An Unvarnished Memoir of the Vietnam War - an Editorial Review of "Into the Thick of It"

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Editorial Review:

After fifty-eight-years I still remember the names and faces of the eighteen, nineteen, and twenty-year-old boys that fought beside me in Vietnam, and those who were never able to return home and resume their lives. Like my dad and most combat veterans, I vividly and distinctly remember my two-year tour as a warfighter. Some memories concern events that I will always want to remember, while others are remembered as nightmares that wake me up in the middle of the night. From time to time, I will receive a call from a fellow boonie rat, and I enjoy talking about the good things, such as the time we gave chocolate bars to a bunch of kids. But when the conversation drifts to killing I protect those secrets and redirect the conversation.

From the very first lines, this book dives right in. The unvarnished, honest, and uncompromising memoir Into the Thick of It by Thomas Allen immerses readers in the horrific and intricate realities of the Vietnam War. Allen bravely unlocks long-buried memories more than 50 years after the events took place, some of which are haunting and others that are full of surprising moments of humanity and companionship.

Allen establishes an intimate yet gloomy tone right from the opening chapter. His thoughts are unvarnished by romanticized memories or patriotic gloss. Rather, they are authentic - deeply intimate and brutally honest. The book begins with a heartfelt remembrance of his fellow soldiers and mentors who helped to mold his career. It then goes on to honor all Americans who served in Vietnam, especially those who never returned home.

I grew up as a corporate tag-along, that is to say, every few years my dad would get a promotion and a transfer. For me that meant I was uprooted from my school and my friends, and I was forced to begin my life anew. During my public-school days I went to seven different schools, including a new school in Charlotte for my senior year of high school. These frequent moves prevented me from developing long-lasting friendships, and also prevented me from participating in normal school activities such as sports. But it also developed an inner strength.

I was born on a farm in Paw Creek, North Carolina, a small rural community west of Charlotte. I lived on the farm until I was seven and had finished the first grade. Then the job transfers began when my dad was transferred to Richmond. After the move to Richmond the transfers happened in two-year intervals. This turmoil pushed me to reading and movies, and because of the post-war years I was drawn to World War II topics.

Allen, a former M-60 machine gun man, gives readers a close-up look at the violent, high-adrenaline aspect of battle and the psychological damage it causes. He paints vivid and engrossing pictures of life "in the thick of it." Allen's work is detailed and fearless to tackle the emotional toll of war, whether it is recollecting the strange calm that follows a devastating firefight or the oppressive anxiety of night ambushes.

Allen's openness in this biography is what really makes it unique. He acknowledges the paradoxes of war without holding back: the pride in duty and the weight of taking a life, the excitement and horror of combat, the desire for peace and the need for bloodshed. A monument to tenacity, selflessness, and the heavy price of duty, Into the Thick of It is more than just a war memoir because of this unvarnished reflection.

Allen's experiences are well-contextualized by the book's 17 chapters, which combine chronological narrative with introspective analysis. His early training, deployment, life in Forward Operating Bases, and, finally, the process of coming home and facing trauma are all covered in detail for readers. The odd beauty and violent paradoxes of Vietnam are captured in remarkably poetic chapter titles like "The Aesthetics of War" and "The Perfume River."

Allen describes his initial encounters with enemy and American battle casualties in one of the book's most impactful passages. Long after the reader has turned the last page, they will still remember his candid depiction of emotional breakdown, his transformation from a "combat virgin" to a seasoned soldier, and the heartbreaking cries of the injured asking for their mothers. This story strikes a deep chord with readers who are interested in trauma, memory, and healing, particularly because of his battle to preserve empathy while fortifying himself with the emotional fortitude necessary to survive.

I can look beyond the nastiness and political disruptions because I endured this trauma to achieve my life’s goal; to be an engineer and build tall, beautiful buildings. They may call me a baby killer and spit on me, but I have a clear future, and a clean conscience. Is my service any worse than staging riots and burning draft centers? None of these things matter because I have 255 paved the way to realize my lifelong dream. I am on the glory road. Peace out, Vietnam; the land that hides death! I’m going home. I survived this whole damn ordeal and I’m going the hell home!

Allen writes in an engaging, uncomplicated style that avoids sensationalism. His writing has the rhythm of a guy who has been through hell and come back - not to brag, but to testify. He has a powerful, modest, and respectful voice for his fellow warriors.

The concluding chapter of Into the Thick of It, "Essential Facts About the Vietnam War," provides historical background for the narrative. For readers who are not aware of the conflict's larger political and military context, this inclusion is quite beneficial. It illustrates Allen's desire to preserve the greater narrative of the battle in addition to sharing his own story.

In the end, this book is a potent ode to a generation of veterans, not simply to the story of a single man. It clearly takes a lot of courage for Allen to finally share these recollections, which he has carried around for many years. Anyone who wishes to understand the human side of the Vietnam War should read this book.

Perfect for history buffs, soldiers, trauma and war studies students, and anybody who appreciates frank accounts of the human condition during unspeakable war. All in all, a fantastic memoir.

4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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