Kindle
$2.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$35.82
Paperback
$29.34
Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $1.00 (25%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $17.46

Save: $9.97 (57%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Bruce A. Bastien
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

13 Months: In the Bush, in Vietnam, in 1968 Kindle Edition

by Bruce A. Bastien (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,411 ratings
See all formats and editions
This is an intimate look at life in the bush during the Vietnam War in 1968. You will experience the daily struggles, battles, and funny things that happen to a USMC grunt living in the bush for 13 months.
You’ll see firsthand through the battles, what Marines ate and drank, where they slept and their existence that ranged from unmitigated terror to utter boredom, hot & dry to wet & cold, rested and ready to frazzled and wired.
You’ll watch as a kid grows philosophically and confident, able to handle stress and strain, learning about friendship, love, difficulty, danger, deprivation, and loss.
His friends are American kids from all different walks of life, backgrounds, races, and learning. The common element among them is their humanity, bravery, and willingness to risk their lives to help one another.
They all were simply just a bunch of American boys doing their job, taking their chances, hoping to go home to the real world from an unreal world.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    166 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    iUniverse
  5. Publication date
    July 23, 2020
  6. File size
    8555 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bruce Bastien has had duel careers in data processing and aviation. He has been a computer salesman for IBM, a business applications computer programmer, a consultant, and owner of a "Cloud" service bureau business hosting client business applications. He has been a flight instructor and owner of a Part 135 on-demand airline with Commercial Pilot License; Single Engine & Multi-Engine, Instrument Airplane ratings. He has degrees in Biometry, Computer Science, and Accounting. He lives in San Diego, California with his wife Carol.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08GJX19LP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ iUniverse (July 23, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 23, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8555 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 166 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 166320456X
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,411 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Bruce A. Bastien

Bruce A. Bastien

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
1,411 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

William Monger
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest recollection
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
I was in Thailand at the same time the author was in Vietnam. I also wrote a book about my year at Takhli RTAFB. This is a very well-written recollection of the author's tour in Vietnam in 1967-68 as a Marine grunt. It's not the typical blood & guts tome as so many are, but a very thoughful memoir of a very tough 13 months. Though it relates to the heartbreaking loss of friends and comrades, it gives an honest look at the day-to-day boredom of life on patrol when there is no enemy contact. He describes the misery of sleeping under makeshift poncho tents in drenching rains, trying to stay awake during night watch shifts, snakes, mosquitos, and even monkeys throwing rocks at them. At the same time, he also describes the scenic beauty of the country from the mountains to the beaches. He recognizes that the Vietnam war was ill-advised and a useless waste of lives, both American and Vietnamese. The average Vietnamese farmers wanted nothing more than to live their lives in peace. As so many Vietnam vets did, he performed his duty skillfully and honorably as his country asked him to. He survived to live a very fruitful life and I salute him. Welcome home!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
lastcast
4.0 out of 5 stars One man's story
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
I liked how he portrayed himself as an average ordinary GI. I did find the book a little boring at times.
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This Book answered so many questions
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book paralleled much of my time in Vietnam and also answered questions I've had for over 50 years. I served in Vietnam April 67 to May 68 with Echo battery 2nd battalion 11th Marines in support of 2nd battalion 5th Marines at An HOA. We moved out of An HOA in December of 67 up to Phu Bai during operation Checkers. Two Five moved North with us. I didn't know that Three Five took our place when we left An Hoa. Also on the night of May 27, 1968 my last night in Vietnam I was wounded and flown to 3rd Med battalion where there about 40 Marines coming in on choppers the same time our chopper arrived. I believe by reading this book, the wounded were from Three Five. I have always wondered what unit it was that got hit that same night I did.
The book was fantastic. It bought back so many memories. I returned to Vietnam FOUR years ago and it's exactly as the author thought it would be. It's built up with paved roads, not at all like it was in 67 68. I did get a chance to visit An HOA on my return trip and I couldn't recognize anything. In fact, I was standing on the airstrip and didn't know it until a former marine helicopter pilot rode up on a motorcycle and told me I was standing on the airstrip. This was one of the best books I've red about Vietnam. Everything I read was a hundred percent accurate.
30 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Richard T Watts
3.0 out of 5 stars Very Repetitive
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
Interesting dialog regarding the countryside throughout the AO. Did not really get my whole attention being a Vietnam veteran.Overall a fairly good read.
Helpful
 Report
Dr. Dover
5.0 out of 5 stars Marine with a good attitude
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
I have read quite a few “grunt” writings lately. Another excellent memoir put to paper. You guys in the thick of things are just amazing. I don’t know how you did it. Thanks for sharing your Vietnam nightmare. I’m sorry that our country thought it was a good idea at the time. I’m proud to have served but your guys are the true veterans.
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Nother Nam Story
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
An interesting account by a grunt in Nam. The part that sticks out to me the most is (after the fight about carrying rounds) the grenade going off in the fighting hole after they switched places.
Helpful
 Report
therover
5.0 out of 5 stars If only THEY knew.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is an incredible story of duty and honor. Serving your country and coming home alive! As I read through this account, I remember the stories of protests and humiliation the soldiers received coming back to their country. IF YOU PROTESTED THE WAR, read this book. I hope you feel guilty!!!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Robo
4.0 out of 5 stars How Young We Were
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book felt true. Many of the author’s memories seemed so clear after 50 years. He was honest when he couldn’t remember the details. He took photos while in Viet Nam and included them to punctuate his chapters. They’re striking in that they make clear how young everyone was. Very young. I appreciated this quote “Not everyone who lost his life in Viet Nam died there. Not everyone who came home from Viet Nam ever left there”. Thanks Bruce.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and compelling
Reviewed in Canada on August 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
The year of the Tet offensive - what a time to be a grunt in Vietnam. Bruce's writing style and honest, first person narrative makes this a great read.
Report
M.K
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Found this a very good book, really enjoyed it,
Report
M
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
Certainly written in such a way as to make the reader feel part of the author's experience. More a collection of memoirs than a single account.
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid memoir
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
Straightforward, well written memoir from an 'average' grunt in the ground for his 13 mth tour. Written with humility, humour and sharp observation interspersed with occasional memoirs from other vets - including probably one of the most visceral first person accounts of someone who experienced being on the wrong end of a boobybtrap and some excellent colour photos. Good account worth the read of anyone interested in Vietnam War autobiographies.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars 13 months in the bush
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed reading this soldiers tour of duty in Vietnam, he has written this account without going into graphic detail about how soldiers died ,it's an informative account of one soldiers 13 months in Vietnam,a good read for any military enthusiast interested in the Vietnam war.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report