Review: POINT: WILDERNESS WAR IN VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA - A MEMOIR

POINT: WILDERNESS WAR IN VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA - A MEMOIR by Jamie Thompson
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

MWSA Review

Jamie Thompson’s Point, Wilderness War in Vietnam and Cambodia is a unique insight into a combat infantryman’s experience in Vietnam.

Walking point (leading a patrol, platoon, or company), could be the most dangerous job in Vietnam. Sergeant Jamie Thompson doesn’t avoid such duty, he craves it. To him, he has never felt so focused, so alive, as when leading his unit through Vietnam or Cambodia. After he is wounded, he must decide if he can overcome his fear and return to the job he loves, and to the men he feels sworn to teach and protect.

The author has an extraordinary memory, and relays his entire army experience in vivid detail. The book is very technically well written and Thompson does a very good job of mixing combat field experience with tales of fun and camaraderie in the rear areas. This is the grunt’s perception, no strategy or heavy moral points, just survival and love of one another in combat.

I especially enjoyed how the author’s upbringing was reflected in his memoir. His father always taught him to “do the right thing,” and that was clear in his writing. He had several chances to make it easy on himself, but instead took care of his men and his mission first.

Any Vietnam grunt, especially one who was wounded, will appreciate this story and relate. Also, anyone interested in the Vietnam experience because of a family member will learn more about what their loved one endured in the jungles of Southwest Asia.

Review by Rob Ballister (February 2020)

View all my reviews