Featured Official Review: Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And... [November 2019 Book of the Month]

[Joe Alex 2]

Miller does a great job of bringing the harsh realities of war to life while also showing the deep bonds between soldiers. The mix of historical truth, personal sacrifice, and government betrayal makes for a powerful and emotional read. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you long after you finish.

[Ohanele Chinonyerem]

Zack's journey seems to be quite emotional and realistic. I would like to read this book to better understand what soldiers experienced in Vietnam and how it affected their lives thereafter.

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

Nice review! My husband was in Vietnam and has had cancer as a result of Agent Orange. He is classified as a disabled veteran because of it and gets compensation for it. How could the government tell these young men that Agent Orange would destroy all vegetation but would not harm them at all? These men fought for our country and were blantly lied to.

[Creole]

I first learned about the Vietnam War as a part of school history lessons. War in whatever form is just horrible. The atrocities are incomprehensible. Workers like Zachariah were in the thick of things, and their experiences were horrifying, having suffered life-threatening illnesses and having to fight for compensation. No one should have to suffer like this. Thanks for the informative review.

[Chris Agbara]

"Deadly Waters" powerfully blends a fictional sailor's Vietnam experience with the very real, tragic aftermath of Agent Orange exposure. Heart-wrenching and insightful.

[Rose Angela]

Deadly Waters follows Zachariah Martin's journey as a young Navy sailor in the Vietnam War, highlighting his growth, survival, and enduring love. It also exposes the long-term struggles of veterans affected by Agent Orange. The novel blends emotional depth and historical accuracy, shedding light on the war's lesser-known aspects.

[Judy Burr]

Thank you for your review. I sampled the book. Zach Martin just out of high school goes to Vietnam. The writer tells the story before and after about Zach's life. This is an important book for readers that like war stories. Congrats to the author for the #BOTD.

[Ukaegbu Confidence]

"Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath" by Randy Miller is a book based on true historical events. It shows friendship among colleagues, dedication to duty, and much more.

[Michaela Vancura]

Wow, this book sounds incredibly moving. Just reading this makes me feel for Zachariah and all those young sailors. It's heartbreaking to think about someone so young going off to war with no idea what it's really like, and then coming home to face even more struggles. The fact that it's based on true events makes it even more impactful.

[Ashanti perry]

“Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War” looks at the role of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. It covers events like the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which helped push the U.S. into the war, and the Navy’s operations in tricky areas like the Mekong Delta. The U.S. Navy helped patrol rivers and coasts, using small boats to go after the Viet Cong. The South Vietnamese Navy also helped defend the coastline. The war showed how hard it was for traditional naval forces to fight in a guerrilla-style war, especially on rivers and in dense jungles.

[Isaac Ozo-okafor]

Zachariah is an interesting character, for what he didn't have to offer in the war front but the willingness to serve and to answer the call of duty.

[Rady Espinoza]

Randy Miller's Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War and Its Aftermath is a novel based on actual historical events and chronicles the lives of a fictional young man from a remote area of Vermont. Zachariah Martin joins the Blue Water Navy as a sailor just after graduating from high school. He and his comrades arrive in Vietnam with little to no experience and little idea of what battle is like. Back home, Zack and other coworkers are afflicted with ailments linked to the Agent Orange chemical, and the Veterans Affairs department surprisingly denies them their rightful benefits.

[T Lynn Caruso]

Love the review! I agree the characters were depicted well. It is good to see more books on the after-effects that war has had on people; it's a shame how the government makes our soldiers fight for any compensation for what they have suffered from being in war; they deserve to get medical and monetary compensation without all the red tape.

[Mary Grace Gerona]

It’s fascinating to see how the author brings to life both the action and the long-term effects of war. Historical accuracy and gripping storytelling makes me even more eager to read it. I also liked your point about how the narrative captures the personal struggles of those who served—this is such an important perspective that often gets overlooked.

[Lilyán Navarro-Lytle]

Many of my classmates were children of Vietnam veterans who, like many soldiers from the past, did not care to talk about their experiences. I grew up not wanting to read anything about that era. However, Emunah An, you have kindled in me a desire to finally read a book set in that time period. I am curious though, why did you give it 4 stars?