I've read a lot of novels about the Vietnam war, but "Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam" ranks right up there with the best of them. From the first page the reader is drawn into the story completely and experiences the alternating tedium and tension, the mysterious jungle, the underlying conflict between black and white soldiers, the friendships made and the brutal reality of their being taken away -- in essence all the daily nuances of the common soldier's Vietnam War experience. The characters of this story come alive and stay in the reader's head for a long time after finishing the last page. This carefully-crafted novel made me a Paul Clayton fan, and I'm eagerly waiting for his next one.

This collection contains an excellent variety of poetry about the Vietnam War. Some of the poems are quite touching, while others reveal harsh experiences soldiers faced, occasionally using crass expressions. As editor W.D. Ehrhart points out, authors range from war veterans to those who were draft resisters and activists, as well as "living-room observers." Some of the poets include Robert Bly, John Balaban, Yusef Komunyakaa, Walter McDonald, David Mura, Bruce Weigl, and Ehrhart himself. Helpful to readers is a glossary of terms that explains expressions common to Vietnam war vernacular. Also helpful is the autobiographical information on the authors in the back of the book which clarifies who was/was not an actual soldier in the war. As an English teacher I found this book a good source for poems I could use in the classroom.

Much of the finest literature out of the Vietnam War was its "oral histories." This overlooked volume is one of the best, ranking in the top five among 200 Vietnam vets interviewed. The interweaving of voices from the war and voices from the homefront capture the era between hammer and anvil and will tear your heart out. The other four? EVERYTHING WE HAD, BLOODS, A PIECE OF MY HEART and NAM: AN ORAL HISTORY.

Rambo, Reed, Cuc and DiGregorio's collection of essays on the topic of The Challenges of Highland Development in Vietnam proves to be a very informative yet concise guide to anyone interested in development work. The collection came about from a conference on this subject, and the publication includes topics ranging from developing human resources, approaches to sustainable development, comparative analyses of policy, forests, coffee growers, as well as abstracts on health care, education, watershed development, and immigration to the highlands. This resource is extremely helpful for anyone wishing to learn more about this dynamic and growing region of the world.

As the introduction tells us: "To most Americans, the word Vietnam brings to mind one thing - a war fought in muddy rice fields and steamy jungles, as we've seen it depicted in movies and popular television programs. Very few of us know much about the history, culture, or folklore of this ancient country." Fortunately, Sherry Garland's new book, Children Of The Dragon, will begin to change our perception. This superb collection of six folktales is engaging, rich in history, culture, and tradition, and includes author's notes at the end of each story to broaden understanding, and enrich its meaning. From The Legend Of The Monsoon Rains, Chu Cuoi-The Man In The Moon, and The Raven And The Star Fruit, to How The Tiger Got Its Stripes, The Boatman's Flute, and The Bowmen And The Sisters, each folktale is entertaining, satisfying, and runs the whole gamut of emotions, from silly and amusing to poignant and tragic. Award winning illustrator, Trina Schart Hyman brings each tale to life with her marvelously vibrant and vivid artwork. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older, Children Of The Dragon is a feast for both the eyes and ears, and is an intriguing and unique collection that transports the reader to another place and time.

Most of the jet fighter/bomber pilots in northern Laos had no idea that the Forward Air Controllers calling in their airstrikes were non-rated or enlisted personnel until Jan Churchill interviewed them in 1998. The USAF had become involved in Vietnam as advisors following the Indochina War. As an outgrowth of the Vietnam conflict, the U.S. had developed a secret American military aid program for Laos, and in 1955 underwrote the entire Laotian defense budget. Laotian neutrality was routinely violated by both the communists and the U.S. -- with U.S. violations being kept secret from the American public. in Classified Secret: Controlling Airstrikes In The Clandestine War In Laos, Jan Churchill not only reveals and documents American involvement, but exposes for the first time to general public awareness that sergeants were controlling airstrikes in a total departure from the traditional Air Force chain of command and bureacratic allignment -- something even the combat pilots did not know until they were informed by Jan Churchill while interviewing them!

I may be a little biased but this book is great! The reason I say this is because it is written by my father's company commander. It depicts a fairly realistic idea of what my father saw for the time he was under Estep's command, but Estep did leave out some things and elaborate on others. It is an interesting book to read and it is a part of my history.

Combat Chaplain: A Thirty-Year Vietnam Battle is the gripping story of Chaplain James D. Johnson. This military chaplain accompanied his men on their daily combat operations -- often against the orders of his superiors. Here is the story of a battlefield ministry complete with hot landing zones, rice paddies, knee-deep in mud, on and off ships. From baptisms in the muddy Mekong River to beside comforting of frightened, wounded, dying boys, Combat Chaplain is the story of eight and a half months of front line service administering to the spiritual needs of an active combat unit during a time when ninety-six of them would be killed and hundreds more would be wounded. This honest, candid, informative account is enthusiastically recommended to military buffs and students of the American involvement in the Vietnam War.

Robert Parrish has written an extraordinary book about his first tour in Vietnam advising first an ARVN Infrantry unit, then hardcore Recon/Recondo soldiers. A perfect blend of humility and incredible valor, the story includes very well developed (real) characters and examples of the versatility and extracurricular endeavours of the author.

The book gathers steam and intensity with the onset of the Tet offensive and the engagement of increasingly tougher enemy units. I totally disagree with the above editorial review that says this story, amongst other things "describes the destruction of the country by American troops"; apparently whoever wrote this did not read the book and/or has "issues" he should not bring to bear in this forum.

The action takes place in an area Northwest of Saigon in and around the city of Phu Cuong, including the Iron Triangle and an area the author calls "The Hook". Throughout the book is the uncanny impulse of the author and the troops to charge forward and attack directly, which dashes any preconceptions of the ARVN as being anything less than a committed fighting force.

You will love this book. That is all.........

A friend of mine was in the New England Resistance, but I never understood until now what he was going through in the late 1960s. Foley interviewed hundreds of draft resisters and others involved in their campaign to smash LBJ's "war machine" by filling the jails with young Americans who refused to hide out behind student deferments or CO status or to flee to Canada, and who at great peril to themselves stood up to the Pentagon and the Selective Service Act. Foley's account of the New England Resistance builds like a Greek drama, leading to the famous service in the Arlington Street Church at which hundreds of young men moved to the altar to burn their draft cards while tens of thousands of supporters stood in silence outside. I was in the crowd outside that day -- Foley's account of the Arlington Street Church service moved me to tears -- but I never understood until now that I'd witnessed the moment when the Federal Government lost its nerve. Foley captures the drama of a time of moral heroism that standard accounts of the anti-Vietnam War movement have ignored. After this book, it will never be forgotten again.