The Dying Place

by David A. Maurer

This moving account of a soldier's life during the "secret war" has enough battles and bullets to entertain the action enthusiast but also deals with larger issues of religion, morality and war, in a new way. A complex and thought-provoking book. The author, once a One-Zero for RT Louisiana during the Vietnam War, has included many of his real life experiences as the basis for this book.

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, Military History, Historical Fiction, War

309 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1986

Reviews

[David Lucero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after I got out of the Army when it came out in the mid-80's. I served 9 years after the Vietnam War and many of my senior officers and NCOs were veterans, so there was still a strong Vietnam Veteran cadre around. Stationed at Ft. Bragg, we always felt there was still an attachment to that war. I don't think that changed until Gulf War 1 cam along.

This book is about an elite Special Forces unit operating in Laos. My father served in Laos with the US Air Force at a time when we weren't supposed to be there, so I know a bit of this history. The author focuses on Sgt. Walden, a tough-as-nails, but practical sort of guy. Many demons haunt him. His team motto is 'Don't die dumb!'

This is hard to do when you have REMF (rear echelon Mother ....ers) giving orders. He falls in love with a Vietnamese woman and has some semblance of humanity return, but he never seems at home until he's in the field.

Filled with gritty battle scenes, and up-to-date for its time acronyms, this book stayed with me in the back of my mind for years and I found it by accident while searching through a field of war stories. It's realistic, and surreal. Vietnam story enthusiasts won't be disappointed.

[Alana Polega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving spouse

I am a surviving spouse of an Army Airborne Ranger who has 3 purple hearts, bronze star,Meritorious Unit etc. He would not tell me hardly anything about Vietnam so reading several books like this helps me to understand and accept who he was. Thank heavens the story ended well. I didn't want him to die stupid.

[Jill Adcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best

This book is the best Vietnam novel I have read. It is better than Caputo's Rumor of War, Webb's Fields of Fire or even Delvecchio's 13th Valley. The characters are engaging and authentic. The story grabs you and doesn't let go. This is the book to read.

[James Hadstate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Novel About Vietnam And The Special Forces

This book is a good review of the Special Forces and their covert work during the Vietnam war. The fact that it is written as a novel only allows the author more latitude in the sense that it allows him to smooth out the events and timeline without having to recount every fact and remember every name in the proper order. This makes for an enjoyable novel that is fairly accurate with facts but can be forgiven the occasional deviation. A good b book for those wanting to know more about the Vietnam war but are put off by nonfiction.

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Laos during the Vietnam War, The Dying Place is about a group of special operations soldiers and their lives. It was a pretty decent gritty read, I found it a bit odd the way the author continually referred to the Laotion and Vietnamese people as little people, but I gather that was how things were at the time.

Overall, a decent plot arc, has a good portrayal of the conflict between front line soldiers and the administrative command back at base. Entertaining, although the ending was a bit of a anti climax considering what had occurred during the story.

[Michael P. Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nail biting shell of a story

This rock and rolling Vietnam memoir grabs the reader's heart and soul and drags him through what the worst of the Vietnam War was. The author does a great job of describing the absolute hell of being this certain brand of soldier. The terror, the despair , the arrogance of combat., the art of being so good at doing something so terrible. Shocking and riveting.

[Reg Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A " Novel " that tells the real story.

Finally I got to read the true "story" of what was going on in Nam. No bullshit, no cover-up, just the real struggles of dealing with the higher-ups and facing death for some stupid reason. I would recommend this book to anyone. It's a real eye opener

[deano42 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books to come out if the Vietnam war

Simply a stunning read. I felt totally absorbed reading this book, the mission's, the R&R. This book is up there with Chickenhawk.

[andrew plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad..

I've read quite a few Vietnam war memoirs,I think 'The dying place' is one of the best I've read,it's a huge shame..and disservice that those warrior's,weren't given the absolute recognition they deserved.

[Jairo Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about Vietnam war that I have read. Freaked me out several times

I'd like to congratulate the author for such a gripping story. I could not put it down for three days straight.

[Scott Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it

Vivid and at times surreal, one of the best books I've read about Vietnam, up there with Matterhorn. Started reading on a plane from Seattle to Minneapolis, landed over the fence. Anger, fear, hate, love, humor, compassion and respect. Read it, feel it all.

