When comparing Patterson's Grand Expectations and O'Brien's The Things They Carried, each coincides with one another and gives accurate details of the front lines of battle. The Things They Carried is a work of fiction and Patterson's Grand Expectations is merely a combination of facts and opinions. Either book would greatly enhance a reader's historical knowledge of the Vietnam War. Patterson's Grand Expectations and O'Brien's The Things They Carried show the significant stresses of war …showed first 75 words of 1135 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1135 total…but this book is still helpful to historians due to the fact that many of the stories told by O'Brien can only be of his reflections of his time in Vietnam. It is through personal accounts, along with statistical information that historians are able to piece together the Vietnam War. References O'Brien, Tim. The Things They Carried. New York: Broadway Books, 1990. Patterson, James T. Grand Expectations: The United States, 1945-1974. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.