The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty and War―A Wildly Entertaining Memoir of an Insane, Yet Heartwarming, Beer Delivery to Vietnam

The authors paint a fast-moving picture of what one individual can accomplish when he/she is devoted to a goal, which, in this case, was “delivering a beer” and, much more importantly, hometown support to U.S. soldiers in Vietnam. While, as other reviewers point out, some of the tales presented in the text may have been embellished a bit, this doesn’t detract at all from the basic tenets – improvisation, perseverance, courage and devotion – that “Chick” displayed in spades from the minute he set out on this “beer run” until his return to Manhattan and Doc Fiddler’s bar. If one wants a snapshot-look at what life was like through the eyes of a U.S. civilian, albeit a former U.S. Marine, in Vietnam surrounding the Tet Offensive (January through March 1968), this would be a good place to start. Two book misperceptions need to be cleared up. Victory ships were named after countries, U.S. colleges and cities. Chick’s ship, Drake Victory, was named for Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, not Sir Francis Drake. Drake Victory and all other Victory ships, with the exception of a single type AP4 ship that was driven by a Nordberg-built diesel engine, were powered by steam turbine engines NOT the double compound German Lentz engine. The first Victory ship design, EC2-S-AP1, unveiled to the public in March 1943, did include the Lentz engine as its power source. When representatives of the U.S. steam turbine industry assured the Maritime Commission that they could develop an in-house uniform turbine engine and produce it in “quantity,” the latter dropped the Lentz engine from its initial Victory ship design.

Most enjoyable story. Excellent research he did later regarding the moments in time"Chick" experienced. I understand his conservative nature during those times.My father, 4 children, Major USMC, was in Vietnam 1965, essentially first wave.Wounded mortar fire from local villages. We did not know US held the daysand the Vietcong, NVA held the nights. Pops did not support the USA govtand their Vietnam war from around 1966 on. I did not understand simply too young at that time.My USMC dad/pops always supported USA and those who fought 100%. Our govt were fools IMHO.Chickie eventually seems to believe the same about the USA govt during this time IMO.Him being on the ground at the USA Embassy during Tet, incredible he survived.To be honest the story from start to finish sounds so improbable one would think the bookwas a well written fiction story LOL.... Start to finish I enjoy the book, historical stories, and his luck.Two Thumbs Up. Wish movie version video would play in USA dvd machines. But does not.Congrats on a well written, incredibly documented and researched years later of what was actuallygoing on via battles, tet, usa govt thinking, etc....... Remember many protesters like myself supportedthe USA and Soldiers. Those who did not, were simply ignorant. But does not mean they were not good citizens and most held democracy high and most moved on to very successful careers/families/lives.I know also regret their sad opinions of our Vietnam soldiers at that time who sadly thought they were fighting for our freedom and support.Great book will read again someday

I am glad that I was able to read this story. Unfortunately, it was after I saw the movie and it has more suspense. The book was fun to read to see the raw connection rather than add fake parts like the movie did with reporters and all. This book would make a good flight reading.

I wasn’t sure after reading the first fifty pages or so how and why this could be a complete book, but it quickly turned in to an interesting read from a unique perspective on the Vietnam war.

As someone who was an infantryman in the Battle for Hue in 1968, I can tell you there is a hell of a lot of authenticity in this book. I Was there in 1964 advising a Vietnamese Ranger BattLion and again in 1968 the Executive Officer of the 2/12`Cab in the 1st Cav Div. This book brings back a lot of memories - some good and some bad.

I was working at the Air Force communications site at Clark Air Base in the Philippines when the Tet Offensive started and well remember talking on one of our comm orderwires to a site in Viet Nam when suddenly the guy I was talking to informed me they were evacuating the building as bullets were coming through the windows. The site didn’t come back up for several days. Never found out what happened to the guy I was talking to. Hope he was ok.

Arrived as described and very timely

What a wonderful book. It was hard to put down. Such love and support for friends fighting Vietnam.

heard about this book from a radio host and it did not disappoint

The story of remarkable, some would say foolish loyalty. Quiet unbelievable, surprised that there's not a film.

Unfortunately not as interesting as the hype. Not a very well constructed book.

It was ok; it will make an ok film

Perhaps not the highest literary standard, but a jolly good read and fabulous adventure. Just imagine getting out there in the middle of it all, all on some feel good bet.Well done Chicky!