Psychedelic Six [Paperback]

Paul Spock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 2006

Psychedelic Six is the story of Sylvester Wright, and insecure and immature young man at the threshold between adolescence and adulthood. In an effort to gain the approval of his tough and demanding father, and the respect of his bullying peers, Sly joins the Army and volunteers for combat duty during the Vietnam War. Upon his arrival in the war torn country, he meets Tan, a Vietnamese man who had recently defected from the Viet Cong. Tan befriends Sly and the two men join GREEN Platoon of Alpha Company, located in the marshy heart of the Mekong Delta. Sylvester, Tan and Green Platoon battle against the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army, and over time they are changed drastically. Green Platoon is transformed from a group of pot smoking drunks into a crack combat unit that the enemy comes to fear and respect. Sly develops into a confident, mature leader of men who learns much about bravery, life and love from his Vietnam experience. Sylvester also comes to love the country and its people in general and one beautiful, young Vietnamese woman in particular. Over time, he resolves his internal struggle concerning his father's approval and his peer's respect. The unique climax finds Sylvester, Tan and Green Platoon fighting to survive a terrible, two-day battle against a totally unexpected enemy that outnumbers them ten to one.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Spock is a scientist employed by the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. He works on the campus of The Pennsylvania with his beautiful wife of thirty-eight years. Paul is also an inventor who holds three United States patents and he has written and published many scientific articles. For pleasure, Paul hikes through the forests of central Pennsylvania pursuing wild trout in their native waters. He is also an amateur astronomer and outdoor photographer. Paul can be reached at: [e-mail] or [e-mail]. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412082366
• ISBN-13: 978-1412082365
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,891,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-class debut novel!, August 5, 2006

By 

Joanne D. Kiggins "author, columnist" (Sewickley, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Psychedelic Six (Paperback)

In his debut novel, Psychedelic Six, Paul Spock takes the reader into the villages of Vietnam and the foxholes of the Vietnam War with the Green Platoon through the memories of Sergeant Sylvester (Sly) Wright.

The book opens with an introduction and the first few paragraphs slams the reader smack into action with mortar shells and bullets cracking and popping above the heads of soldiers cowering in a canal of foul smelling water. Then, at bullet speed, you're uniquely swept past nearly forty years after the war when Sly takes his grandson, Bobby, on a fishing trip. Bobby tells Grandpa Sly that he studied about the war in school, but didn't understand it.

With Grandpa Sly as the narrator of the story, he tells Bobby of his time spent in Vietnam. A story he'd never before told, not to his wife, his parents or his friends.

As the fishing trip ends the story begins and Spock goes behind the scenes of the Vietnam War, into the minds of the soldiers, into the lives and villages of the Vietnamese, and into the hearts of the people.

Nightmare or reality, had Psychedelic Six not been billed a novel, this reader would have thought the events were as real as the pages of the book.

Spock's characters, the antics he puts them through, added with the humor he strings through this serious story makes for a good read about a bad situation. The ending is as unique as the beginning and the entire novel is full of characters one can reach out and touch.

Psychedelic Six is about the Vietnam War, but it's also about love, courage, trust, growing up, growing old and the wisdom one gains during life's battles.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Novel!, August 19, 2006

By 

Sara Carlson "Freelance Writer" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psychedelic Six (Paperback)

Peppered with colorful characters and page turning combat, Psychedelic Six is a fascinating tale of a soldier on the cusp of becoming a man. The novel guides Sergeant Wright through the challenge of leading a group of misfit soldiers during the turbulent Viet Nam War. Wright will instantly have a place in your heart as you patrol beside him on his journey through the Viet Nam country side. He makes friends among the soldiers and locals alike, who readily recognize his childlike charm and knack for survival. From fishing trips with village boys to hot landing zones, Wright's growth is remarkable. When faced with potentially fatal decisions, Spock will have you questioning your own reactions in similar circumstances.

Reading like an anthem of the day, Spock's skillful use of song to evoke emotion and spark memory is unsurpassed. His combination of rapid-fire war zone accounts, character building experiences, and tender moments make Psychedelic Six a novel for everyone. I highly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by Michael Hawkins - Historian and Writer, August 14, 2006

By 

Paul Spock "Author of Psychedelic Six" (State College, Pa. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psychedelic Six (Paperback)

How much did I like this novel? How's this? I took it along for two separate weddings, out of town, which I had eagerly been anticipating. My friends and family remarked amongst themselves that I was unusually and noticeably absent. I was in my hotel room reading Psychedelic Six! I especially enjoyed and appreciated the meticulous research, which stands out in this novel above so many others. As an avid life long reader of the war genre, I was surprised that the author was able to uncover new and fresh material. Mr. Spock has excellent descriptive skills, and he adds a nice touch in keeping music going in the background of the story. It is easy to imagine yourself walking behind Sergeant Sylvester "Sly" Wright as he plods through the Army bureaucratic, while fighting his emotions between his responsibilities as a Platoon Leader and the compassion he gains for the native people in a country against which he has been ordered to fight.