Dear Mom: A Sniper's Vietnam Book

The letters to mom gimmick works. The content of the author's letters home help carry the story in a way that is neither burdensome, nor distracting, and the date and location stamps on each one keep the reader oriented throughout the journey. The letters also provide a nice contrast between the filter a soldier applies to family correspondence while living the experiences of battle to a fuller story the author is comfortable sharing at a later date. The more in-depth content between the letters is the meat of the book. These sections are well-written, descriptive and often provide the "what really happened" confessions.

Ward briefly covers his childhood and schooling before launching into a detailed narrative of his military training and one-year tour in Vietnam. The story is one of dedication and achievement from someone who strives to win in every situation, succeeding often, but also suffering some painful 2nd place finishes.

As a sniper, his close relationships are few and often brief, but his descriptions of other key characters are rich and poignant, whether it be a mentor, a comrade, a trainee, or one his Vietnamese friends. The author may cross the line between full disclosure and bravado a little at times, but he also isn't shy about self deprecation. Overall, an insightful look into the Vietnam experience from an effective writer.