We Were Soldiers Once... and Young

Ia Drang - The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam

By: Harold G. Moore, Joseph L. Galloway

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

In November 1965, some 450 men of the First Battalion, Seventh Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered - sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up - makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating.

General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.

©1992 Lt. General H. G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway (P)2018 Tantor

Fantastic book, horrible narrator

Enjoyed the audiobook even more than reading it on paper previously. But the narrator… great voice, but couldn’t be bothered to learn to pronounce words key to the story and used hundreds of times. Hey, Airmobile ain’t like the Batmobile, and army units ain’t CALVARY. Sooooo frustrating.

Riveting!

Couldn't stop listening. Great descriptions. Narrator changed accents and points of view from a collection of sources.

Narratior

I wish that Jonathan Davis that narrated this would have learned to pronounce La Drang properly, he kept calling it Ea Drang. It took away from the story when the main area of the story was not even pronounced properly. You would think that this would have been corrected. It puts a poor light on the people in charge of this project. Calling the location by the wrong name seemed offensive as well as shows poor preparation on his part and the part of those in charge of this project. I hope that the people involved with this project do their research before they take on another one.

So vivid with the reality of war

the reality of war and sadness of the men and families it affected is truly unforgettable. I was brought to tears when the excerpts of the families of the fallen were being told. I have served in the middle east and this truly brings the truth of the troops that serve in combat.

Detailed story of a pivotal battle

I enjoyed the detailed story of The 1st Battalion 7th Cav and their actions in the IA Drang. The soldiers of this battle suffered staggering casualties yet the survivors emerged to tel their story that is taught today in military schools.

Way better than the movie!

I had seen the Mel Gibson movie, so I was reluctant to get the book. To my delight, I found that the book was far better. In fact, the movie only covered part of the book, and wasn't as factual as I had thought.

American Iliad

An absolutely terrible punch in the gut. I went in looking for a strategic view of the battle, I didn’t expect a book that shows the horror of war for the soldiers, their parents and their loved ones. This title should be required reading for those who make decisions about war. This includes all branches of government and especially those (like myself) who didn’t serve.

insightful yet gut wrenching

captivating story although at times reads more like after action report. more tactical than strategic, while remaining focused on First Air Cav. Excellent primer for anyone interested in understanding American involved in South East Asia.

Powerful.

This book has deepened my respect for those who have been to war. It puts things into perspective. A must read for anyone who ever considers joining our nation's military.

Profoundly Reverential

It is difficult to summarize such unimaginable testimony contained within this work. It is one of those rare volumes of human events that evoke the listener to a quiet sigh of awesome reverence to the men whose living history is described within.