The 13th Valley

By: John M. Del Vecchio

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 27 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Finalist for the National Book Award: a work that has served as a literary cornerstone for the Vietnam generation.

The 13th Valley follows the terrifying Vietnam combat experiences of James Chelini, a telephone-systems installer who finds himself an infantryman in territory controlled by the North Vietnamese army. Spiraling deeper and deeper into a world of conflict and darkness, this harrowing account of Chelini's plunge and immersion into jungle warfare traces his evolution from a semipacifist to an all-out combat-crazed soldier. The seminal novel on the Vietnam experience, The 13th Valley is a classic that illuminates the war in Southeast Asia like no other book. It is the first title in Del Vecchio's Vietnam War Trilogy, which also includes For the Sake of All Living Things, about the Cambodian holocaust, and Carry Me Home, which addresses the aftermath of war.

©2012 John M . Del Veccio (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

a window to the past

loved this book.story is intense and hard to set down.narrator is awesome! GET IT!!!! this story will touch you more ways than one.

my uncle's war

I was 10 years old jihad forgot so much this book my uncle's the war

VietNam War veteran and author John M. Del Vecchio

Only knowing what I've read from history books about America's involvement in one of the many VietNam wars, I think this novel captures what it was like to be an American military man serving in the capacity of the "tip of the spear" in jungle warfare. At times the book is almost painful to read, just like Guy Sajer's The Forgotten Soldier. Sean Runnette does an outstanding job as narrator.

So good !

I've read a lot of books about Vietnam.. this one takes the cake. I couldn't stop listening if i wanted to. it's a long book so be aware but it's well worth the time . the narrator is incredible.
I will admit towards the end one or two chapters are kind of boring but other than that it's amazing. highly recommended

Accurate portrayal of reality

I really enjoyed listening to this. For those who are complaining about the politics/ philosophy conversations in the book, that’s what war really is like. People who have been there understand and relate to these parts. Those who have only experienced war through movies and fantasies will think it’s boring and unnecessary. The fact is, they’ll never understand because they’ve never had the intestinal fortitude to be there themselves. This writing has flooded with me with emotions and memories — good and bad — and speaks to my soul.

Detailed, thoughtful, and compelling.

This reader prefers the level of detail offered in this book about an Airborne company in the mountains of northern South Vietnam. There are lots of digressions and flashbacks, but they are well written and thoughtful - not your typical combat story stereotypical fare. I couldn't put it down, as it were. You come away having learned a lot about the nature of post-Tet operations and even the nature of war itself. Well done.

Understanding the the war

John M Del Vecchio took all the pain, heroism,tragedy, & senseless violence on and off the never changing non-front of each battle and gave it straight to the memory of our lead character, “Cherry”. Cherry then directs us on this voyage.
Wasn’t great but worthy of your money, credits, and time.

One of the best Vietnam war stories...

I read this in my early 20's and it was a pleasure to listen to it 30 years later. Just as good as I remember and I always enjoy re-reading things I read that long ago. Since my views are different than 30 years ago I understood the politics for a completely different standpoint.

One of the best I have ever read on the Vietnam War.

Tedious

This book might’ve been excellent except for the authors too frequent attempts at proselytizing. The stuff out in the bush was fascinating. But every other chapter he’d launch into this boring philosophical screed about I don’t know what and I’m a college graduate and I don’t understand It. I’m supposed to believe a gang of 18-year-olds with maybe a high school education‘s are going to be interested at all in
this philosophical babble in this tedious bullshit. It ruined the book for me

really good

I didn't realize it was a novel until after I purchased. However, I'm glad I did. Well written and narrated. Probably much more true than folks might think.