The author presents his tale within the context of what is now known to history - things we could not know in the period between 1965 and 1973 during which the levels of American ground combat forces in Vietnam exceeded half a million troops. The war is now widely seen as a ghastly mistake claiming 60,000 of America's best. He includes many historical references in the book to give the reader context for a war most don't understand.

FORWARD TOMAHAWK FIRE SUPPORT SAPPER PRELUDE TO ATTACK CONTACT SECURITY TAP CAPTURE CLEANUP COBRAS IN THE ELEPHANT VALLEY THE A SHAU COMBAT ASSAULT GUN RUN EXTRACTION R.E.M.F. CAMP EAGLE THE LAP OF LUXURY GOD AND THE ODD ROCKET BANK SHOT THE LIBRARY ASTRONOMY ON THE PERIMTER UNFRIENDLY FIRE THE BROKEN PEACE SIGN SCHOOL LEARNIN' RESISTANCE A CALL FROM MARS FUCK IT FIELD TRIP FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE TOM SKY PILOT CAMPING OUT COKE KIDS FRAG FISHING OPERATIONS HOW DO YOU SAY HELLO? ALPHA IS FOR AMBUSH SPARKY QUICK KILL LIGHTNING FLASH DAISY CHAIN OH MY GOD GATHERING VEGTABLES DINNER WITH THE FAMILY NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW FISHING WITH KIT CARSON BLOWING UP THE TRAIN GARBAGE RUN COMMAND AND CAUTION JOE THE HAI VAN PASS I GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE 187 OLD MAN THE SACRED WATERING HOLE B-HAM OLD FRIENDS TARGET PRACTICE MEDIVAC EPILOGUE