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The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A True Story of Friendship Stronger Than War Paperback – May 2, 2017

by John "Chick" Donohue (Author), J.T. Molloy (Author)
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In 1967, John (Chick) Donohue was a 26-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran working as a merchant seaman when he was challenged one night in a New York City bar. The men gathered at this hearth had lost family and friends in the ongoing war in Vietnam. Now, they were seeing protesters turn on the troops. One neighborhood patriot proposed an idea many might deem One of them should sneak into Vietnam, track down their buddies in combat, and give each of them messages of support from back home, maybe some laughs - and beer. Chick volunteered for the mission. He sailed to Vietnam on a cargo ship carrying a backpack full of American beer, landing in Qui Nho'n in 1968. Things went awry when Chick got caught in the Tet Offensive, starting in the early hours as an eyewitness to the battle to retake the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, where he became stuck for months. Chick Donohue later became legendary as "the sandhog who went to Harvard." He worked for decades on behalf of New York's tunnel builders as the legislative and political director of Sandhogs Local 147. This is the story of his epic beer run to Vietnam, in his own words and in those of the men he found in the war zone. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "What a great story!" - FIRST LIEUT. BRIAN MILES THACKER, Recipient, Medal of Honor - - - - - "'The Greatest Beer Run Ever' is the astounding true story of a young man's odyssey. On these pages we accompany Chick Donohue as he takes us on a fantastic voyage from the streets of Manhattan via the high seas to the jungles and cities of Vietnam at the height of a war fought mostly by forgotten blue collar kids. Back in 1968, Donohue was a man on a singular mission - to prove to the soldiers and Marines from the neighborhood that they were not forgotten and never would be. On the way, Donohue lets no obstacle get in his way - not bemused military officials startled by his presence in a combat zone nor Viet Cong rocket fire. This book is both a testament to the fading notions of loyalty and brotherhood and an elegy for the working class enclaves that once formed the backbone of a city and nation." - THOMAS KELLY, Author of "Payback," "The Rackets," and "Empire Rising" and executive producer, "Copper," "The Get Down," and "Civil" - - - - - "John (Chickie) Donohue happens to be one of the best storytellers anywhere. He knows that though life may be funny, it is no joke. In this book you will see through his eyes the absurdity of the human condition. Chickie takes us thousands of miles on a hilarious quest laced with sorrow, but never dull. You will laugh and cry, but you will not be sorry that you read this rollicking story." - MALACHY McCOURT, legend, and co-author, "Death Need Not Be Fatal"
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    264 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sugarwhistle LLC
  4. Publication date
    May 2, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    5.51 x 0.59 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0998686816
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0998686813
  8. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. “If you have a strong first world and a strong set of relationships, then in some part of you, you are always free; you can walk the world because you know where you belong, you have some place to come back to.”
    Highlighted by 126 Kindle readers
  2. If there is one thing that I learned as a result of my Vietnam experience is that government—all governments for that matter—are not to be trusted. Many politicians lie when it serves their interests.
    Highlighted by 112 Kindle readers
  3. Your feelings of patriotism were connected to your religious beliefs. They were cut from the same sacred cloth.
    Highlighted by 93 Kindle readers
  4. Gradually, I began to see that the protesters, however disrespectfully, were at least trying to stop this madness.
    Highlighted by 73 Kindle readers
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sugarwhistle LLC (May 2, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0998686816
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0998686813
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.51 x 0.59 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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J. T. Molloy

J. T. Molloy

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J.T. Molloy, who worked as a reporter at the N.Y. Daily News, the N.Y. Post, and New York magazine for 25 years, lives in Brooklyn with family. This book is written in memory of beloved cousin Eugene O'Connell, an actor, who was killed in Vietnam on May 25, 1968.

To see Andrew Muscato's documentary short "The Greatest Beer Run Ever," click on:

https://youtu.be/D4WAUmyKDq0

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
4,512 global ratings
Worth every penny.
5 Stars
Worth every penny.
This was an amazing book! Coming from a military family, and knowing so many people who had served during the Vietnam war, I gained a new appreciation for all of those who had sacrificed so much for this country. A truly great book that honors those who have served, and a reminder that a cold beer on a beautiful day can only be had thanks to those who defend our freedom.
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Top reviews from the United States

David Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to believe this is a true story!
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
Most enjoyable story. Excellent research he did later regarding the moments in time
"Chick" experienced. I understand his conservative nature during those times.
My father, 4 children, Major USMC, was in Vietnam 1965, essentially first wave.
Wounded mortar fire from local villages. We did not know US held the days
and the Vietcong, NVA held the nights. Pops did not support the USA govt
and their Vietnam war from around 1966 on. I did not understand simply too young at that time.
My USMC dad/pops always supported USA and those who fought 100%. Our govt were fools IMHO.
Chickie eventually seems to believe the same about the USA govt during this time IMO.
Him being on the ground at the USA Embassy during Tet, incredible he survived.
To be honest the story from start to finish sounds so improbable one would think the book
was a well written fiction story LOL.... Start to finish I enjoy the book, historical stories, and his luck.
Two Thumbs Up. Wish movie version video would play in USA dvd machines. But does not.
Congrats on a well written, incredibly documented and researched years later of what was actually
going on via battles, tet, usa govt thinking, etc....... Remember many protesters like myself supported
the USA and Soldiers. Those who did not, were simply ignorant. But does not mean they were not good citizens and most held democracy high and most moved on to very successful careers/families/lives.
I know also regret their sad opinions of our Vietnam soldiers at that time who sadly thought they were fighting for our freedom and support.
Great book will read again someday
9 people found this helpful
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Michael J. Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Rollicking and entertaining but with a message . . . the importance of a "thank-you"
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
The authors paint a fast-moving picture of what one individual can accomplish when he/she is devoted to a goal, which, in this case, was “delivering a beer” and, much more importantly, hometown support to U.S. soldiers in Vietnam. While, as other reviewers point out, some of the tales presented in the text may have been embellished a bit, this doesn’t detract at all from the basic tenets – improvisation, perseverance, courage and devotion – that “Chick” displayed in spades from the minute he set out on this “beer run” until his return to Manhattan and Doc Fiddler’s bar. If one wants a snapshot-look at what life was like through the eyes of a U.S. civilian, albeit a former U.S. Marine, in Vietnam surrounding the Tet Offensive (January through March 1968), this would be a good place to start. Two book misperceptions need to be cleared up. Victory ships were named after countries, U.S. colleges and cities. Chick’s ship, Drake Victory, was named for Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, not Sir Francis Drake. Drake Victory and all other Victory ships, with the exception of a single type AP4 ship that was driven by a Nordberg-built diesel engine, were powered by steam turbine engines NOT the double compound German Lentz engine. The first Victory ship design, EC2-S-AP1, unveiled to the public in March 1943, did include the Lentz engine as its power source. When representatives of the U.S. steam turbine industry assured the Maritime Commission that they could develop an in-house uniform turbine engine and produce it in “quantity,” the latter dropped the Lentz engine from its initial Victory ship design.
7 people found this helpful
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MN reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Both fun and thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
First, I cannot imagine why he did such a dangerous thing. I really liked reading it, though. Even the very dangerous paths he had to take to see his buddies and deliver the beer. It was well written and I appreciated the fast read.
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Terri DD
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy read
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great book, loved the story, easy read. I heard the movie doesn't do the book justice. I'll pass on the movie because I really enjoyed the book
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Gigi girl
5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting memoir, full of surprises and remarkable courage
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
Loved this book. It was SO well written which is important to me. Chick has 9 lives. I admire his loyalty, bravery, and fearlessness! His story is remarkable and certainly one of a kind. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next and didn’t want to put the book down. Thank you to Chick, his brave friends, and all of those that served. <3
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Richard L. Soto
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable book
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
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Great book about friendship.
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Jan B
4.0 out of 5 stars Great story!
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024
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Given as a Christmas gift & recipient loved it.
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SteveR
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2024
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A short read but very entertaining
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Top reviews from other countries

cg
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing story
Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2022
Verified Purchase
heard about this book from a radio host and it did not disappoint
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Mr. M. Hale
5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
Quite an incredible story and definitely worth a read
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Marquinius
4.0 out of 5 stars A great story.
Reviewed in the Netherlands on November 24, 2020
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Perhaps not the highest literary standard, but a jolly good read and fabulous adventure. Just imagine getting out there in the middle of it all, all on some feel good bet.

Well done Chicky!
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scott ferrie
5.0 out of 5 stars page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2023
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I don’t read but I loved all the nam movies so thought I’d try reading on holiday and this was my first delve into it and was not disappointed great read.
One person found this helpful
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Nicholas grainger
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2023
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A very good book, watch the movie and compare.
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