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on December 9, 2014
Worth the read. The author challenges many, many notions about the war in Vietnam. Fact vs fallacy is again and again disputed in this well researched book. As a veteran of the Vietnam war and a mental health professional who has spent 30 + years working with this group of veterans I can concur with much of what the author says. However, I do at times believe that the cynicism regarding the "facts" of the war expressed is a little over the top.
on January 18, 2016
Open minded look at a topic that is most often approached from a pre-determined, negative point of view. The author makes clear that he is no supporter of America's war in Viet Nam, but he is concerned that the subject of atrocities said to be committed by US soldiers is treated accurately and fairly. His research is admirable. This is a good read for someone interested in unbiased insight into one controversial and historical aspect of that war.
on June 20, 2013
About the most opionated book on Vietnam I've read.. I was there 67-68, medic with the 101st and did not leave with this guys issues. Sorry, that's just me.i
on March 3, 2012
Unlike some of the other reviewers, after many years of reading about and discussing the Vietnam War, I stopped because it seemed most people had hardened theirs views in such a way that rational discussion was not possible. The views were often hardened around the common stereotypes seen in the movies, tv shows, books, and the press. It seemed from watching these shows that most veterans were traumatized by their war experiences and became homicidal, suicidal, or drug addicted while most anti-war activist were LSD crazed cowardly communist hippies. It also seemed that if you did not completely buy into the favorite stereotypes of one "side" you were seen as supporting the "other side".
Frankly, the only reason I read Gary Kulik's book was that I knew him in college and was curious about what he would write. But now, I only wish that I had read it sooner. His book does an excellent job of looking at popular "war stories" that have come out of Vietnam and dissecting them exposing their truths and untruths. In story after story he shows that some individuals (both pro and con Vietnam) would consciously or unconsciously develop a personal "war story" that fit a popular, politically correct, or marketable narrative. Kulik's chapter on the investigation of an incident in Quang Tri is reminiscent of the movie Roshomon. Everyone involved in the incident seems to have their own "truth" and it is hard to determine where the real truth lies. I applaud Kulik's ability to stay focused on the truth of each story and not be deflected by his own stance on Vietnam. Several of the stories he exposes as patently untrue, others he places in their proper context showing that while they may have happened they were atypical and should not be used to characterize the war, the veterans, or the anti-war demonstrators. I would highly recommend this book to any college course on Vietnam. It provides a model for wading through all the media that seems to only want "stories" that make for more dramatic scenes, and/or reinforce a political point of view.
Frankly, the only reason I read Gary Kulik's book was that I knew him in college and was curious about what he would write. But now, I only wish that I had read it sooner. His book does an excellent job of looking at popular "war stories" that have come out of Vietnam and dissecting them exposing their truths and untruths. In story after story he shows that some individuals (both pro and con Vietnam) would consciously or unconsciously develop a personal "war story" that fit a popular, politically correct, or marketable narrative. Kulik's chapter on the investigation of an incident in Quang Tri is reminiscent of the movie Roshomon. Everyone involved in the incident seems to have their own "truth" and it is hard to determine where the real truth lies. I applaud Kulik's ability to stay focused on the truth of each story and not be deflected by his own stance on Vietnam. Several of the stories he exposes as patently untrue, others he places in their proper context showing that while they may have happened they were atypical and should not be used to characterize the war, the veterans, or the anti-war demonstrators. I would highly recommend this book to any college course on Vietnam. It provides a model for wading through all the media that seems to only want "stories" that make for more dramatic scenes, and/or reinforce a political point of view.
on November 19, 2009
Ever since my own tour of duty in Vietnam (1968-69) I have read everything published about the war in an effort to understand better what happened to me and millions of others. This book is one of the best ever written on the subject. It is thoroughly researched, even-handed and dedicated to factual accuracy. It clearly has taken the author 40 years to research and write and the care and meticulous attention to detail show on every page. He covers both the facts of the war and also how the war and Vietnam veterans were treated in the popular culture in the aftermath of the 1960's. There has been more b.s. written about the war and those of us who served there that on the next dozen topics combined and the author does an excellent job of digging down to the truth, which will surprise many people who have studied Vietnam only superficially. His critique of Lynda Van Devanter's "Home Before Morning" is particularly devastating, in many cases showing that what she wrote was physically impossible! I do not agree with everything in this book - I think the author gives John Kerry and Jane Fonda too many passes and is too hard on the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and B. J. Burkett, for example - but I don't judge books by whether they agree with my views 100%. The author was a conscientious objector, follower of the Berrigans, etc. who went on to serve as a medic so paid his dues. It is clear that, like me, he has spent the decades since his service studying the war, the reaction to the war in America, the treatment of veterans and other related issues in an effort to understand these important matters. He succeeds brilliantly. The book is also well-written and a pleasure to read. Highest possible rating, and I recommend this as a good book to start with if you are interested in the Vietnam war and its aftermath since it surveys and comments on so many other works, fiction, non-fiction and movies, about Vietnam and those who fought there. Mr. Kulik has my gratitude for writing this labor of love.
on December 23, 2012
Kulik writes brilliantly, and he's a solid historian. It's an incisive look at a form of group-think, and the way truth gets manipulated. This book could be on a history, political science, or management or communications theory syllabus.
on June 20, 2013
Author seems to me just trying to impress everyone with his vocabulary instead of telling the story. A boring and hard read to understand what he is trying to say.
on December 20, 2012
' Another 'Winter Soldier'. Don't waste your money on this revisionist 'his' tory. The sad part is Kulik actually believes this crap.
