Reluctant Warrior: A Marine's True Story of Duty and Heroism in Vietnam

Michael Hodgins captures the real spirit of the place and time. As a former Marine who served with the 1st Recon Bn, I can testify Mr. Hodgins presents a true and vivid picture of life in the bush, on an OP, and in Camp Reasoner. With all the distortions about Vietnam presented in the movies and on TV, as well as the anti-war prejudice of public school history teachers, this book should be required reading in the high school cirriculum. I hope someday someone will write a book that will tell us more about Lt. Skibbe, Lt. Rathmell, and Captain McVey who gave lost their lives protecting their troops.

This book is an outstanding account of recon battalion actions in Vietnam. It is well worth reading. I served with Mike before the war. He was a straight shooter then, and a straight shooter in Vietnam

Only those who experienced 'Nam first hand will ever understand how it was. My husband was a door gunner on a huey in the Marines and paints Vietnam War folk art. He does not talk much about what he did so I have to look for answers in his paintings and read war books.I must say that Reluctant Warrior did all a book could do to transport me to the field and into battle.Great book! We need more like it.

Small unit leadership at its best. A compelling tale of the physical, mental, and moral challenges faced by a new `butter bar'. Forget the blood and guts. It's about map reading, fire control, long `walks in the sun' , elephant grass, insect bites, fatigue, surmounting the stigma of being the `FNG', and displaying leadership rather than demanding it. An excellent case study for junior officers and NCO's. An overlooked gem by a real pro.