This work depicts the heroic young men of Alpha Company as they carry the emotional weight of their lives to war in Vietnam in a patchwork account of a modern journey into the heart of darkness. They battle the enemy (or maybe more the idea of the enemy), and occasionally each other. In their relationships we see their isolation and loneliness, their rage and fear. They miss their families, their girlfriends and buddies; they miss the lives they left back home. Yet they find sympathy and kindness for strangers (the old man who leads them unscathed through the mine field, the girl who grieves while she dances), and love for each other, because in Vietnam they are the only family they have.

"First published in 1990 by Houghton Mifflin"--Title page verso.

The things they carried -- Love -- Spin -- On the rainy river -- Enemies -- Friends -- How to tell a true war story -- The dentist -- Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong -- Stockings -- Church -- The man I killed -- Ambush -- Style -- Speaking of courage -- Notes -- In the field -- Good form -- Field trip -- The ghost soldiers -- Night life -- The lives of the dead.