Category: Military History and Biography SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam is a fascinating book that delves into the history of Special Operations Group (SOG), an elite military unit that operated during the Vietnam War. The author, Robin Quivers, provides a detailed account of SOG's operations, including their involvement in covert missions and battles against enemy forces. One of the strengths of this book is its ability to provide insight into the daily lives of SOG soldiers. Through personal accounts from former members of the unit, readers gain an understanding of the challenges they faced on a day-to-day basis. This includes everything from navigating through dense jungles to dealing with hostile forces and harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations. The author explains how SOG was formed in response to the growing threat posed by communist forces during the Vietnam War, and how it played a crucial role in countering that threat. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected SOG's operations. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted SOG's operations. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in SOG, such as John Kerry and Oliver North, their roles within the unit are not fully explored. Overall, SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam is a well-written book that provides insight into an important chapter of American military history. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide context and personal accounts makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in the Vietnam War or Special Operations units. Across The Fence: A Family's Fight Against Communism is another book that delves into the history of the Vietnam War. This time, however, the focus is on one family - the Nguyens - and their experiences during the war. The author, Dien Tran, tells the story of how the Nguyen family fled from communist-controlled North Vietnam to South Vietnam in 1954, only to be forced to flee again when the North Vietnamese army captured Saigon in 1975. One strength of this book is its ability to provide a personal perspective on the war. Through the eyes of the Nguyen family, readers gain insight into what life was like for civilians during the conflict. This includes everything from daily struggles to find food and shelter to the fear of being caught by communist forces. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for the events that led up to the fall of Saigon. The author explains how the Nguyen family was part of a larger movement of Vietnamese refugees who fled from North Vietnam in search of safety in South Vietnam and other countries. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected civilians on both sides of the conflict. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted the Nguyen family's experiences. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in the war, such as Ho Chi Minh and President Lyndon B. Johnson, their roles are not fully explored. Overall, Across The Fence: A Family's Fight Against Communism is a well-written book that provides insight into one family's experiences during the Vietnam War. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide a personal perspective and context makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in the history of the conflict. Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG is another book that delves into the world of Special Operations Group (SOG). This time, however, the focus is on the individuals who made up this elite unit and their experiences during the Vietnam War. The author, James Risen, tells the story of several key figures within SOG, including John Kerry, Oliver North, and Chuck Spadaro. One strength of this book is its ability to provide insight into the daily lives of SOG soldiers. Through personal accounts from former members of the unit, readers gain an understanding of the challenges they faced on a day-to-day basis. This includes everything from navigating through dense jungles to dealing with hostile forces and harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations. The author explains how SOG was formed in response to the growing threat posed by communist forces during the Vietnam War, and how it played a crucial role in countering that threat. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected SOG's operations. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted SOG's operations. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in SOG, such as John Kerry and Oliver North, their roles within the unit are not fully explored. Overall, Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG is a well-written book that provides insight into one of America's most elite military units during the Vietnam War. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide context and personal accounts makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in Special Operations history. Uncommon Valor: The Recon Company that Earned Five Medals of Honor and Included America's Most Decorated Green Beret is another book that delves into the world of SOG, specifically focusing on one reconnaissance company within the unit. This time, however, the focus is on the individuals who made up this company and their experiences during the Vietnam War. The author, James Risen, tells the story of several key figures within the company, including John Kerry, Oliver North, and Chuck Spadaro. One strength of this book is its ability to provide insight into the daily lives of SOG soldiers. Through personal accounts from former members of the unit, readers gain an understanding of the challenges they faced on a day-to-day basis. This includes everything from navigating through dense jungles to dealing with hostile forces and harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations. The author explains how SOG was formed in response to the growing threat posed by communist forces during the Vietnam War, and how it played a crucial role in countering that threat. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected SOG's operations. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted SOG's operations. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in SOG, such as John Kerry and Oliver North, their roles within the unit are not fully explored. Overall, Uncommon Valor: The Recon Company that Earned Five Medals of Honor and Included America's Most Decorated Green Beret is a well-written book that provides insight into one of SOG's most successful reconnaissance companies during the Vietnam War. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide context and personal accounts makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in Special Operations history. Secret War in Laos: Green Berets, CIA, and the Hmong is another book that delves into the world of SOG, specifically focusing on one operation during the Vietnam War - Operation Secret War in Laos. This time, however, the focus is on the individuals who made up this mission and their experiences during the conflict. The author, John Prados, tells the story of several key figures within the mission, including John Kerry, Oliver North, and Chuck Spadaro. One strength of this book is its ability to provide insight into the daily lives of SOG soldiers. Through personal accounts from former members of the unit, readers gain an understanding of the challenges they faced on a day-to-day basis. This includes everything from navigating through dense jungles to dealing with hostile forces and harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations in Laos. The author explains how Operation Secret War was part of the larger effort to counter communist forces during the Vietnam War, and how it played a crucial role in that effort. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected SOG's operations in Laos. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted SOG's operations in Laos. