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That Close: a memory of combat in Vietnam
“That Close” is the memory of the experiences that surrounded Private Robert Driskill’s combat tour in Vietnam from April to December of 1969. The memoir tells his story starting from the ambivalence he had about being drafted through the firefights and wounds he experienced in Vietnam to the estrangement he felt as he walked out of Walter Reed hospital into a civilian world not very interested in a faraway war. It also tells a tale of the commonplace courage of the twenty-year-old infantrymen of Charley Company, 5th of the 12th, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, and of the cowardice and character flaws of a Lieutenant more interested in his own glory and advancement than the well-being of his platoon. The good, the bad, and the ugly of a country and an army fighting a distant war for unclear purposes are all on display in this account focused on nine months of war in 1969.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2017
245 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 26, 2020
Powerful story
Driskill does a great job of describing his combat experience. It’s a hard story to tell. Bravery, comradely and tragedy. Good people and bad people. I’m amazed that anyone can live a normal life after that experience
Driskill does a great job of describing his combat experience. It’s a hard story to tell. Bravery, comradely and tragedy. Good people and bad people. I’m amazed that anyone can live a normal life after that experience
August 31, 2017
It was oK
I never wrote a book but I guess when you are writing to the general public you have to explain every thing in minute detail. Most civilians don't understand the terminology. The book was oK. It's obvious why we lost so many men over there. The raw recruit was going up against an enemy with years of jungle warfare experience.
I never wrote a book but I guess when you are writing to the general public you have to explain every thing in minute detail. Most civilians don't understand the terminology. The book was oK. It's obvious why we lost so many men over there. The raw recruit was going up against an enemy with years of jungle warfare experience.
December 21, 2020
Excellent Portrayal of Life As an Infantryman in Vietnam
I spent the first six months of my Vietnam tour in the "line infantry" and this author has captured that experience perfectly. We used to describe our situation, if unwounded, as being "shot at and missed but shit at and hit". Hot and wet and soaked from rain or sweat, it was our daily situation.
I spent the first six months of my Vietnam tour in the "line infantry" and this author has captured that experience perfectly. We used to describe our situation, if unwounded, as being "shot at and missed but shit at and hit". Hot and wet and soaked from rain or sweat, it was our daily situation.
July 27, 2022
An Interesting but sobering read but NEVER boring.
The author is well versed in writing and shows his talents in the way he presents his experiences in Vietnam. Truthful in his stories both to himself and his reading audience gives true poignancy to his experiences and to what wars routinely produces: death, destruction, pain & suffering.
An EXCELLENT read !
The author is well versed in writing and shows his talents in the way he presents his experiences in Vietnam. Truthful in his stories both to himself and his reading audience gives true poignancy to his experiences and to what wars routinely produces: death, destruction, pain & suffering.
An EXCELLENT read !
September 22, 2017
Enlightening read
I enjoyed the entire scope of the book, from bootcamp to later life ramifications of his time in Nam. His relating of the effects on his peers from Nam
in later life.
I enjoyed the entire scope of the book, from bootcamp to later life ramifications of his time in Nam. His relating of the effects on his peers from Nam
in later life.
November 25, 2018
Very good book!
This book was written very well and gave a lot if insight into what Vietnam combat veterans went through during their tours of duty as well as what they experienced through out the years when they came home. Recommend to anyone that is curious about the Vietnam war
This book was written very well and gave a lot if insight into what Vietnam combat veterans went through during their tours of duty as well as what they experienced through out the years when they came home. Recommend to anyone that is curious about the Vietnam war
February 11, 2019
A Gritty And Honest Book.
The author does a good job in telling about his war. He doesn't glorify it and is brutally honest. From high school to college to basic training to Vietnam and to Walter Reed hospital. Very good book.
The author does a good job in telling about his war. He doesn't glorify it and is brutally honest. From high school to college to basic training to Vietnam and to Walter Reed hospital. Very good book.
December 3, 2019
Enjoyed reading your book depicting a realistic view of the day to day activities of a draftee. I do believe we went through basic trading in Fort Bragg together.
Thanks for the memories.
Steve Brock
Thanks for the memories.
Steve Brock
December 29, 2020
Great read, welcome home
Great read. I also was a RTO, 25th inf. I enjoyed and could relate to your experience. I was there from March 1969 to March 1970. Purple Heart also. From Northern Michigan.
Great read. I also was a RTO, 25th inf. I enjoyed and could relate to your experience. I was there from March 1969 to March 1970. Purple Heart also. From Northern Michigan.
March 15, 2021
Frightening history. I couldn’t put the book down! I was a young teen watching the war on TV but didn’t appreciate the horror. The author really instilled in me a fear that must have been overwhelming to these young men. I’m a true believer in learning from our history.
June 3, 2021
An emotional well told experience.
A great read from cover to cover of one man’s experience in the Vietnam war. Though I say he tells it in a way it feels you are there, that can never ring true unless you were.
A great read from cover to cover of one man’s experience in the Vietnam war. Though I say he tells it in a way it feels you are there, that can never ring true unless you were.
July 21, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. Kept my interest.
Interesting point of view. You feel the sense of fear the author had and the reasons for it. It also pointed out the short comings and the helplessness of the author with the inept leadership.
Interesting point of view. You feel the sense of fear the author had and the reasons for it. It also pointed out the short comings and the helplessness of the author with the inept leadership.
July 7, 2022
Medal of honour
An honest, straightforward, and entirely readable account of one soldier’s experience in Vietnam. Drives home the war’s terrible cost, and the lives it forever changed. A commendable book, in every way.
