A Rumor of War The Vietnam War was a war that caused sadness to almost all lives that it touched. The soldiers were taught to kill. American soldiers were given incentives, like extra beer and free time to bring back the bodies of their enemy, the Viet Cong. Caputo, the author of A Rumor of War, saw all this first hand. From the many casualties, to the crookedness of people involved, Caputo saw everything. He saw the intensity and the viciousness of the fighting, what started as a guerilla war, had turned into a “people’s war.” Even people’s moods had changed from cheery, to sardonic and melancholy. The problem emerged for Caputo when he said; “I would take matters into my ow