Customer Reviews

Granny and the Eskimo: Angels in Vietnam

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mr. Rowell has written an interesting account of his tour in Vietnam, featuring his relationship with The Eskimo, plus revealing glimpses of his childhood featuring his relationship with his grandmother. The story explores the belief that these two people were "the angels" who kept him alive during this coming-of-age period. This belief is bolstered by a psychic event experienced by his mother. Interesting reading.

If the title alone doesn't intrigue you, the content certainly will. Rowell has captured in Granny and The Eskimo a most extraordinary true story about family, friendship and a behind-the-scenes power that sometimes guides one's life in ways people could never imagine. An easy-to-read page-turner, the book is not a book about the Vietnam conflict, but rather an honest account about one man's emotional journey. That journey may have had its roots in Southeast Asia, but its path wound not just in geographic places like Vietnam and Alaska, but across spiritual areas that leads the reader to truly ponder fate, miracles or some sense of a guiding hand. I think readers will make a personal connection with this book--I know I did.

I found this to be an excellent, down to earth, account of one "grunt's" experiences on his Tour of Duty in Vietnam. Jim Rowell put a Human "face" to all the "forgotten" Vietnam Veterans who fought, bled, & died with great courage in that war that Politicians wouldn't let them fight to win.

Mr. Rowell gave people like me, who've never had to be in combat, a small glimpse of the fear, fatigue, & frustrations faced by our Veterans in this war. He also brought out the one thing they all had in common that helped them survive, their loyality & devotion to the other men in their unit.

I found myself drawn to the "kindredship" that these men shared, & from some of my own experiences in life, understand why this was such a vital part of their lives.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get past the slanted, "pigeon-holed", sterotyped, images we've been fed by certain segements of our press & Government, & learn what really went on in Vietnam!!

Mr. Rowell has given us a story of faith and courage. In Granny and the Eskimo, he shares his personal story of growing up in Louisiana and then going off to war in Vietnam on the brink of adulthood. Rowell makes the jungles of Vietnam come alive, and not just in it's stray bullets or land mines, but in the everyday feelings of being in a strange place. In one quirky moment, the enemy is not people, but fire ants that he and his friend have distrubed. Instead of discovering the dark side of life, he discovers his faith through two "angles"--his grandmother and the Eskimo, a mentor and friend in the Army.

I love the book it tells of a young boy being sent to war and the love form a relative that helps him cope with the horror of war.
The care of a stranger that helps him survive the war and return alive.
Goes to show that feeling can last a lifetime , from an expierence so profound as war.

I am a domestic engineer with three children ranging in age from 9 mos. to 12 years. Needless to say, I don't have much spare time for reading, but this book was special. When I began reading, I found it started with a hint of mystery, then humor and finally, bone chilling realizations of the war in Vietnam. I had a hard time putting it down, causing a great loss of sleep, (the only time I could read was after everyone went to bed). I feel enriched by having read this book and would encourage people of all ages to do the same. For those of you whom pictures make the book, this one includes many. I look forward to the next book from Mr. Rowell.

This book is a must read for everyone - young and old. It gives a great insight into family - discipline, fun, mischief, and love. He has a unique way of getting to the point on all of these. His memory is amazing in giving all the details of his life before, during and after Vietnam. The scenes in Vietnam were written in such a way that it carries the reader directly into the midst of the battles. This is a book that is hard to put down once you get started and I'm looking forward to his next one.

I could not put this book down. It made me laugh and cry, and gave me a new insight on Vietnam, family and friends. I continued to think about this book long after I finished it.
READ THIS ONE!

This is a great read. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. Great Job

So many times we military wives have sat home, waiting for word on our loved ones. All we could do was pray and hope the angels were watching over them. Thank you Jim Rowell for writing this book. It not only allowed us to see what our loved ones indured, but reaffirmed that when all you can do is pray, that works too. The realness, the bonds forged, the fear, the death, the moments of humor in a horrible situation all of these things made for a wonderful read. I couldn't put it down.