My Father,my Son [Mass Market Paperback]

Elmo Zumwalt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1987

Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr. was Chief of Naval Operations during the Vietnam War. As such, his purview included the "brown water navy," an elite force of volunteers who roamed the waterways in fast attack boats. Among boat commanders was his son and namesake, Elmo Zumwalt, III.

Young Zumwalt may have thought his major hazard was enemy fire, but in fact it was not. Like many other Americans who worked the defoliated jungles, he developed cancer. His enemy was Agent Orange.

The irony is that his father ordered its use, and MY FATHER, MY SON is the story of how one family has dealt with tragedy.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr. ordered the Agent Orange defoliation during the Vietnam war, in part to protect sailors such as his son, Elmo III, who was involved in the riverine aspect of fighting. Years later, the son developed two kinds of terminal cancer, and his own son, Russell, was discovered to have a severe learning disability. This agonizing story is related here largely by the two men themselves, but also by their wives, former comrades in battle and others. Elmo III's harrowing journey through chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant (while maintaining a full-time law practice) are recounted in detail. When this book was written, Elmo Zumwalt III was still "beating the odds," as Pekkanen puts it. Photos. BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This poignant update of the Agent Orange controversy combines military history with medical and human drama. Admiral Zumwalt was the naval leader who ordered the chemical defoliant to be used along Vietnamese rivers. His own son became exposed to the agent, developed multiple cancers, and fathered a retarded child. Pekkanen has spliced together numerous reminiscences from both Zumwalts, other family members, and friends into a readable stream-of-consciousness account of the family's experiences. Like all good biographers, he lets his subjects tell more about themselves than they intend. The "dual autobiography" which results is realistic and touching without being mawkish. BOMC featured alternate. Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Los Angeles
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Dell (October 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440159733
• ISBN-13: 978-0440159735
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very meaningful and interesting!, August 1, 2008

By 

Jack "A shopper" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Father,my Son (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this at least 5 years ago- maybe it was closer to 10 years ago. It was so interesting and touching. I knew all about the swift boat guys long before they were so famous.

It is mainly a story about a family and how they deal with serious health issues, has a lot of historic first person accounts of the Viet Nam war as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Father, My Son, December 5, 2010

By 

stam - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Father,my Son (Mass Market Paperback)

I was sent this book by the Texas State Libray in Large print because I am visually impaired. When I got it I didn't think I wanted to read it because it was about Vietnam. This book is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. Admiral Zumwalt Jr. and his son Elmo Zumwalt III story is so courageous and gives you the feeling of such hope in times of such bitter pain and dispair in their personal lives and their service to their country. Everyone should read this inspiring book.