Return To Eden [Paperback]

Tucker Smallwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 2006

RETURN TO EDEN is an exploration of one man's and one country's journey from the devastation of war through recovery to healing. Tucker Smallwood served in the U.S. Army Infantry, Airborne from 1967-1970. He commanded a Mobile Advisory Team during the Vietnam War and was severely wounded in action. After recovering from his injuries, Smallwood moved to New York to study acting, establishing a career as a performer on Broadway (Mahalia), in film (Contact, The Cotton Club) and on television (The X-Files, Space: Above and Beyond). Smallwood's essays reflecting upon his military experience have appeared in magazines, but this is the first published collection. RETURN TO EDEN is also available in audio book formats.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

RETURN TO EDEN is an exploration of one man's and one country's journey from the devastation of war through recovery to healing. Tucker Smallwood served in the U.S. Army Infantry, Airborne from 1967-1970. He commanded a Mobile Advisory Team during the Vietnam War and was severely wounded in action. After recovering from his injuries, Smallwood moved to New York to study acting, establishing a career as a performer on Broadway (Mahalia), in film (Contact, The Cotton Club) and on television (The X-Files, Space: Above and Beyond).

Smallwood's essays reflecting upon his military experience have appeared in magazines, but this is the first published collection. There are more than fifty photographs, many from his tour of duty and from his return in 2004. RETURN TO EDEN is also available in audio book formats.

From the Author

My name is Tucker Smallwood. It is familiar to relatively few but my face and voice are recognized all over the world. The characters I've created over the past 35 years for television and film (particularly in sci-fi)air daily on cable and satellite, and the thousands of narrations, TV voice-overs, radio programs and commercials have made me a subliminal presence in our consciousness. In 1969, I was a Military Advisor in Vietnam,I've enjoyed the life of an actor in the years thereafter, and returned to Vietnam in 2004 as a pilgrim in search of peace.

RETURN TO EDEN is an intensely personal work. Each essay describes a true life adventure that will amuse you, provoke you, intrigue you or touch you.

Once upon a time I was an Army Advisor to Vietnamese Regional Force troops. Since that time I have become rather well known around the world as an actor. I’ve also been told that the four words ‘once upon a time’, when read or heard create an altered state of consciousness. Let’s see.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847281699
• ISBN-13: 978-1847281692
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,231,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A modern Renaissance Man, in every sense of the word, July 3, 2008

By 

John F. Jolis "Jack Jolis" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return To Eden (Paperback)

Smallwood was a STRAC candidate (and, later, Tac Officer), a redoubtable and inventive MACV Advisor, (respected by his ARVNs and feared by those bad guys who had the misfortune to venture into his AO), a courageous vanquisher of horrific wounds, an excellent blues picker and singer, and, now, nothing less than the first part-American Indian Yaweh, white suitedly appearing on the nation's tube screens, spreading wrathful justice and fearful wisdom to all, (except, regrettably, to the recalcitrant and obtuse Sarah Silverman). Wotta man.

This book is, (to borrow a phrase from a previous combat veteran polymath), a real "movable feast", and an often funny one at that, recounting in equal measure the impressive highs and the occasional depressing lows of Smallwood's remarkable life. Reading it is a real trip, in all senses of that word, and once you've finished it, I feel safe in saying that you won't soon forget either the book or the man.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got it, read it, love it!, January 16, 2007

By 

VAdenied "SDV" (Bridgewater NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return To Eden (Paperback)

As a member of the Mekong River Water Skiing Club, reading Smallwood's discription of the close relationships in Mobile Advisor Teams took me back.

The MAT Advisor (if he was lucky) lived a completely different war, and the story has largely been forgotten.

This isn't a bad book to give relatives that may look at you funny.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling read, September 25, 2006

By 

Dick Stanley (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return To Eden (Paperback)

Tucker's distinctive voice comes through loud and clear in this strong collection of essays which will make you chuckle and make you think. The photos, particularly the ones of 1960s Officer Candidate School and old and new Vietnam, are a treat. Tucker is frank, sentimental, unafraid of controversy and easy to read. You need two copies, one for yourself and one to give to a friend.