Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Carol Ann Strahl:
It is difficult to believe that almost a half-century has passed since we became involved in the quagmire called the Vietnam War. In this remarkable and poignant oral history, we share the memories of 33 soldiers, including Medics, a former POW, a Navy Seal, Riflemen, Interrogation Officers, Demolition Experts, Snipers, Pilots, Nurses, and Squad and Platoon Leaders.
The reader is given a dose of reality— Nam was not a John Wayne give ’em hell movie; it was much more complex. The author, Santoli, served in Vietnam and it is his hope that “you will see what we saw, do what we did, feel what we felt.”
Those of us of a certain age remember Vietnam vividly and how it split America. This reviewer lost someone in the early days of the conflict. If you can possibly visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, I highly recommend the experience. It is a moving and sorrowful place. When you see all the names, your first thought is of all those unfulfilled dreams.
This book is a good reminder: We should never forget our Veterans. We are free because of their courage and unselfishness.
If you’re interested in this book, there is a library in your neighborhood where you can find it. Your public library is a source of immediate gratification. Take a walk to your local branch and discover a vital resource that is there for the taking. Whether it’s current events, a visit to our downtown cafe called Fables, something for the kids, or even booking a librarian, we’re not just books anymore! Your free Buffalo & Erie County Public Library card is your ticket to millions of free resources – e-books, downloadable music, research databases, genealogical materials, our complete catalog, and of course, more than 3 million book titles. All of this is at your fingertips at any Library in Erie County or from your own computer – check us out at www.buffalolib.org.