• Boots on the Ground

  • America's War in Vietnam
  • By: Elizabeth Partridge
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (22 ratings)

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Boots on the Ground  By  cover art

Boots on the Ground

By: Elizabeth Partridge
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's summary

First came John Lennon. Then Marching for Freedom. Now, National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge takes on the ultimate '60s topic: Vietnam.

In March 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops into Vietnam. 57,939 American soldiers would be killed and 17 years would pass before this controversial chapter of American history concluded with the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982.

The history of this era is complex; the cultural impact extraordinary. But it's the personal stories of eight people - six American soldiers, one American nurse, and one Vietnamese refugee - that form the heartbeat of Boots on the Ground. From dense jungles and terrifying firefights to chaotic medic rescues and evacuations, each individual's story reveals a different facet of the war and moves us forward in time. Alternating with these chapters are profiles of key American leaders and events, reminding us what was happening at home, including Kent State, Woodstock, and Watergate. This show-stopping book is Elizabeth Partridge at her finest.

©2018 Elizabeth Partridge (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“This indispensable volume brings a wise and humane lens to a confused and brutal conflict.” (Horn Book, starred review)

“A necessary, conscientious look at a factious time in American and world history.” (Booklist, starred review)

“A personal, moving foray into the Vietnam War and its impact...Partridge’s narrative storytelling is incisive and masterfully woven together.” (Kirkus, starred review)

“What makes the book powerful beyond the historical facts, though, is how the war irrefutably changed the people who were there.” (School Library Journal, starred review)

What listeners say about Boots on the Ground

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A Complete Picture

Partridge’s approach to the narrative of Vietnam is compelling. Though the many unique voices, one is able to grasp a more complete look at this complex struggle.

Porter’s reading is engaging.

This is a must have for anyone teaching about Vietnam.

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2 people found this helpful