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Almost A Proverb Paperback – March 25, 2004

by Dann Glenn (Author)

12 ratings

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This novel contains strong language and depicts graphic scenes of violence and sexuality. From the first words of this book the reader is yanked out of their lethargic postmodern complacency and forced to confront the hard-core reality of the world (s)he inhabits. As a gripping and honest chronicle of war and warriors, Almost a Proverb takes its place in the long Western tradition of epic war narrative that began with Homer's Iliad. It is, however, a very different sort of war story. Of war, much has already been written; indeed, it seems to be the central myth of our culture. Perhaps it is the case, as Chris Hedges asserts, that "war is a force that gives us meaning" (one wonders-and perhaps not idly-how different our culture might now be if a matriarchal peace ethos was instead the core value of our society). There has been more written about the American War in Vietnam than any other war to date-histories, soldier's memoirs, fiction, poetry, dissections of strategy and politics, propagandist tracts, biographies, analyses of battles and catalogues of equipment-a vast sea of writings that span a continuum from the most erudite scholarship to the most lurid war porn imaginable. Sometimes-more often than we would like to think-the former becomes indistinguishable from the latter, and we forget that when one speaks of war, (s)he speaks of real human beings suffering in the most extreme and horrific circumstances. The war narrative sings of blood, death, fire, steel, trauma, degradation, privation, grief, berserk rage, killing of innocents, shattered lives. It speaks as well of the profound, enduring love that grows between comrades, the finding of identity and self-and its preservation-under the most adverse conditions. Why yet another Vietnam book, almost thirty years after war's end? Exactly because we as a species remain collectively poised on the brink of our own violent destruction, and because we still (apparently) have not learned the lessons of Vietnam, e

Print length

532 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Xlibris, Corp.
Publication date

March 25, 2004
Dimensions

5.5 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

141344833X
ISBN-13

978-1413448337
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dann Glenn is best known as a world-renowned bass virtuoso/composer with a large catalog of CDs to his credit; many of which are modern orchestral symphonies. Mr. Glenn has many published articles in international magazines, having been known to the world music community as a gifted writer for quite some time. This novel however, is his first published book. Paralleling his music; this novel has the very same signature in terms of the stream of consciousness style of communicating his ideas. Dann was in the United States Army serving his tour of duty in Vietnam from March of 1969, until March of 1970. This novel is a clear example of the fact that he is a master storyteller and finds his muse in character-driven scenarios, rather than showering the reader with facts, figures, and minute details. The way in which he transports the reader through a portal of the imagination gives one the feeling of actually participating in the journey, as it unfolds. This depiction of a soldiers life during the Vietnam War is but a primary foundation for the deeper and much more poignant subtleties of human consciousness. Dann extrapolates throughout this entire story, ultimately coming to one brutal conclusion; which has become his maxim. The Vietnam War has always nipped at the heels of this man as it has most of his brethren. Danns telling of this story and his portrayal of daily life for the American foot soldier gives a fresh perspective and insight into the mystique of the Vietnam Veteran. Well known to be an extremely reclusive artist, Mr. Glenn spends the brunt of his time composing, performing, and recording; while preparing for his next book. This authors manic hunger to always see whats around the next corner promises to leave a rich legacy; be it music or literature.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Xlibris, Corp. (March 25, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 532 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 141344833X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1413448337
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.52 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,822,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28,372 in War Fiction (Books)
- #63,479 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction

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Keith A Pasculli

Amazing story remarkably well written

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 8, 2021

Verified Purchase

Amazing story remarkably well written

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 9, 2019

Verified Purchase

I love the book. The real deal. Not for the faint of heart and certainly not for young readers, but a true and factual story of one my personal heroes and a man I call friend. True Renaissance reading written by one of American heroes !

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Highly recommend, good book

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Tarzan67

Outstanding writing - love this book!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 3, 2020

It's intense with some serious bottom end to it, but also really good fun at times. It flows like a great guitar solo on top of a deep and tight foundation of hard hitting kick drum and harmonious bass groove. The characters drive the story, and we are drawn in as we learn more about what makes them (and Dann in particular) tick in an extreme context. The backdrop is hard and brutal, but the cameraderie, courage and craziness that these guys display, makes you enjoy this book. You will learn about the Vietnam War, about human psychology under stress, you will smile and you will get new perspectives. This is really well written and the raw truth!

