Dispatches

Dispatches is a non-fiction book by Michael Herr that describes the author's experiences in Vietnam as a war correspondent for Esquire magazine. First published in 1977, Dispatches was one of the first pieces of American literature that allowed Americans to understand the experiences of soldiers in the Vietnam War. At a time when many veterans would say little about their experiences during the war, Dispatches allowed for an experience and unders... more

Dispatches is a non-fiction book by Michael Herr that describes the author's experiences in Vietnam as a war correspondent for Esquire magazine. First published in 1977, Dispatches was one of the first pieces of American literature that allowed Americans to understand the experiences of soldiers in the Vietnam War. At a time when many veterans would say little about their experiences during the war, Dispatches allowed for an experience and understanding of the war like no other source to date. The book is noted for a visceral, literary style which distinguishes it from more mundane historical accounts. Several of the soldiers mentioned in the book were used as the basis for characters in the movies Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket. The helicopter gunner scene from Full Metal Jacket is taken directly from Dispatches: the upshot of which is that killing women and children only requires less of a lead (meaning, allowing less time for a bullet to strike a woman or child than one would... less