The Strength Not to Fight: Conscientious Objectors of the Vietnam War - in Their Own Words [Paperback]

James W. Tollefson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2000

James Tollefson imparts an oral history that has the compelling drama of the best fiction. Conscientious objectors tell the stories behind the classification: the depth of their conviction, their efforts to prove sincere opposition in the face of persecution and criminal prosecution, and their feelings today about their actions during the Vietnam War.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James W. Tollefson was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. He is a professor of English at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc.; 1st Pbk. Ed edition (July 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574882570
• ISBN-13: 978-1574882575
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,073,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars getting stronger, August 9, 2001

By 

James Willingham (St. Petersburg, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strength Not to Fight: Conscientious Objectors of the Vietnam War - in Their Own Words (Paperback)

Strength is more than macho bullying. Strength is more than being powerful and dominating.

Strength of character is the most important kind of strength and it is kindness that empowers.

I was a part of this antiwar generation. It is still being written, thank goodness. I was amazed to find that the overriding theme for these guys was the adamant lack of support or understanding from their families. It was the same for me as well. They couldn't understand beyond their social conditioned perspective. We helped to liberate them, maybe?

Many of us went to Vietnam because we were compelled to do so by our conditioning and the fear of rejection by society. When I came home and protested the war, refusing duty as a conscientious objector, I was past fear and into fearlessness. I would have gone to jail before continuing in with my socially commanded path. After reading James' book, I am glad I didn't have to go to jail.

But make no mistake about it, continuing on with the war was not an option for me. I had seen enough. I had done enough.

I hit the streets with the anti-war veterans; the peace movement was my homecoming parade. I am still coming home and flourishimg with spirit is an essential part of our survibvors' mission.

We want creative change and growth. Our impact is not yet apparant, but we are helping one another. Thanks to James for his empowering work.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reminder of true courage, November 30, 2004

By 

William Timothy Lukeman - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Strength Not to Fight: Conscientious Objectors of the Vietnam War - in Their Own Words (Paperback)

As the previous review sadly shows, too many people still equate unquestioning obedience to authority as patriotism. This fine book, collecting & conveying the emotions & experiences of men who had the moral courage to question the Government, question an immoral war, and ultimately question the beliefs with which they were raised, is a vital reminder to all that "patriotism" is too often used as an excuse for blind, unthinking inhumanity.

Now that America is engaged in yet another unnecessary war, fueled by ego, ideological ambition, and outright lies, it's more important than ever that we remember these true heroes, and that we learn from them. In times of fear, it's always easier to simply go along ... but the mature & truly moral course is to constantly question the status quo, and to serve the demands of conscience rather than conformity. Highly recommended!

3 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An utterly horrible book, May 24, 2002

By 

Martin Ridgeway (Mobile, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strength Not to Fight: Conscientious Objectors of the Vietnam War - in Their Own Words (Paperback)

A bunch of draft dodgers an people who supported the immoral
"Peace" movement that according 9th VC General Giap, stopped Hanoi in 1968 from giving up after the Tet offensive and stopping their aggression, and instead influenced them to go back to the prolonged war strategy and wait until we were tired of the war. If the "Peace" movement was not around the North would have withdrawn above the 17th parallel and given up, and therefore the South would be free from a tyranical police state and the Khmer Rouge would have never been alowed to Democide Cambodia.

All of the people in this book are a disgrace not only to their country but to all human kind. They supported an idea that can only stay alive by murdering the opposition, supposed opposition, and could be opposition, to make the people so afraid of speaking out against the failed utopian dream out of fear of retribution. All of these cowards aren't worth the time of day.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!