The Wall: Images and Offerings from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Hardcover)

by Michael Norman (Contributor), Sal Lopes (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This volume, to be published on the fifth anniversary of the dedication of the national shrine, includes photographs by freelance photographer Lopes and 16 other photojournalists, and excerpts of letters placed at the wailing wall by families, friends and war buddies of the dead and missing whose names are engraved there"the mystery of death writ in stone 58,132 times." This American family album is deeply moving in its simplicity: "Damn you, brotherwhy didn't you come back? . . . I still love you, and I'd love you if you came back in one piece, or your arms or legs or mind gone." Among the 75 poignant color and black-and-white pictures photographed with respect, a child is lifted by a veteran to plant a kiss on a name; flowers, teddy bears, flags and uniforms grace the polished black granite. In his introduction, Vietnam veteran and freelance writer Norman discusses the controversy over the Wall's design and mourns a friend who substituted for him on patrol: "He may have died for his country or for his God or for nothing at all. For a long time, I thought he died for me." 150,000 first printing; BOMC featured selection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Collins Pub San Francisco; 1st THUS edition (October 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0002179741
• ISBN-13: 978-0002179744
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,049,001 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Original., January 13, 2002

By	alainviet "alainviet" (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews

The Wall designed by Maya Lin, then a 21 year-old student at Yale is one of the most visited monument in Washington, DC. If the war was controversial, the winning design also caused quite a stir nationwide. Arguments erupted against this "black gash of shame". The controversy was resolved by adding a bronze statue and a flagpole.

The book is a pictorial testimony of the millions of people who came by to remember the fallen and to reminisce the past. These are either parents, wives, children, veterans, friends, or visitors who came to pay tribute to those who sacrificed themselves in the name of FREEDOM.

They are gone, but live forever in our hearts.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This review was written on Memorial Day, 2000, May 28, 2000

By	S. Tracey (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Empathy and love helped create this sensitive photographic study of the Viet Nam War Memorial. One cannot view each stunning photograph without emotion and deep gratitude. This book still remains on our bookshelf so we will always remember. This is a heart-felt offering.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wall ... an awesome photodocumentary, June 6, 2004

By	"ericthebuckeye" (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

Collins Publishers and Sal Lopes have done an awesome job of capturing the moving memorial in a moving photodocumentary book. This is a must for every family and every photographer. It has a special place on my bookshelf, and though I am only 20, it moves me in a way not too many other books do. As a photographer, the work is awesome and captivating... you must buy this book...