Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Fortunate Son: The Autobiography Of Lewis B.Puller,Jr.” as Want to Read:
Fortunate Son: The Autobiography Of Lewis B.Puller,Jr.
Lewis B. Puller, Jr.'s memoir is a moving story of a man born into a proud military legacy who struggles to rebuild his world after the Vietnam War has shattered his body and his ideals.Raised in the shadow of his father, Marine General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, a hero of five wars, young lewis went Southeast Asia at the height of the Vietnam War and served with distinctio
...more
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
747)
Fortunate Son: The Healing of a Vietnam Vet is the story of Lewis B. Puller, USMC, the son of Lt. General Chesty Puller, USMC, the most decorated Marine in history and the man who came to exemplify what being a Marine means (read his biography in Chesty by Colonel Jon T. Hoffman). To walk in his footsteps, especially as a Marine officer, took a courage that surfaced in this mild-mannered boy when he was grievously injured during the Vietnam War. In 1968, just one year after joining the Marines,
...more
Fortunate Son: The Healing of a Vietnam Vet had been on my reading list for several years before I found the courage to read it. I knew it would be a difficult read: a father-son relationship that misfires, war, the dashed hopes of a childhood dream ending with horrific injuries, alcoholism, depression, a failed suicide attempt. CSI may have desensitized me to a degree, but this isn’t fiction, it’s an autobiography.
The son of a retired marine myself, I could relate to parts of Lewis B. Puller, ...more
The son of a retired marine myself, I could relate to parts of Lewis B. Puller, ...more
From birth Lewis B. Puller Jr. had some big shoes to fill. He was named after his father, one of the most famous Marines in Corps history, the legendary USMC Lt. General Lewis Burwell Puller, known simply as “Chesty”. Lewis Jr. was gifted at putting his inner thoughts on paper and he penned a heartbreaking autobiography filled with love, devotion, grief and sadness that truly deserved the Pulitzer Prize recognition. Throughout all the hardship he chose the title “Fortunate Son” to tell his story
...more
I find myself more mystified than ever about the Vietnam War and American Culture of that day. I’ve now read 4 Vietnam veteran biographies and all, but one (that would be John McCain’s), contain a common theme of disillusionment, rejection, and loss. I grieve for the veterans who suffered more from the attitude of anti-war protestors and an ungrateful nation than they did at the hands of brutal enemies of freedom. Another facet of the culture of the day fascinates me and this is the culture of c
...more
Engrossing. I read most of it in one night. I enjoy military history, so I was already well acquainted with Puller, Sr., a famous Marine commander. Lew's story is a fantastic American journey, full of courage, despair, and hope (he was horribly maimed on the battlefield in Vietnam). It is an inspirational story, written by a regular man. As such it gives hope to all of us, especially those who may have struggled with some of the same personal demons. Even if you don't particularly care to read a
...more
I read Fortunate Son because a friend served in Puller's platoon in Vietnam. Although passionate about history, I had nevef read much on the Vietnam War. Puller's book was very engrossing and gave a good sense of "being there." It did, however, seem to drag when he described his unsuccessful run for Congress. Ultimately the book was a tragedy, because three years after publication, Puller committed suicide due to the psychological war that never left him. Definitely recommended
I don't characterize this oustanding book as military history but a family story, about a man overcoming his own family history. Lewis Puller Jr. was the son of military legend Chesty Puller. Jr., went to Vietnam, suffered serious injury after stepping on a booby trap. He went on to write this Pulizter Prize winning book after suffering enormous psychological scars. What is haunting and poignant is Lewis Jr., committed suicide a few years after writing this book.
Mar 17, 2015
Christopher Nieman
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir
,
war
,
war-biography
,
war-vietnam
,
biography
,
history
,
history-american-history
,
own-yes
,
read-yes
,
pulitzer-prize
,
reviewed
,
biography-autobiography
First, please let me be clear about why I gave this book only two stars: it is literally because I thought 'it was okay,' aligning to the GoodReads system, and it is not meant to indicate I think lowly of it.
I read this in 1992 or 1993 after seeing Mr. Puller on C-SPAN's Booknotes on a Sunday night, as he told achingly of his experiences before, during, and after his service in Vietnam.
By seeing this book, you're most likely already aware of the author's pedigree: Lewis Puller Jr. was the son of ...more
I read this in 1992 or 1993 after seeing Mr. Puller on C-SPAN's Booknotes on a Sunday night, as he told achingly of his experiences before, during, and after his service in Vietnam.
By seeing this book, you're most likely already aware of the author's pedigree: Lewis Puller Jr. was the son of ...more
Living in the shadow of Louis B. "Chesty" Puller could not have been easy. The author had to do just that. Louis "Chesty" Pulley Sr. is a Marine Corps legend. He is no less that the most decorated Marine in history, winning virtually all the highest military honors, including the Medal of Honor, 'Chesty' was a man's man and a Marine's Marine. His son attempted to follow in his shoes. This book is his story.
Louis B. Puller Jr. entered his father's beloved Marine Corps in 1968. After officer train ...more
Louis B. Puller Jr. entered his father's beloved Marine Corps in 1968. After officer train ...more
Feb 21, 2008
James
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Adults interested in the history of the Marine Corps and the Vietnam War
This is the life story of the son of the U.S. Marine Corps' greatest hero, "Chesty" Puller. His son, named after him, also became a Marine and went to Vietnam as a lieutenant leading an infantry platoon. There he was terribly wounded and maimed by what would today be called an IED, losing both legs and one arm. This book is mainly the story of his struggle after that; he frankly recounts his struggles with rage, depression, and alcoholism, and relationship problems. As a sidelight, the books sho
...more
Nov 07, 2013
Writer's Relief
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
five-star-reviews
When a young man tries to live up to his father’s reputation, the results are catastrophic. This Vietnam Era autobiography by Lewis Puller, son of Chesty Puller, the most highly decorated Marine in the history of the Marine Corps, is a heartbreaking look into the son’s vain attempts to continue his father’s legacy. You move through his basic training with him, wishing he would just quit. Showing his tenacity, he graduates and is assigned field duty in Vietnam. Shortly after being deployed, he is
...more
Brutally honest in his description of the consequences of his injuries, and his alcoholism that followed. It was also touching to describe his eventual closeness to his father, as his father suffered repeated strokes that eventually took his life. I was touched to the point of tears at some points.
An excellent book for anyone to read who is feeling sorry for themselves for whatever reason. This poor man and his family endured so much that it was quite literally incomprehensible. The internal and external wounds of war hit Lewis Puller with full force and this book is a good source to see how much the wounds of loved one effect those around them and how difficult the unsung struggles of the families of the wounded can be. This book is a true eye opener for multiple reasons and a true story
...more
A fascinating, moving, very well written memoir. The son of the only Marine to win five Navy Crosses, Puller Jr. went to Vietnam, a newlywed, as a matter of course, lost his legs and some of his hands, became a lawyer, ran for Congress, overcame alcoholism and finally made peace with his country for making his sacrifice a wasted effort. At least that’s how his book ends; I learned later that he killed himself a few years after the publication of this Pulitzer-Prize winning effort. The book is re
...more
It is hard to live up to, and walk in, the shoes of a man that is both one's parent and also a national hero.
Extremely tragic story of Marine Corps legend Chesty Puller's son. Puller Jr. commissioned as an officer, went to Vietnam and was horribly wounded; losing his legs, part of his torso and several fingers. His autobiography deals with his struggle to overcome the devastation of his wounds, his alcoholism and his fight to make a memorial for Vietnam Veterans a reality. Intense and engrossing. A powerful account of American society's relationship to its Vietnam Veterans and the cost of war.
Dec 05, 2012
Gerry
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir
,
military-history
I had the pleasure of meeting Lew Puller, Jr. in 1987; an inspiration to all Marines at the time. I was in college when I read his book not long before he took his own life. Tragic in that he was given medicine that re-ignited his medicinal addiction to morphene but his story and family live on. Lew is every bit a hero to me as is his well known Father and General Lew "Chesty" Puller.
Read the story, and take your time with the book. The detail is superb, the life an amazing one.
Read the story, and take your time with the book. The detail is superb, the life an amazing one.
A harrowing account, and ultimately a personal tragedy. Lewis fought his catastrophic injuries as best he could, but in 1994, after enduring so much, and now the loss of his his faithful and long suffering wife and two children to divorce - he finally gave up and killed himself. This is not in the book, but it can be subsumed as a measure of the price of Lt. Puller's Vietnam service.
A great narrative of what it was like to return to an ungrateful nation after the Vietnam War from a vet who had to deal with devastating physical and emotional injuries. So many parallels for those serving in our current wars, but it also made me appreciate how far our country has come since then. Especially poignant given the post-script in the author's life.
A true story of a former highly-decorated general's son who went off to Vietnam only to come home in a wheelchair. Most of the story is about his life back in the US, dealing with the depression of being paralyzed, his family, drug addiction...all as a result of the war.
Inspirational book. Toddy Puller (his wife) still serves as my state senator having survived a difficult marriage, a devastating stroke, and raising two strong children on her own. Read this book if you need more courage. Together, they have enough for all of us.
I read this book for a college class and was really affected by it at the time. It's an amazing story of a regular guy dealing with the extreme trauma and readjustment to the US after fighting (and nearly dying) in the Vietnam War.
A little-known but excellent Vietnam book about the grotesquely wounded son of a famous WWII Marine. A tip: skip the preface, as I inadvertently did, then read it after you finish the book. Packs and bigger punch.
It's amazing that such good books like this receive very few ratings. While Dead Wake and Boys in the Boat receive thousands.
This is a true American classic in the memoir genre.
This is a true American classic in the memoir genre.
I read this book while in the Marine Corps. I had the pleasure of meeting the author (in Quantico, Virginia) shortly before he took his life. An excellent book. Rest in peace, Marine.
chesty puller is the most decorated marine officer in history. this is the autobiography of his SON, who had some enormous footprints to follow.
Interesting read on Puller's life... His struggles during the war and afterwards. Makes you think on how wars affect numerous lives.
Such a sad ending for someone who could have stood so high and been such a pillar. Required reading for military.
At times sad, poignant, uplifting, heroic, and always familiar to me as a Marine.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Lewis Burwell Puller Jr. was the son of General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated Marine in the history of the Marine Corps. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a Marine officer. Upon graduation from the College of William and Mary in 1967, Puller was shipped to Vietnam, where he was badly wounded by a landmine on October 11, 1968, losing both legs and most use of his hands in
...more
More about Lewis B. Puller Jr....
