The Short-Timers Mass Market Paperback – November 1, 1983

Gustav Hasford's short novel that served as the basis for Stanley Kubrick's 'Full Metal Jacket'. If you liked the film, then the novel is a must read. Hollywood often takes certain liberties when making a film based off a book and in this case things are no different. However, Kubrick did a great job of bringing Hasford's classic to life on the silver screen. So if you want to read about Joker, Cowboy, Animal Mother, Alice, Rafterman and the whole gang, this book is a must have.

Probably the most violent book I have ever read, better than movie and I loved the movie. Anyone who was in the USMC will enjoy, even if you were a pogue in the Motor pool like me.

The Short-Timers is a great story set during the Vietnam War, in Vietnam. It is a story of young men and the effect of war and death on them as they serve their country. It is a hard story, full of anger, violence, and death. It makes the point of how horrific war is, how it can turn human beings into animals, the lowest forms of themselves. It is well worth reading, though it is most definitely meant for an adult audience.

This is the book "Full Metal Jacket" was based on ... it is a grinder, and a good read for any reader regarding the Vietnam war. Brutal.

Gustav is THE MAN. He is Hunter S. Thompson if Hunter S. Thompsons brain was a greased pegasus riding rainbows over the wailing wall when the wailing wall was alive and built of blood passion smeared and in the Fertile Green Crescent of Civilization. He creates a language, a very awesome language. This book is like witnessing a building explode. You are knocked on your ass and remember seeing bright lights and an awesome feat of visual delight and you still feel the heat sparklings igniting your skin. Then you sit up, and it all makes sense. A building just painted its chaotic fantastic explosion into your eyes and it all makes sense. The book makes perfect sense and its words are so fantastic awesome bred of life. Wish I could meet Gustav but he's dead too bad.

I loved this book when I first read it, shortly after Full Metal Jacket came out. It is an easy and quick read, but the speed at which I read it may have been due to my inability to put it down. The book adds more to the story that most people know from the movie. It's a great book (my opinion) that is hard to find.

Came as specified

Another cult classic; reads fast, too.

Had to buy as out of publication, so secondhand. Ok-good condition, little pricey but made the person bought it for happy.

Brilliant! Just brilliant! I'd been after this for a while and so glad to get a hold of it at last! Dare I say I thought it was better than the film?

Best Vietnam story ever....

Amazing book, just ordered the Phantom Blooper - sequel to find out what happens to Joker!

It should be reprinted, but a great book all the same.