Ambush Have you ever been in a situation where you did not want to do something but you had to do it cause it was necessary? The book Ambush by Tim O’Brien is a true story about Tim when he was in the army. He served during the Vietnam War, so he has had quite a few experiences. Ambush is a short story out of a novel called The Things They Carried, it is a life changing book. In the story, “Ambush” by Tim O’Brien, characterization, setting, and theme are used to portrey the story of war. Tim O’Brien is the writer of this story but he is also the protagonist in the story. He has a 9-year old daughter, Kathleen. She is curious about the war so the story flashes back to when he killed his first person. Tim has never killed a person before this.