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Books > Humanities > History > American history > From 1900
Jeff and Jimmy- A Vietnam Epistolary by R. C. Hamilton With the
multitude of writings about Vietnam, most of which are now probably
confined to the cobweb and the dustbin of forgottenness, we thought
we have known the last of them. Yet, the story of Jeff Hamilton and
Jim Ackerman weaves an irresistible aura about it, a stirring
essence that defies all that we believe we already know about 'Nam.
Jeff and Jim are town mates-from Mansfield, Ohio-who find
themselves thrown in the same platoon at Vietnam, Jeff as the
platoon leader, and Jim his radio operator. On a tour of duty on
March 22, 1968, both will face invisible enemies who will force
them to act in a way that will forever make their mark in the minds
of those who know them. At first, what transpired on that day would
appear to be as enigmatic to friends and families as the whole
episode of Vietnam itself. The details, when they finally become
known, appear to be as emblematic as to be what Vietnam is really
all about. About the Author R.C. Hamilton worked for over thirty
years in an academic library in western Pennsylvania. During that
time, he and his wife and son lived on a family farm and raised
Scottish Highland Cattle in a Minor Breeds conservancy program. He
was also a multi-instrumentalist and performer in a Scottish/Irish
Traditional folk music band, ARAN, was a distance runner and
sometime triathlon participant. His work has appeared in the O.
Henry Awards short stories anthologies, the Antioch Review,
Confrontation Magazine, Tropic magazine, Country Journal, Running
Times; he was a regular freelance contributor to Westsylvania
magazine and numerous other publications. He has won the Golden
Quill Award for nonfiction (sports category) and has twice won the
Westmoreland Award for poetry, and also the same award for fiction.
He is now retired. He and his wife live in Alamogordo, New Mexico,
which has over 300 sun days each year, and where he continues to
practice the Irish bouzouki, button accordion, penny whistle and
guitar and still tries to improve his technique-which is a
perpetual labor of love. This is his second published book of
narrative nonfiction.
America's involvement in the Vietnam War created much controversy
in its time. Violent demonstrations and fiery debates filled the
evening news in the 60s. Vietnam veterans returning from over seas
quite often experienced dejection and were demonized by some
segments of society. While this was going on, the ordinary soldier
in Vietnam was experiencing his own world of hardships and
survival. This book is about the facts of everyday life in war zone
c. It involves my firsthand experiences along with the experiences
of other soldiers. After presenting the true narratives, poems have
been introduced to display the true feelings, moods, and attitudes
that were unique in a life of hardship and horror within the rubber
plantations and jungles of Southeast Asia. Gather the pieces of
history now while you can still get them first hand.
A psychologist, through letters and narrative, describes his
forty-three year journey from war in Vietnam to the present day.
How does a returning war veteran re-integrate his life after the
moral ambiguity of war, killing, the death of friends, and a naive,
disinterested public? Combat trauma, reconciliation, and healing
are woven into a story of daily faith.
Memories of personal experiences incountry Vietnam between 1965 and
1971. Some are risque but written so as not to offend. Enjoy how
the real war was fought in episodes of the Brown Water Navy.
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