Touched by the Dragon: Experiences of Vietnam Veterans from Newport County, Rhode Island [Hardcover]

Frank L Grzyb (Author), John F. Kerry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 1998

Touched by the Dragon details wartime accounts of average servicemen and women-some heroic, some frightening, some amusing, some nearly unbelievable-extracted from interviews with Vietnam War veterans residing in Newport County, Rhode Island. The work is a historical compendium of fascinating and compelling stories woven together in a theme format. What makes this book truly unique, however, is its absence of literary pretentiousness. Relating oral accounts, the veterans speak in a no-nonsense, matter-of-fact way. As seen through the eyes of the veterans, the stories include first-person experiences of infantry soldiers, a flight officer, a medic, a nurse, a combat engineer, an intelligence soldier, and various support personnel. Personalities emerge gradually as the veterans discuss their pre war days, their training and preparation for Vietnam, and their actual in-country experiences. The stories speak of fear and survival: the paranoia of not knowing who or where the enemy was; the bullets, rockets, and mortars that could mangle a body or snuff out a life in a instant; and going home with a CMH--not the Congressional Medal of Honor, but a Casket with Metal Handles. The veterans also speak friendships and simple acts of kindness. But more importantly, they speak of healing-both physical and mental.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 305 pages
• Publisher: Purdue University Press (November 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557531331
• ISBN-13: 978-1557531339
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,363,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great; the stories could be about any county in the US., January 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Touched by the Dragon: Experiences of Vietnam Veterans from Newport County, Rhode Island (Hardcover)

For Christmas, I sent a copy to my old First Sergeant in Alabama. His wife couldn't believe that he hardly put the book down until he had finished reading it. He wants another copy so he can donate it to the local library. I also sent a copy to a cousin of mine in Illinois, who is a Nam Vet. His e-mail comment was, "MANY THANKS FOR THE BOOK!!!! SUPERB !!!!"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To a Time so Long Ago!, February 11, 2000

By 

TOM FINN (Newport, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Touched by the Dragon: Experiences of Vietnam Veterans from Newport County, Rhode Island (Hardcover)

I was one of the men mentioned in the book, I thought it was an excellent book and very factual...it really did bring me back to a time so long ago. The best part was that Frank Grzyb wrote about everyone...if you were there it will bring you back. If you were not there it will give you a true insight into how it really was there at that time. Thank you Frank!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening Experience !, February 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Touched by the Dragon: Experiences of Vietnam Veterans from Newport County, Rhode Island (Hardcover)

In reading these stories, you can feel what these young men and woman felt,how scared they must have felt yet their friends and loved ones didn't know. I felt like I was there with them, they will never forget what they went thru nor should we !