Rhymer in the Sunset: A Poetic Perspective of the Vietnam Experience [Paperback]

Phillip Woodall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Rhymer In The Sunset is a book of poetry that tells the Vietnam story from a combat soldier's point of view. The poems were literally written in the heat of battle on scraps of paper, anything available. The poems tell the Vietnam story-the frustrations of a soldier, they talk about his comrades in arms, his country, his leaders, the enemy, his losses. The book is made even more poignant by actual photographs which have been faded, giving the effect of illustrating the poetry while not overshadowing it. Rhymer In The Sunset is moving in its simplicity and emotional in its complexities just as the war was. It is a book that will be read over and over again. It will appeal to every segment of American society, regardless of one's position on the Vietnam war.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Every Vietnam veteran has a story. Phil Woodall's Rhymer in the Sunset is his story in poetry. Vietnam is still a player in our national psychic and Rhymer In The Sunset works on helping the reader come to peace with Vietnam. This book makes an enormous contribution in putting in perspective the role of the combat soldier in Vietnam and those who viewed the war from afar. Phil Woodall's poetry is very special. The book was three years in the making but the poetry was penned on the battlefields of Vietnam. In addition to the poetry, digitized real photographs from Vietnam vets themselves enhance the poetry but don't overshadow it. For High School and College students who have only distant views of the ancient conflict, this book of poetry will be invaluable.

About the Author

Phil Woodall was nineteen years old when he landed in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division just before the infamous 1968 TET offensive. For more than thirty years, Phil's letters and poems have made a very special and unique contribution to the country's collective healing over Vietnam. Phil's poems were part of the award winning TV movie, Dear America, Letters Home from Vietnam and also in the musical Shrapnel in the Heart. Although Phil has enjoyed a long and successful career in the field of marine insurance, he considers himself first and foremost a poet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Airborne Pr (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934145679
• ISBN-13: 978-0934145671
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Writing > Poetry

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bet You Can't Read the Whole Thing, January 15, 2001

By 

Lynn H. Carrier (Hooperville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhymer in the Sunset: A Poetic Perspective of the Vietnam Experience (Paperback)

I met the author of this book in 1965. He and I have been friends for over 35 years. When I met him, he was the highschool football team quarterback, basketball star, track star, and actually a pretty good student. I never never knew about his poetry writing until the year 2000. I could not read the whole book without crying from his sensitivity and descriptive choice of words to describe where he was and why he was there. Here are the words that a soldier wrote, here are the words of the son of a preacher, here are the words of a man that was willing to give the ulitmate sacrifice for the rest of us, and here are the words of someone we can never appreciate enough, because Phillip Woodall is writing the story of every soldier, son, and friend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, interesting, and well worth the price!, November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rhymer in the Sunset: A Poetic Perspective of the Vietnam Experience (Paperback)

I am usually not into poetry but was curious about a book featuring poetry of Vietnam experiences. I am a child of the 60s and Vietnam will always be for me, a big part of what was going on in our country, both politically and culturally. I would recommend this book to anyone with even a casual interest in Vietnam. The author's words and the pictures are moving and memorable. Few books today are so affordable and offer so much.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The hell of Vietnam keeps a steady and poetic beat..., October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rhymer in the Sunset: A Poetic Perspective of the Vietnam Experience (Paperback)

Phillip Woodall vividly relates the essence of patriotism, dedication, bravery, sacrifice, sorrow and profound frustration experienced and embodied by the combat soldier of America's longest and most unpopular war. In symbolic, poetic verse, slimy leeches of jungle and paddy, ever so slowly, drained the life blood from America's warriors. So too, did the political unrest and protests on our streets empty the reservoir of America's will to persevere! This book tells it like it was! The fate of South Vietnam was NOT determined on the battlefield! This anthology is an emotionally intense recital of the endless agonies of fighting an unconsecrated war! Time does not heal all wounds! Woodall accurately and clearly establishes the fact that as surely as those who fell of the fields of battle need to be remembered...those who survived Vietnam need to be understood!