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Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War–by Richard Stacewicz |
Bringing together the voices of 26 former members of VVAW, Richard Stacewicz offers an exciting account of the impact of the war on the lives of young American soldiers. Winter Soldiers traces the lives of Vietnam veterans from their childhood and education in the U.S. through their experiences in Vietnam and back to the world and the "war at home". Rather than offer his own interpretation of the history of VVAW, the author lets the individuals (men and women) speak for themselves. In each chapter we learn a little more about the characters and are drawn into their conversations. The book does a good job of presenting the history of VVAW and some of its most important battles: Dewey Canyon III, Operation RAW, the Winter Soldier Investigation. It covers the ending of the war, and the struggle within VVAW over which direction the group should take: Some wanted to concentrate on anti-imperialist issues (developed into VVAW AI), others primarily on veterans’ issues (developed into VVAW Inc.) The author allows VVAWers to bluntly discuss the internal disagreements - over tactics, politics, leadership. Participants on both sides are given an opportunity to express their positions in the book. The book’s style is refreshing, conveying an impression of dialogue. Each chapter focuses on an important piece of our history. Joe Urgo, founding member of VVAW, currently in VVAW AI, is one of those interviewed. Good job, Joe! 
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Cultural Battles–the Meaning of the Viet Nam – USA War– by Peter McGregor |
Peter McGregor, an Australian anti-war activist and lecturer at the University of Western Sydney, has compiled a collection of his own materials on cultural issues surrounding the Vietnam War into a new book. We especially enjoyed his review of "Four Hours in My Lai"–a recent UK documentary. We take issue with McGregor’s position that the military defeat dealt to the U.S. by the Vietnamese was not a "real victory" for the Vietnamese people proven by the absence of true liberation modern Vietnam. VVAW AI believes that no matter what the long term outcome, it takes nothing away from the Vietnamese’s genuine victory over a powerful superpower. But more importantly, McGregor understands that the crucial battle for the war’s ideological meaning still continues today. This book is a good contribution to this debate and is also useful as a reference.
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The Dark Side of Camelot– by Seymour M. Hersh |
The Dark Side of Camelot rewrites the history of John F. Kennedy and his presidency–at least the public version. Thank you Mr. Hersh, for taking aim at the Kennedy mystique and helping change the popular view of the Kennedy family forever. This is a must read for all. This books exposes what Kennedy should be remembered for: Vietnam (which he viewed as a strategic piece of real estate), stolen elections, adulterous affairs, the invasion of Cuba… The Kennedy’s–those paragons of reformism and concern for the people–are shown for what they truly were: communist hunters, union busters, counter-insurgency enthusiasts, torture chamber academy founders… Those under the spell of the mythic "Camelot" will not like this book, but it’s a truth from the 60s we should not shy away from. Kennedy should be remembered for unleashing the military might of U.S. imperialism against the Vietnamese, Cubans and more. Those who’ve been fooled by the likes of Clinton’s liberal image would do well to study this book. It unveils the liberal as but a sugarcoated mask, the better to eat you with, in their rule of U.S. imperialism. Thanks Seymour, You’ve got a winner!
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Against All Enemies: Gulf War Syndrome: The War Between America’s Ailing Veterans and Their Government– by Seymour M. Hersh |
"The Gulf War veterans and their supporters in Congress have forced a resisting military and intimidated white house to acknowledge that the price of war–even in smashing triumph–is high. The lesson this book teaches is this: Today’s high tech wars are too important and too dangerous to be left to the military or to the politicians. Neither will risk all to protect their soldiers. Those men and women who do the fighting want their say, too, and are learning how to get it". This book, by its glaring omission of criticism, upholds the Gulf War Massacre. This is not an anti-war book, it’s a book calling upon the system to live up to its supposed "ideals". It seems as though the author has gotten defensive in the wake of his stinging book on the Kennedys [see Camelot Review–Ed.] and backed off on some of his indictment for the system. Hersh sees a government divided. He says that the CIA had knowledge that there were chemical weapons at Khamisyah and "failed to relay the information...that failure was a criminally negligent mistake, but it was not a cover-up." Apologizing for the government by saying the problem was confusion inside the American intelligence movement is absurd. He portrays the white house as "intimidating" saying "Bill Clinton was afraid to take on the Pentagon. It was up to Congress to do what the president would not. In many respects this is their victory"!
The book has a strong ‘honor the vet’ edge that leaves a nasty taste in our mouths. If you’ve had the privilege of reading the scathing expose, My Lai 4 , by this same author you would never believe it’s the same guy. This book does do a good job, if you filter well through the politics, of outlining the major physiological issues regarding the Gulf War Illness. With that exception noted, we can only say this: Paper will put up with anything that is written on it.