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Long Time Passing: Vietnam and the Haunted Generation

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Reading this book was like revisiting the political cauldron that was the sixties. The author, a noted journalist for the Washington Post, chronicles the issues and matters that divided a country against itself, and split a generation of young Americans in half. Using a data base of hundreds of in-depth interviews with a representative sample of members of the baby-boomer generation coming of age in the sixties, Myra MacPherson explores the social, cultural, and political topography of the times, taking a deep and sometimes disturbing look at the at the wounds opened by the war in Vietnam, the sense of pride of both the pro-war and anti-war factions, both of whom seem convinced they had made the right decisions in participating either as combatants in the armed services or as protestors against the war. It was indeed a fabled albeit rancorous time, of which much has been written. Yet Ms. MacPherson centers in well on these issues related to the Vietnam War that so riveted the nation's attention and polarized a generation.

The saving grace of this entertaining and fascinating book is in the wide variety of individual stories it tells. Quite an interesting range of stories unfold in these pages, from the anti-war protestors who burned draft cards, marched in protests all over the nation and even fled to Canada to avoid military service to the largely blue-collar and mostly un- deferred volunteers who were anxious to serve their country, right or wrong. And serve they did, in the millions over the decade of active fighting in Southeast Asia. In some cases we hear from people who went to frightening extremes to escape the war, men who exiled themselves, or went underground in America. Some gave up the ghost and either filed as conscientious objectors or chose to go to jail rather than serve. Some starved themselves into ill health or even mutilated themselves to avoid the draft. Heading north to Montreal became a philosophically rite of passage for any number of young men who for a variety of reasons would rather leave the country than love what it was doing in Vietnam. We also hear from a variety of women who were involved, either as the lovers, wives, or sisters of the young men involved, or who were philosophically, politically, or socially opposed to the war.

On the other side, we hear from the young men and women who paid such a life's ransom for their patriotism, adventurism, and curiosity in serving in the military and many of them volunteering for Vietnam. So many fine young people were lost, and in turned lost so much, either through death or permanent disability that many of their fellow baby boomers began to think that ours, like the generation of the First World War, was a "lost generation". Often homecoming soldiers coming home in uniform were spit upon by cruel and stupid people, civilians who should have understood that most of these men served nobly and proudly on behalf of their generation. I once personally witnessed an enlisted buddy angrily attack such a provocateur. Yet, on the other hand, many of the veterans became quite vocal opponents of the war they had just come home from. It was this kind of activity that did so much to educate the rest of the population.

In truth, there were so many casualties on both sides of the fence, so many veterans and anti-war activists who had their lives ruined by the turmoil that aged around them that it is still difficult to recollect. This is a haunting and memorable book, a well written, compassionately framed study in the mischief the war did to everyone it touched; the young men, their wives and lovers, their brothers and sisters, their parents, and the community at large. Although the book is not currently in print, I am sure you can get a copy through Amazon's used book service, or by asking your local bookstore to do a search for you. I hope you find it as worthwhile a reading experience as I did.

This gripping generational saga remains as fresh and moving as "Hey Jude." In an astounding feat of reporting, Myra Macpherson takes us from the priviledged sanctuaries of middle-class college students to the bloody battlefields where poor blacks and whites faced the terror of massed North Vietnamese Army divisons. Today's post-draft generation of college students would do well to read how lucky they are, how their forebears faced the agony of having to choose between fighting in a loathsome war or fleeing to Canada. In one scene as alarming as it was when it was written nearly 25 years ago, one young man facing conscription cuts off his trigger finger with a kitchen knife.rather than go to Vietnam. Macpherson's real triumph of reporting, however, is in finding two brothers who served in Vietnam -- one now a United States senator -- who come home from the war with distinctly different opinions on whether it was worth fighting. This, of course, serves as a metaphor for the entire generation. If you think the 60s were all about flower children and free love, you will be shocked, and moved, by this engrossing book.

Joseph Heller, author of Catch 22, said of "Long Time Passing: Vietnam and the Haunted Generation" "There has been no better body of war literature that I know of." Arnold R. Isaacs, noted autority on Vietnam, author of "Vietnam Shadows" writes "Any approach to the subject of Vietnam's aftermath must begin with Myra MacPherson's ground breaking book. Her book, among the first to break the long national silence on the war, remains one of the most moving and important works on the Vietnam bookshelf."
This new edition features a vital and topical new introduction that links the Vietnam Veteran Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)experience with today's civilian trauma following 9/11. It also connects Vietnam with present foreign affairs and military policies, including the war on terrorism in Afghanistan.
Yesterday's foot soldiers in Vietnam who are now leaders in the military and politics also reflect on Vietnam and provide new insight, as do those who were youthful leaders in the anti-war movement.
This brilliant examination of the generation is must reading, not only for those who lived through the war, but especially for a younger generation who can learn about--and learn from--the past.

This book was the first to describe the class differences which determined in large part who fought the war and who found some way or other to not go. These same differences are now being played out in our politics and cultural life, as the author brilliantly points out in a new introduction. A must for understanding the U.S. today, and an excellent text for courses about this period

Not only for those who lived through this time in our country but for the young who only know of it as some sort of "folk legend" of the past. MacPherson offers personal perspectives from every possible angle.

The servcewas excellent. I have not finished the book yet but so far it is everything I was tolf it would be.

If you did not participate as a soilder, this is the closest you could get to understand the true feelings of those that did serve. If you were a protester, you will feel your shame.

I'm a VN vet from the early stages of the war - this book does not ring true with me - there are some very distorted statistics re race and social background which made up the fighting men in VN. Simply not true facts.... as for the war protesters, I do hope they feel their shame... from a guy who was called a "baby killer" I certainly hope the "protesters", most of whom I consider cowards, have had a good life that was purchased dor them by the men who answered the call of this country.....Jim Taylor