ADVANCE PRAISE FOR KISS OF THE VIPER
Kiss of the Viper is a Vietnam historical novel grounded in the true exploits of the earliest U.S. Army Special Forces veterans. Themes of sacrifice, legacy, and the enduring ethos of the Green Berets resonate throughout—a tribute to the grit of the warriors who shaped the soul of Special Forces—their service matters, their sacrifice endures, the Nation remembers.
Based on the lived experience of Lieutenant Colonel Raymond C. Morris, this novel is a raw, gritty portrait of the Green Berets who fought a war America tried to forget. Their courage was real. Their losses staggering. It honors the men who lived it and educates readers who never will. He confronts the politics, policies and missteps that shaped the conflict, giving voice to both South and North Vietnam perspectives, illuminating the war’s complexity and human cost on all sides.
Early reviews of this sweeping Vietnam War epic place it among the defining works of serious war literature.
"Ray Morris’s Kiss of the Viper is a powerful masterpiece, a portrayal of the Vietnam War blending fictional narrative with the authenticity of battlefield experience. Through a multi-dimensional lens that captures soldiers, adversaries, and civilians alike, Morris reveals the courage, sacrifice, leadership and human cost of war, particularly within Special Forces A-Detachments. Rich in tactical detail and strategic insight, the novel immerses readers in a profound and often misunderstood chapter of history.”
- Major General David J. Baratto, U.S. Army Retired
Former Commander, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
“Kiss of the Viper stands among the most ambitious and truthful works to emerge from the war now remembered simply as “Nam.” Morris paints on a broad canvas, …blends raw authenticity with powerful storytelling, not merely recounting events; he is shaping them with the discerning eye of someone who has reflected long and deeply on what the war demanded of its men.…truly the most epic, unflinching, expansive and authentic portrayal of Special Forces, and in many respects, the war itself, ….full of 100 truths.”
- H. Lee Barnes
Author of When We Walked Above the Clouds and Gunning for Ho: Vietnam Stories
As a veteran with more than three decades of military service, I am always drawn to stories that honor those who served before us. Kiss of the Viper appears to be one of those rare books that combines compelling storytelling with the authenticity that only comes from lived experience. The Vietnam generation of Special Forces Soldiers helped shape the profession of arms and set the standard for courage, resilience, and sacrifice. I look forward to reading Ray's tribute to these remarkable warriors and helping share their story with others.