Bare Feet, Iron Will ~ Stories from the Other Side of Vietnam's Battlefields [Hardcover]

James G. Zumwalt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 2010

Ever since the American Revolution, military service has been a proud tradition for the Zumwalt family. Tradition initially led the author to join his father and brother in the Navy, before later transferring to the US Marine Corps. During his 26 years in uniform, the author saw service in three conflicts-Vietnam, Panama and the first Persian Gulf war. It was Vietnam, however, that ultimately would launch him on an unexpected journey-long after the guns of that war had fallen silent-triggered by the loss of a brother who had fought there. This journey was an emotional one-initially of anger towards the Vietnamese and the conflict that claimed his older brother. But it unexpectedly took a change in direction. In Vietnam almost two decades after Saigon's fall, the author, in a private talk with a former enemy general officer, came to understand an aspect of the war he never before had. In that talk, they shared personal insights about the war-discovering a common bond. It unlocked a door through which the author passed to start his own healing process. It began a journey where he would meet hundreds of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong veterans-listening to their personal stories of loss, sacrifice and hardship. It opened the author's eyes to how a technically inferior enemy, beaten down by superior US firepower, was able to get back up-driven by an "iron will" to emerge triumphant. "Bare Feet, Iron Will" takes the reader on a fascinating journey, providing stories-many never before told-as to how enemy ingenuity played a major role in the conflict, causing us not to see things that were there or to see things there that were not! It shares unique insights into the sacrifice and commitment that took place on the other side of Vietnam's battlefields. About the Author JAMES G. ZUMWALT Lieutenant Colonel James Zumwalt is a retired Marine infantry officer who served in the Vietnam war, the 1989 intervention into Panama and Desert Storm. An author, speaker and business executive, he also currently heads a security consulting firm named after his father-Admiral Zumwalt & Consultants, Inc. He writes extensively on foreign policy and defense issues, having written hundreds of articles for various newspapers, magazines and professional journals. His articles have covered issues of major importance, oftentimes providing readers with unique perspectives that have never appeared elsewhere. His work, on several occasions, has been cited by members of Congress and entered into the US Congressional Record.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

War is not always black & white ...

The Vietnam war left an indelible mark on America. Not since our Civil War has a conflict so divided our people.

And, a generation after the war in Vietnam ended; many Americans remain haunted by its memory. More than three decades after the fall of Saigon, it is time to better understand the enemy we fought in Vietnam and the role their "Iron Will" played in its outcome.

The best way to do so is by sharing the personal experiences of the men and women who epitomized this Will--empowering them to live, fight, endure and prevail in their war with America.

And, by doing so...perhaps those still haunted by the Vietnam conflict can begin the process of exorcising its ghosts.

Stories never before told--from the Other Side of Vietnam's Battlefields ... as revealed in hundreds of personal interviews with enemy veterans & their war diaries.

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel James Zumwalt is a retired Marine infantry officer who served in the Vietnam war, the 1989 intervention into Panama and Desert Storm. An author, speaker and business executive, he also currently heads a security consulting firm named after his father--Admiral Zumwalt & Consultants, Inc.

He writes extensively on foreign policy and defense issues, having written hundreds of articles for various newspapers, magazines and professional journals, including:

USA Today The Washington Post The New York Times The Washington Times The LA Times The Chicago Tribune The San Diego Union Parade magazine & others

His articles have covered issues of major importance, oftentimes providing readers with unique perspectives that have never appeared elsewhere. This has resulted, on several occasions, in his work being cited by members of Congress and entered into the US Congressional Record.

His thoughtful perspectives earned him an invitation to join the prestigious Committee on the Present Danger (CPD), of which the honorary co-chairmen are Senator Joe Lieberman, Senator Jon Kyl, former Secretary of State George P. Schultz and former CIA Director R. James Woolsey. The CPD is a non-partisan organization with one goal--to stiffen American resolve to confront the challenge presented by terrorism and the ideologies that drive it.

Colonel Zumwalt is featured as one of 56 US military professionals in LEADING THE WAY, a book by best-selling author Al Santoli, which documents the most critical moments of the interviewees' combat experiences from Vietnam to Somalia.

He has also been cited in numerous other books and publications for unique insights based on his research on the Vietnam war, North Korea (a country he has visited ten times and about which he is able to share some very telling observations) and Desert Storm.

Colonel Zumwalt received a presidential appointment to be the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, in which capacity he served from 1991-1992.

Because of his expertise, he also was asked to participate in a very unique educational project conducted at a high school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he voluntarily contributes time and resources to educating students on issues of international importance.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 348 pages
• Publisher: Fortis Publishing (April 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977788490
• ISBN-13: 978-0977788491
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,063,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Sides to Every Story. Vietnam? No Exception. April 14, 2010

By purpleviolet

Format:Hardcover

After seeing the movie, TUNNEL RATS (2008)available on NetFlix, this book was a timely referral by a friend. I was captured by the strong title and soon committed to turning every page until I was on the last. I was not disappointed except, perhaps, by the inevitable despair of the subject itself. When I was in college during the Vietnam War, the nightly news was my closest interaction with the immediacy of war. I more fully understood the sacrifices required by service members' families after I married a Marine and lived at MCAS New River, Jacksonville, NC. For me, this book put a face on the enemy. It's poignant details made me take a bite of American humble pie as I realized the courage and fortitude of the people, not just the men, making up the doggedly persistent Vietnam fighting forces. But, along with my humble pie bite, I now understand that the barefoot enemy fought with a determination that turned the least of armaments into powerful oppositions. Having gained a better insight into the other side of the story, the legacy of whatever happened in Vietnam is easier to understand. Anyone with an interest in these observations should definitely read this book as I am overwhelmed by the scope of the project and probably can't do it justice. I can say, however, that BARE FEET, IRON WILL provided me with a tube of ointment to continue healing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Crossing a great divide November 28, 2010

By Jim Barns

Format:Hardcover

I add this book to my list of The Best and the Brightest, The Weight They Carried and the movie, Platoon for another compelling insight into another aspect of the war, in this case, what our enemy was made of- remarkable determination and ingenuity. The other reviews have covered what I would write. This book deserves wide dissemination. In itself, it is a remarkable effort-showing courage, determination and sensitivity to others.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sign of a good writer October 4, 2010

By Jernigan Snowden

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The sign of a good writer is one who can make the reader empathize with a story's main character. The author of this book has done this many times over as each chapter shares insights about a different character who has endured the hardships of battle and somehow survived. Oftentimes, as Americans, and as the author accurately states, we sometimes tend to lose sight of the fact that human suffering occurs on both sides of a battlefield. Too often we focus on our own suffering not even considering what may have happened on the enemy's side. This book brings that reality home. While few American families were touched by the loss of a loved one, such losses were endemic on the enemy's side. This point was driven home sadly by the Vietnamese mothers who, in some cases, lost all their children to the war effort. I think the author has done a remarkable job of helping to humanize an enemy about whom little has previously been written.

The only question I have is why it took so long for someone to understand the universal suffering of the Vietnamese and provide us with such insights from their side.