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Run Between the Raindrops
The blood-drenched Navy Corpsman had it right as he labored to keep yet another Marine alive on the mean streets of Hue City: “Getting out of Hue alive is like trying to run between raindrops without getting wet.” Nearly half a century has passed since Marine veteran Dale Dye fought in Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive. That brutal experience prompted him to write a searing, critically acclaimed novel about the surreal experiences of the battle to wrest control of Vietnam’s ancient Imperial capital from regiments of fanatical North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Now he’s taken a long second look at that fight and revised his original work into an even more powerful narrative of one of the Vietnam War’s most brutal battles. The story is told through the eyes of a veteran Marine Corps Combat Correspondent with the observational skills and off-beat attitude to relate what he sees from the close-quarter, house-to-house meat-grinder of the southside to the epic assault on the enemy-infested walls of the city’s medieval Citadel in a voice that reflects the Code of the Grunt: Just do it—or die trying. There it is.
205 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1985
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340 people want to read
About the author
Dale A. Dye
30 books35 followersDale Adam Dye is an American author, actor, and businessman. He served for many years in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising in rank from Private to Captain during the course of his career, which included service as a Marine Combat Correspondent during the war in Viet Nam. He retired from the USMC in 1984, and has since worked primarily in film and television in addition to writing several books.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2015
I badly misjudged the author of this book. A number of years ago, I read the "novelisation" of Oliver Stone's film script for 'Platoon' which was written by Dale Dye, and because it was a half-assed piece of hack writing I made the assumption that the author was not a particularly talented writer. My father used to tell me that "'assume' makes an ass out of u and me", and in this case he was absolutely right. In my defense, I should point out that this present book is not all that easy to find- at the time it was published, the market was probably over-saturated with novels about the war in Viet Nam, and many of them more or less slipped through the cracks. 'Run Between The Raindrops' is one of the best books I have ever read in that category, however, and I have read quite a few. This book deserved a better fate than its current obscurity; it is every bit as good as James Webb's 'Fields Of Fire', perhaps even better... I recommend this one highly; it is the best war novel I have read in many years.
October 29, 2024
Vietnam War novel about taking a Citadel from Hue.
Seems out of time, right now. Maybe better to read it in a few years.
Seems out of time, right now. Maybe better to read it in a few years.
June 6, 2015
I glance at his helmet. He's drawn a detailed depiction of the Marine Corps eagle, globe, and anchor emblem on the camouflage cover and modified the Semper Fidelis motto to Simply Forget Us
This is a grueling, disorienting, completely engrossing read about the experiences of a Marine journalist who was assigned to get to know his fellow grunts so he could send back articles and photos to their hometowns.
There's a contrast between the cynicism and bitterness and confusion in the novel, and the self-reflection and perspective in the author's note, which was written twenty-odd years after the book was originally written. If you pick this one up, I suggest getting the newest release, and definitely read what Mr Dye has to say before you read the book.
I wanted to write something different with trappings and observations on the gonzo model of first person, experiential screeds that would convey the surreal, often hallucinatory images I recalled from fighting in the mean streets of Hue.
This book is surreal to the point it's frightening. I've never read a book before that gave me chills the way this one did. I've never read any account of war that made me think I understood even a little of what that hell is like. Until I read this book. It's so painful and bleak and frightening and sickening to read that I had to take breaks. And then I inevitably thought about how I was taking a break from just reading about a battle, and I thought about how my beloved uncle lived it day in and day out as a soldier, then came home and relived it every day until he died. I wanted to understand the things that haunted him a little better, and I think I finally have an inkling now.
One thing I noticed is that if you stripped out the references to outdated machinery and location, you could still spot a Vietnam-era novel like this one in a lineup with Iraqi War novels. The soldiers in Vietnam were angrier, were frequently abusing drugs or alcohol, they used prostitutes as openly as they used C-rations, and they referred to the enemy almost exclusively by racist epithets. (Be warned if you read this: racism. All over. Everywhere. Every page.) Vietnam-era soldiers talked about the ways the government lied to them and to the media, with no patriotism at all to temper it. And they talked about the lies they told in return, like about looting the homes and shops of the people they were ostensibly there to liberate.
In an Iraq War novel, there are still disturbing behaviors, of course there are...but the overall tone is different. The enemy in a modern war story is an "insurgent" and there's a strong effort to state that an insurgent is not the same as the vast majority of the people in the region. There's still alcohol use, but it's not referenced as a daily thing that you smuggle into your water canteens. I'm certain there's drug use because God knows my cousins who served over there have said there is, but in the novels it's not painted as part of the accepted culture.
Maybe a part of that is that modern men and women all freely choose to enter the military. In the 60's, if you were male you could be picked against your will. And then you could try to get the money to run away and still ultimately risk prison time, or you could go to Vietnam. What choices!
This novel talks about the battle for a citadel. It was not a strategically important structure, but the Marines were not allowed to damage it. It had an NVA (North Vietnam) flag flying, and so the higher ups ordered the Marines to storm it. The integrity of the building was considered more important than the lives of the men on either side, because damaging the citadel would make them (more) unpopular.
Imagine going to your death knowing it was all for the enemy's flag. Literally.
Who knows what stories about the Iraq/Afghanistan wars will come out with time. It took decades for some of the Vietnam stories to be told. I only hope that they will reflect that we have learned something from the mistakes made in past wars, especially Vietnam. As far as war novels go, I consider this to be one of the most important I've ever read.
This is a grueling, disorienting, completely engrossing read about the experiences of a Marine journalist who was assigned to get to know his fellow grunts so he could send back articles and photos to their hometowns.
There's a contrast between the cynicism and bitterness and confusion in the novel, and the self-reflection and perspective in the author's note, which was written twenty-odd years after the book was originally written. If you pick this one up, I suggest getting the newest release, and definitely read what Mr Dye has to say before you read the book.
I wanted to write something different with trappings and observations on the gonzo model of first person, experiential screeds that would convey the surreal, often hallucinatory images I recalled from fighting in the mean streets of Hue.
This book is surreal to the point it's frightening. I've never read a book before that gave me chills the way this one did. I've never read any account of war that made me think I understood even a little of what that hell is like. Until I read this book. It's so painful and bleak and frightening and sickening to read that I had to take breaks. And then I inevitably thought about how I was taking a break from just reading about a battle, and I thought about how my beloved uncle lived it day in and day out as a soldier, then came home and relived it every day until he died. I wanted to understand the things that haunted him a little better, and I think I finally have an inkling now.
One thing I noticed is that if you stripped out the references to outdated machinery and location, you could still spot a Vietnam-era novel like this one in a lineup with Iraqi War novels. The soldiers in Vietnam were angrier, were frequently abusing drugs or alcohol, they used prostitutes as openly as they used C-rations, and they referred to the enemy almost exclusively by racist epithets. (Be warned if you read this: racism. All over. Everywhere. Every page.) Vietnam-era soldiers talked about the ways the government lied to them and to the media, with no patriotism at all to temper it. And they talked about the lies they told in return, like about looting the homes and shops of the people they were ostensibly there to liberate.
In an Iraq War novel, there are still disturbing behaviors, of course there are...but the overall tone is different. The enemy in a modern war story is an "insurgent" and there's a strong effort to state that an insurgent is not the same as the vast majority of the people in the region. There's still alcohol use, but it's not referenced as a daily thing that you smuggle into your water canteens. I'm certain there's drug use because God knows my cousins who served over there have said there is, but in the novels it's not painted as part of the accepted culture.
Maybe a part of that is that modern men and women all freely choose to enter the military. In the 60's, if you were male you could be picked against your will. And then you could try to get the money to run away and still ultimately risk prison time, or you could go to Vietnam. What choices!
This novel talks about the battle for a citadel. It was not a strategically important structure, but the Marines were not allowed to damage it. It had an NVA (North Vietnam) flag flying, and so the higher ups ordered the Marines to storm it. The integrity of the building was considered more important than the lives of the men on either side, because damaging the citadel would make them (more) unpopular.
Imagine going to your death knowing it was all for the enemy's flag. Literally.
Who knows what stories about the Iraq/Afghanistan wars will come out with time. It took decades for some of the Vietnam stories to be told. I only hope that they will reflect that we have learned something from the mistakes made in past wars, especially Vietnam. As far as war novels go, I consider this to be one of the most important I've ever read.
February 4, 2015
Having read a couple of Dale Dyes other books it is very interesting to see his growth as an author. The action of Run Between the Raindrops is the over powering element of the work, as it should be in this case. The Tet Offensive was filled with heroism and struggle by those who were caught up in it. The characters in this book are not as fully developed as his later writing, but in this edition it is mostly because of circumstances way beyond the authors control. The purpose of the novel is to show the quick and haphazard changes that occurred during the battle for Hue City during this time. As a combat correspondent he moved from unit to unit during the siege to gain control of the Imperial Palace. If you are interested in the fast paced quick moving battle this is a read for you.
January 13, 2021
as one who was there in the MACV compound during the tet offensive i would like to say that he got it mostly correct.the only thing that i would like to correct a he indicatated,that the ARVN and RF PF were useless.this is not true they held on to there headquarters in the citadel and did not leave and when the attack began phu bai did not believe how serious it was and did not send help for a long time to hue
how ever it was a good read and brought back many memories
how ever it was a good read and brought back many memories
November 20, 2015
From the time I started reading this amazing book by Dale Dye, I was immersed in the battle for Hue and right in the thick of it with the Marine combat correspondent telling the story. I especially liked Dale's use of the Code of the Grunt throughout the book. I would quote one of my favorites, but Amazon might delete my review due to language content. Great book! Semper Fi, Marine!
November 24, 2019
A gripping novel of the Vietnam War and the battle for Hue. I couldn't put it down. It's written by Dale Dye, a Vietnam veteran, and reads like a biography. This just draws you in more, always unsure where the lines between personal experience and historical fiction meet. The battle scenes read true, as does the author's ability to portray daily life as a US Marine combat correspondent (which he was). I found myself pulling up images of Hue during the battle and researching the wider battle, such was the author's ability to draw the reader in. One of the best novels to come out of the Vietnam War, and one that has left me wanting to read more.
