This was one of the best battle field accounts I have ever read. In a work like this an author can oversell exploits of soldiers or minimize their individuality. In this instance though the author balances enough biographical details so that we know some of the individual soldiers, hear of their exploits both tragic and reprehensible but highlighting their significance in the story. The volume also has a sufficient number of maps and illustrations which supplement the battlefield details well.

The Last Stand at Khe Sanh was an intriguing read that documented the 77 day siege of the Marine basecamp. It seems like the author took the after action reports about the events and then humanized the report and breaking it down to squad level action to make it more readable. I especially like how he listed names of personnel and followed them through the battle where they either portrayed valor or shows how they died. My close friend, Doc Cecala was wounded during an ambush while on a patrol with B 1/26; most of his platoon was killed and at least half of the second which came to reinforce them. Shot in the shoulder and legs, he managed to crawl back to the gates of the firebase and be rescued.

The book also does justice to the hill fights surrounding the base, showing how they worked through their difficulties: ground attacks, incoming, lack of water, food and ammunition.

Once finished, the reader is able to review the action taken by the American leadership and gage whether or not they did the right thing. Mr. Jones also documents the action within the white house and discussions between President Johnson, McNamara and Westmorland and how politics entered into their decisions.

Highly recommended for those wanting to learn more about one of the monumental battles of the Vietnam War. Great job Gregg Jones for putting it all together for us.

John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?" ( )