This new edition of Ron Glasser's classic account of the Vietnam War confronts the reader with an unparalleled description of the human cost of the war and of the horror endured daily by those on the front lines. "The stories I have tried to tell here are true," says Glasser in his preface. "Those that happened in Japan I was part of; the rest are from the boys I met. I would have liked to have disbelieved some of them, and at first I did, but I was there long enough to hear the same stories again and again, and then to see part of it myself." Assigned to Zama, an Army hospital in Japan, Glasser arrived there in September 1968 as a pediatrician in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, primarily to care for the children of officers and high-ranking government officials. But with an average of six to eight thousand wounded per month, Glasser, along with all other available physicians, was called on to treat the soldiers. The death and suffering he witnessed were staggering. The soldiers counted their days by the length of their tour -- one year, or 365 days -- and they knew, down to the day, how much time they had left. Glasser tells their stories -- lives shockingly interrupted by the tragedies of war -- with humane eloquence.
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About the author
Ronald J. Glasser
Author
Ronald Joel Glasser was an American doctor and author, best known for his book 365 Days, chronicling his tour of duty as a US Army doctor during the Vietnam War. He was born in Chicago, Illinois.
365 Days
by Ronald J. Glasser
Books Like 365 Days
If you're looking for books similar to 365 Days, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Things They Carried
Tim O'Brien
A powerful collection of interconnected stories about American soldiers in the Vietnam War. O'Brien blends fact and fiction to explore the psychological impact of combat on young soldiers. The book delves deep into the emotional landscape of war, revealing how soldiers cope with trauma, fear, and loss. It provides an intimate and raw portrayal of military experience similar to Glasser's work.
A Rumor of War
Philip Caputo
A memoir of a Marine lieutenant's experiences in Vietnam, chronicling his transformation from an idealistic young soldier to a disillusioned veteran. Caputo provides a deeply personal account of the war's psychological impact, exploring themes of innocence lost and moral complexity. The book offers an introspective look at the human cost of conflict, similar to Glasser's compassionate narrative approach.
The Quiet American
Graham Greene
A novel set in Vietnam during the early stages of American involvement, exploring the complex political and personal dynamics of the conflict. Greene provides a nuanced examination of American intervention and its human consequences. The book offers a critical perspective on war and imperialism, sharing Glasser's interest in the human impact of conflict.
Dispatches
Michael Herr
A groundbreaking journalistic account of the Vietnam War from a war correspondent's perspective. Herr provides an unfiltered and visceral narrative of the conflict, capturing the chaos, brutality, and psychological strain experienced by soldiers. The book offers a raw and unflinching look at the war, much like Glasser's medical perspective. It reveals the human experience of soldiers in an unprecedented and deeply personal manner.
Fields of Fire
James Webb
A novel that offers an intense and realistic portrayal of Marines in Vietnam. Webb, a decorated Vietnam veteran, provides a gritty and authentic depiction of combat and its psychological consequences. The book explores the bonds between soldiers and the moral challenges of war. It shares Glasser's commitment to presenting the human experience of military conflict.
If I Die in a Combat Zone
Tim O'Brien
A memoir exploring O'Brien's experiences as a soldier in Vietnam, blending personal reflection with philosophical questioning. The book examines the moral ambiguities of war and an individual's response to military service. O'Brien provides a deeply introspective account of combat, similar to Glasser's compassionate narrative approach. It reveals the psychological complexity of soldiers' experiences.
Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War
Wallace Terry
An oral history documenting African American soldiers' experiences in the Vietnam War. Terry collects powerful first-person accounts that reveal the unique challenges faced by Black soldiers during the conflict. The book provides a nuanced and personal perspective on war, highlighting individual stories of courage, struggle, and survival. It complements Glasser's approach of presenting authentic soldier narratives.
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Bernard Edelman
A collection of letters written by American soldiers during the Vietnam War. The book provides an intimate and personal perspective on soldiers' experiences, hopes, and fears. These raw, unfiltered communications reveal the emotional landscape of young men in combat. It complements Glasser's approach of presenting authentic soldier narratives.
Medic: Life and Death in the Vietnam War
James E. Huston
A firsthand account of a military medic's experiences during the Vietnam War. Huston provides a detailed and emotional narrative of medical personnel's challenges and heroism in combat zones. The book explores the physical and psychological toll of treating wounded soldiers, offering a perspective similar to Glasser's medical observations. It reveals the humanity and resilience of medical professionals in extreme conditions.
Chickenhawk
Robert Mason
A memoir by a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, offering a unique perspective on military aviation and combat. Mason provides a detailed and personal account of the war's daily realities and psychological challenges. The book reveals the technical and emotional complexities of military service. It shares Glasser's commitment to presenting authentic soldier experiences.
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