The Ghost: Rumors From the Central Highlands of Vietnam

The Vietnam War #6

by Rick DeStefanis

Two weeks before his departure to Vietnam, Second Lieutenant Martin Shadows’s father encourages him to visit his Lakota Sioux grandfather in Montana, a man he has seen only once as a boy. When Grandfather Two Shadows begins telling him of his visions concerning Martin’s upcoming tour of duty in Vietnam, the young lieutenant is non-plussed by the old man’s revelations. As a newly commissioned U.S. Army Officer, he finds tales of himself leaping from trees to slay his enemies with a knife and riding the fiery breath of a great bird into the mountains are a bit beyond the pale—if not totally bizarre. Only when these predictions begin coming to pass, does Martin wish he had listened more closely.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2022

About the author

Rick DeStefanis is an award-winning novelist.

Newspaper carrier, grocery store clerk, land surveyor, machinist (International Harvester), paratrooper (82nd Airborne Division), foundry worker, carpenter, brakeman and conductor (Illinois Central Railroad), deputy sheriff, business owner, house painter, dock worker, truck driver, airline ramp agent, operations manager (FedEx Express), Airline Flight Dispatcher, Area General Manager (General Electric), motorcyclist, skydiver, hunter, fisherman, wildlife photographer....Mississippi author Rick DeStefanis brings a lifetime of experiences to his writing. An avid outdoorsman and military veteran, DeStefanis brings several of these experiences to his books, both in his Vietnam War Series and his Southern Fiction Series. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Rick has lived most of his adult life in Mississippi, where he resides with his wife Janet. For more information visit Rick at www.rickdestefanis.com and at www.facebook.com/rickdestefanisphoto.

Reviews

[Robert Enzenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of DeStefanis’ fiction, both military and western. And THE GHOST (I think Book 6 in the Vietnam War series) is clearly his best of his Vietnam combat military genre. The military action is equal to my favorite of the earlier Vietnam novelists, James Webb and Tim O’Brien. Additionally, DeStefanis’ western story telling is also evident in this novel. This story reminds me of one of Louis L’Amour’s last books, Last of the Breed, a 1987 book telling the fictional story of Native American USAF Force pilot Major Joe Mack, captured by the Soviets over the Bering Strait and then captured, but escapes from captivity through the Siberian wilderness. In this latest DeStefanis novel, two weeks before his departure to Vietnam, 2LT Martin Shadows father (himself a WW2 veteran) encourages his son to visit his Lakota Sioux grandfather in Montana. Shadows had only met his grandfather once before as a boy, and the grandfather shares a pipe and an incredible shared sweat-lodge cleansing. The grandfather Two Feathers is a medicine-man, and shares at least 4 visions with his grandson, including tales of himself leaping from trees to slay his enemies with a knife and riding the fiery breath of a great bird into the mountains. Shadows figures this is all the imagination or crazy ravings of a very old superstitious old man. 2LT Shadows really isn’t too worried, because he is going to Vietnam to serve as a military intelligence officer, so he figures he won’t have the dangers of a brand-new infantry lieutenant. No sooner does he arrive, that he is called into a secret mission, to serve undercover as a newbie enlisted private, to try and find out what is going wrong at FSB Suzy, shortly after a fragging incident. DeStefanis throws Shadows into action with corrupt ARVN allies. He and 3 company-mates are captured, largely because of the duplicitous and nefarious actions of a supposed ARVN colonel advisor (actually a North Vietnamese spy). He is captured, and isolated in a remove North Vietnamese prison, with seemingly no way out. Needless to say, this new 2LT is able to escape, while saving a fellow SF prisoner with his Montagnards. And as each of his grandfather’s visions appears to “come true”, Shadows wishes that he had listened more seriously. This book combines the mysticism of native American spirituality with the superstitions of the Vietnamese peasants who serve in the NVA. And this soldier’s journey back from his Vietnamese prison is as good as the Homerian Odyssey as told by the Civil War veteran in Cold Mountain. DeStefanis is himself a 101st veteran paratrooper, so I must conclude – AATW (Airborne All The Way – translated for all those “dirty legs” who happn to also like reading military action historical fiction)

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Veteran’s perspective

Upon completing Mr. DeStefanis’ Vietnam series, I can heartily recommend each book for not only avid military history buffs, but extending to casual readers of action/adventure type of fiction.
Each book can stand alone, but also jointly develop and clarify a viewpoint about the war held by many who valiantly served .
Each character draws the reader into a soldier’s daily grind, and the terror that inevitably invades the routine of military life.
You actually identify with the Ghost, and the Birdhouse Man, and all the other protagonists in Mr. DeStefanis’ novels.
He’s earned the “ Expert “ badge of the literary marksman.

[Maggie Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A frightening and all too factual portrait .....

I am the widow of a veteran of the Vietnam War and many of the details.herein have only become declassified in the past decade or so.... and some still remain hidden. War is never pretty but this one was truly horrendous with little to no support for the returning soldiers. Add to all that the horrors of Agent Orange and other less well known "problems".... A heart breaking portrait of war that repeats....

[Kristie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I enjoyed this book very much and cannot wait to read book two! I thought it was well written but felt there were a few unanswered details but look forward to seeing if they are followed up in book two.

[John B Norfolk · Rating 4 out of 5]

giving it a four star review

Because I enjoy the storytelling, a fact, a little bit of myth,reasoning & cause. How he grafted native American beliefs in spiritual native American beliefs into the story of Vietnam was incredible.

[Joe Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting read

Doing these reviews is the pits. I cannot for a second image me writing something that would draw another's interest. I got here searching and I will find more through searching, not reading reviews.

[John Fagner, 1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

good story

Enjoyed the story and found it easy to become as one with the LT. It was just a story and didn’t need to be accurate or. Have read many books by Rick DeSantis and can say he is a very gifted writer. Looking forward to more great woks from Rick.

[Bill Elston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story, worth the time.

This is certainly a piece of fiction but an interesting story nonetheless the less. DeStefanis spins a very interesting tale and riveting to the end.

[Tom OConnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ghost

Good story well researched. It was different to see a different culture and religion helping Martin with his tour of Viet Nam. Mr. rested a is writes a good story and keeps the reader wanting more. Will read more from him.

[tricia mcmahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read

DeStefanis has given us a story with many facets. He has shown a true understanding of the world we share and the meaning of what a good man is. May we all learn to face life’s challenges as a good man does. Since I am a woman, this says a lot!

[Theodore Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner, impossible to put down

Great character development. A melding of cultures for the protagonist during the Vietnam war. Edge of your seat action that had been forseen.

[Robert W Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best so far

Really enjoyed this well written, well composed tale. I hope to read more works from this authir.
Very well done

[Edwrd Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was great!! Great storyline and some crazy events !! Can't wait for the next release.

[Heidi Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!

One of the best, and I have read hundreds!! No typos, either. Looking before are to more from Mr destrfsnis.