Heroic young men carry the emotional weight of their lives to war in Vietnam in a patchwork account of a modern journey into the heart of darkness.

The things they carried -- Love -- Spin -- On the rainy river -- Enemies -- Friends -- How to tell a true war story -- The dentist -- Sweetheart of the song tra bong -- Stockings -- Church -- The man I killed -- Ambush -- Style -- Speaking of courage -- Notes -- In the field -- Good form -- Field trip -- The ghost soldiers -- Night life -- The lives of the dead.