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Paco J. García

Not another point of view

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 1, 2011

En esta novela se puede aprender mucho de la naturaleza humana , de como seguimos siendo animales al fin y al cabo , ¿ civilizados ? eso dicen , yo no lo creo , pero seguimos cometiendo el mismo error , creer que por imponer nuestras ideas por la fuerza , con violencia , a traves de la muerte , eso nos hara mejor que nuestros semejantes .
El autor nos abre su corazon y su memoria atraves de su experiencia personal , haciendo facil el identificarse con el , con el sinsentido que rodea a la guerra , a una guerra en particular . Nos hace sentir vivos despues de cada acto , abandonar el pensamiento de que nos deparar el futuro en la vuelta a casa , una vuelta que no es segura , nos hace valorar la amistad , el verdadero compañerismo , sin estar basado en falsas apariencias , en nuestra diferenta procedencia , en el color de nuestra piel o en el Dios al que le rezamos ( o no ) , nos hace confiar en extraños , bautizados con nombres de batalla , en seres que desapareceran , llamados por la muerte en combate o por la vuelta a su mundo real .Nos demuestra que , a pesar de todo , esas personas que se cruzaron en nuestro camino , algunas de ellas , que puede que nunca volvamos a ver o a saber de ellas ... NUNCA SERAN OLVIDADOS .

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History Major

An outstanding story that you'll never forget

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 16, 2005

The study of history, especially modern American history has become a lifelong pursuit of mine. I have read scores of books and novels about what was probably the most turbulent and intense time of the modern era. Though I lived through it myself, I was but a child and only remember bits and pieces of TV stories. I remember too the young maintenance man at the apartment complex who played baseball with me just before he left to go "there", never to return. It was many years later that I started to truly understand the sacrifice he and thousands of his brothers made for us.

When my friend recommended this book to me I picked it up out of pure curiosity. A composer writing a major novel that had nothing to do with music? Interesting idea.

Boy was I surprised. From the first chapter on, I literally could not put this book down. Written from the perspective of one who was there on the front lines, this story captures the reader with such intensity you will actually feel what "Crazy" feels. I laughed, I cried, I was shocked, I was moved and at end I was exhausted, yet wanting more. The ongoing battles we all face within ourselves are exposed to the reader though the characters and experiences of Crazy and Third Squad.

Yes this book is not for kids, but when mine are old enough I want them to read this. It reflects a time that we must never forget and this story puts it in human terms that we can all relate too.

If you are looking for facts, maps or other historical documents, this is not for you. If you are looking for a story where you can really know and feel what it was like, this IS for you.

Most importantly for me, it reminded me that to all those who came home and to all those who didn't. Whether it is Vietnam, Iraq or France 60 years ago. We owe you our eternal gratitude for our freedom. Thank you!

I really hope that a great director finds this and makes it into a major motion picture (as long as they stay true to the story). It would rank above Full Metal Jacket, Platoon and all the other Oscar winners.

4 people found this helpful

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Sean Kelly-Larson

Good reading !

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2005

I've never been to Vietnam, but novelist Dann Glenn made me feel as if I had been there on the jungle stages where "Almost a Proverb" takes place. "Proverb" is not a run-of-the-mill war story by any means - it's more a tale of self-discovery and personal affirmation that happens to take place under the most stressful and horrible conditions a young person can face. This gives conviction and strength to the message of "Almost a Proverb" and separates the book from a generic tale of fought battles.

"Almost a Proverb" has vivid wartime imagery and detailed accounts, from the worst to the best, of the day-to-day activities of those who served in the Vietnam campaign. However, "Almost a Proverb" separates itself from a 'Nam version of "M*A*S*H*" with its no-holds-barred literary style, and honest, mature, up-front subject matter.

Author Dann Glenn's approach is factual, concise, and historically accurate while still retaining a genuine feeling of humanity and shared experience. This is a refreshing approach to the telling of a story that takes place in a combat situation.

"Almost a Proverb" is very much character driven, which adds personality, warmth, and heart to what could be a sobering and very raw war story. Through these characters and their personalities, the reader gets an inside view of the experience through a combat serviceman's point of view. This includes the horror and destruction that always accompanies war, as well as the life lessons and comraderies that can and do last a lifetime.

This book will compel the reader to pick it up and re-read and re-examine numerous times. Highly recommended!

3 people found this helpful

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Virginia Robin Warren

Confronting and healing

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on September 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is a raw and courageous account of the Vietnam war. Through Dann's very real experiences, it helped me connect with my own father's untold experiences. It's not for the faint hearted, but is real and was for me, cathartic.

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Almost A Proverb Paperback – March 25, 2004

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