Summary Of Philip Caputo's A Rumor Of War

From 1955 to 1975, American soldiers were fighting a war in Vietnam. During this time Marine Lieutenant Philip Caputo landed at Da Nang with the first ground combat unit deployed to Vietnam. Months later, having served on the line in one of history’s ugliest wars, he returned home. Physically whole but emotionally impacted, his adolescent beliefs forever gone. In his book, A Rumor Of War, Philip Caputo offers an insightful analysis regarding the psychological damages a soldier faces post-war. From a soldier 's perspective, the novel highlights the horrors of the war as well as the struggles soldiers go through after their service. Through stories of personal experience at war, Caputo describes how the image of war changes for young men; changing their view on heroism, the realities of war and the impact war has on the mind. Many see war as chance to create a name for themselves. To fight for their country, and be the person written about in books and papers. A way to become a “man” or “hero” that everyone knows. Not many know the …show more content…
Caputo truly captures the terrors of the Vietnam war by examining the changes the soldiers went through, as well as the physiological damages post-war. In addition, the author effectively demonstrates how a soldier loses their innocence in war, not only by becoming a grown man, but by losing the will to fight for a “good cause”. The author’s greatest fault, however, is that some may say his firsthand knowledge and insight as a primary source of experiencing the war could be innately biased since he only saw certain aspects of it. That his experiences may not be similar to the majority of the soldiers who fought in Vietnam. Although, many believe he genuinely reflects the attitude of most soldiers in Vietnam. Readers who are interested in intense and life like books with vivid settings, and interested in the subject and art of war itself would enjoy this