THESE GOOD MEN

by Michael Norman

On a spring day in 1968 the men of Golg Company, 2/9th Marines, walked into a disastrous firefight along the Quang Tri River. only half the company walked away. A veteran contacts the 11 members of his company that survived the war and writes of their experiences.

Genres: History

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Michael Norman, is the co-author of TEARS IN THE DARKNESS: The Story of the Bataan Death March and Its Aftermath (2009), a work of narrative non-fiction that was on the New York Times bestseller list for eight weeks and was picked by Times critic Dwight Garner, as well as other reviewers, as one of the top ten books of year. He has also written THESE GOOD MEN: Friendships Forged in War, a memoir published to critical acclaim in 1990. He is a former reporter and columnist for The New York Times national, foreign and metropolitan desks and was the inaugural writer for the following New York Times columns: "A Sense of Place", a monthly column that explored the dislocations of modern life in one suburban town; "Lessons", a national column on education; and "Our Towns", a twice-weekly column on life outside New York City.

Norman's work also includes major articles for various other national publications, including The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine and GQ Magazine. His work has been syndicated both here and abroad. He is currently working on a second book with his wife, Elizabeth M. Norman, an exploration of Bellevue Hospital in New York, the oldest continuously operating public hospital in the country.

Reviews

[Bill Colburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years I’ve read many memoirs of veterans who survived their Vietnam tour of duty, and this is one of the best. I’m a Vietnam vet myself, served in the US Army combat engineers 1970-71, and like this author, there’s not a day goes by that I don’t think back on my time there and the men I served with. I’ve often wondered why that is. It’s not like I experienced the same horror author Norman did. The only guys In my unit KIA, died when the helicopter there were riding in was shot down. Is it simply a matter of my 68 year old self reflecting on a long past youth? Maybe that’s part of it; however, I believe this author provides the answer when he writes:
“I know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep on one another’s knee. Comrades gather because they long to be with men who once acted their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity.” To that I can only add the phrase we used a lot in our time in Nam, “There it is”.

[Ron DiVecchia · Rating 3 out of 5]

You could tell this was the author's first book. The writing in the first few chapters was excessively preened over and not reader oriented. Once the author found his voice, the story started to flow.
The tale of men who formed a bond of brotherhood through the test of combat and the hardships of war is compelling. This is their story, their struggles together in war and later in peace.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about men who became (and stayed) friends during their time together in Vietnam. Mr. Norman presents each man honestly and without judgement. I sent him a fan letter about this better and his reply and gracious and very nice. A wonderful book from a great writer.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would definitely be one of the top ten best books I’ve ever read.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. A former co-worker has a chapter in this book....and in the author's life! Very well written....and I don't believe the word "Vietnam" was used once in the book. Read it and weep.

[Richard E Chamberlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent account of what Norman and his Marine buddies went through in the battles of Vietnam - and other battles once they returned home to the U.S. Recommended and sent to me by a life-long Marine buddy in Denver, Norman does an excellent job of depicting just how tough it is to recover (emotionally and psychologically) from the horrors of brutal combat. Some do, many do not.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

These is a touching read from an author who offers up an honest experience of reconnecting with men he had a bond with in the Vietnam War. I appreciate his honest assessment of his friends and himself. There are no self serving statements in his story. He simply shares his experience and emotion. I was very touched by this book and would recommend it to anyone.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books on Viet Nam that I have read.

[Jay Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be read by anyone who wishes to understand the toll war takes on warriors.No one writes better about this than Mr. Norman.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific true stories about the Vietnam war, told by those who lived it.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone wanting to get some clarity or closure on the Viet Nam War should read this book.