Vietnam-Perkasie
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Book Overview
In 1982, John Newman, curator of the Vietnam War Literature Collection at Colorado State University, said of W.D. Ehrhart: "As a poet and editor, Bill Ehrhart is clearly one of the major figures in Vietnam War literature." This autobiographical account of the war, the author's first extended prose work, demonstrates Ehrhart's abilities as a writer of prose as well. Vietnam-Perkasie is grim, comical, disturbing, and accurate. The presentation is novelistic--truly, a "page-turner"--but the events are all real, the atmosphere intensely evocative.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0870239570
ISBN13:9780870239571
Release Date:June 1995
Publisher:University of Massachusetts Press
Length:328 Pages
Weight:1.12 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"
Grade Range:Postsecondary and higher
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
The Cost of War
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
In this story, Ehrhart beautifully tells of the I Corp Marine's experience in '67-68. The cost, both physically and spiritually,to the soldier has to my mind never seemed so true. Can the innocence and ignorance, if indeed they are different things, last in the face of the reality of war's warped and mishapen environment? What happens to the soldier when faced with his own ignorance and the evils of war, for which he is in many ways responsible? The tension between the two different Ehrharts in the book lies in the attempt to justify his actions in Viet Nam to himself, and if nothing else, to find some comfort even from outside himself. He is both proud and disgusted (I wish I had a stronger word here) by his "accomplishments" in Viet Nam. Where do we find ourselves when the conflict is over? The answer is perhaps nowhere, perhaps in the shower. (You must read the book to understand my last statement):)
Simply AMAZING
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Was required reading in a class I took about the Vietnam War. Reading this memoir rapidly went from a school assignment chore to pleasure. I read the next two books in the series the following summer. Ehrhart exposes his inner self on the page to the point where it can actually be somewhat difficult to read. He gave a lecture to our class at the end of the semester, and it was quite moving. Do check it out.
A TRUE MASTERPIECE
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
A wonderful memoir of a U.S. Marine in Vietnam---Semper F
This is an excellent book by Mr. Ehrhart
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Explains in detail the horror of war and the emotions of one man's feelings.
Great! Neglected! Utterly Real!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Bill Ehrhart's work for too long has been neglected. VIETNAM-PERKASIE is one of the most memorable first-hand accounts of the war which America loves to forget. This memoir is gritty, real, and vastly underrated. It should be made into a film.
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