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My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter
Bestseller! # 1 in Biographies of the Vietnam War. #1 in Military and Spies Biographies.
A Vietnam War memoir written by a Veteran whose daughter wanted to know about his experiences during that crazy Asian jungle war. “Hey Dad, instead of a gift, would you share your Vietnam experiences with me?” So, four months later with my memoir complete, I sent what I had finished over to her.
Two weeks passed when Naomi called me and gushed; "Dad, this is the best gift you've ever given me, I liked it so much I read it twice!
Then Naomi asked another question, “Hey Dad, let’s go to Vietnam, just you and me?”
Could the ghosts of, "Vietnam past" morph into a father and daughter blessing in the present?
Not just a Vietnam war book, but a heartwarming story!
A Vietnam War memoir written by a Veteran whose daughter wanted to know about his experiences during that crazy Asian jungle war. “Hey Dad, instead of a gift, would you share your Vietnam experiences with me?” So, four months later with my memoir complete, I sent what I had finished over to her.
Two weeks passed when Naomi called me and gushed; "Dad, this is the best gift you've ever given me, I liked it so much I read it twice!
Then Naomi asked another question, “Hey Dad, let’s go to Vietnam, just you and me?”
Could the ghosts of, "Vietnam past" morph into a father and daughter blessing in the present?
Not just a Vietnam war book, but a heartwarming story!
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2022
26 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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April 9, 2024MWSA Review
My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter is an interesting memoir written by Jack Billups. From the beginning of his incredible story, I felt like Mr. Billups was sitting across the table from me as we had coffee and cookies. His narration reminded me of my neighbor, a humble man who served in Vietnam and became a quiet highly decorated hero. The two men have that in common.
The request of Jack’s daughter Naomi for her father to write his story of his time in Vietnam touched my heart. Her question set into motion a journey 50 years into the past as a "grunt" in the steamy jungles of Vietnam. After contacting several of the men with whom he served, Jack had compiled an accurate timeline and accounting of his time “in country.”
Four months later, with Jack’s memoir completed, Naomi asked another question. "Hey Dad, let's go to Vietnam, just you and me?" Could the ghosts of his Vietnam past morph into a father and daughter blessing in the present?
My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter is a heartwarming, compelling memoir that reconciles America and Vietnam, then and now, including the culture shock of seeing Vietnam as it exists today.”
Review by Nancy Panko (March 2024)
My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter is an interesting memoir written by Jack Billups. From the beginning of his incredible story, I felt like Mr. Billups was sitting across the table from me as we had coffee and cookies. His narration reminded me of my neighbor, a humble man who served in Vietnam and became a quiet highly decorated hero. The two men have that in common.
The request of Jack’s daughter Naomi for her father to write his story of his time in Vietnam touched my heart. Her question set into motion a journey 50 years into the past as a "grunt" in the steamy jungles of Vietnam. After contacting several of the men with whom he served, Jack had compiled an accurate timeline and accounting of his time “in country.”
Four months later, with Jack’s memoir completed, Naomi asked another question. "Hey Dad, let's go to Vietnam, just you and me?" Could the ghosts of his Vietnam past morph into a father and daughter blessing in the present?
My Vietnam: A Gift to My Daughter is a heartwarming, compelling memoir that reconciles America and Vietnam, then and now, including the culture shock of seeing Vietnam as it exists today.”
Review by Nancy Panko (March 2024)
January 23, 2023
MY VIETNAM: A GIFT TO MY DAUGHTER by Jack Billups was written as a summary of events that the author recalled about his service and time afterward. He recounts memories of basic training, AIT, and then going to Vietnam. He is assigned to Co. B 1/12th, 1st Cav Division, and served in Nam from June 1969 to August 1970. His unit operated around Tay Ninh and the infamous Black Virgin Mountain. His recollections are often verified by fellow squad members who submitted their recollections of the same event which is also included in the chapters.
There is very little dialog in the story and in most cases, the author tells more of his exploits vs. letting dialog carry the story forward. He does include dozens of photos of the area and team members which is a plus. There is also a lack of emotion. For instance, when his girl back home sent him a "Dear John" letter. He read it and that was that. Nothing else was said. I received a similar letter as did thousands of others. It is devastating and the hurt lasts for weeks! Some soldiers did stupid things as a result. Other occasions were after a firefight or when viewing the dead.
