March 20, 2021
Not to be overlooked!
Honest perspective of an infantry soldier during the vietnam war. These men deserve to be treated with our utmost respect and compassion.
Honest perspective of an infantry soldier during the vietnam war. These men deserve to be treated with our utmost respect and compassion.
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February 11, 2025Book club pick #3
August 5, 2012
Acceptable Loss is an awesome story!! I especially liked reading about the secret insertions into "no man's land" as the five-man LRRP teams operated without any support. It is edge of your seat suspense when these small groups are unknowingly trapped between large enemy forces and have to make their way to the pick-up point, precisely on time, or they will be left behind! After several of these encounters, I can see why Mr. Jorgenson transferred to the Blues. However, it wasn't any easier there as these volunteers knew they were headed for battle when the call came for help.
I am also a Vietnam Infantry veteran and author, and can relate to those instances when the author walked point, as I did for much of my tour; much of it hit home. There is nothing glorified about war, and Kregg was able to show this all through his novel. I truly enjoyed his story. It was very easy to read, and made me feel like I was right there beside him; heart pounding and wondering if we were going to survive. Acceptable loss kept me up a little longer that I should have on some nights, but I found myself yearning for it upon my return home the next evening.
Acceptable Loss deserves five stars and a place within the top twenty of my all time best Vietnam novels. Great job Kregg!
I am also a Vietnam Infantry veteran and author, and can relate to those instances when the author walked point, as I did for much of my tour; much of it hit home. There is nothing glorified about war, and Kregg was able to show this all through his novel. I truly enjoyed his story. It was very easy to read, and made me feel like I was right there beside him; heart pounding and wondering if we were going to survive. Acceptable loss kept me up a little longer that I should have on some nights, but I found myself yearning for it upon my return home the next evening.
Acceptable Loss deserves five stars and a place within the top twenty of my all time best Vietnam novels. Great job Kregg!
April 30, 2011
Kregg P. J. Jorgenson writes with such gritty realism, that it's almost like being there in the steaming jungles of Vietnam. I was an Infantryman in a different era, but I feel like I actually know all of the people he so realistically describes in the book. It's eery.
He carries us from his first days in country as a cherry, "shake and bake" sergeant, through his voluntary Ranger training to be a LRRP, through many harrowing patrols walking point on a LRRP team, and finally to the hospital in Long Binh. It's an amazing story that is extremely well written. If you want to know what grunts sound like, look like, and feel like, read Jorgenson's book. It's incredible. He shares with us a world where uncommon bravery was a common virtue and makes us truly know and care about all of the men he served with and led.
I found his description of the LRRP school to be very well done. I also enjoyed the very personal information Mr. Jorgenson shared thoughout the book. It was meaningful to me personally. I appreciate this work very much and think it belongs on any book shelf. It is one of the best books written on the Vietnam War. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story. It's an excellent book.
He carries us from his first days in country as a cherry, "shake and bake" sergeant, through his voluntary Ranger training to be a LRRP, through many harrowing patrols walking point on a LRRP team, and finally to the hospital in Long Binh. It's an amazing story that is extremely well written. If you want to know what grunts sound like, look like, and feel like, read Jorgenson's book. It's incredible. He shares with us a world where uncommon bravery was a common virtue and makes us truly know and care about all of the men he served with and led.
I found his description of the LRRP school to be very well done. I also enjoyed the very personal information Mr. Jorgenson shared thoughout the book. It was meaningful to me personally. I appreciate this work very much and think it belongs on any book shelf. It is one of the best books written on the Vietnam War. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story. It's an excellent book.
January 10, 2012
I was dragging my heels to start reading this, because I'm not big on war books, movies, etc. I picked this book up because I know the author from work. All I can say is WOW. He is a fantastic writer. I'm only on Chapter 5 right now and I am hooked. This book is going to be a keeper, I can tell. God bless him and all of the other men and women who have defended out country, right or wrong, they did what needed to be done, sometimes giving their all, to keep us and our freedoms safe.
This book was incredible. I highly recommend it. Life and war are not like the movies and while war is not a happy subject, the author deals with it in a realistic and not over the top way. Thank you Mr. Jorgenson, for sharing your experiences with the rest of the world. It's important to never forget what those who have gone before us have gone through. By not learning from the past, we are doomed to repeat it. This is an amazing book.
This book was incredible. I highly recommend it. Life and war are not like the movies and while war is not a happy subject, the author deals with it in a realistic and not over the top way. Thank you Mr. Jorgenson, for sharing your experiences with the rest of the world. It's important to never forget what those who have gone before us have gone through. By not learning from the past, we are doomed to repeat it. This is an amazing book.
June 23, 2012
This guy really did have a story tell. I served in the same area with elements of the 25th Division at the same time he was there. Nothing quite as dramatic as his experiences, but it was a kind of weird experience reading this book being familiar with the battleground. It is a straight forward accpount by a frontline infantry combat soldier in the thick of it and that came through. The story was true to that experience and showed so well the effects of combat stress on a young mind. He returned home with the same issues and the same mind set as so many of us. A good book for anyone with a broad interest in Vietnam. It gives an outstanding account of the LRRP experience and that of the rescue teams for downed pilots in one of the most comabt active areas in Vietnam, These guys earned their combat infantry badges and then some. My hat's off to them. Sell done those men!
April 16, 2015
Jorgenson is known as the 'Sergeant who walks point' and according to his comrades has 'balls that clank'. After after a brief stint as a LURP, he joins an Air Cav. unit that specializes in rescue and recovery of downed helicopter crews and as a rapid response unit to engage enemy forces. You can't get much more dangerous than this in the Vietnam war.
In spite of this, this is no macho monologue. The writing style is easy-going and Jorgenson is a very insightful young soldier.
Overall a good gritty account of the 19 year old authors' tour in the Nam. Reminiscent of one of my other Vietnam favorites 'Chickenhawk'.
In spite of this, this is no macho monologue. The writing style is easy-going and Jorgenson is a very insightful young soldier.
Overall a good gritty account of the 19 year old authors' tour in the Nam. Reminiscent of one of my other Vietnam favorites 'Chickenhawk'.
July 12, 2014
Excellent read
The author does a fine job of the FNGs initial starry eyed, ' We're here to stop communism and like my Dad in WWII, I'm proud to do my job', enthusiasm. Then the slow letdown as we read about how ' Great' we were being supported by our wonderful, patriotic citizens ( waving NVA FLAGS and carrying placards calling their beloved American troopers, baby- killers, war mongerers and other compliments)and government back home! ( hope the sarcasm came through) How we ended up fighting to keep each other alive and people back home could take Mom's Apple pie and shove it up their as--s. Anybody that's offended by that, xin loi.
The author does a fine job of the FNGs initial starry eyed, ' We're here to stop communism and like my Dad in WWII, I'm proud to do my job', enthusiasm. Then the slow letdown as we read about how ' Great' we were being supported by our wonderful, patriotic citizens ( waving NVA FLAGS and carrying placards calling their beloved American troopers, baby- killers, war mongerers and other compliments)and government back home! ( hope the sarcasm came through) How we ended up fighting to keep each other alive and people back home could take Mom's Apple pie and shove it up their as--s. Anybody that's offended by that, xin loi.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews