Mekong Mud Dogs

The Story of: SGT. Ed Eaton

By: Ed Eaton

Narrated by: Jason P. Hilton

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

On a dark night in the Mekong Delta, young platoon sergeant Edgar Eaton's courage and self-sacrifice would mean the difference between life and death for his wounded comrades. This is the story of Ed the sniper.

Ed doesn't plan on serving as a sniper; the small-town Oregon boy hopes to become a combat medic when he enlists at age 19. Instead, he finds himself an infantryman in the unique Army / Navy Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. Quickly rising to the rank of platoon sergeant, Ed becomes one of the first members of the US Army to be specifically trained to be a sniper.

While Ed's actions on the night of April 3, 1969, have been celebrated in magazines, books, and a History Channel presentation, the full story of his combat service has never been told. Ed describes recollecting the events described in Mekong Mud Dogs as one of the toughest tasks he ever faced. Be glad he did. His acts of bravery and fortitude under fire are an inspiration and a reminder of other courageous acts by his brothers-in-arms, many of whose stories will never be told.

More information about Ed and his military service is available at edthesniper.com.

#2 rated on Amazon in Vietnam War catagory. This is 4 Star Clarion Review book.

©2014 Edgar Eaton (P)2014 Edgar Eaton

The story of our nations journey through Vietnam

An articulate honest look at the Vietnam War and its continued impact. As a doctor in the VA system, itself flawed and hopefully healing as well, I've seen many Ed Eatons who are living in various stages of Ed's story. This is a must read for our countrymen and women.

An Interesting Account of Vietnam Combat

Would you consider the audio edition of Mekong Mud Dogs to be better than the print version?

No

What did you like best about this story?

The description of a combat soldier's life in the Mekong Delta.

What three words best describe Jason P. Hilton’s voice?

Mispronunciation, flat, unenthusiastic

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

A serious, professional performer would make an effort to learn how to pronounce the unfamiliar words he encounters in his reading.

Prosaic

Narration: halting and tiresome

Story: too much backstory irrelevant to Vietnam experiences. Not inspirational or memorable. Had impression he could just as enthusiastically read a. Laundry list.

Conclusion: I do not recommend listening to this one.

Listened it twice

If you like brutally honest war books, then you’ll like Ed Eaton’s “in your face” story telling. He is not an educated writer, but there is something about his rudimentary writing style that was refreshing and to the point. I never bored listening to it and laughed out loud at times. The narrator was ok - I think the actual overall production is what was lacking. Regardless, I listened to this twice.

You won’t forget this book

One of the best books I have ever read from a "Grunt's" combat perspective. From the experience of being in the infantry in Vietnam to the chilling details of a sniper ......well told. Counting each day until the rotation out of hell and back home. Memorable.

Mekong Mud Dogs

Thank You, it's a long trip back I know of course you know this , a lot still dont.

Great book!

Real and raw! Forever grateful for the sacrifice of the men and women who have and will fight for this great country!

reader has absolutely no emotion at all

good story, boring reader, no emotion at all, still sounds like that place and how the politicians forced our people to fight is shameful

Great book

This book was great and for those who remember Vietnam, you didn't have to be there, you will remember what he is talking about.

While this is not a book you are going to call your friend to read you will be glad you did.

The story is a great one. narrator not so

The book is definitely worth listening to. The men's lives within deserve to be remembered. However, The narrator doesn't speak with the emotion that the story deserves.

a good listen, if you can get on with the narrator

A good book. you can really follow the author's journey, and almost change in attitude as his tour goes on. the performance is strange, there seems to be out takes and mistakes included. but it doesn't distract from the story, and to be honest I found it entertaining, and a good good performance.... particularly Snoopy the gunship

Great

The reason I wrote this review is that other listeners did not like the narrator. I though he absolutely nailed it.


And aside from enjoying the narration, I can say:

The author's combat memoirs are told in an original colloquial style. There are interesting details and insightful comments. I liked the way he explained the technical details simply for those who don't have a clue (like me).

Two big positives for me

1. The horrors are dealt with in a matter of fact manner. He tells you straight leaves it at that.
2. Ed does not feel the need for deep introspection and grand statements on philosophy or politics. But he gives you plenty to chew on for yourself.

For me the closing chapters are brilliant as the narrative changes tack and there's plenty of black comedy.