Searching for the Good : A Young Man's Journey to War and Back [Hardcover]

Thomas A. Brewer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0970133901 | ISBN-13: 978-0970133908 | Publication Date: September 1, 2000 | Edition: 1st

Finally, a book that speaks to the heart of anyone seeking a true understanding of how the Vietnam war unfolded in the lives of those who fought in it.

Not your typical war story, Searching for the Good is a sincere and very human account of one man's journey to war and back. Without policies, position statements, or rhetoric, it offers a clear and compelling picture of the day-to-day experiences of a combat veteran--his thoughts and feelings, his fear and pride, his recovery, his enduring friendships with other soldiers.

While a story of one man's journey to war and back, the book tells the story of that multitude of anonymous men and women who served with honor in Vietnam, came home, and went on with their lives, in spite of much pain and torment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I found the story engaging, even riveting in many parts. Vietnam does form the crucible for so many of us... -- Michael Maurer, President, Red Oak Consulting

I want them [my family] to read, through the author's words, my exact feelings about the war... -- Steve Ehart, Vietnam combat veteran and retired LTC

Searching for the Good is a unique book on the Vietnam War. It is a must-read... -- Jan C. Scruggs, Esq., President, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

From the Publisher

For those who were there and for those who weren't--especially for those who know a Vietnam veteran--this memoir provides a compassionate and perceptive portrait of an era. History and sociology buffs alike will benefit from seeing the war through Brewer's keen eyes. His voice speaks for thousands.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 294 pages
• Publisher: Quaise Publications; 1st edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970133901
• ISBN-13: 978-0970133908
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,784,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read This Book To Feel What It Was Like In Vietnam, February 23, 2001

By 

Richard P. Cooper (Kingston,, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Searching for the Good : A Young Man's Journey to War and Back (Hardcover)

I received this book from a friend who had met the author and thought I'd be interested, since I was a Vietnam Vet also. Tom Brewer's book was a wonderful read. It brought back many memories, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it was written. There is no stumbling through this book; you're quickly drawn into Tom's life and his experiences. And though all of us have unique experiences in life, Tom's memories are often similar to mine. I felt myself agreeing with Tom's expressions of patriotism in the 50s, the desire to "serve our country" for what it had given us, the need to "make up" for a relative who hadn't served in World War II, and the desire to help others and follow a code of behavior which was admired. I, too, was an officer in the US Army, stationed in the Mekong Delta, in a combat branch, though fortunately not in face to face combat. Tom helped me to feel what he felt and I strongly recommend the book to anyone wishing to participate in the Vietnam war and times through his first hand experience.

Though I respect Tom's experiences and commend him for his service, I can't say I agree with his conclusions about the War. However, that is what made the Vietnam era so very interesting and challenging. Every soldier's experience in Vietnam was somewhat different and each person's war was different, too. Some soldiers came home saying as Tom did, we could have won "if only", and others came home saying this war wasn't ours to win or lose, it was the South Vietnamese's. The same issues argued about in the United States were often spoken by the soldiers who served there. But the overall feelings of this war were well expressed by Tom.

We have every right to be proud of our service for most of us went to Vietnam because our country asked us to do so. We wanted to serve our country and we did it proudly! Thank you Tom for sharing your life with the rest of us.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent discussion of the realities of Vietnam, October 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Searching for the Good : A Young Man's Journey to War and Back (Hardcover)

This book eloquently captures the struggles and realities of Brewer's Vietnam War experience and his return after being wounded. This is hardly a "poor me" study but instead a thought provoking narrative about a time in US history that far too many of us don't understand.

Written in a very readable style it should be recommended reading for every high school/college student studying the Vietnam War and a must read for any teacher attempting to cover the topic.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for military buffs & political science students., January 4, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Searching for the Good : A Young Man's Journey to War and Back (Hardcover)

In Searching For The Good: A Young Man's Journey To War And Back is the intense personal story of Thomas Brewer's personal sojourn from the unreflective patriotism 1950s, post-World War II childhood, to the font lines of the Cold War in Germany, to lethal and political ambiguous, controversial combat in Vietnam, to his post war struggle to build a life in a society that just wanted to forget it all. Highly recommended for military buffs, political science and social science students, as well as the non-specialist general reader with an interest in late 20th Century American history, Searching For The Good is part military memoir, part social/political analysis, and offers a unique, comprehensive, compelling perspective on the times and the events that shaped a generation of young men just like Tom Brewer.