In forty years, Valley of the Shadow is the second book I’ve read that depicts the real side of war through the details Knutson writes.  I highly recommend reading Valley of the Shadow for those that want to know more about the Vietnam war and for those that were there that are still trying to understand what happened.

 

I cannot imagine this book and the story of raw truth it vividly shows being published by any traditional publisher. I cannot imagine Hollywood making this book into a movie since it would go against the engineered Political Correctness that seems to rule the lives of so many Americans these days.

 

If you want to learn about the Vietnam War, here's my list of the best:  We Were Soldiers with Mel Gibson (a move showing what combat is like instead of the Tom Cruise variety of couch jumping combat that is Hollywood); Chickenhawk, a memoir by Robert Mason that shows how ‘necessary’ carnage can damage one soldier’s mind and body, and of course, Valley of the Shadow. There are other books and movies that do a good job, but this is where I recommend you start.

 
When Knutson writes about the use of drugs in Vietnam, I agree with him. When he writes about getting those GG shots, which I had to get too but out in the open with everyone in a line on top of a hill in the middle of Indian Country, that’s true too. I could go on. Each short chapter is another gritty, sometimes funny (I laughed often), nugget of reality and truth.  

Knutson’s memoir is about the unsung heroes that supported the guys like me that went into the field on ambushes, recons, patrols and field operations. Without soldiers in uniform like Knutson, also risking their lives since they were in Vietnam too, how could guys like me have survived and succeeded? I want to thank those soldiers for what they did.

 

There are ten to twelve men in uniform in support positions for each grunt in the field to make sure the job gets done, to fight and win. War is hell. It always has been hell and it’s always going to be in one form or another where people of all ages die and suffering is a harsh reality. That’s a tragic and sad fact.
  

Valley of the Shadow comes in a small package. It's well priced and easy to read.  On the other hand, there could have been a detailed glossary for the military equipment mentioned. I found myself getting lost occasionally in the machines Knutson used, and there were a ‘few’ grammatical and mechanical errors. 

 

However, do not let that stop you from reading this memoir. This story is not about the military machines and equipment. It’s a personal account of war and the price men and women in uniform pay to fight for their country. It’s another rare, and sometimes humorous voice of truth after forty years of you know what I'd like to say. 

 

If you buy Valley of the Shadow and read it, spread the word—please.  Encourage others to buy and read it too even if you do not agree with Knutson’s opinions. If you haven’t noticed, the world is a violent place. Read books about history to learn. Memoirs like Knutson’s and historical fiction are a good place to start. The full review was published by POD Book Reviews .