The Killing Zone

My Life in the Vietnam War

By: Frederick Downs

Narrated by: Barry Press

Among the best books ever written about men in combat, The Killing Zone tells the story of the platoon of Delta One-six, capturing what it meant to face lethal danger, to follow orders, and to search for the conviction and then the hope that this war was worth the sacrifice. The book includes a new chapter on what happened to the platoon members when they came home.

©2007 Frederick Downs (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The best damned book from the point of view of the infantrymen who fought there." ( Army Times)

Uncle Randy served in Vietnam that's why I read it

My whole family said uncle Randy never spoke about Vietnam.
One drunken night after the bar, he told me a horrific story, with tears filling his eyes that never dripped out onto his face.
I never spoke of it either. This book is just 1 mans life. There were thousands. They took turns in the battlefields.
At the end . Meeting the enemy after the war.

Great narration And story

I graduated from army OCS in July 1967 and received orders for SOUTHEAST ASIA. I never went because my records got lost in the system. I remained in the army for three years. The authors experiences in Nam were punishing and unnecessary. What a stupid war that ruined so many young American lives.
I lived with the authors every step in that HELL and admire and appreciate his sacrifice.
I am sorry he had to endure the mental and physical torture.
It could have been me.

A powerful and moving story of marines in Vietnam

The author is a natural storyteller. He manages to convey the wide range of intense emotions felt by the soldiers in Vietnam (sometimes all at once): fear, pride, comradeship, humor, bitterness, panic, depression, joy of victory...One of the best books on Vietnam.

Terrific book.

This was truly a terrific book. My uncle was killed in Vietnam in 1971, many years before I was even born. I've known several Vietnam vets over the years and have always had so much respect for them. This book was a very detailed look into the everyday life of a soldier during that war. I'm glad that I got to read this book.

the younger generation

one of the best books I've read about Vietnam. it really painted a picture for me. the only thing it was missing was the sound and smell. And to all the men who where there. welcome home! and tell your story. there is a younger generation that is listening