The Twins Platoon was nominated! The Minnesota Book Awards program is sponsored by the St. Paul Friends of the Library. The award is very prestigious. To have the book nominated is a real honor. The Twins Platoon was not one of the five finalists. To find out more about this great program and who the finalists are click on this link.
The Military Writers Society of America reviewed the book on January 26, 2007. The book received their five star rating (highest possible) which is an honor. The review appears under memoirs. You can read their review by clicking on this link. http://www.militarywriters.com/review-the%20twins%20platoon.htm
The “Twins Feature” produced by Trevor Fleck, edited by Dan Truebenbach, was aired a number of times on the Fox TV Sports channel in July 2006 during freedom week.
Click here to watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXc-rMxcJJ8
You can listen to the below broadcasts by clicking on the appropriate link. Learn more about the book and a variety of items related to our miltary and our country’s history:
This section was set up to direct you to where you can buy the book. You can use these links to find out what others are saying about the book by reading the customer reviews.
Jeff Strong wrote:
I just finished reading a copy of the book my uncle (Richard Strong) borrowed to me. I want to purchase a copy of it for myself – and will do so – but hope to catch the next book signing also.
I am completely amazed as to what you guys went through. My uncle does not talk of Vietnam much – but when he does finally open up – I never want to stop listening. I could never imagine myself going through what my uncle and other Vietnam veterans went through. I am so hurt by the treatment they all received upon coming home, and pray to God that America has learned from its mistakes in how to treat soldiers upon the return from a war. I have always been fascinated about US history in war and have read alot about WWII. I feel compelled now to be more involved in educating myself on the ins and outs of the Vietnam war, especially with the history of it in our family, and now having got to know some of the soldiers in our local community. It’s funny, but when you wrote about Kenny Goodman and his family, in the small town of Stewart, I was blown away. I have a route I make deliveries on and I pass through Stewart on a regular basis!
Dave Boliou, Galt, CA wrote:
I have known Chris Sauro perosnally since we were in third grade together in MN. during 1957 to 1958. We have continued to stay in contact since then, even though I am now residing in California. However, it was not our personal relationship that caused me to buy his book “Twins Platoon”. Rather, the reason I bought the book was because we both lived through the same time period, he as a soldier in vietnam, and myself as someone who wanted to serve in the Navy, but couldn’t due to medical reasons.
We both had a lot of school friends who went to Vietnam. His experiences were first hand combat. My experiences were wanting to serve, and instead watching “political problems: and “demonstrations” here in the U.S., against the war.
I have seen and am very up to date on what is curently taking place in Afghanistan and Iraq, and see so many similarities as to what is taking place now, as it did in Vietnam; “fighting for another country to be free and governed by a democracy”
I was interested in “Twins Platoon” because of its historical facts and the comparisons I could make with Vietnam and the Middle East. I enjoyed the book immensely and couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. In fact, I finished it in one day. Read the rest of this entry »
Dear Chris,
I have just finished reading my copy of “Twins Platoon” and I wanted to drop you a line congratulating you on an excellent book! It’s tough subject matter and it must have been intensely personal for you to write, then share with other people. My dad read the part about drill instructors and boot camp. He nodded and did some cursing about drill instructors … He was in the Army 1963 – 1965. I learned more about the Vietnam War from your book then any history class I’ve ever taken. Thank You.
Twins Platoon member, Rod Leick was talking to a woman that had just finished reading The Twins Platoon. She told Rod how angry and upset she was after reading the part about boot camp. She would like to know how you all feel (now) about the way you were treated (then) and if you think the treatment you received in boot camp was excessive or do you think it was necessary.
To respond to this question, click below to leave your comment.
In the September 2006 issue of Leatherneck magazine the book Twins Platoon appears on page 78 in Books Reviewed making it recommended reading. For a book to be reviewed by this prestigious magazine is an honor.
July 4, 2006, almost 40 years later.
Chris, I have just finished your book. I feel compelled to write you.
All dates and times are not exact but close. I was about one month ahead of you in boot camp at MCRD. Upon graduation I received orders for West Pac and MOS 0311. By October I was in Vietnam and assigned to 3/9 3rd Marine Division. We were based out of the Rock Pile on the DMZ. Route 9 from Dong Ha went right thru our perimeter. At the start of Tet, 1968 we were cut off. No one from my squad escaped Vietnam without injury or in a body bag.
I spent 11 months at Great Lakes Naval hospital. I was the lucky one with only a hand injury. Guilt started to set in. I finished my tour of duty at Quantico, VA. as a rifle coach. Honorable discharged as an E-5 in July of 1969.
Like you my return home was strange to say the least. While on convalesce leave from the hospital my best friend on the way to a party at the U of M said “Don’t tell anyone you are a Marine and don’t say your were in Vietnam”. Everyone was having a wonderful time while I knew my brothers were fighting for their lives. The guilt set in, how could I be here when I knew what was going on over there? I wanted to fit in, the guilt was stronger. Read the rest of this entry »
