{"product_id":"there-it-is-by-ken-harper-a-vietnam-war-coming-of-age","title":"There It Is by Ken Harper - A Vietnam War Coming-of-Age","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of There It Is, Ken Harper delivers a picaresque coming-of-age novel that will appeal to readers who want a readable, often funny but sincere account of a young soldier's experience in the later years of the Vietnam War. The bottom line: this is a character-driven story about Farragut Birdwell that balances humor and heart, and it is worth reading for anyone who values clear prose and sharp observational voice in a war novel. The narrative cadence and readability make it a strong choice for readers seeking an accessible literary take on wartime coming-of-age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharacter-driven narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e The novel focuses tightly on Farragut Birdwell's growth, making his choices and missteps the engine that carries readers through the story.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePicaresque structure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Episodes range from comic to poignant, giving the book varied pacing and a sense of episodic adventure that highlights the protagonist's resilience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReadable prose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Customers praise the book's readability, which helps complex emotional material feel immediate and approachable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumor amid hardship:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harper balances the darker realities of Vietnam with sly, often self-aware humor that humanizes the main character.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComing-of-age focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The story traces Farragut's attempts to fit in and his complicated relationship with a decorated military father, creating a strong emotional throughline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWar setting authenticity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Scenes such as Farragut's near-joining of the 101st Airborne and his time as a grunt lend situational realism without bogging down the narrative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere It Is will suit readers of literary and genre fiction who prefer novels centered on a single, vividly drawn protagonist rather than sprawling historical epics. Fans of character studies and witty first-person episodes that examine identity and family dynamics during wartime will find much to admire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a tactical military history or a heavily researched, documentary-style Vietnam account should look elsewhere; this book leans into personal experience and voice rather than exhaustive detail about campaigns or strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngaging, accessible prose that makes the book easy to read in long sittings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEffective mix of humor and pathos that deepens emotional investment in Farragut.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong central character whose cleverness and fallibility feel authentic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe episodic, picaresque structure may feel uneven to readers who prefer tightly plotted novels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThere It Is\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKen Harper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComing-of-age \/ War fiction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSetting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLater years of the Vietnam War\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain character\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFarragut Birdwell, a young soldier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePicaresque, humorous and heartfelt\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere It Is is a rewarding choice for readers who want a readable, character-focused Vietnam novel that balances comedy and seriousness. Its narrative voice and emotional honesty make it good value for anyone interested in a personal coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this novel based on real events?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The book is a fictional, character-driven novel set during the later years of the Vietnam War rather than a literal memoir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long is the book to read?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. Customers describe the prose as highly readable, so most readers will find it moves at a steady pace without heavy technical detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the story focus on combat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. Combat appears as part of Farragut's experience, but the primary focus is on his growth, choices, and family dynamics rather than detailed battlefield accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ken Harper","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48233457877211,"sku":"1643882619","price":34.34,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61tSM6oqn0L._SL1360.jpg?v=1770705603","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/there-it-is-by-ken-harper-a-vietnam-war-coming-of-age","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}