The Effects of War

Most of the characters of this book spend years living through a horrific war. Each struggles with the Effects of War in their own way. Bill and James Houston each pledge to send money home to their mother after they join the military. Each does send money home for awhile but that doesn't last long. Both men begin spending all their money on women and alcohol. The reader may think it sounds irresponsible, but these and other soldiers are far from home and all realize they may die in an upcoming battle. They seek to handle the pressure any way they can, and drinking, fighting, and sex become important means of release.

James Houston is an important example of this theme. When James arrives in Vietnam, he finds that he's in a relatively safe area and he doesn't even engage in a fight...