[Keith W. Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the Fence

This book is very graphic. Makes you feel like you're riding shotgun. I ended up hating officers who had egos bigger than their brain. Couldn't stop reading. Buy It!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's real. A story that helps me understand why the men and women from combat are changed forever.

[Chris Bohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real deal

This writer knows the ropes from first hand experience and the story reflects his understanding. It is a god d read.

[Vicky Mount · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

Very well written. Puts you in the midst of battle, but more importantly puts you in the midst of brotherhood.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true account of war

I have become a pacifist since proudly serving 6 years for my country. I now look after 80 + years and say what a waste of many young life's.

[Stephen Metzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth of the war

Good read. You had to be there to know. This book will get you close. A great book youll like it

[ian porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wow"...

"Some novel"... any one interested in books on Vietnam should read this. You won't be disappointed... "shocked amazed, an relay sad maybe but not disappointed"

[DENNIS g BRUNSWICK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

A very good book. Hard to put down. Vietnam was a terrible war, fought for absolutely nothing. What a terrible waste of young men and women's lives...

[Shannon Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vietnam as it was

A very interested and educational book. Some blood and guts which is exciting, but what really shines is the vivid picture of all the peripheral of the Nam.

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 5 out of 5]

Released about a month ahead of the global financial crisis under President Ronald Reagan in 1987, A PRAYER FOR THE DYING had nothing to do with 'Black Monday' or any prospective high rise jumpers following the plunging Dow Jones. Based on the 1973 novel of the same name by Jack Higgins, the Mickey Rourke and Liam Neeson vehicle tackles the Troubles, that desperate 30 year struggle of the Irish with their English oppressors. Much like the Mujahideen in the Afghan-Soviet war, these doomed fighters and their family/supporters took solace in A PRAYER FOR THE DYING, though it failed to charm movie audiences. Chronicling the brave souls that went across the fence for US interests during the Vietnam War, THE DYING PLACE showcases the MACV-SOG recon teams infiltrating into Laos, knowing full well how truly easy it was to come back in a bag. The only prayer needed was for enemies of Democracy as war was their business--and it was a time in THE DYING PLACE when business was good.

Highly classified at the time of the Vietnam War, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam-Studies and Observation Group was a multi-service unit tasked with operations in denied access areas for conventional US forces. Contrary to pop culture, movies, and books, only a small percentage of the many thousands of people who served with MACV-SOG actually went on missions and 'across the fence' into Laos, Cambodia or North Vietnam. THE DYING PLACE focuses on Command and Control North (CCN), just across the river from Da Nang and Marble Mountain. Proudly displaying a 'WE KILL FOR PEACE' sign, Recon Company at CCN was a tribe within a tribe that only admitted members who've crossed the fence and knew what it was like to run missions into Laos. Issued a CAR-15, 1000 amphetamines (Green Hornets), and a body bag, Recon Company men knew that Laos was the last place anyone would want to be caught with their pants down. Written and published in a time when silent professionals were mainly silent and secret stuff was mostly kept secret, THE DYING PLACE substitutes the author's persona with Sergeant Walden, recon team leader (Louisiana), loved, trusted, and dependable. Leading men into battle in war, Walden knew exactly when he was fighting; trying to free the oppressed, just like the Motto of Special Forces, who's Green Beret he wore. Far from the enthused youth who came to the war in '65, Walden feels used up and empty by 1969, worrisome for sure, as he knows that even if he survived the war it wouldn't make any difference. He would never really be able to escape.

