Reader Comments
Here are some reader comments that have been posted on Amazon.com or sent to me.
#1 I'm glad I read it! Full Disclosure: Slater is my brother. I bought the book to support his effort at telling his story publicly for the first time after 45 years. I read the book because I was curious and because I wanted to understand my brother at a deeper level... a part of himself that up until now he had not shared many details. I'm glad I did. I not only have a fuller appreciation of Slater's life journey, but also a more complete appreciation for the contribution of every soldier and a unique understanding of that time of history for our country. Slater does a good job of narrating in a sensitive way that includes his feelings as well as the action of war.
Why you might want to read this book? Did you serve in Vietnam? Are you a family member of someone who served? Have you wondered what it was like, yet been hesitant to ask? Have you returned from any military service and wondered how to talk to your loved ones about it? Have you struggled with transition periods and family ties? Would you like to hear the story of a 20 year old grunt, just married, a child on the way, who answered the call and worked his way through the "tunnel"?
#2 Tribute to my "brother-in-war", Slater Full disclosure: I was in the field briefly with Slater; he was coming in, I was going out. Though he says he doesn't remember me in the field (because I was coming and going for medical tests about my reactions to the malaria pills), I remember him because of his signature moustache! My personal recollection of him is of a kid (we were all kids then, though I was one of the "old men" at age 24) with a good sense of where he was and at least an inkling of what was expected. His sense of confidence was assuring.
I've read two other books written by Vietnam combat infantrymen, and while accurate in their descriptions, their writing and editing skills were lacking compared to this book. Slater's organization, text structure, and flow of actions makes this book flow smoothly. Further, his recollections are clear and concise, his use of precise words to describe events exhibits his command of the English language, and his sensitivity to the readers' senses do not turn the reader off due to coarse language or vile descriptions. It's a book produced successfully to keep the attention of any reader, yet will provide a very distinct flavor of what virtually every infantry soldier experienced physically, emotionally and spiritually during their tour in the jungle of Vietnam. I almost felt like I was reading my own autobiography, which is the way I will be explaining the gift of this book to each of my daughters. I hope and pray that they can begin to understand me a little better through Slater's gift of writing this book.Bottom line: Get the book, read it, recommend it to anyone and everyone who has even a smidgen of curiosity about what it was like to be a soldier in the jungle of Vietnam.
#3 Welcome Home Slater Full disclosure. I served with Slater in Vietnam and 349 Days brought back many memories for me, some good , some bad. This book not only describes events that we encountered but also explains the certain "lingo" that we used in Nam. I am proud that I served in Vietnam for my Country and proud that I served with Slater and our whole Company B: "my brothers-in-arms." This book is a very easy and enlightening read of which I highly recommend to all who had family members who served, knew someone who served or who is interested in the Vietnam War and the times. I especially want our young men and women to read and understand about war and sacrifice that is made beyond the eyes of the world. I plan on giving this book to our children and others for gifts . This book explains well things that sometimes I am unable to share with others..I truly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend to all.
Welcome Home Slater, Nick #4 So thankful for this insight into one man's experience of ... So thankful for this insight into one man's experience of serving our country. We so often take our freedoms and blessings in America for granted. We do not know the sacrifices that have been made by many. Appreciation of their service comes from a greater understanding and awareness of their personal experiences and sacrifices. 349 Days allows the reader a glimpse into this man's life before, during, and after his service. So thankful he chose to share his story so that others can gain a greater awareness. May their service never be forgotten!
#5 This is a good book that describes what a year in Viet Nam ... This is a good book that describes what a year in Viet Nam was like for the soldiers. It is well written and interesting.
#6 I just finished reading your book. Outstanding. Im proud that you call me a friend. You know what I like, its not just another book about the War in Vietnam, its about a person that happen to be one of the million or so young men that experienced Vietnam. It was excellent reading every veteran of Vietnam can relate so well to it. I burned the shitters on several ocassions. if you were an enlisted man, you burned shitters. The hours and hours and hours of frustrating boardum interupted by seconds, that seemed like hours of combat. Thank you Slater for writing this book.
#7 Enjoyed hearing your story. Brought back many memories from the 1970
era. I do think America is finally appreciating the Vietnam veterans.
Great book! Thanks again for sharing your story.
#8 Mr. Davis gives valuable insight into the daily life of "grunts" in Vietnam. It is not a book about the atrocities and gore associated with many people's perception of the war, but a thoughtful recollection of days spent bonding with fellow soldiers and how the events in 1970-71 shaped his life, even up to today. It was good to read about at least one soldier who used his experiences over there during that tumultuous time to help him become a better man. I highly recommend it!
#9 I found it interesting and understandable even though I do not normally read this type of military book. I did not want to put it down until I finished it. I especially appreciated the author's honesty in dealing with his struggles and emotions in the period after returning home and how he came to faith in God. My husband, whose dad served in Vietnam while in the Air Force, was so impressed with the book that he immediately ordered a copy for his dad.
The kindle version is very well formatted and attractive - not always the case even with major publishers. I am glad I read the book and recommend it heartily.
The kindle version is very well formatted and attractive - not always the case even with major publishers. I am glad I read the book and recommend it heartily.
#10 As a young boy I remember staring at the television watching news reports of Vietnam. "What's it like to be an army soldier riding one of those helicopters into the jungle?" I wondered. No one seemed to talk about Vietnam back then. And somehow I had my doubts that movies like Platoon, Rambo and Hamburger Hill clearly painted the picture. This is one soldier's story. It is Slater's story, told from his perspective as a reluctant draftee who left a wife and son at home to slog through the jungles with a machine gun. Nothing in his 349 days seems extremely glorious. Of course there were moments of sheer terror, adrenaline and ammo flying, but also many days of slow grind and "I wish I could just go home!" Now that I understand a tad bit more about the ground war in Vietnam in the early 70's, my hat is off to Slater and all who served there. Welcome home! You did an honorable job and I am grateful! I've known Slater for 18 years but never really heard him talk about Vietnam. This book has helped me get to know him much better. You'll love his story!
#11 Slater Davis set out to explain a difficult chapter in his life to his children and grandchildren. This resulting book does an excellent job of explaining the soul-deadening routines of the modern day soldier in combat. If you have friends or family who have served in the more recent conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan, this book will help you understand the stresses your loved ones have had to endure. I encourage you to buy it!
#12 "In 1964 I was TDY temporary Duty from the Philippine Islands to Vietnam and Thailand for several months. Since I was in the USAF I didn't see any action but I heard and saw ample evidence of the war when choppers brought in body bags and the wounded from the battle fields. Therefore when I received the book, I definitely appreciated it. It is an easy book to read and enjoy, but it's even more than Vietnam. I am sure you will appreciate the book also."
#13 "...through Slater's experiences, I was able to get a better understanding of what my brothers went through, and as a result it made me feel closer to them. Thank you Slater!
#14 This is a very basic book about entering the Army during the Vietnam War and going to fight as a 'grunt'. There are no horrible stories, such as what happened during Tet '68 at Hue, no one performs a heroic act worthy of an MOH. It is what is was like for the majority of the combat troops who served. Never easy, but the reality of 'everyday' life in the bush.
Slater Davis has painted an excellent mental picture of the reality of that year, as lived by many.
#14 This is a very basic book about entering the Army during the Vietnam War and going to fight as a 'grunt'. There are no horrible stories, such as what happened during Tet '68 at Hue, no one performs a heroic act worthy of an MOH. It is what is was like for the majority of the combat troops who served. Never easy, but the reality of 'everyday' life in the bush.
Slater Davis has painted an excellent mental picture of the reality of that year, as lived by many.