Customer Reviews

Virga Tears: The True Story of a Soldier's Sojourn Back to Vietnam

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I was surprised to find tears of laughter from a book on Vietnam. This is one that I will read over and over and send to friends for the Holidays.

A new twist and a story not previously told about the war. What a trip what an adventure.

This book is full of imagry and metaphores that makes even the least knowledgable about the Vietnam War have a good sense of what the war was like.
I was not alive during the war but I was mesmorized by this book. I picked it up quick to look at it and ended up reading the whole book in one sitting. The book read like a movie script....very easy to read and follow. The book made me laugh, cry and reflect on the effects of war for all involved.
As an educator I would highly recommend this book for high school and college teachers to use with their class.

A delightful chronicle of an odyssey back to VietNam, by two unlikely travel-mates. An engaging, funny, at times disturbing account of war, memories of war, and the personal costs of relationships in wartime. Hard to put down, I loved the writing style that seemed to blend Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson.

Vigra tears is a delightful story of two men who visit Vietnam 30 years after the war. The author and his brother-in-law, different as night and day, share a most memorable experience in their journey and it gives you a different perspective of the war.
This book is worth reading, very witty and well written. I especially liked the chapter titles and how they related to the text of the book. It is easy reading for those that don't have a lot of time. The events that take place are interesting and informative and give you a sense of the country and people. The author makes you feel like you are right there with them. I didn't want it to end.

I was not alive during the Vietnam War and only know what I read in the history books about it. After read Virga Tears I have a better understanding of what the war was like for soldiers (Nick), the people of Vietnam and those against the war (Jim).
There is great comdey and emotion between the two men in the story who couldn't be any more opposite then they are.
Once I picked up the book I could not put it down. The colorful words painted a vivid picture in my mind.
Great use of analogies. As an educator I would highly recommend it for a high school or college history class.
I laughed and cried reading this GREAT BOOK!!!

Virga Tears is a perfect title and concept of the intense, invisible feelings about the experience of most, if not all, who were in Viet Nam. It is a True story. This record of an experience by a vet and non-vet has added a perspective to my life. I was there, too, and this has helped me re-frame things. The impact of this visit back to Viet Nam proved unforgettable to them and to me. This is a meaningful book, and encourages me to attempt to record some of my thoughts to share at some point with my son.

This book is fantastic! The relationship between the two characters reminds me of John Candy and Steve Martin in "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." It had me rolling! The imagery was quite powerful, and at times I felt as though I was traveling right alongside them! I could see the little toddler guiding the "beast" to safety, and the resolution, well, you just have to read the book to experience the profundity of "The Final Ascent." The eagle surely soars...
This book is a must read.
Shannon Karian

Virga Tears is an extraordinary story about a journey to Vietnam thirty years after the war. This is a book you will not want to put down, and your feelings about the Vietnam War, whatever they may be, will not be the same afterwards.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is poignant, endearing story offering the reader a view of travel into a place about which many of us have unanswered questions and curiosities. Paired with his brother-in-law and seemingly 'polar opposite' during this obstacle filled trip, the author shares a very intimate, often humorous look at the discovery of things unexpected. A must read, "must share with friends", selection. I purchased a second copy for my brother-in-law who is a Vietnam veteran.

Educational, Emotional, Entertaining....like spending an evening with a good friend with a great story to tell. Hopefully this is a first of many for this talented writer.