Customer Reviews

Unfriendly Fire: A Mother's Memoir (Singular Lives)

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Peg Mullen is an Iowa farm wife whose son Michael was killed in Viet Nam. Her story was told by others in "Friendly Fire." This is HER side of the story and it's a powerful story at that. She documents in plain speak the terrible agony of a mother who not only has lost her firstborn, but who has to endure the obfuscation of the United States government in keeping her from the truth. It was Peg Mullen vs. The US Army and Mrs. Mullen won. Peg is a long-time activist and her crusade against war and other nonsense makes "can't stop" reading. There are incredible moments of pathos -- Peg's detached recitation of the day she learned of Michael's death -- and moments that cause your chest to swell with pride as when she toppled a candidate for a top defense post. Mrs. Mullen went up against the President of the United States and Mrs. Mullen won. You'll be better for reading this wonderfully moving, inspiring account of the tragedy of "Unfriendly Fire."

This book came with the extra bonus of being signed by the author. What a touching and wonderful book that truly puts in prospective what many mothers & sons went through during the Vietnam war, and after wards. When I read it, I had to put it down from time to time, from the tears in my eyes and anguish in my heart. For the first time, I now realized the anguish and suffering my mother must have went through, and my Dad as well, while I did my tour of duty in "the 'Nam". Both are dead now, but I see now what they experienced, and by the Grace of God never had to, by reading this book. It is a great book...give it to your kids to read. It will give them a rare look at the heart & soul of Americana during the Vietnam War.