This book is from the My Name is America series.Patrick turned down college scholarships to enlist in the Marines. In December 1967, just out of basic training, he finds himself in Vietnam, "on a combat base, out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains, and jungle-and- a whole lot of enemy soldiers." His journal is an intense and vivid record of the loneliness, confusion, comradeship, and suffering during the four months spent under constant assault by the North Vietnamese at Khe Sanh. Naive and provincial, the teen is transformed and matured by combat. He develops a close friendship with Bebop, a Detroit jazz musician, and begins to question whether he and his comrades are actually accomplishing anything. "Too much shelling, too many mortar attacks, too many casualties. Not enough food, water, and mail." Patrick writes that he doesn't want to make any more friends, "because you keep losing them all the time." In April, 1968, the men of Hill 881S are sent to a "safe" base at Quang Tri. There, in an ironic twist of fate, Patrick is badly injured, and Bebop is killed in a rocket attack. Based on extensive research, Journal is supplemented with photographs, a map, a historical note, and an epilogue. ( )

This was probably one of the better books in My Name is America series. I was really excited because I know it coincided with one of the Dear America books, so it was cool too see Patrick's side of things. On a more heavier note, this is a book about a war, a very brutal war, and even though this is meant for middle grade children, that still comes across very well. It seemed believable and I wanted to keep reading this book. Well done. 4.5 out of 5 stars. ( )

Bizarre fictionalized introduction to the entire Vietnam War that shows Khe Sahn US Marines as callused and fatalistic young men. This young adult narrative takes the form of a journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty.

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not. ( )

WAR, that word can be interpreted in many different ways. It could
be a good thing. The bottom line is it’s in evadable for all of us. Weather it’s
fighting over a toy in the playground or World War 2. I think we all can
agree war is war.
Patrick Seamus Flaherty was an all star football player in high school and was offered a lot of scholarships, but he wanted to better himself by entering the United States Marine Core. Through his experience he makes best friend, invaded a bunker, watches his friend get blown up by a mortar, and met a lot of war veterans.
This book is by far one of the best i have ever read, probably the best. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. this book has everything i look for in a book, action, suspense, and humor. One minute Patrick and his squad will be trudging through the Vietnam jungle the next a mortar will go off and blow Hollywood's leg off (Hollywood is "the pretty boy of the book") This is a book that i could read over and over again without getting bored of it. Overall this book is the best book i have ever read and i recommend it to anyone who likes war books or even anyone who reads. ( )