DOC In the Jungle... Camping with the Enemy by W. James Seymour in History

Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. This Ranger Did Lead the WayBy writetrakW James 'Spanky' Seymour was one of those rare LRP/Rangers from the Vietnam war who spent three years in-country with two and half in active combat as a U.S. Army LRP/Ranger with the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Seymour pulled 54 or so behind the lines missions; as a team member; Assistant Team Leader; and Team leader for five to six man teams. In addition with scores of dangerous team insertions and extractions and the young Army Sergeant offers up his personal account of that time and those missions; and an all important inside look into what it took to not just do the job; but do it well and do it honorably. Seymour's account shows that some Rangers not only lead the way but do it with courage; humility; and hard learned skill. This is also a rare look into someone who served in three of the four combat zones in South Vietnam during the war; how the mission changed from hiding and observing enemy activity in the jungle to ambush and active engagement. There are harrowing running battles here; remarkable heroics and accounts once considered 'secret' and now revealed; as well as the day to day that Seymour captures in a true and honest voice. On his return from the war the Army combat Ranger team leader then served as a Black Hat instructor at the Airborne School at Ft. Benning; Georgia before being brought on as an instructor to the advanced Pathfinder School under the legendary Colonel Robert Howard; Medal of Honor winner and someone who appreciated quiet professionals like Seymour. This book isn't a Hollywood look at the war but a rare insight to one LRP/Ranger's personal two and half year ordeal and remarkable accomplishments. It's like finding a long; lost journal of a hero who would never admit to being one but whose documented deeds clearly defines the term. Like I said; Seymour is a courageous and humble man. That mattered then and that matters now. Buy the book!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A winnerBy VN RangerI think I've read every book written about LRP/Rangers in Vietnam; and there have been quite a few. Some were great; some were good; all were written from the heart. The latest work; In The Jungle; by Jim Seymour is one of the great one. Although much of Jim's story is about his first tour with the 1st Cavalry Division serving in a commo section; it sets up Jim's ultimate decision to extend his time in Nam to serve in the Cav's outstanding LRP/Ranger unit. Jim's subsequent stint of 18 months pulling long range reconnaissance patrols is an accomplishment that few of us who served in that capacity achieved. Jim's 50 missions is not a record; but a ranks right of there with the leaders. Needless to say; 50 deep penetration patrols behind enemy lines is pushing the envelope and close calls are bound to occur. Jim experience his share of them and shares them with the reader in a fashion that demonstrates both his professionalism and his humility. Not one to boast of his achievements; the author still manages to relate the skills that kept him and his teammates alive while "camping with the enemy". I'll not take up this space to share these stories because this book deserves to be read in its entirety; them read again to relish the realism and spine-tingling adventures of Seymour and his comrades; so you'll have to purchase the book and enjoy it yourself. You won't regret it. An outstanding addition to anyone's special ops library.Gary Linderer3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great Read!!By David TennentThis is the best book I have read in a long time. Jim Seymour gives you the feeling of being there. His experience and heroism is second to none!! This book makes me proud to be an American!! It leaves you spell bound to the point that I had a hard time putting it down. I hope I speak for the entire country when I say God Bless you Jim; and God Bless America!!! Thanks you for your service!! David Tennent;