Vietnam Rough Riders: A Convoy Commander's Memoir

by Frank McAdams Narrated by David Drummond

Overview

In the Vietnam War, American "rough riders" drove trucks through hostile territory delivering supplies, equipment, ammunition, weapons, fuel, and reinforcements to troops fighting on the war's ever-shifting front lines. But, all too often, the convoys themselves became the front lines.



Frank McAdams, a Marine Corps lieutenant, learned that the hard way during a tour of duty that began right after the 1968 Tet Offensive and the siege at Khe Sanh. In this compelling memoir he recounts his personal battles-not only with a dangerous enemy but also with an incompetent superior and a sometimes indifferent military bureaucracy.



A decidedly different take on the Vietnam experience, his chronicle focuses on the ambush-prone truck convoys that snaked their way through dangerous terrain in narrow mountain passes and overgrown jungles. When an ambush occurred, strong leadership and quick thinking were required to protect both the convoy's mission and the lives of its men.



Fast-paced and highly absorbing, his book offers an insightful look at a largely neglected aspect of the Vietnam War, while reminding us of how frequently the crucible of war reveals one's true character.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A classic of the war memoir genre, McAdam’s book deserves to take its place alongside the most prominent personal accounts of modern conflict."—H-Net Reviews

“An outstanding read and highly recommended."—VVA’s Veteran.

“Sheds light on a neglected but timely aspect of military operations, while reminding us of just how diverse the experiences of American soldiers were. A masterful must-read.”—William Thomas Allison, author of Military Justice in Vietnam

“Having myself fought the same enemy, in the same area, while providing security for the same rough riders, McAdams’s story rings true—and it’s told in a way that keeps the pages turning.”—Charles S. Robb, former U.S. Senator and Governor of Virginia

“A rare look at the unheralded efforts of the Marines whose courage and determination kept these vital lifelines open.”—Otto J. Lehrack, author of No Shining Armor: The Marines at War in Vietnam

From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY

A rare look at the unheralded efforts of the Marines whose courage and determination kept these vital lifelines open. —Otto J. Lehrack, author of No Shining Armor

Library Journal

Complete with heroes and villains, McAdams’s (The American War Film: History and Hollywood) story of his days as a Marine in Vietnam has all of the excitement and action of a war movie. He pulls no punches when expressing his frustrations with some of his superior officers; he liberally praises those soldiers who acted above and beyond the call of duty. The turbulence of the mid-to-late 1960s is captured through letters from and interactions with his wife while he was fighting in the jungles of Vietnam.
VERDICT This is a highly satisfactory and stimulating read best suited to those who are interested in the Vietnam War and the changes that America experienced in the 1960s.—Martha Bauder, LTC, U.S. Army Reserve Physician

(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171155506
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	05/23/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged

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