Up Country

This book was probably one of the most compelling representations of Vietnam I've ever been exposed to: the war, reflections on the war, and present-day - at least, when the main story takes place, in '97. What I mean by that is that I developed a deeper understanding of the people, their tenacity, and various things that occurred during the war. I haven't changed my opinion that the Communist North should have been crushed like a bug (we could have done it, we just lacked the will - and the South Vietnamese citizens paid the price when we left). DeMille's writing really put me in the situation and I felt like I was there, experiencing what was happening, right along with Paul Brennar. This was probably one of his deepest books yet - show more and that's saying a lot since I adore his other character so much more (John Corey). The reason I took off a star was because of the length. I felt like it took the same amount of time to listen to it as the length of time in which the story takes place (two weeks). It really didn't take me *that* long, of course, but the writing style, the depth of description, and the plot were so involved that when it was over and done with I felt about as wiped out as Brennar's character did when the story came to a close. On the flip side, if everything hadn't been as well developed as it was, I wouldn't have had such a rich listening experience. Once again, Scott Brick's narration was excellent. show less

Demille's books always have a thesis, but it's often hard to pick out because the thing is so long. I was expecting 28 hours, but it was only 8.5...just right. I rated it 5* because it was exciting and kept me reading/listening long into the night. Adventure, espionage, suspense--all elements that make a book interesting for me. The characters seemed well developed: Mang, the VN "cop"--hated him. Brenner, our hero, always finding a way to solve the problem and Susan, the versatile woman you love to hate. Demille's characters are always wise cracking smart asses--I wonder if he's that way. I don't know why the author likes to describe clothing, though. Fun book, and condensed, just the right length.

One of my favorite characters, Paul Brenner, is back from one of my favorite authors. Having pissed off the brass in his last case, see [b:The General's Daughter|98427|The General's Daughter|Nelson DeMille|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171413224s/98427.jpg|1832579], Paul has been forcibly retired having pissed off a lot of brass His former boss, Colonel Helden, calls him up for a meeting at the Wall where he presents a most interesting proposal. They have a letter from a witness who says he say an army captain shot an army lieutenant in cold blood during the Tet offensive in Vietnam. The army wants the killer identified and punished. So Brenner, in return for a bigger pension and reinstatement, must solve a case that has no body, no show more apparent motive, no accused, no witnesses except for the letter, a witness who may have died years before, a witness who happens to have been NVA, a killer who may even be dead; a murder that may not even be a murder and which occurred during the midst of a heated battle over thirties years before. Not to mention that the dead man’s name is inscribed on the Wall and his relatives and friends all assume he was killed in battle.
Things are never what they seem, and Brenner learns from his FBI briefing just as he is about to embark on the trip to Vietnam to find the NVA witness, assuming he is still alive, that there are many things the army CID and FBI would rather he not know, but he suspects they want him to locate the man so they can kill him. Just his cup of tea.
Once in Vietnam, Paul meets Susan. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, etc., except that Paul suspects that Susan, who ostensibly works for the Bank of America on trade issues, might also have a connection to the CIA. She and he travel together, her knowledge of Vietnam proving to be invaluable and Paul begins to put some of the pieces together.
Many of the Demille books I have read exist on several levels. One suspects that this book is a much a personal meditation on the war that DeMille served in as an infantry lieutenant. Some of the stories that Paul recounts to Susan are just too real. I think it’s one of the best books I’ve read about our nation’s coming to terms with our Vietnam experience show less

here's the deal with demille: he's a very mediocre writer but he's more compelling when he writes about the vietnam war, as he does in this book (and others). the story here isn't all that interesting or intriguing, and it certainly could be told in fewer than 860 pages. but the story did hold some worthwhile points about war and about the long lasting effects it has, for the countries involved and also the individuals.