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in Operation Secret War, such as John Kerry and Oliver North, their roles within the mission are not fully explored. Overall, Secret War in Laos: Green Berets, CIA, and the Hmong is a well-written book that provides insight into one of SOG's most successful operations during the Vietnam War. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide context and personal accounts makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in Special Operations history. Killer Kane: A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968 is another book that delves into the world of SOG, specifically focusing on one long-range reconnaissance team leader during the Vietnam War - Lieutenant Colonel James Kane. This time, however, the focus is solely on Kane and his experiences leading a reconnaissance team in Vietnam. The author, James Risen, tells the story of Kane's life before, during, and after the war, including his service as a long-range reconnaissance team leader with SOG. One strength of this book is its ability to provide insight into the daily lives of SOG soldiers. Through personal accounts from former members of the unit, readers gain an understanding of the challenges Kane faced on a day-to-day basis while leading his team in Vietnam. This includes everything from navigating through dense jungles to dealing with hostile forces and harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations during the Vietnam War. The author explains how Kane's reconnaissance team was part of a larger effort to counter communist forces during the war, and how it played a crucial role in that effort. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected Kane's experiences leading his team in Vietnam. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted Kane's experiences leading his team in Vietnam. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in SOG and the war, such as John Kerry and Oliver North, their roles are not fully explored. Overall, Killer Kane: A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968 is a well-written book that provides insight into one of SOG's most successful long-range reconnaissance team leaders during the Vietnam War. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide context and personal accounts makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in Special Operations history. US MACV-SOG Reconnaissance Team in Vietnam (Warrior Book 159) is another book that delves into the world of SOG, specifically focusing on one reconnaissance team during the Vietnam War - US MACV-SOG Reconnaissance Team in Vietnam. This time, however, the focus is solely on this team and their experiences during the war. The author, James Risen, tells the story of several key figures within the team, including John Kerry, Oliver North, and Chuck Spadaro. One strength of this book is its ability to provide insight into the daily lives of SOG soldiers. Through personal accounts from former members of the unit, readers gain an understanding of the challenges they faced on a day-to-day basis while conducting reconnaissance missions in Vietnam. This includes everything from navigating through dense jungles to dealing with hostile forces and harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations during the Vietnam War. The author explains how US MACV-SOG Reconnaissance Team in Vietnam was part of a larger effort to counter communist forces during the war, and how it played a crucial role in that effort. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected the team's operations in Vietnam. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted the team's experiences in Vietnam. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in SOG and the war, such as John Kerry and Oliver North, their roles are not fully explored. Overall, US MACV-SOG Reconnaissance Team in Vietnam (Warrior Book 159) is a well-written book that provides insight into one of SOG's most successful reconnaissance teams during the Vietnam War. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide context and personal accounts makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in Special Operations history. Legacy of Lies: Over the Fence in Laos is another book that delves into the world of SOG, specifically focusing on one operation during the Vietnam War - Operation Legacy of Lies. This time, however, the focus is solely on this mission and its aftermath. The author, John Prados, tells the story of several key figures within the mission, including John Kerry, Oliver North, and Chuck Spadaro. One strength of this book is its ability to provide insight into the daily lives of SOG soldiers during Operation Legacy of Lies. Through personal accounts from former members of the unit, readers gain an understanding of the challenges they faced on a day-to-day basis while conducting covert operations in Laos. This includes everything from navigating through dense jungles to dealing with hostile forces and harsh weather conditions. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations during the Vietnam War. The author explains how Operation Legacy of Lies was part of a larger effort to counter communist forces during the war, and how it played a crucial role in that effort. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it affected the mission's outcomes. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions the Tet Offensive, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that event or how it impacted Operation Legacy of Lies. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in SOG and the war, such as John Kerry and Oliver North, their roles are not fully explored. Overall, Legacy of Lies: Over the Fence in Laos is a well-written book that provides insight into one of SOG's most successful operations during the Vietnam War. While it may be lacking in certain areas, its ability to provide context and personal accounts makes it a valuable read for anyone interested in Special Operations history. Vietnam - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture is another book that delves into the world of SOG, specifically focusing on one country involved in the Vietnam War - Vietnam. This time, however, the focus is solely on the culture and customs of Vietnam during the war. The author, Eleanor Mannikins, provides an overview of the daily life, social norms, and cultural practices of the Vietnamese people during this period. One strength of this book is its ability to provide insight into the complexities of Vietnamese culture during the war. Through detailed descriptions of customs and traditions, readers gain a deeper understanding of what it was like to live in Vietnam at that time. This includes everything from religious beliefs to family structures and social hierarchies. Another strength of this book is its ability to provide context for SOG's operations during the Vietnam War. The author explains how the cultural differences between the United States and Vietnam played a role in shaping the war effort, and how they affected SOG's interactions with local populations. Additionally, the author provides insight into the political climate surrounding the war and how it impacted Vietnamese culture. However, one weakness of this book is its lack of depth when it comes to certain events or individuals mentioned within the text. For example, while the author briefly mentions SOG's role in Vietnam, they do not provide much detail about what happened during that time or how it impacted Vietnamese culture. Similarly, while the author mentions several notable figures involved in the war, such as Ho Chi Minh and President Lyndon B. Johnson, their roles are not fully explored. Overall, Vietnam - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture is a well-written book that provides insight into one of the most important cultural factors during the Vietnam War.