Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (Twayne's Oral History Series) [Hardcover]

Richard Stacewicz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997 | ISBN-10: 0805745793 | ISBN-13: 978-0805745795

Oral History SeriesSeries Editor: Donald A. RitchieThis series collects rich personal testimonies and presents them, in volumes devoted to specific events and eras in American history. Each volume includes: illuminating historical background and research details a collection of oral testimonies selected from a range of original or rare and hard-to-find sources a concluding analytical chapter illustrations, notes, bibliography, and an index.His book makes a significant contribution to the history of the antiwar movement, placing the VVAW in a social-historical context of American society and the military. Recommended for public and academic libraries.Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Stacewicz (history, Indiana Univ.) explores the histories of the men who fought in Vietnam and who, along with many women, joined the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) in the 1960s and 1970s. He interviews 30 VVAW members (25 men and five women), mostly of white working-class background, dividing their interviews into seven chapters in which they talk at length about their lives and political views prior to military service, during and after Vietnam, and in the VVAW. Stacewicz determines that VVAW men and women became antiwar protesters because of their patriotism and their profound belief in democracy. His book makes a significant contribution to the history of the antiwar movement, placing the VVAW in a social-historical context of American society and the military. Recommended for public and academic libraries.?Charles L. Lumpkins, Pennsylvania State Univ., State College
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Richard Stacewicz teaches history at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Twayne Publishers (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805745793
• ISBN-13: 978-0805745795
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,084,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a compelling part of protest history, February 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (Twayne's Oral History Series) (Hardcover)

Winter Soldiers traces the lives of 26 Vietnam Veterans from their childhood and education in the US through their experiences in Vietnam and back to the world and the "war at home." The eloquent voices of these men and women are the most compelling part of this history as they explainhow they moved from Goldwater republicanism tothe radical left as a result of their Vietnam education. This book shows a part of US domestic and military history in a personal and often tragic manner. Also contains one of the best concise histories of the US and French involvement in Indochina that's ever been written. A tremendous read.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VVAW AI says "Great Book", November 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (Twayne's Oral History Series) (Hardcover)

Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War-Richard Stacewicz

Bringing together the voices of 26 former members of VVAW, Richard Stacewicz offers an exciting account of the impact of the war on the lives of young American soldiers. Winter Soldiers traces the lives of Vietnam veterans from their childhood and education in the U.S. through their experiences in Vietnam and back to the world and the "war at home". Rather than offer his own interpretation of the history of VVAW, the author lets the individuals (men and women) speak for themselves. In each chapter we learn a little more about the characters and are drawn into their conversations. The book does a good job of presenting the history of VVAW and some of its most important battles: Dewey Canyon III, Operation RAW, the Winter Soldier Investigation. It covers the ending of the war, and the struggle within VVAW over which direction the group should take: Some wanted to concentrate on anti-imperialist issues (developed into VVAW AI), others primarily on veterans' issues (developed into VVAW Inc.) The author allows VVAWers to bluntly discuss the internal disagreements - over tactics, politics, leadership. Participants on both sides are given an opportunity to express their positions in the book. The book's style is refreshing, conveying an impression of dialogue. Each chapter focuses on an important piece of our history. Joe Urgo, founding member of VVAW, currently in VVAW AI is one of those interviewed. Good job, Joe!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overwhelming, December 5, 2006

By 

tor "tor" (fl, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (Twayne's Oral History Series) (Hardcover)

I saw this movie on TV the day before Thanksgiving this year and just couldn't beleive it, I think it may be the most important documentary ever made. The very first veteran interviewed talks about how it was fairly common place for POWs to be thrown from airborne aircraft and everything just spirals downward from there. The movie shows normal everyday looking americans talking about some of the most horrible things imaginable. Veterans often chuckle and laugh while recounting these things and then you see there faces going from amusement to guilt and shame in the blink of an eye. This documentary shows literally how war is hell and should be required viewing in all high schools.