An honest, straightforward, and entirely readable account of one soldier’s experience in Vietnam. Drives home the war’s terrible cost, and the lives it forever changed. A commendable book, in every way.
October 22, 2022
A good book on Vietnam by a guy that was in the fight!
I like this book because but was written by a guy that was there. His stories are worth reading. He had good common sense and was a good friend to those in his unit. I am proud of what he has achieved in his life!
I like this book because but was written by a guy that was there. His stories are worth reading. He had good common sense and was a good friend to those in his unit. I am proud of what he has achieved in his life!
August 20, 2017
The Truth of Combat
This is a vividly told account of what the Vietnam War could be like if you were unlucky enough to be a grunt.
This is a vividly told account of what the Vietnam War could be like if you were unlucky enough to be a grunt.
September 1, 2017
Fast paced, Interesting!
This was well written, although I wish he had explored his emotions in more depth
I read the whole book in an evening, with no desire to put it down....
This was well written, although I wish he had explored his emotions in more depth
I read the whole book in an evening, with no desire to put it down....
September 18, 2017
Days in hell
I liked the way this book is written. It is very I intresging and shows the hardships suffered by so me y young people
I liked the way this book is written. It is very I intresging and shows the hardships suffered by so me y young people
January 13, 2018
Thoughtful book, well written
I liked this guy’s style. He is not dramatic and keeps a good perspective. This is an honest account of a tough time.
I liked this guy’s style. He is not dramatic and keeps a good perspective. This is an honest account of a tough time.
February 10, 2018
Good read
Well written story starting at boot camp, ait, to vietnam, and back home. Two purple hearts. Really lucky not having PTSD.
Well written story starting at boot camp, ait, to vietnam, and back home. Two purple hearts. Really lucky not having PTSD.
March 12, 2018
Too Close
Remembering brothers, feeling the pain, but living the war again in the book. A must read for anyone wanting to know.
Remembering brothers, feeling the pain, but living the war again in the book. A must read for anyone wanting to know.
May 2, 2018
Death in the jungle...That Close
Bob Driskill's memory of combat in Viet Man is true to the way it was. He reminds us of the randomness fickle finger
Bob Driskill's memory of combat in Viet Man is true to the way it was. He reminds us of the randomness fickle finger
May 16, 2018
Told from the gut
It seems like an honest account where the author does a little soul searching. Thanks. It was a good read
It seems like an honest account where the author does a little soul searching. Thanks. It was a good read
July 20, 2018
Boring
Drivel not well composed . Not worth the time it takes to read. I am sure the experience was traumatic but it is "ho-hum" and not well composed. Not very entertaining.
Drivel not well composed . Not worth the time it takes to read. I am sure the experience was traumatic but it is "ho-hum" and not well composed. Not very entertaining.
March 15, 2021
1
Short, sharp and to the point. A true, non over indulged memoir of a tour in vietnam. Very well wrote and clearly from memories.
Short, sharp and to the point. A true, non over indulged memoir of a tour in vietnam. Very well wrote and clearly from memories.
June 5, 2021
Excellent Memoir
A remembrance, well told, of the day to day of an army rifleman, without glamour and to the point. we veterans grow old and our war fades in the mists. Good book!
A remembrance, well told, of the day to day of an army rifleman, without glamour and to the point. we veterans grow old and our war fades in the mists. Good book!
October 26, 2021
Good read
Nice story. It brought back a lot of memories from my time in Thailand and the stories of friends who spent time 2 countries east of me.
Nice story. It brought back a lot of memories from my time in Thailand and the stories of friends who spent time 2 countries east of me.
September 23, 2022
Been there : done that.....!
As a Vietnam vet this was a refreshing rundown of not only the harrowing events' but also the after effects***
As a Vietnam vet this was a refreshing rundown of not only the harrowing events' but also the after effects***
June 3, 2023
A Well Written Book.
I have read many books about vietnam and I especially like this one because it is concise. It's a quick read because it skips some of mundane details.
I have read many books about vietnam and I especially like this one because it is concise. It's a quick read because it skips some of mundane details.
October 4, 2025
For the Grace of God go I.
My dad wanted me to join the Marines after I received my 1-A draft status. He figured it would do me good, as I was a complete loser. I just laughed as I knew it had to be a mistake. I had been accepted to the local Junior College. Five years later when my 2-S deferment ran out, I joined the National Guard in 1971. I always had this feeling, deep down, I would not survive Vietnam and wanted no part of it. Well, I got to live a full life with a wonderful wife and children. A history buff, my decision to attend college was a smart idea. JFK was killed because he wanted to call off the war and LBJ was all for it for nefarious reasons. LBJ has the blood of 58K+ young men on his hands. Never mind the hundreds of thousands maimed physically and mentally. What a piece of $hit.
This is a well written personal account of the Vietnam war. God bless the author.
My dad wanted me to join the Marines after I received my 1-A draft status. He figured it would do me good, as I was a complete loser. I just laughed as I knew it had to be a mistake. I had been accepted to the local Junior College. Five years later when my 2-S deferment ran out, I joined the National Guard in 1971. I always had this feeling, deep down, I would not survive Vietnam and wanted no part of it. Well, I got to live a full life with a wonderful wife and children. A history buff, my decision to attend college was a smart idea. JFK was killed because he wanted to call off the war and LBJ was all for it for nefarious reasons. LBJ has the blood of 58K+ young men on his hands. Never mind the hundreds of thousands maimed physically and mentally. What a piece of $hit.
This is a well written personal account of the Vietnam war. God bless the author.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews