Ghosts and Shadows: A Marine in Vietnam, 1968-1969

by Phil Ball

The author arrived at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego ill-prepared for the training and abuse that awaited him in boot camp. At the time, he would have done anything to escape; only upon reflection years later did he realize that the self-confidence instilled in him by his drill instructors had probably saved his life in Vietnam. A few months after boot camp, Private Ball was shipped out to Vietnam, joining F Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, near Khe Sanh. As a grunt, in the vernacular of the Corps, Ball, like the other youths of F Company, did a difficult and deadly job in such places as the A Shau Valley, Leatherneck Square, the DMZ and other obscure but critical I Corps locales. His--their--fear of death mingled with homesickness. Little did they realize that the horrors of the Vietnam War--horrors that while in-country they often claimed did not even exist--would haunt them for the rest of their lives.

Genres: Biography

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Phil Ball born 1957 in Vancouver, Canada is a British writer based in Spain. He has lived in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, for over twenty years. Born in Canada to English parents, Phil Ball grew up in Grimsby on the north east coast of England, having moved there as a child in 1957. As a youngster Phil Ball supported Grimsby Town, saying "I was brought up on lower league football". After finishing University, Ball took up an English teaching post in a state comprehensive school in Hull. He subsequently taught in Peru and later Oman, eventually moving to San Sebastián after the first Gulf War.

Reviews

[cynthia telage · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Are There

The experience of the war in Vietnam is described so as to make it seem like it is yours. You see yourself in different situations described and interacting with close comrades.
You can sense the fear that had to be controlled in order to function. It is as personal as possible and puts you there. A very excellent reading experience for those who dare to know
what it was like being a grunt in Vietnam.

[Patti Merz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

The Vietnam Veterans were treated so unfairly when they returned home from war, I have always been disappointed in our country for this. Mr. Ball is living proof how hard war can be on soldiers in the front lines and how little help the VA offers them. God Bless all veterans who served!

[Stuart Austwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading the whole story

Initially I found this a. hard book to read. After reading more. on this subject I read this again and I am glad i did.
This is an excellent look at what happened, from the perspective of a young man. Suddenly placed into an environment, that made no real sense, and the effect it had on him.
Very glad you wrote this

[a.t.m.]

A marine's story of his time in Vietnam.

Very personal, very insightful, and very honest book about his time in Vietnam. He tells it like it is and holds nothing back. He made his share of mistakes and paid dearly for it. He wrote a rough book, about a rough time, as a grunt and this in and of itself is meaningful. I recommend this book, welcome home marine.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer on the basic marine in the Vietnam war. It was a good read but a little hard to get into at first.

[Nick Ueber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poignant, heartfelt, heartbreaking, heartwarming story that takes a deep dive into what the horrors of war can do to a young mans mind and spirit. Mr. Ball did all that was asked if him in an honorable and courageous way but he gave up so much of himself. I was glad to see that at the end of everything he found a way to live with, if not exorcise , his demons and was able to attain a peace in his life that he deserved. This is a really good read and I would recommend it to anyone who has seen the depravity of war or knows someone who has or is just curious about what it is like and what it does to ones soul.

[Michael Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very solid memoirs of a young Americans Marines experience of the Vietnam world. It has all you expect from such a book and a little bit more that raises it above the crowd.

What I liked about this book was how the author manages to give you a feeling of how he experienced the war as a young man whilst balancing it with some very insightful reflections from his older self. It is a tale that has been told many times over but Phil Bail's telling of his version is both a thrilling and haunting read that leaves shaking your head.

[Chris Bohl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Story of Fatigue

Really a story of young man caught up in the worst of the war in Viet Nam. His story is one of how much mental pain he encountered which in many cases was of his own making. Going on R&R and turning it into being AWOL shows a level of lack of maturity and the ability to conform to military discipline. I do not feel sorry for him but understand how he does. No Semper Fi here!!!!!

[Alan Van Bladel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and executed by the author.

Much action, seems to have been well thought out and information gathered before writing.
How does one remember all of that without keeping a diary?