Another disappointment was the number of typos and formatting errors in the story. Some examples: Bien Hao / Bien Hoa, MO / MOS, your / you're, patty / paddy, hand full / handful, and others. Additionally, the formatting when showing dialog was incorrect which made the conversation hard to follow. I took one star away because of all this - others might have taken two.
All in all, the book is a decent story of one soldier's training and tour of duty. The addition of his trip back to Vietnam with his daughter might have been better served if published on its own instead of including it at the end of this story. It's a long piece and had very little to do with the time he served in-country.
If you know absolutely nothing about the Vietnam War, then MY VIETNAM: A GIFT FOR MY DAUGHTER might be a good place to start for an overall summary of what some soldiers experienced during the war. There are many other books that go into more detail.
There is very little dialog in the story and in most cases, the author tells more of his exploits vs. letting dialog carry the story forward. He does include dozens of photos of the area and team members which is a plus. There is also a lack of emotion. For instance, when his girl back home sent him a "Dear John" letter. He read it and that was that. Nothing else was said. I received a similar letter as did thousands of others. It is devastating and the hurt lasts for weeks! Some soldiers did stupid things as a result. Other occasions were after a firefight or when viewing the dead.
Another disappointment was the number of typos and formatting errors in the story. Some examples: Bien Hao / Bien Hoa, MO / MOS, your / you're, patty / paddy, hand full / handful, and others. Additionally, the formatting when showing dialog was incorrect which made the conversation hard to follow. I took one star away because of all this - others might have taken two.
All in all, the book is a decent story of one soldier's training and tour of duty. The addition of his trip back to Vietnam with his daughter might have been better served if published on its own instead of including it at the end of this story. It's a long piece and had very little to do with the time he served in-country.
If you know absolutely nothing about the Vietnam War, then MY VIETNAM: A GIFT FOR MY DAUGHTER might be a good place to start for an overall summary of what some soldiers experienced during the war. There are many other books that go into more detail.
October 1, 2023
Excellent!!
I love the authors style of writing. I was scheduled to go to Vietnam almost at the same time the author spent his time there. I was in the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, ‘Seabees’. We had orders to depart for Vietnam September 9th, 1970. Due to a sudden change of orders my Battalion didn’t go.
Much of what Jack writes about I can certainly identify with. He tells how it was for the grunts that were involved in jungle warfare in Vietnam. General Douglas MacArther told the United States not to get involved in a ground war in Asia. President Truman fired MacArther, or at least got rid of him. Jack’s book explains why MacArther was right on.
My Vietnam gives the reader a day to day experience of fighting a ground war in Asia. It was very informative. I hadn’t realized what it was like.
My brother in law fought in Vietnam, was exposed to Agent Orange, ended up with many physical problems, was in kidney dialysis for years.
Jack Billup’s book was very interesting to read. Thanks, Jack, for baring your soul. Thanks to your platoon, for fighting in a politician’s war, and for helping you dredge up the memories after 50 years. This was a really great book!
I love the authors style of writing. I was scheduled to go to Vietnam almost at the same time the author spent his time there. I was in the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, ‘Seabees’. We had orders to depart for Vietnam September 9th, 1970. Due to a sudden change of orders my Battalion didn’t go.
Much of what Jack writes about I can certainly identify with. He tells how it was for the grunts that were involved in jungle warfare in Vietnam. General Douglas MacArther told the United States not to get involved in a ground war in Asia. President Truman fired MacArther, or at least got rid of him. Jack’s book explains why MacArther was right on.
My Vietnam gives the reader a day to day experience of fighting a ground war in Asia. It was very informative. I hadn’t realized what it was like.
My brother in law fought in Vietnam, was exposed to Agent Orange, ended up with many physical problems, was in kidney dialysis for years.
Jack Billup’s book was very interesting to read. Thanks, Jack, for baring your soul. Thanks to your platoon, for fighting in a politician’s war, and for helping you dredge up the memories after 50 years. This was a really great book!
December 14, 2023
As with most people who serve during wartime and end up on the battlefield, Jack didn't talk very much about his time in Vietnam. That changed when his daughter asked him for a special birthday gift: to write about his experiences in the war.
The result of her request is this book which lays bare the experience of fighting in the trenches and on the front line under fire. Nothing is sugar coated, nor should it be. This is real. This is facing death not only on a daily basis, but several times a day. It's relishing a shower after days in extreme heat and humidity. It's craving a simple glass of chocolate milk. It's spending the holidays dreaming of being at home. It's witnessing brutality and kindness.
It's real.
