River Rats

By Ralph Christopher

Book Overview

The United States Navy's fight for control of the waters of Southeast Asia. By far the greatest contribution of the narrative is the insight it provides into the hows and whys of United States... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1420826905
• ISBN13: 9781420826906
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Brown water navy

I was so pleased to see a book that covered a significant portion of my tour with Stabron 20 on the Grand Canal in South Viet Nam. The book provides enlightenment and explains some of the events during the 1969 - 1970 period in the Mekong Delta. Its a bittersweet remembrance, made so by the sacrifice of young lives for political expedience. It was a dangerous mission for a while. Sitting against the bank at night in a 4 person gunboat waiting for the NVA to come out of Cambodia while boats down river were being ambushed was a challenge. The book overlooks some of the sadder elements, those who were unfit to serve and some of the craziness that broke out that was hard to take at times. Like the boat captain that turned up river one night on a pleasure cruise between floating bases and went into Cambodia where he was captured. The CIA worked their magic and retrieved him from the Cambodians. Later he was court martialed. I would like to know who that Cambodian officer was that we extracted from Neak Lung shortly thereafter. He couldn't speak a word of English but he was one happy camper as we headed off down the river. I personally believe the North Vietnamese knew that an invasion of their Cambodian sanctuaries was being planned and that is why we saw so much action along the Grand Canal in the Spring of 1970 as they moved their assets out of Cambodia into the Delta. MACV in Saigon was infiltrated at the highest levels. The book really fills in some blanks and helps bring back some memories and events that have been lost to me over 40 years. I knew some of the locals were vehemently anti communist but did not know why. Also, never knew who those rafts of bodies (by the hundreds) were floating down the Mekong from Cambodia. The book explains these events. Overall its well worth reading for those of us who served. Many of us had an adjustment period upon our return to civilian life. To this day I can't figure it out entirely. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this book.

From RET. Commander Kirk Ferguson, CO STABRON-20

"Ralph Christopher's 'RIVER RATS' has captured the essence of his tour of duty in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War. Don't miss the impressive artwork design of the PBR churning up a brown water wash of riverine squadron shoulder patches on the book's cover, and the free-hand drawn map of the Mekong Delta on page v with place names we who were there in the early 1970s know but cartographers for National Geographic would not necessarily know. Ralph recounts the progress of the war, the day to day experiences with many of the U.S. Navy sailors, by name, who were all a part of the Brown Water Navy forces fighting a formidable enemy. There are 47 new photographs and all of his recollections are true, the men you meet through Ralph were naval warriors fighting and dying in this hostile environment. Ralph Christopher's narrative moves from often humorous situations to riveting, gut-wrenching firefights where his dialog is that of another Tom Clancy. Every armchair badmiral who served in any war will want this book in his library," Fair winds...safe harbors, Kirk Ferguson RET USN Commander

Great Book

I was in the military during, but never went to Viet-Nam. I think I am grateful because I don't know how I would have handled it. From talking to others who did go I have learned what some actions were like. Ralph brought to me another aspect I never knew. The river war was fought by heroes. Ralph is one of those heroes. I hold him and his book in very high regard.

I love it

First I did participate in the creation of the book and am acknowledged in it. So I may not be unbiased. I was also there, where and when some of the events described in the book happened. Ralph states that the book is 70% true and 30% "sea stories." Having been involved in fact checking the areas of the book where I had some knowledge, I can honestly say that Ralph has worked very hard to get the facts right. I feel that at least 90% of what is stated as fact in this book can be taken to the bank. The remaining 10% could well be true as well. Despite Ralph's offer of free copies, I have with my own money bought eight copies. Now when the kids ask, "Daddy. What did you do during the war? I can give them this book. Ralph got it right. What more can you ask?