Brothers in Arms: A Journey from War to Peace (Southwestern Writers Collection Series) [Paperback]

William, Jr. Broyles (Author)

Book Description

Series: Southwestern Writers Collection Series | Publication Date: 1996

After serving as Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek from 1982 to 1984, Broyles became one of the first veterans of the war to return to Vietnam to confront the men and women he fought against and his own memories. This moving book tells that story.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"I went back to find a man I never knewmy enemy. I went back to find pieces of myself I had left there, and to try to put the war behind me." Broyles, former Newsweek editor, spent four weeks in Vietnam in 1984 visiting sites familiar from his days as a combat Marine, talking with people and asking probing and provocative questions. He interviewed mountain tribesmen, fishermen, Amerasian children, Communist Party officials, academics, and former members of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. In his own reminiscences from the war, Broyles conveys the moral ambiguities in a fresh and moving way, and in his narrative of the 1984 visit he conveys the pathetic state of postwar Vietnam. Although he felt "a certain satisfying irony at my old enemy being hoist with its own petard," he left Vietnam "with a sympathy for my old enemies I had not had before." Few books capture the essence of the Vietnam War and its aftermath so vividly as this one. Highly recommended. First serial to Esquire.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Journalist Broyles recounts his 1984 return visit to Vietnam, where he had been a young Marine lieutenant some 15 years before. In the course of this fascinating journey, he discusses strategy with the generals who engineered the Communist victory, visits prisons where Americans were captive, and learns the value of the postwar phrase "I am not a Russian." Many observations are unfavorable, including those on the persistent black market, political dogmatism, and the rigidity of a highly structured socialist society. Yet the strength of the Vietnamese people is revealed also: the frugality of the impoverished where nothing is discarded, and the use of the word "sacrifice" only to mean death (no other hardship is worthy of the term). Finally, Broyles achieves a fulfilling sense of comradeship with his former enemies. An engrossing account, very highly recommended. Richard W. Grefrath, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292708491
• ISBN-13: 978-0292708495
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,542,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars William Broyles Jr, the Awesome writer, September 17, 2009

By 

Ha Thanh Tran "Aintboeingiaintfly" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brothers in Arms (Hardcover)

Well, first I read a few pages as soon as I received the book, then I could not stop reading his book until I finished it and completely forgot to cook diner for my wife and daughter!!!!
I actually read his book twice, and will read it again and again!!!.

I won't discuss any further regarding Mr Broyles's writing, you will need to find out for yourself

William Broyles Jr is the real man, real hero. I really like his honest writing, frank narrative writing style.

thank you for the book

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good read, January 11, 2009

By 

Patricia A. Kirkpatrick "booklover" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brothers in Arms (Hardcover)

My husband is interested in non-fiction stories and particularly likes this genre. Good book.