Book Reviews

Title: Voices from Vietnam: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Americans and Vietnamese--Two Peoples Forever Entwined by the Legacy of War
Author: Charlene Edwards
Genre: Artistic, Photography Book
Reviewer: Bill McDonald

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0971402051

Through powerful personal narratives and photographs, this examination of the lives touched by the Vietnam War draws from the experience of those people, both American and Vietnamese, affected by the war on the battlefront and at home. Stories recounted include those of the soldiers, nurses, refugees, American Asian survivors, and of those who fearfully awaited the return of friends and family members. Ultimately, the stories reflect moments of history in the hope and despair that define individuals' lives.

Title: Ghost of the Nam
Author: Charlie Fortner, Dana Bruce
Genre: Poetry, Book of Poetry
Reviewer: Bill McDonald

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0966600703

Pictures and stories from the Nam.

Title: Black Water: A Place of No Hope
Author: Neil Millar
Genre: Non-fiction, History
Reviewer: Bill McDonald

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 1594570620

The decision not to pull the trigger on an arms dealer during a covert mission is haunting SAS Patrol Commander Mike Edwards. Now, on a mission to find and free a kidnapped environmentalist he comes face to face with the man who caused his nightmare to begin. But, in the perilous jungle of Kali Pani,he must deal with more than just the physical confrontation with his enemy. Now he must deal with the emotional and spiritual issues inside himself that will either deliver or destroy him. Enjoy the tale of a soldier in the military as well as a soldier in life and have your own moments of illumination amongst the wisdom, wisecracking and whizzing bullets of Black Water.

Title: The Two Dollar Bill
Author: Roger H Soiset
Genre: Fiction, History
Reviewer: Joe Fabel

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0962306533

Novel of the author's year in Viet Nam.

Title: Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order: the final years of the Vietnam War
Author: Dan Dane
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Reviewer: Joe Fabel

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0595654037

Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order offers a glimpse of conditions around Bien Hoa during the last years of the war. Bill Blake encounters fragging, racism and heroin addiction while defending soldiers in court-martial trials as a young Army lawyer. Much like the soldiers he defends, Blake finds himself in conflict with his superior officers.

The story of a drafted, civilian attorney serving as an Army lawyer in Vietnam gives this book a unique perspective. Captain Blake's experiences accentuate many of the troublesome aspects of the war, including the draft, authority of Commanding Generals, domestic demand for troop withdrawal and in the end, the delivery of heroin to the American troops.

The historical fiction genre allows vets to recognize historically correct settings in Vietnam during 1971-1972 in this book. The fictitious characters and circumstances provide an entertaining read for those who lived through the era as well as those for whom Vietnam is only a curiosity out of the distant past.

Other books by Dan Dane include Fireflies in the Delta and Bloodlines of Tyranny.