Johnny's Song: Poetry of a Vietnam Veteran [Hardcover]

Steve Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1986

Includes the poem, "The Wall Within," Steve Mason's poem that is included in the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial ("The Wall") in Washington, DC

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA Mason, named the National Poet Laureate of the Vietnam Veterans of America, has collected poems that he has written for and read at memorials and to groups of veterans. In one he points out the day-to-day acceptance of war with the image of a mother screaming from her front door, "Johnny, for the last time put down those peace treaties and come in the house this instant you can play Geneva Convention after Dinner." Although the poems have a direct appeal to the Vietnam veterans and their families and friends, YAs will also be stirred by Mason's work. He writes of the guilt of the living, the bereavement of the families, and the dislike for those who "didn't go" but instead relied upon favorable lottery numbers. To understand this war, YAs need to "feel" it. By reading Mason's poetry, they will. Pam Spencer, Mount Vernon High School Library, Fairfax, Va.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 1ST edition (April 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553051601
• ISBN-13: 978-0553051605
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,992,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a nesecary reading for any vietnam vet, January 14, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (america...USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Johnny's Song: Poetry of a Vietnam Veteran/Audio Cassette (Audio Cassette)

This book (tape) Was my biggest therepy after coming home. i wouldnt be here today....without it

5.0 out of 5 stars He was my Brother, February 22, 2010

By 

Overly Hackled "Overly Hackled" (The frozen North) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Johnny's Song (Paperback)

If you are a Vietnam Combat vet or know some one who was this is a book that looks into the soul of those of us who served,fought and survived and will take you into the darkest corners of the experience we had both in Vietnam and upon our return..
I knew Steve back in San Diego in the early 1980's when he was writing some of his most powerful and startling work. Steve was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego. I had the honor of hearing Steve at the founding convention of the Vietnam Veterans of America.Steve and Iand a few other Vietnam vets flew to DC as part of the California deligation . I heard Steve read "The Wall Within" at the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial. It's shattering truth and raw sharp edge stands for many who served in Vietnam as a definitive work of our collective experience.

In 100 years this poem and others Steve wrote will be viewed through the lens of history as truly towering works that defined the war and post ware experience of Vietnam vets ,or at least many of us who returned to broken lives and broken dreams . Grab this book .