More than just empty grandstanding and exposition on God, Country, and the beauty of the murderous might and firepower of the US Military, THE DYING PLACE is a novel that'll have readers saying "Hot damn, Vietnam." A virtual trip inside the fighting and the daily life of Recon Teams, where death was just a step away. Close, breathing down your neck, its foul breath lingering, bringing out vulnerability and fragility of life. In a war like in Vietnam, where there were only good men and bad men, THE DYING PLACE excels at bringing out the fear, the taste of bile, and the triumph of survival of those who ran missions across the fence. A fabulous throwback to the music of the 1960s and a massive shoutout to Creedence Clearwater Revival, THE DYING PLACE is also a terrific homage to Jerry 'Mad Dog' Shriver, renamed for the purpose of this tale to Mad Dog Banner, the kind of Special Forces legend 'they' would never allow to come back to the States. Well balanced with personal feelings of Walden, who felt more at home in 'Nam than in the US on leave, THE DYING PLACE wouldn't be a story of the '60s if there weren't drugs and a 'Fear and Loathing in Da Nang'-style acid trip. Instead of just presenting war-porn, THE DYING PLACE has a very human side, also emphasizing that its participants hardly ever think about the part of the war that is death notifications and visits. Besides authentic detail of Green Hornet amphetamines, walk-on water passes, the grinding wait for mission start, and methodical Matador-like prep, THE DYING PLACE further insists birds always pick up on bad vibes first, imagination is the worst thing for soldiers, and that it was the little things that shaved down the odds. Dying was one thing. Dying stupid was something else. One of the most real, informative, and readable books about the Vietnam War, THE DYING PLACE is about those who were in the mud amongst the bullets and the blood. About those doing the fighting and that it was a different world back there in the US. It might as well have been in a different galaxy. In the bush, it was a damn war. Unconditional surrender. Total victory. What they did was kill people. Can you dig it?

[Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feats of valor with a love story to boot

While I believe the book was written as historic fiction, I would expect the author lived most or all of the events here. This is better than your typical war story as it tells of the main characters personal struggles after years of fighting in Vietnam and his complex relationship with God. Hard to put into words some of the images and scenes depicted here. Some of it will stick with you long after reading. Thank you Mr. Mayer for your dedicated service.

[Pat Appel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out exciting

The book started out exciting but went down hill from there. The author was obsessed with smoking dope. He must of smoked a ton of weed in Nam because every situation people were lighting up a joint. That tells me the author lacks imagination. I've served in Nam, I know what its about. In one scene the all light up while on patrol, it would never have happened. Description of battle engagement s were weak.

[Dennie Fugitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the Fence

Life in the jungle on the other side of the fence in Laos or North Viet Nam, hunted by the enemy and living by your wits. A tale that could only be told by someone who was there and lived to tell it.
Maurer's descriptions of life in the base camp, is spot on. He paints his scenes with a fine brush, and vividly portrays the bond between men who depend upon one another for life itself.
Love, anguish and the futility of war. A good read, indeed.

[Ken Hulse · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is probably the best most realistic read on what those folks did who were inserted into jungles in the middle of thousands of the enemy. Bravest of the brave in my view. Coming from that generation and having at least three friends who died there, I think that war was a complete mess. But no one can question the courage of some of those long range reconnaissance folks. they were amazing.

[Timothy J Goggin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Read about the dying days in Vietnam

Many of these are the secret missions America was not doing. It also shows how these men who were battle hardened had to at times deal with some ineffective commanders that cared more about the almighty CIB.
Until the bullets started to fly in their direction....
The protagonist Sgt. Walden was someone I would want to share a foxhole when the rounds start coming in.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes, then you will also like this account of CCN in I Corps during the Vietnam War. On my second tour in Vietnam in 1968 our company spent a lot of time flying missions for the Special Forces in and around Khe Sanh, as well as LLRPS from the 11th Light Infantry and the 101st. The writing style is spot on when it comes to depicting living/fighting in the bush as well as coping with down-time.

[GEORGE EASTER]

Great read

Growing up on a seabed base during the Vietnam war I developed a love of reading about the war. I liked that he shared he experiences while in Vietnam as well as personal hardships at home . Unlike many books that focus primarily on their missions he shared his coping mechanisms when not in the field. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to all Vietnam enthusiasts.

[James A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for SOG fans

I've read just about all of the literature covering real SOG missions and stories of the warriors involved and while this may be fiction it's absolutely based on real events. Numerous times throughout the book there were references to well known battles and events that occured in SOG history.

[Carl Nurick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vietnam..Arrogant and Uninformed Political hacks lost this winnable war

Brave patriot grunts and dedicated mercenaries have their best and their bodies minds and lives destroyed and receive no thanks or appreciation from idiot civilians on drugs. To better understand Buddhism, read LIVING TO D I E by Carl Nurick, Kindle and /or Amazon