OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath" by Randy Miller.]

Based on true historical events, Randy Miller’s Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War and Its Aftermath, follows the life of a fictional character, a young man from a rural part of Vermont. Zachariah Martin is barely out of high school when he enlists to serve as a Blue Water Navy sailor. With little experience and close to no imagination what war is like, he arrives with his friends in Vietnam. The war horrors they face are haunting but worse challenges are yet to come. Back home, Zack and many of his colleagues suffer from illnesses related to the Agent Orange chemical and the Veterans Affairs department shockingly refuses them well-deserved compensation.

Randy Miller’s characters are as real as can be. It was easy for me to paint a picture in my mind of the war heroes and their opponents. The impact each of them has is further accentuated by an adept description of the background. The unforgiving terrain, the unfamiliar climates and cuisine all compound together to show what the sailors had to face in the surreal land.

There is no doubt that Miller is a gifted author. His way with words is truly engaging for any reader. He is able to balance the heart-wrenching experiences of war while still inserting aspects of humor into the storyline. As the book begins, a terrifying yet humorous character is introduced. His terrible temper yet down to earth character adds a fascinating twist right from the beginning. Funnier still are his remarks which send the boys in spells of laughter while being very careful to do this away from his presence.

The plot is very emotionally evoking and highlights the plight of 229,000 navy sailors. The young men left everything behind, their loved ones, their dreams of a normal life and the comfort of their homes so as to give themselves fully and wholeheartedly to their call of duty and to the honor of their nation. Anyone would expect them to be received with the honor that they deserved, the recognition advanced to a hero. The opposite happened and they had to fight their administration to receive compensation for the illnesses they suffered from their contact with the lethal Agent Orange.

Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War and Its Aftermath by Randy Miller is a book on love, friendship, devotion to duty, the history of a nation and the aftermath of war. It is keenly written and skilfully presented. An enlightening book that inspires thought for every fan of historical books that reflect on war and its after-effects. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

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Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath
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I'm always drawn to the kind of realistic characters you described in your review. Excellent review--thanks for your recommendation!

A war does not impact on one side but both. One is an enemy to another and vice versa. I like books based on true stories. Thank you for your descriptive review!

The Vietnam War was really before my time, but I've heard the horrors. It's probably something we all need to revisit, though, and books like this are the perfect way to do it. To really get into the characters and realize all that they faced and left behind. Powerful. Thanks!

I've always thought that creating memorable characters that stick in your head long after you've put the book down is the mark of a truly great story. I'm glad that Deadly Waters was such a book. Great review.

Reading about the aftermath of Vietnam can help the reader to picture what happened at that time, yet I think it'll never be as real as what those men lived. This kind of eye-opening stories can help a little bit to create conscience of the devastating horror not only to the ones that go to the war but also to the ones that are left behind. Thanks for the review!

Thank you for the great review, I'm currently looking for the history book to read you point me in the right direction.

I love characters that are made relatable by authors. This is good for books. Thanks for the review

Thanks for the brilliant review! I don't usually enjoy books on war, but your description of how the author balanced his writing well has soothed my anxieties greatly. Seriously considering reading Deadly Waters now.

This sounds like a captivating look into the lives of our sailors at war, and after war. I like your description of how the author draws his characters. No matter the story, if characters aren't likable, the book isn't worth reading.

It sounds like a great book. I like stories that have realistic characters and it sounds like Deadly Waters gives a realistic view of the aftermath of Vietnam for soldiers. Thank you for your review.

A historical fiction based on true events and following the story of a Vietnam veteran sounds enlightening indeed. The book follows the life of a Navy sailor and records his bad treatment by the ones who were supposed to help him, Veterans Affairs department. Inserting humor into heart-wrenching experiences of war isn't an easy task. That it was well edited is another plus. Thank you for the review!

I am a fan of historical fiction. The realistic characters are quite intriguing. Thanks for the enlightening review.

Considering the subject matter, I can see how the book could evoke emotions. Inclusion of humor is the last thing I would expect in a book based on a war, but there it is. Thanks for the succinct review! Looking forward to reading this.

This story tells you that the American government is known for sending soldiers most of the times on a mission impossible or a suicide...very interesting story by the way