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The Things They Carried
The Things They Carried
Author: Tim O'Brien
One of the first questions people ask about The Things They Carried is this: Is it a novel, or a collection of short stories? The title page refers to the book simply as "a work of fiction," defying the conscientious reader's need to categorize this masterpiece. It is both: a collection of interrelated short pieces which ultimately reads ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780395515983
ISBN-10: 039551598X
Publication Date: 3/1990
Pages: 273
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 11

4.1 stars, based on 11 ratings
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (T)
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

skywriter319 avatar reviewed The Things They Carried on + 784 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
This is a beautiful book. It's a war book for those who don't like war books, poetry for those who don't read poetry, an inspirational tale for those who don't read self-help. It's amazing and powerful... a must-read.
reviewed The Things They Carried on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is a book for those who missed the Vietnam war--not the sights and the sounds or the T.V. views but the blood,guts,horror,and the feel of looking down the barrel at a victim of circumstance whose never going to make it to their next moment--the low down on how to get it done-especially after seeing one of your friends bite the dust--I'm not kidding-don't read this book unless you're into getting the job done--it's not for those who want to sit in front of the fireplace for a nice calm read--with a pipefull compared to a Vince Flynn book--it's not so much glamour and bravado as the soldiers"let's get it done"
mrsb avatar reviewed The Things They Carried on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
WOW!! This book gave me a whole new respect for our men and women in uniform ... both past and present. It's a good and quick read, but also sometimes it is difficult to read and comprehend what the author is trying to get across. I think this is a book that you need to read once ... wait a bit and then reread it and you'll get different things out of it the second and third times.
TakingTime avatar reviewed The Things They Carried on + 1072 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
very good book....set in the Viet Nam era...but pertenant to our current travesties also. One mans view of how he got thru his days of combat....seeing the ordeal from the inside of one soldiers head....not thru the media. East read book....worth your time ...especially if you have a loved one in the military.
hardtack avatar reviewed The Things They Carried on + 2700 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Please understand this is a NOVEL! I was in Viet Nam and a lot of stuff in this book makes no sense. I am surprised it is not a comic book. Especially the story about the female cheerleader from the States, who somehow gets "in country" and goes on missions with the Green Berets. As if taking a young, untrained girl on patrol isn't going to get them in trouble or killed. What did she carry as weapons? Pom Poms? Rah! Rah! Green Berets Kill the NVA! If you believe this than I need to tell you the "Star Wars" movies were actually historical documentaries about a rebellion in a nearby galaxy. Honest!

Give Me A Break!

Check out the Amazon reviews from other vets who back me up on this.
Read All 66 Book Reviews of "The Things They Carried"

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tcabsetx avatar reviewed The Things They Carried on + 9 more book reviews
One of my favorite books. Loosely inspired by authors experience during his year in the Vietnam War.
reviewed The Things They Carried on + 4 more book reviews
I am just beginning to read books about Viet Nam. Lost a lot of friends during that period of history. Found Tim O'Brien commentary to be thoughtful and not morbid. Many different types of men/boys were drafted. Each brought something that they felt was necessary for their job or their souls.

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