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Vietnam, 1969 - 1970: A Company Commander's Journal (No.1)

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Vietnam, 1969 - 1970: A Company Commander's Journal (No.1)

By: Col. Michael Lee Lanning
Narrated by: Alexander MacDonald
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Summary

Lieutenant Michael Lee Lanning went to Vietnam as an eager young patriot who was confident of surviving the war. After six months in-country, he was promoted at age 23 to company commander, and his sense of duty began to shift from his nation to preserving the lives of the men in Bravo Company.

Lanning and his men faced an enemy who was patient, elusive, and firm in the belief that they could outlast the Americans. The young commander also confronted the prospect of sudden, violent death, bone-numbing weariness, and the stench of blood and decaying flesh. He would lose friends and would acquire a cynical contempt for all Vietnamese, both allies and enemies.

Vietnam, 1969 - 1970 is taken from the journals the author kept during his tour of duty. He wrote, "I dusted off men with wounds that will disable them for the rest of their lives. I dusted off a dead man that was one of the best soldiers I ever have known. I am realizing the full burdens of being a company commander."

The book is published by Texas A&M University Press.

©1988 Michael Lee Lanning (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks Military Vietnam War War Solider
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Critic reviews

"One of the most honest and horrifying accounts of a combat solder's life to come out of the Vietnam War." ( The New York Times Book Review)
All stars
Most relevant
Sometimes the books written by officers don't fear the enemy so much as the idea their own men won't respect them - this is one such book, and towards the end, his men literally jump across tables to defend him from scuffles with a senior officer. the style is written as non military, so anyone can follow, aside from understanding an oft repeated BLOCKING FORCE, the rest is plain English.

The memoir is told in a gripping way, I always wanted to know what was coming next, and sometimes it was sad as a good friend was lost or terribly injured, but it didn't dwell.

the narration was good, a little quiet at times, but good, solid 4, overall this gets a 9/10 so I've given it 5/5.

Very good - he loved his men

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Would you listen to Vietnam, 1969 - 1970: A Company Commander's Journal (No.1) again? Why?

Yes I would listen again. It covered such an intense experience, I am sure there are details I missed.

What other book might you compare Vietnam, 1969 - 1970: A Company Commander's Journal (No.1) to, and why?

The first book written by Mr Lanning - "The Only War we Had". This book is better; better constructed, far better narration, better details.

Which character – as performed by Alexander MacDonald – was your favourite?

Mr Lanning.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

The narration of the first book really put me off. It was monotone and soporific. However, this improved immeasurably in this book and really added to it. The narrator gave different voices to different characters and used a broader range of tone and volume.

Brilliant story of the Vietnam war.

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There are many good books about the Vietnam war and leadership in war. This is a brilliant account of both.

Simply excellent

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What a book, what a man. As you listen you feel like you were, there but also respect that you weren’t!

Amazing

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