The Things They Carried is written in a different style than most books. It is a composition of random chapters that are not in chronological order. While it can sometimes be confusing and difficult to read, Tim organizes his book this way to respect how the war was fought. In most cases the Army did not gain ground and it was impossible to know whether the United States was winning or losing. The soldiers didn't know what they were really fighting for, and O'Brien captures this feeling through the subtle symbolism used in organizing the book's chapters. Overall, The Things They Carryed was a very well written book. Tim O'Brien uses myriad literary devices to bring his experiences in the Vietnam War to life for his readers. He uses symbolism very well to inform the reader about the unspeakable truths of war. His use of symbolism also makes the reader feel like they are there fighting alongside Tim. Overall, the book is an extraordinary first-person look at Vietnam