A Hard Rain Fell Summary

Justin Bates

His 105

Prof. Thompson

6 October 2014

Review of A Hard Rain Fell: a G. I. ’s True Story of The War in Vietnam In A Hard Rain Fell: a G. I. ‘s True Story of The War in Vietnam, John Ketwig tells a visceral account of a young man’s odyssey from the country roads of upstate New York to the jungles of Vietnam. It is a contrast of cultural upheavals and the harsh realities of war, from rock and roll philosophy and Beatlemania to the sight of seeing a child being burned by a napalm bomb. John Ketwig presents this powerful story in the form of a memoir in which he shares his arguments and analysis as being a front-line soldier as well as being an average high school teenager. This paper will look at Ketwig’s story as well as tales

The memoir is divided up into three parts . The first part of memoir is “The Draft, the Decisions, and The Nam “ followed by the second part “Thailand and The World” ,which describes the time when the author returns to comprehend all that he had experienced. Finally, the third part of the memoir is “The Aftermath” in which the author writes about life after Vietnam. The memoir recounts his progression through his decision to enroll in the draft , the painful realization of what his life would be, and all the horrors that were brought about it. By splitting the memoir into three distinct parts, the author provides a depiction of important events that transpired, and provides insight into what he was thinking during the time. Unfortunately, it may come across as a little too confusing for the reader to follow because of the transitions that Ketwig makes from battle scenes to flashbacks that transpired in the past . Overall the organization of Ketwig’s memoir is very straight-forward and to the point however at times confusing that it makes you have to take a time out to regroup on what you just

I. ‘s True Story of The War in Vietnam”, is a powerful account of one man’s journey from New York to the horrors that would proceed him into Vietnam. The memoir’s use of writing and vivid descriptions helps to make the story come to life as something more than events that would appear on a timeline. While some of the text seems clumped together, they also give a sense of life and credibility to a subject that at times caan be too much to comprehend. The author’s approach about his experiences is admirable. I would recommend this book to anybody who would want an up-close account of what life in Vietnam was