Where's Charlie? Memories from a Time of War, 1965-68
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MWSA Review
In "Where's Charlie" Tim Soyars writes a memoir that will have your eyes glued to and breath waiting on the next word, next page. What makes it even more interesting is that it is not "agenda driven" like many others. His story of coming of age in the Army, serving in Vietnam is a refreshingly honest look at that time period. Using his experiences and letters written back and forth between he and his wife he has created in the genre of memoir a new level of factual storytelling.
His sense of grief and sorrow comes through in his words when he speaks about someone dying. This is a look inside the Vietnam "war" as few have had the chance to read. If you have read little or nothing about Vietnam this book belongs in your home. Among the words of sadness there is humor also. A story of survival and triumph.
Reviewed by: jim greenwald (2014)
Author's Summary
History books and novels are filled with stories of young men and women going off to war. In each, the experiences and challenges are as varied as the people themselves. The stories tell of leaders and followers, cowards and heroes. In Where’s Charlie? author Tim Soyars narrates his own story of how he came of age while serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War. In this memoir, Soyars tells how his personality, background, and attitude contributed to his will to succeed and his desire to be involved in the Vietnam War. As a boy, he always knew he’d serve his country. With both humor and sincerity, Soyars narrates his story—his birth in Virginia in 1945, his induction into the army in 1965, his marriage in 1966, and his one-year service in Vietnam with the First Calvary from March of 1967 to 1968.
Including photos of the period, Where’s Charlie? conveys not only the sadness and heroics often associated with war, but also shares stories of warmth, compassion, and romance. It provides a glimpse into the horror of battle and offers insight into one soldier’s actions and thoughts during this unique time in history.