Customer Reviews

Ebony & White

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This book not only is informative abouut the K-9 corps in Nam, but is a story about a man and his experience in the army. White showed that one can make mistakes and still come back from everything. I strongly suggest that anyone who has any interests in war, K-9's, or a great tale should read this book. It is an easy and quick read. Well worth every penny!

This is a chilling account of White's army experience. In the early 60's he was drafted into the army as a rebellious and reluctant teenager and sent to Vietnam. Plunged into mountain guerilla warfare, he spent months in the jungle as a "point man".
Finally he was transferred to a Scout Dog Platoon, where he met Ebony, the black German Shepherd that was to become his devoted companion. His intense attachment to Ebony is touchingly conveyed. His account of the war is horrifying, and the terror, tension and appaling conditions. Patricia Bennet Hoffman writing in The Northwest Canine Companion

They saved thousands of soldiers but America left the K-9 vetereans of the Vietnam war behind to die of neglect chained to their kennels.
The author relates how his dog, Ebony, led him and platoons of men safely thru the jungle. Now White is is the president of the National War Dogs Memorial Fund and trying to raise money to honor the canine heroes who were turned over to the Vietnamese.
Frank Mainville writing in April 21st, 1996 edition of the Lansing State Journal

White not only reminds us of a war that so many would like to forget, but also reminds us of the mood of a nation, and most certainly the young men called to fight in Vietnam. Anyone feeling the need to criticize White's honest portrayal of human emotions in this book, needs only to pick up a copy of The Red Badge of Courage or Catch 22 to be reminded of how literary classics don't always paint a rosey picture of what soldiers are supposed to feel, but instead, what they really feel!

White, no longer a young boy, has dedicated his life to the hopefully soon to be realized recognition for war dogs that have fought and died just as bravely as our men and women of the armed services. He took a terrifying and confusing era in American History, and not only helped to educate his readers, but continued to educate himself, and others, about the plight of war dogs.

The historic information, especially in regards to mine-detection dogs, is hard to find anywhere, and with our nation now so dependant on these brave creatures in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is important to recognize our past treatment and mistakes regarding these dogs, and move forward to recorgnize and reward their brave service to our country.

I do not suggest in any way that the courageous performance of our dogs in service to our country is anything but honorable and more than heart-warming. I love dogs and all animals in general and could not speak of them in any way but affectionately and respectfully. However, this essay by White is an entirely and separate matter and issue. In my view, this book was little more than the recollections of a disrepectful, undisciplined, and drug using soldier. I felt as though the memory of the brave and courageous dogs identified in this book are actually lessened by this writing. Is is a puzzle why the writer felt compelled to associate his illegal activities and decension with loyal and wonderful dogs. I's rather he'd written of his failures in uniform or how not to serve in the military of The United States of America. Indeed, from his tales of his personal efforts to evade military service, to the utter disrespect for fellow service members, his words undermine the very people who may well have contributed to his survival. As a veteran who has observed these fine animals at work I am offended by the very notion that a publisher would offer such a book. This book is for the former, or would-be draft-dodger, the person who possesses a visceral hatred for the military, and for the person who enjoys reading diaries of poor souls with drug-induced memories.