Vietnam 1970-72, Quang Tri Province,Mike Force Platoon,Special Operations from Chu-Lai to Phu-bai and west to the border. The soldiers and the missions. Buy your copy! Amazon Amazon.co.uk Froogle Barnes & Noble.com "A Hard Place" the story of combat operations in South Vietnam with the Platoon leader and men of a small unit known as a Mobile Reaction of "Mike Force". They were based out of the sprawling base camp on the coast of South Vietnam, home to the 23rd Infantry Division, in Chu-Lai. Their missions were conducted all over the northern provinces dubbed by the military as 1st Combat Tactical Zone (1CTZ). They were both recon and striker unit, sometimes just looking, sometimes attacking and sometimes being attacked. Sometimes they were sent to reinforce a small camp or firebase. Life was either base camp boring or "boonie rat" intense. Often assigned missions to look for and capture specific targets. All of their missions were both classified and clandestine. Even their existence was denied. As much as possible their movement were hidden or camouflaged within larger unit operations. Most of their operations were conducted without back-up or support readily available. They were required to survive on their bush skills, to adapt, over come, improvise or if that failed E&E (escape and evade) back to pick-up or rendezvous point. This story is about serving in Vietnam as a professional soldier in a "Special Operations" unit. The "other" Army is South Vietnam, Republic of, A HARD PLACE.     Excerpt down in the Delta when the B Team (Special Forces) was in its heyday. There were Aussies in the bush, armed Mohawks in the sky, and we really were, Jolly Green Giants, walking the land with guns. Those were indeed shining times, before 6 February 68. Now it’s August 1970 and it’s a whole nother ball game over here. Charlie didn’t like the way the war was going. So he changed all the rules.

Finally a clear view of the Vietnam War experience, October 8, 2008
Finally a clear view of the Vietnam War experience, October 8, 2008
By ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

Jacamo Peterson is one heck of a writer. He not only experienced the actions of this book, he wrote eloquently about his experiences.
When I was a young girl, there was a guy in my neighborhood who went to Vietnam. We moved away, but would come back to the neighborhood when we'd visit - the guy came back from Vietnam, but was so very different - he had long hair, beard, looked like he was shellshocked, only sat and stared. I didn't understand.
I do now.
I told Jacamo about this guy - I still think of him to this day.
I don't usually quote from the books I review - but will in this, because it's very poignant - "Rock, do you believe in this war?" "Jim, this isn't a war. this is an exercise in stupidity and no I don't believe in it. I believe in us. The American Soldier is capable of doing just about anything. If any of us get out of this alive and have half a mind left it will be because we are Americans."
Ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things in a war others decide to participate in.
No matter what the conflict - this book would be something a person who fought in the Iraq War could relate to - just as in the Vietnam War.
The language of A Hard Place is rough and tumble - real language not politically correct, not watered down. Peterson takes us into the conflict, and we feel the heat of the day, the bullets passing by, the pain when someone is hurt. It is a stunning book.
For those of you who are hesitant about reading a book about Vietnam, don't hesitate.
It is Everyman - in EveryWar.
And it will open your eyes.
Bravo Jacamo!