This study is a qualitative assessment within a group of five modes - realism, the classical memoir, black humour, revised romanticism, and mnemonic narrative - of the most important novels and memoirs written by Americans about Vietnam. Among numerous works discussed are Philip Caputo's A Rumor of War, John Delvecchio's The 13th Valley, David Halberstam's One Very Hot Day, Michael Herr's Dispatches, and Tim O'Brien's Going After Cacciato.