Bravo Burning

Set in the days of the still-escalating war in Vietnam, this is a compact, raw-edged novel with occasional moments of power written by an award-winning combat correspondent. It is a straightforward and realistic narrative told from the viewpoint of Mike Ripp, a young Southerner who leaves behind a pregnant wife when he goes overseas. The story follows the men of Bravo Company from their final days in basic training to Vietnam, where they are involved in harmless patrols until called up to reinforce a major offensive against Hill 711, an enemy stronghold. The assault and its aftermath constitute the novel's dramatic highpoint and some of the best writing. Attempting to capture a sense of irony, however, the author fails to produce either the mordancy or the desperate realism of other novels chronicling the Vietnam experience. (April 21)