What do you think?
Rate this book
Danger Close: A Novel of the Vietnam War
It is 1967. The New Zealand Government has allied itself with the USA and committed its armed forces to fight in Vietnam. Infantry companies are drawn from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, based in peninsula Malaysia. When the men fly out to war, their wives and children are left behind in the Commonwealth Brigade garrison. Sergeant Major John Barr deals with the realities of war, amongst the villages, padi fields and jungle of Vietnam,. His wife, Patricia, and their children, cope with life in a foreign land. Through the eyes of an experienced soldier, we view the triumphs and tragedies, the horror and humour of men at war. As his company fights a cunning and ruthless enemy, we meet both heroes and those who are not. We share their wins and losses. Through Patricia's eyes we see the loneliness and the strain imposed upon the women left behind... the constant dread of the knock on the door. Some deal with it - some do not. They, also, are 'at war'. The war rips at them all. Will John and Patricia survive? You can be sure that these two strong Kiwis will not give up easily - it will be a fight to the finish.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
54 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 6, 2018
365 and a wakey...
I thought this was a good book. It was slow here and there much like combat is, boring, then sheer seconds, minutes, days of hell. I liked the characters and their back stories. And, this book was an eye opener for me about what New Zealand did in the Vietnam war and how they were treated when they came home.
I thought this was a good book. It was slow here and there much like combat is, boring, then sheer seconds, minutes, days of hell. I liked the characters and their back stories. And, this book was an eye opener for me about what New Zealand did in the Vietnam war and how they were treated when they came home.
June 28, 2017
A great read. Full of emotions and excitement.
This book gives great credit to the Allies supporting the war in Vietnam. Strong, emotional and exciting, I recommended this book as another view into the memories that came out of Southeast Asia in the 60's and 70's.
This book gives great credit to the Allies supporting the war in Vietnam. Strong, emotional and exciting, I recommended this book as another view into the memories that came out of Southeast Asia in the 60's and 70's.
October 26, 2020
Many young men lost their lives during this war. Lots of blood and cuts. Soo sad.
December 13, 2012
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected, given that it is a war story. It is well-written by an NZ ex-infantryman about the Vietnam war. It balances the historic with the fictional, and the war scenes with the families in Malaysia. I liked the fact that they glossary was at the start so that I was informed about what I needed to know to understand the writing. And I liked the strong lead female character.
April 21, 2017
Enjoyed the book
The story really moved along - liked the parallel with story of the family at home. Well done - Vietnam from a non-US view. Agree with the view of the US draftees as compared to the NZ soldiers. Seemed pretty realistic for as fictional story.
The story really moved along - liked the parallel with story of the family at home. Well done - Vietnam from a non-US view. Agree with the view of the US draftees as compared to the NZ soldiers. Seemed pretty realistic for as fictional story.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews