The Killing Zone

My Life in the Vietnam War

By: Frederick Downs

Narrated by: Barry Press

Among the best books ever written about men in combat, The Killing Zone tells the story of the platoon of Delta One-six, capturing what it meant to face lethal danger, to follow orders, and to search for the conviction and then the hope that this war was worth the sacrifice. The book includes a new chapter on what happened to the platoon members when they came home.

©2007 Frederick Downs (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The best damned book from the point of view of the infantrymen who fought there." ( Army Times)

Uncle Randy served in Vietnam that's why I read it

My whole family said uncle Randy never spoke about Vietnam.
One drunken night after the bar, he told me a horrific story, with tears filling his eyes that never dripped out onto his face.
I never spoke of it either. This book is just 1 mans life. There were thousands. They took turns in the battlefields.
At the end . Meeting the enemy after the war.

Great narration And story

I graduated from army OCS in July 1967 and received orders for SOUTHEAST ASIA. I never went because my records got lost in the system. I remained in the army for three years. The authors experiences in Nam were punishing and unnecessary. What a stupid war that ruined so many young American lives.
I lived with the authors every step in that HELL and admire and appreciate his sacrifice.
I am sorry he had to endure the mental and physical torture.
It could have been me.

A powerful and moving story of marines in Vietnam

The author is a natural storyteller. He manages to convey the wide range of intense emotions felt by the soldiers in Vietnam (sometimes all at once): fear, pride, comradeship, humor, bitterness, panic, depression, joy of victory...One of the best books on Vietnam.

Terrific book.

This was truly a terrific book. My uncle was killed in Vietnam in 1971, many years before I was even born. I've known several Vietnam vets over the years and have always had so much respect for them. This book was a very detailed look into the everyday life of a soldier during that war. I'm glad that I got to read this book.

the younger generation

one of the best books I've read about Vietnam. it really painted a picture for me. the only thing it was missing was the sound and smell. And to all the men who where there. welcome home! and tell your story. there is a younger generation that is listening

From Vietnam Navy man

Look really gave you a sense what it was like to work in the army in Vietnam. I began to see the need for us to pull out like we did. The war was not being run properly.

Honest, good story

the story seemed honest and well written. it included day to day events and also action. I enjoyed the fact that the auther talked about who the other men in the platoon were.
I thought the performance was good.
also enjoyed the afterword. having read quite a few Vietnam war stories I found this particular one to be entertaining and worth listening to. overall a good book.

Yet another excellent Vietnam Memoir.

Narration: Clear and rhythmic.

Story: Another excellent recounting of bravery and detailed descriptions of battles.

Recommendation. Must reading for Vietnam war buffs.

Great, but

loved the story, great look at the soldiers point of veiw, just wish the narrator was better. Only bad part about the story, hes not bad but could be better.

Great history from those who served

This book I a great peace of history from a person who served in the Vietnam War with riveting recounts of what our service men had to endure during the war and after coming home. there were spots in the book where I could not stop listening till the story being told was finished. Berry Press did a great job reading Frederick Downs book, a memoir of his time in country during the Vietnam War. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE LIEUTENANT DOWNS AND FOR SHARING YOUR MEMORIES.