Book Description

The Things I Saw: A Soldiers Journey - Vietnam to Berlin, is a collection of true short stories told firsthand about a young and naive high school graduate who spent three years in the U.S. Military from 1966-1969 including six months of training, a year as an infantry foot soldier in Vietnam as well as a year and a half in Berlin, Germany during the 'Cold War' with the U.S.S.R. These stories take place during a turbulent time in Americas' history including the war, political upheaval and assassinations. The story starts out as the recruit is being indoctrinated into the U.S. Army at basic training. From there it's on to other bases for infantry training and paratrooper school. The author then takes you step by step through the jungle trails and hills of Vietnam in search of an enemy that most didn't care to find. His firsthand accounts of war, suffering and humanity no doubt reflect similar experiences of many thousands of Vietnam Veterans although each veteran's story is unique. Eventually he questions his governments wisdom for going to war and the answers he finds may surprise you. From there it's on to West Berlin where American troops are positioned as a show of force along with British and French troops to buffer the Communist governments of the U.S.S.R. and East Germany whose military forces surround the city. He then finds himself at Berlins Spandau Prison guarding the last of the Nazi war criminals from WWII at a time when American forces have just committed their own war crimes at My Lai in Vietnam. For anyone considering joining today's military, you may wish to read this book first.