• Fields of Fire

  • By: James Webb
  • Narrated by: Sean Runnette
  • Length: 17 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (943 ratings)

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Fields of Fire  By  cover art

Fields of Fire

By: James Webb
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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Publisher's summary

They each had their reasons for being a soldier. They each had their illusions. Goodrich came from Harvard. Snake got the tattoo - Death Before Dishonor - before he got the uniform. And Hodges was haunted by the ghosts of family heroes. They were three young men from different worlds plunged into a white-hot, murderous realm of jungle warfare as it was fought by one Marine platoon in the An Hoa Basin, 1969. They had no way of knowing what awaited them. Nothing could have prepared them for the madness to come. And in the heat and horror of battle they took on new identities, took on each other, and were each reborn in fields of fire....

Fields of Fire is James Webb's classic, searing novel of the Vietnam War, a novel of poetic power, razor-sharp observation, and agonizing human truths seen through the prism of nonstop combat. Weaving together a cast of vivid characters, Fields of Fire captures the journey of unformed men through a man-made hell - until each man finds his fate.

©1978 James Webb (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"In my opinion the finest of the Vietnam novels." (Tom Wolfe)

What listeners say about Fields of Fire

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Awesome Read! of course I am Prejudiced

If you could sum up Fields of Fire in three words, what would they be?

Awesome, real read

Who was your favorite character and why?

Senator. Drastically unchanged yet irreparably broken Forever innocent and wounded.

Which character – as performed by Sean Runnette – was your favorite?

Hodges comes thru as true to the story line

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but never can because it is too close

Any additional comments?

As a Marine vet that has walked the same dirt and known all the characters from boot camp to the hills of I Corps,I feel a special bond with Mr. Webb and his book. I find it a very actual recount of a terrible time I will never forget or recover from.

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22 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Marine lieutenant who fought in Vietnam...

A Marine lieutenant who fought in Vietnam writes the best novel about the war. I'm a fan of James (Jim) Webb and I read this 1978 masterpiece years ago. Webb grew up in a military family, went to the Naval Academy, and fought in Vietnam. He later graduated from law school and he served in the Reagan administration. He went on have a career as a journalist and author. In 2006 he changed to the Democrat Party and ran for the US Senate beating the incumbent by a very small margin before serving Virginia for 6 years as US Senator. While a senator, Webb was the only member of the body to carry a loaded pistol with him inside the Capitol building. Late in 2015 he announced his candidacy for US president as a Democrat but soon dropped out when it seemed obvious that neither major party would elect a centrist who would challenge the rule of the elites of both parties. He will not say who he voted for in the 2016 general election, but does say he did not vote for Hillary.

I recommend this novel. The narration is superb.

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the great novels of Vietnam.

This is an outstanding book and this performance and story are wonderful. Webb's epic story of Marines in Vietnam lives in this presentation; highly recommended.

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14 people found this helpful

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Magnificent

I am a non fiction person but the book reviews convinced me to try it. This may well be the best book I have ever experienced. The narration was also the best. Mr Runnette did this book justice. Should be required reading for college journalism majors. Ahem...
Very accurate militarily. Just a wonderful story. Thank you James Webb.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Horrors of Marine battles in Vietnam

Very graphic story of the Marines in battle and the strong friendships that developed between fellow teammates. This book is not for the feint of hearts. This book will make you appreciate the men who gave so much.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book

This book is so much like it was in Vietnam that it brought back so many memories of my two tours in Vietnam as a marine grunt.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I was sad when I finished it.

What did you love best about Fields of Fire?
The storytelling was so good. I really connected with the people in the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fields of Fire?
The last battle shocked me. The irony was unbelievable

What does Sean Runnette bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Great narrator. Portrayed the sarcasm expertly.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Loved it.

Any additional comments?
Best Vietnam book yet

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Tore me up.

I was drafted in the spring of 70. Through the grace of God, even with an 11D MOS, I avoided the swamp by the luck of the draw and served proudly in the 2nd Armored Cav in Germany. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder whose name is on that beautiful awful wall where mine could have been. I regret not being there to help but also wonder if something I might have done would have cost another young draftee his life. Survivors guilt is what they call it. I am supposedly a Vietnam Era Vet. I reject that as I have not earned that honor. I served with honorable men, some of whom had been in Nam and came to Germany busted, broken and used up to finish their hitch. This book mirrors so many of those brave men's stories. Probably the best book I've read about what it was. There it is. Don't mean nothin. We served, came home the best we could, picked up our tools and went back to work and tried to put us behind us. Bless ya, boys! Much Respect And Gratitude. I've been proud to be counted among you. Peace!

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3 people found this helpful

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I am very selective and find lots of books boring

But this one was interesting and enjoyable and seemed true to life, of someone who lived it. I am so glad I missed the Vietnam by the skin of my teeth .

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3 people found this helpful

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Great read!

didn't want this book to end, great stories of the human dimension of war. I highly recommend this book

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3 people found this helpful