Nine Days in May

The Battles of the 4th Infantry Division on the Cambodian Border, 1967

By: Warren K. Wilkins

Narrated by: Richard Peterson

Length: 17 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Moving through the jungle near the Cambodian border on May 18, 1967, a company of American infantry observed three North Vietnamese Army regulars, AK-47s slung over their shoulders, walking down a well-worn trail in the rugged Central Highlands. Startled by shouts of "Lai day, lai day" ("Come here, come here"), the three men dropped their packs and fled. The company commander, a young lieutenant, sent a platoon down the trail to investigate. Those few men soon found themselves outnumbered, surrounded, and fighting for their lives. Their first desperate moments marked the beginning of a series of bloody battles that lasted more than a week, one that survivors would later call "the nine days in May border battles".

Nine Days in May is the first full account of these bitterly contested battles. Fought between three American battalions and two North Vietnamese Army regiments, this prolonged, deadly encounter was one of the largest, most savage actions seen by elements of the storied 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. Drawing on interviews with the participants, Warren K. Wilkins recreates the vicious fighting in gripping detail.

This is a story of extraordinary courage and sacrifice displayed in a series of battles that were fought and won within the context of a broader, intractable strategic stalemate.

Published by University of Oklahoma Press.

"Stunning insight into a largely unknown campaign...transports us into the foxholes of exhausted, dirty soldiers battling for their lives in a strange land." (George J. Veith, author of Black April)

"A magnificent addition to our understanding of the American war in Vietnam." (Gregory A. Daddis, author of Westmoreland's War)

"This work is a great addition to the history of the Vietnam War." (Robert O. Babcock, president and historian, National 4th Infantry Division Association)

©2017 Warren K. Wilkens (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks

Great book to read

Learned a lot that I did not know before,the author keeps you interested in what happens next

great read.

one of the better books on Vietnam. it takes into account the narrow scope operation Francis Marion and does a great job. I only wish there were more books like this out there.

In-depth

A must read or listen. I have never had a problem following the storyline. I couldn’t put it down

one of the better books I have read !

A great description about a battle in Vietnam. We'll worth your time to listen too.

Excellent

Reads like the Boys of 67 and other great memoirs, lots of combat, heroism, and little to speak of in terms of political or macro war perspectives (this regiment moved here, this one moved there who cares). Loved it, need more vets and historians writing similar accounts!!

Shit was good

At times I thought I was in the bush right there fighting Charlie with those guys.

Good book BUT

This was a good book and a good story BUT it was a bit difficult to follow the time line periodically. Great heros.

Reverence & Respect

I would have given the performance 5 stars, but the guy doesn't know how to pronounce chi-com. I understand that Vietnamese names & words might be difficult, but the narrator should ask these questions before his performance. I went ahead & bought the hardcover. I should have learned about these brave men in my youth, not my 40's. Thank you to all those young men. All gave some, some gave all.

Poorly narrated and uninspired

It is a shame that such an interesting and significant story can be so ruined. The writing was far too academic while trying to be more mainstream, and the narration was boring as all get out. For such exciting events, this tome does a disservice to the memory of those involved.