September 5, 2025
A very well-written, fictional (I suspect it's just barely fiction) account of the Battle of Hue City during the Tet Offensive through the lens of a Marine Combat Correspondent, which is where and what the author was in 1968.
The pulls no punches but provides the dark humor and irrelevance so typical among Marines, with just a hint of Hunter S Thompson
An underrated and excellent read. Recommend it highly.
The pulls no punches but provides the dark humor and irrelevance so typical among Marines, with just a hint of Hunter S Thompson
An underrated and excellent read. Recommend it highly.
February 25, 2018
Decent first-person novel about the Battle of Hue during the Vietnam War. This is certainly a raw look at war, but of course, that makes it a bit more realistic. I especially liked the combat correspondent's viewpoint, although there wasn't much to like about this particular combat correspondent. I typically have a hard time embracing characters who demonstrate a lack of morals.
August 6, 2021
God Bless our troops
A gut wrenching story of how it was deep in the trenches in Vietnam. Young men, barely out of their teens, doing and seeing things no one should do or see. God bless them all.
A gut wrenching story of how it was deep in the trenches in Vietnam. Young men, barely out of their teens, doing and seeing things no one should do or see. God bless them all.
October 6, 2021
Cut out the “code of the grunt” stuff and you have a decently written, engaging war novel about a combat correspondent who slowly loses objectivity in the slide from observer to participant in the Battle of Hue City.
December 30, 2024
Dale Dye tells his story of the Battle of Hue as a Marine combat correspondent. An honest account of men in combat - in turns harrowing, funny, and tragic. Dye has a keen sense of observation of both people and situations. One of the best war books I have ever read.
June 29, 2025
The real deal
The premier warrior writer,actor and military instructor paints the honest painting of the Battle of Hue. He is the first writer that took me there in a book. Bravo Captain. I will read more.
The premier warrior writer,actor and military instructor paints the honest painting of the Battle of Hue. He is the first writer that took me there in a book. Bravo Captain. I will read more.
October 19, 2025
Dale A. Dye keeps it real. This is the one I have read years ago. Great then, re-read still great!
Gonna look into finding more of his books!! Love your movies too Mr Dye!! If I see your name on the cast list, it goes on my watch list!!
Gonna look into finding more of his books!! Love your movies too Mr Dye!! If I see your name on the cast list, it goes on my watch list!!
June 6, 2018
I have read scores of novels that came out of the Vietnam war and this is one of the best. Some excellent writing in this fantastic book.
February 2, 2023
Gritty action packed story of the attack on Hue, Viet Nam.
March 8, 2015
A real and traffic story.
Had never heard of "Run Between the Raindrops" but found it to be an exceptional chronicle of Dale Dye's time in the Battle of Hue City. Many who have not experienced combat will be shocked by the violence and brutality, but I found truth of the portrayal to be real enough to make me, a Marine Vietnam veteran gain a better understanding of the bravery of those who fought and died in Hue City. I had read of Capt. Dye being a retired Marine, but having read his story increases my admiration of him. A truly great read for anyone who wants a first hand account of true American heroism and dedication to duty.
Had never heard of "Run Between the Raindrops" but found it to be an exceptional chronicle of Dale Dye's time in the Battle of Hue City. Many who have not experienced combat will be shocked by the violence and brutality, but I found truth of the portrayal to be real enough to make me, a Marine Vietnam veteran gain a better understanding of the bravery of those who fought and died in Hue City. I had read of Capt. Dye being a retired Marine, but having read his story increases my admiration of him. A truly great read for anyone who wants a first hand account of true American heroism and dedication to duty.
December 19, 2016
Generally, I stay away from military/war novels and books, especially ones as vivid as this one. It's difficult to read them and walk away in a positive mood. Dye's writing is especially difficult to walk away from unscathed and for good reason. His writing is vivid and emotional. It's easy to feel like someone is sitting next to you and telling you these stories from their time in Vietnam.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
July 9, 2015
Great story by another forgotten hero.....
Everything: the story, the telling of it, the living through it, the remembered companions who did not come home - was breathtakingly told by an enormously talented author with a great heart. One of THE classic tales of the life wasting conflict!
Everything: the story, the telling of it, the living through it, the remembered companions who did not come home - was breathtakingly told by an enormously talented author with a great heart. One of THE classic tales of the life wasting conflict!
July 8, 2015
Very raw very accurate not for the Weak hearted there's nothing funny about this book at all
As gory and bloody a story that could ever be written . We will never know how thoses men
felt during those days. God bless them all
As gory and bloody a story that could ever be written . We will never know how thoses men
felt during those days. God bless them all
September 26, 2016
Riveting first account the battle for Hue.
Well written. Great view into one of the most intense battles in Vietnam. Would recommend to all who have an interest in the Marines role in Hue.
Well written. Great view into one of the most intense battles in Vietnam. Would recommend to all who have an interest in the Marines role in Hue.
August 16, 2015
There it is
First person account of Marines inHue. The best ive read in terms description and how they actually live d and died. Cant do justice
First person account of Marines inHue. The best ive read in terms description and how they actually live d and died. Cant do justice
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews