War changes a person. It’s not just about the battles fought on the field, but the ones that rage inside long after the gunfire has stopped. “Vietnam Ambush” by Daniel Seidenberg Jr. is a raw, gripping account of the Vietnam War, told from the perspective of a soldier who lived through its horrors. This book doesn’t just recount events, it takes you inside the mind of a soldier, forcing you to feel the weight of every decision, the fear in every firefight, and the lasting scars that war leaves behind. It’s a story about survival, camaraderie, and the lingering echoes of combat that never truly fade.
“One night, while asleep, a loud explosion coming from the freeway accosted my slumber. I was still in Vietnam and we were coming under a ground assault at fire support base Nancy. Rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire were peppering the place like a violent storm straight from hell. The Vietcong were now inside of our wire and running around shooting everyone they found. We were being overrun.”
— an excerpt from “Vietnam Ambush”
From the moment Seidenberg sets foot in Vietnam, the reality of war slaps him in the face. There’s no easing into it. The heat, the unfamiliar terrain, and the constant tension make it clear—this isn’t just another military assignment. It’s a life-or-death situation, every single day. His descriptions bring the reader into the chaos of the battlefield, where survival isn’t just about skill but also about sheer luck and unshakable instincts.
One of the most striking things about “Vietnam Ambush” is how it captures the psychological toll of war. The battlefield isn’t just physical—it’s mental. The fear of ambushes, the loss of comrades, and the uncertainty of who to trust turn every moment into a struggle. Seidenberg doesn’t just recount what happened; he takes the reader inside his head, showing the doubts, the anger, and the sheer will to push forward despite it all.
But war isn’t just about fighting. It’s about the bonds formed between soldiers, the kind of friendships that only exist when life depends on it. Seidenberg’s experience highlights the brotherhood that forms in combat—the unspoken understanding, the moments of laughter in the midst of horror, and the heartbreak of losing those who were like family. In one particularly intense scene, the aftermath of an ambush leaves Seidenberg grappling with loss and the brutal reality that in war, even the strongest can fall.
The book also takes a hard look at the system that sent young men into combat without fully preparing them for the aftermath. The transition from soldier to civilian isn’t easy, and Seidenberg’s struggle to adjust after returning home is just as compelling as his time in Vietnam. The war doesn’t end when the fighting stops—it lingers in memories, in nightmares, and in the way the world feels different afterward.
What makes “Vietnam Ambush” stand out is its honesty. There’s no sugarcoating here—no glorification of war, no heroic clichés. It’s a soldier’s truth, raw and unfiltered. Seidenberg tells it like it is, making this book not just a war memoir but a deeply personal account of resilience and the human cost of conflict.
At its core, “Vietnam Ambush” isn’t just a book about war. It’s about endurance, about finding a way to live with experiences that no one should have to go through. It’s about remembering those who didn’t make it back and honoring their stories. Whether you’re a history buff, a veteran, or just someone who wants to understand the reality of war beyond textbooks and movies, this book is a must-read.
“Vietnam Ambush” by Daniel Seidenberg Jr. is now available for purchase at the Kravitz and Sons Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
Vietnam Ambush: Soldier in the Bush
Vietnam Ambush tells the story of a young man answering the call of America to fight a war against the communist Vietnamese as a replacement with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in 1968/69. It tells of his days in training, combat, recovering from injuries, and his return home amidst the antiwar fervor that had engulfed the USA at that time. “This memoir will give the reader an invaluable insight into one’s participation in a war that today most Americans prefer to forget about.” – Bernie Weisz, Historian, Vietnam War “It is a well-written account of the war from the perspective…
Bambi Loving
A wonderful commentary on my brother’s book! I was a young child while he was over there and never knew what it was like until he wrote about it. It’s a miracle he’s still with us!