Customer Reviews

Vignettes of Vietnam

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Many of us remember the 60s and 70s of bloody newscasts and emotion-filled protest to a war halfway across the world. Many of us have friends and family who were a part of the war and have remained a part of that distant war forever. Carl Voyles' book, Vignettes of Vietnam from Nine Rue Pasteur, bridges that chasm between the horrors of an empty war and the reason why we were there. Voyles gives the reader wonderful description - artistically created word pictures of the nurses, doctors, patients, and local characters of his DaNang community during the war. You are right with him as he removes a young girl's leg or delivers a baby. The horror, the kindness, the caring, the trust . . . this was the life of the people who deserved to live their lives in democracy. I learned a great deal about the Vietnamese culture and character through Dr. Voyles' experiences. This is not a political book or another Vietnam war story. This is a book about real people and experiences. Some of those are shocking - even revolting. Some of the experiences are beautiful and touching. This is the book to read for understanding and for healing. Now I can replace those old images of war with images of a real country.