Customer Reviews

The War Cradle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the story of "Mister Ross" (and includes his extraordinary photographs) and the other unforgettable characters who risked their own lives to bring life and joy to the most innocent victims of the Vietnam war. I was riveted through the account of the orphan children making their way through hellish circumstances and onto the evacuation planes. The story of Mister Ross climbing the Embassy stairs, small child in his arms, to the waiting helicopter on the roof, captures the spirit of the national drama that unfolded that day and belongs in our nation's lore.

Shirley Peck-Barnes' book is a very graphic (literally too) depiction of what happened in 1975 at the fall of Saigon during Operation Babylift. It was a God-awful time, and things were happening rapidly, without the benefit of thinking things through properly. She captured it all through many interviews with those involved. She offered her own services by letting 600 orphans stay at her facility in Denver without thinking twice!

She, fortunately, had the ability to interview those directly involved because of her involvement as secretary with the Department of Defense during the Korean War, which led her to get untold stories during this horrific period.

If you want to know the truth, read this book.

In the 25 years since the fall of Saigon, much has been written about the Vietnam War. Yet, whereas so many books have focused on the brutality and sheer hell of what the soldiers fighting in that war endured, Shirley Peck-Barnes now brings a new perspective to our attention...that of the thousands of children fathered by those soldiers, and the brave men and women who helped rescue those children in the last days of the war. "Operation Babylift" became the offical name for the rescue, and THE WAR CRADLE is a fascinating account of the brave men and women who risked their own lives to save the lives of the children...who, as Peck-Barnes writes, were "too incidental for the concerns of generals" and other governmental officals in power. But what makes the book such a terrific read is that it is not only an historical account of the event, but it delves into the hearts, minds, and deep human emotions of all those involved in "Operation Babylift"...including the children themselves, several of whom contribute their own, sometimes heart-wrenching stories of thier lives after the war. This is a wonderful book...and a rare glimpse at an event so many people have dismissed as a "footnote" to the Vietnam War, but which ironically stands out as perhaps the most positive, uplifting event of the War itself.

If ever there was a time to learn from history, that time is now. And if ever there was a book to vividly and compassionately walk us through a piece of history, that book is The War Cradle. Americans may remember Operation Babylift-the impassioned attempt to rescue Amerasian children (those fathered by American GIs) and Vietnamese orphans in the final weeks before Saigon fell to communism in April 1975. Shirley Peck-Barnes writes from her experience as head of the Continental Care Center in Denver, Colorado, the site chosen by Friends of the Children of Vietnam (FCVN) to house and transfer orphans to their new families. Edward J. Daly, president of World Airways,
set the precedent for what would become known as Operation Babylift. Defying military orders and red tape, using his own money,and risking all to fly orphans from war-ravaged South Vietnam. But Peck-Barnes doesn't distinguish between national heroes like Daly and those like Ross Meador, a 19 year old FCVN volunteer. Barnes says in her prologue: "Not all warriors carry guns. Some fight and equally fierce battle without them. This book is about that kind of valor It's about silent heroes. The kind we see every day yet do not recognize since they're not the stuff of legend, art, and adventure." Babylift had its critics, but in defense Barnes gently reminds readers
that one cannot look at Operation Babylift solely as an act of
humanitarianism toward a war-ravaged country, but suggests that especially in the case of the Amerasians, the U.S. had a moral responsibility to these children. The War Cradle will appeal to history lovers, readers of nonfiction, and military buffs, but this is an important book for all. Peck-Barnes' words, in the last pages, already have an eerie air of prophecy. "Books often come into existence to fill a need for awareness and more importantly, to provide answers. The War Cradle is an attempt to open the door on a subject that to date has had minimal exposure...What happened to the children of Vietnam will be forgotten unless the injustice is reverberated and the lessons learned. Sacrifice is wasted if nobody notices. It may be too late already in light of more recent tragedies involving the children of Bosnia, Romania, Somalia and other countries where chaos overtakes reasoning. Undeniably, history is repeating itself before our very eyes."

I found this description of the lives of orphans and abandoned children to be moving, heartbreaking and compelling. There was so much about the Vietnam war that overshadowed the great humanitarian effort to save children -- one of the few uplifting aspects of the war. This is a story that needed to be told by someone closely involved. Personally, I found the story about the last days in Saigon and the final hours at the Embassy to be quite gripping. I could hardly put the book down. The testimonies by the children leading new lives in the United States are bittersweet and worthy of reflection. I recommend this book to anyone who missed this dimension of the Vietnam story.

As a history buff, I found this to be a very well-written book, one which covers the civilian side of the Vietnam War with realism. It also couldn't be more timely, considering the recent announcement that President Gerald Ford's library at the University of Michigan is releasing thousands of previously top secret documents, many of which could radically reshape history's view of the Vietnam War.

My wife and I are the proud parents of one of the "Babylift" orphans, and we've been blessed to see him grow from the tiny 2-year-old we first met in San Francisco to the wonderful young man he is today. A friend of his gave us this book as a gift, and as I read it, a flood of memories came back. But I also learned a lot about "Operation Babylift" that I never knew. The author of this book really covered all the bases, and the last page is something I wish every "Babylift" orphan would read. I highly recommend this book.

Please take a minute to read the "Proud Vietnamese" review of The War Cradle on
Amazon.com. This review has set the adoptee's cause back thirty years. For shame, when so much effort has gone into your story being the "voice" for the children of war TODAY. The writer is obviously someone who has either been on the trip or was not selected. The number on the manifest was set by World...I only did what was requested of me and am sorry that
this has reached a public posting level. I want to express my thanks for those of you who took the time to come and speak to me during those exciting/busy few days of "Homeward Bound," and appreciate my part in its conception.... and more importantly, for those who sent me a note afterwards.
I am not discouraged by the writer of "Proud Vietnamese" and will continue my efforts in speaking for the children of war. I have but one question for such critics...."Where is your book?"
Had they read The War Cradle, it was revealed that I spent several years in that part of the world during Korea and have first-hand knowledge of war and children.
It is a common fact that most non-fiction writers have not been through the
experience of which they write...but are objective to bring the facts and story to light.
To the writer of "Proud Vietnamese," you have my utmost sympathy regarding your slanting
views and have discredited your comarades by revealing yourself in such a public venue.
Maturity would have dictated that you take your issues to me personally, whatever they are. If you a were on the trip, a simple "thank you" would have been enough and would have recognized it for what it was....a gift of a lifetime . I am sorry it was not placed in that perspective and that you felt it necessary to discredit me publically.
As for the monetary gains, there are none. I have never been paid a royalty and have given more books away than sold....Until now, I thought it was all worth it. You have placed another perspective on my thirty years invovlement and now place the question that perhaps it was all for " naught." I think not...and hopefully, your counterparts will agree.
Thanks to those who have been supportive. Pocks to those who have not.
Best regards, Shirley

One of my top choices, this book was fascinating, well-researched,
very well organized, well-plotted, and very well written. The subject is
compelling and heartwarming. The author did a lovely job of really making me fall
in love with the characters, and then bringing them through this incredible,
important endeavor. I thought the interviews in the "Aftermath" section were
quite compelling-hearing things in the character's own words added a new
depth to the story. I wish the author had some more great blurbs and
endorsements to help sell this book-it really needs to be taken seriously.

This book is a "must read" for those seeking answers to the Vietnam
era. "The War Cradle" opens a much sought-after window to the past for
those adoptees in search of their roots. Barnes fulfills expectations of providing
a better understanding of the circumstances, events and people involved in
Operation Babylift. This book is a gift to all children of war and to history
itself