I read Jim Morris’ classic Special Forces memoir while I was in Iraq. I was a young Special Forces Sergeant myself and as it turns out I was dealing with a lot of the same successes and frustrations that Jim was confronted with during his war in Vietnam. I say that this book is timeless and I really mean that. War Story is a great book about the specifics, the tactics and atmosphere felt when going out on patrol, a great boots-on-the-ground first person account of war but it is more than just that. To date I feel that this is the best book written about US Army Special Forces. You can take the word “communist” and replace it with the word “terrorist” and War Story could almost be a book about my experiences in Iraq.

War Story should be required reading for every Special Forces soldier and is a must read for civilians looking to gain insight into a world that is often clouded with misconceptions. Jim is a powerful writer who had a powerful experience in Vietnam, a dangerous combination to be sure. I’m still waiting for someone like him to “tell it like it is” about the War on Terror but until then, War Story would be my first pick and will always be first on my list of books about Special Forces in the Vietnam War.