What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Things They Carried
Tim O'Brien · Book · 2017
If you loved The Things They Carried, start with The Vietnam War (2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Things They Carried across media.
If you loved The Things They Carried, you are drawn to stories that explore how trauma and memory reshape personal truth.
Films on the same thread
The Deer Hunter
Michael Cimino · Film · 1978
Explores: loss of innocence, the psychological impact of war, working-class experience.
Like The Things They Carried, this film captures the devastating psychological erosion of soldiers, focusing on how the loss of innocence irrevocably alters the bonds between men after combat.
Full Metal Jacket
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1987
Explores: Dehumanization of War, Loss of Innocence, Psychological Trauma.
Much like the visceral experiences in The Things They Carried, this film examines the dehumanizing impact of military training and the psychological scars left by the Vietnam War.
Platoon
Oliver Stone · Film · 1986
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Loss of Innocence, Dehumanization of War.
This film mirrors the moral ambiguity found in The Things They Carried, forcing its characters to confront the internal conflicts and loss of innocence inherent in wartime service.
Apocalypse Now
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1979
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, The Horrors of War, Loss of Innocence.
Those who appreciated the blurred lines of reality in The Things They Carried will recognize that same descent into psychological chaos and moral questioning within this harrowing jungle journey.
Series on the same thread
The Vietnam War
Series · 2017
Explores: War Trauma, Anti-War Movement, Cold War Conflicts.
If The Things They Carried provided a personal window into Vietnam, this documentary expands that scope, using firsthand witness testimony to grapple with the lasting trauma of war.
The Pacific
Bruce C. McKenna · Series · 2010
Explores: Pacific Theater, Marine Corps, Brutality of War.
This series captures the same raw focus on the human cost of combat found in The Things They Carried, grounding the brutality of war in intimate, character-driven survival stories.
M*A*S*H
Larry Gelbart · Series · 1972
Explores: Dark Humor, Existentialism, Friendship During Wartime.
Where The Things They Carried uses storytelling to process trauma, this series employs dark humor and existential reflection as essential coping mechanisms for those surviving the madness of conflict.
Band of Brothers
Series · 2001
Explores: brotherhood, war trauma, leadership.
Drawing from personal letters and journals, this series echoes the commitment to authentic, lived experience that defined The Things They Carried, focusing deeply on brotherhood and shared war trauma.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
Readers who valued the examination of memory and national identity in The Things They Carried will find a similar interrogation of history and systemic truth in this compelling series.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Just as The Things They Carried questions the nature of truth, this podcast explores moral ambiguity and human nature, challenging how we interpret the consequences of power throughout history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Things They Carried based on real events?
The Things They Carried is a classic work that serves as a testament to the men who served in Vietnam. It explores the capacity and limits of the human heart and soul through the experiences of those involved in the conflict.
When was The Things They Carried first published?
The Things They Carried was first published in 1979. It has since become a recognized classic that provides an unparalleled look at the lives and struggles of men who served during the Vietnam War.
What is the main focus of The Things They Carried?
The Things They Carried focuses on the experiences of men who served in Vietnam. The work examines the human heart and soul, highlighting both the capacity and the limitations of individuals enduring the realities of war.
Should I read The Things They Carried to understand the Vietnam War experience?
The Things They Carried is considered an unparalleled testament to the men who served in Vietnam. Reading it offers insight into the human condition and the emotional burdens faced by those who lived through the conflict.