The result of her request is this book which lays bare the experience of fighting in the trenches and on the front line under fire. Nothing is sugar coated, nor should it be. This is real. This is facing death not only on a daily basis, but several times a day. It's relishing a shower after days in extreme heat and humidity. It's craving a simple glass of chocolate milk. It's spending the holidays dreaming of being at home. It's witnessing brutality and kindness.
It's real.
December 9, 2023
Great Book
I am glad that this book was written and published for readers, although I did not go many of my friends went and their stories relate well to this book. Although most would not talk some did share their experiences
I received a medical release at induction for something I did not know I had, as I left I went over and wished my friends who were accepted to be safe and careful. This book shares their experiences and most who served.
Highly recommend this book to those during this time.
I am glad that this book was written and published for readers, although I did not go many of my friends went and their stories relate well to this book. Although most would not talk some did share their experiences
I received a medical release at induction for something I did not know I had, as I left I went over and wished my friends who were accepted to be safe and careful. This book shares their experiences and most who served.
Highly recommend this book to those during this time.
December 18, 2022
A great time in the old days
I spent 3 years flying over Vietnam on a B-52 crew flying out of Guam and Thailand. Never on the ground, 25,000 was the closest, my “seniority” has brought back many memories.
Thanks for giving me peak at the life of the ground-pounders we were there to support, you did a good job.
I spent 3 years flying over Vietnam on a B-52 crew flying out of Guam and Thailand. Never on the ground, 25,000 was the closest, my “seniority” has brought back many memories.
Thanks for giving me peak at the life of the ground-pounders we were there to support, you did a good job.
January 1, 2023
Family memoir through dads life
A wonderfully written memoir from a young GI. Shipped out at 19 to Vietnam. 50 years on his daughter urges him to return tell his real life stories of his timebin service. This he does wonderfully throughout the book as well as there very own father and daughter tour of the country
A really well written memoir I Thank you for.
A wonderfully written memoir from a young GI. Shipped out at 19 to Vietnam. 50 years on his daughter urges him to return tell his real life stories of his timebin service. This he does wonderfully throughout the book as well as there very own father and daughter tour of the country
A really well written memoir I Thank you for.
September 11, 2022
A warm heartfelt memoir of a Vietnam vet
I am a Vietnam vet and enjoyed reading of his service in Vietnam. What interested me most was his return visit to Vietnam. I have always said I would never go back but now I may rethink that. Great job..
I am a Vietnam vet and enjoyed reading of his service in Vietnam. What interested me most was his return visit to Vietnam. I have always said I would never go back but now I may rethink that. Great job..
February 8, 2023
good read
Having read many books on Vietnam I found this book one of the best to read and you get a good on-site of life after Vietnam
Having read many books on Vietnam I found this book one of the best to read and you get a good on-site of life after Vietnam
April 16, 2021
Beautiful Journey to Healing
We listened to an interview the author gave on 'The Mike Boyle Restaurant Show.' My husband is a Vietnam veteran. He was eager to read a book with the author's point of view looking back on his war time experiences and sharing that with his daughter.
This book delivered on my husband's hopes for a healing response to what our military faced over there. My husband usually can't read much Vietnam war material due to his PTSD, however, he read this wonderful book in just a few days; it was that good! Our thanks to the author for understanding this topic and telling his story.
Kitty Meeker
Great insights into the front line soldiers experiences.
I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to have more understanding of the Vietnam war with regards to our soldiers fighting there. Eye opening! Also written with great inserts of life in the 50 & 60's the family values. These family values were interwoven throughout the book and added greatly to the story. Be prepared as the author is honest so it does get rather 'gritty' at times, but tastefully done as well. GREAT READ.
Book Seeker
We listened to an interview the author gave on 'The Mike Boyle Restaurant Show.' My husband is a Vietnam veteran. He was eager to read a book with the author's point of view looking back on his war time experiences and sharing that with his daughter.
This book delivered on my husband's hopes for a healing response to what our military faced over there. My husband usually can't read much Vietnam war material due to his PTSD, however, he read this wonderful book in just a few days; it was that good! Our thanks to the author for understanding this topic and telling his story.
Kitty Meeker
Great insights into the front line soldiers experiences.
I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to have more understanding of the Vietnam war with regards to our soldiers fighting there. Eye opening! Also written with great inserts of life in the 50 & 60's the family values. These family values were interwoven throughout the book and added greatly to the story. Be prepared as the author is honest so it does get rather 'gritty' at times, but tastefully done as well. GREAT READ.
Book Seeker
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews