Tim O'Brien's novels about the Vietnam War are distinguished by his use of vivid descriptive details. Having fought in Vietnam himself, O'Brien provides insightful details that make the reader feel as if they are experiencing the stories. His novels examine how American soldiers dealt with the pressures of the war in their own ways, whether by dodging the draft, committing crimes, or enrolling in college to avoid serving. O'Brien utilizes characters across multiple novels to convey how he and others coped with the trauma of Vietnam.