my real problem with demille is that he's a sexist and has no idea that he is. it seems to me that he'd probably be offended by my writing that, because he'd never identify that way, and because he doesn't think he's sexist, he thinks that that gives him the allowance to write sexist things for the sake of humor. show more (newsflash - racist and sexist things aren't funny, mr. demille.) it's so insidious because his sexism is most likely being read by millions of men (his books are often on the bestseller lists) who also don't think he's sexist. and his books are full of sexist, and sometimes racist, comments made by self-identified chivalrous men who somehow manage to consistently charm younger, attractive women.

two examples (notice the pristine writing):

at the end of a massage given at the hotel he was staying in:
"Finally she turned me over on my back and somehow I'd lost my towel. She was kneeling between my legs, and she pointed to a place she hadn't massaged yet. I had a feeling the shiatsu part of the massage was over.
She said, 'Ten dollar - okay?'
'Uhhh...'
She smiled and nodded encouragingly. 'Yes?'
Give this hotel another star."

(now, his character is a moral, non-sexist guy so he didn't take the lady up on this, but he still finds it acceptable to make that comment.)

and another:

"Colonel Mang regarded Susan a moment, wondering, I'm sure, why a woman was answering for a man. This country was so sexist, I might like it here."

i'd love to sit down with this guy and explain a few things. show less

I am surprised that I rated this four stars.
I usually prefer to pick sci-fis, fantasies, or known classics, but this book definitely proved that I won't regret pushing myself out of my comfort zone more often.

Growing up in Europe, the Vietnam War is not something that I'm particularly familiar with. Obviously I have vague cognitions about how it started, the atrocities committed, and some of the consequences, but I never really took the time to inform myself properly, and neither did my country's education system.
Up Country opened my eyes on this topic, and I'd agree if someone said that there are many books out there that could do the same and better, but if you want something that does it without being heavy and challenging, this is show more the one for you.

The writing style is light and fairly smooth, the main characters are likeable (or at least for me they were), and it tries to give insights on the reality of what it is like to be a veteran.
Unfortunately there were also some things I didn't like. Plot holes, unnecessary side characters which I expected more action from, and the case's solution failed my expectations.
But despite this, I was still hooked the whole time.

I didn't have high expectation about this book, and even if I still think it may not be an essential piece of literature, I'd say it should deserve a chance, if you are looking for a decent, real page-turner. show less

There is a name carved into the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., of an American army lieutenant whose death is shrouded in mystery. The authorities have reason to believe that he was not killed by the enemy, or by friendly fire; they suspect he was murdered.
At first, Paul Brenner, himself a Vietnam vet, isn't interested in investigating the case. After his forced retirement from the army's Criminal Investigation Division, he has adapted to the life of a civilian with a comfortable pension. Then his old boss, Karl Hellmann, summons him to the Vietnam Memorial to call in a career's worth of favors. Hellmann tells Brenner of the circumstances surrounding the officer's death, and gives him this much to go on: The incident happened show more over three decades ago in Vietnam; the only evidence is a recently discovered letter written by an enemy soldier describing an act of shocking violence. The name of the North Vietnamese soldier is known, but not his present whereabouts, or even if he is alive or dead.
Brenner's assignment: Return to Vietnam and find the witness. The addendum: The mission is very important to the U.S. Army. Brenner's the ideal man for the job. And it's in his best interest that he doesn't know what this case is really about.
Reluctantly, Brenner begins a strange journey that unearths his own painful memories of Vietnam and leads him down a trail as dangerous as the ones he walked a lifetime ago as a young infantryman. From sultry, sinful Saigon, where he meets beautiful American expatriate Susan Weber, to the remote, forbidding wilderness of up-country Vietnam, he will follow a trail of lies, betrayal, and murder-and uncover an explosive, long-buried secret. show less

I thoroughly enjoy DeMille's character, Paul Brenner. He's sarcastic, witty, funny, intelligent, and often annoying, but always entertaining. The plot moves fast and was much more about the American soldiers and military in Vietnam than I expected it to be. Because I'm interested in the history of that war, it was a plus for me. A couple of the plot points didn't really work for me, but otherwise a very good read.