Book Review: Home Before Morning
Title: Home Before Morning - The True Story of an Army Nurse in Vietnam
Author: Lynda Van Devanter with Christopher Morgan
ISBN: 0-446-35147-4 (First Print by Warner Books 1984)
For many of us the Vietnam war is detailed by the men who fought in malaria-infested jungles, leech-biting paddyfields, and the yarns are of camraderie in close-quarter combat and of stupid officers but outstanding sergeants.
This book takes us through another path - one less travelled and recognized - the Army Nurse.
We are vaguely familiar - for some - of the M*A*S*H series detailing the life of the medical corps during the Korean War. But there has never been any information of the Vietnam War's medical tales (aside from "Medic! Medic!" in the other war chronicles) until Lynda's personal account in this book.
It was a difficult book to read yet difficult to put down. The constant stuggle to reconcile a nurse's conviction of saving lives against the morallity of the war in Vietnam. It also takes a look at the emotional and psychological damage of war from a non-combatant.
But what made the book even more interesting is the time after Lynda's Vietnam experience. The book tells of her life back in the USA after returning and how she managed to cope or not cope in her civilian life. Probably the most telling is her efforts to reconcile her memories by being part of the Vietnam Veterans group to return to Vietnam - meeting people who were once her enemies, working with them to identify MIAs (Missing in Action) and such.
The modern day geo-politics may differ from the Cold War era, the truth is that war hurts - physically, emotionally, psychologically - long after the last bullet has been fired. This book may be 20 years old, but the reality of the hurt and the social costs remain. Similar to Tom Cruise's portrayal of the war in "Born on the Fourth of July", war veterans live their post-war lives dangerously.
Every year, the USA spends milliions of dollars on medical benefits for veterans of all wars - Korean, Vietnam, 1991 Iraq. With ailments ranging from Agent Orange to PTSD, these are stories that the civilian population does not want to hear.
For those who have read the heroics, the blood and gore, it is time to pick up this book to see the other side.
Unfortunately, Lynda passed on in November 15, 2002. Here are links to more of her information:
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
In Memoriam
For the latest copies of this book, check out Amazon.com's website:
Home Before Morning
Happy Reading!
Endnote:
For those who are interested, there is a VCD titled "Vietnam: The Soldiers' Story: Women at War" available. This VCD is from a documentary by the History Channel in the USA.
The author - Lynda - was in the documentary and other women non-combatants of that era also spoke about their contributions.
If interested in obtaining a copy of the VCD, please contact LTA(NCC) William Aw at [anwarasw at gmail dot com]. Each VCD will cost SGD2.00.
Author: Lynda Van Devanter with Christopher Morgan
ISBN: 0-446-35147-4 (First Print by Warner Books 1984)
For many of us the Vietnam war is detailed by the men who fought in malaria-infested jungles, leech-biting paddyfields, and the yarns are of camraderie in close-quarter combat and of stupid officers but outstanding sergeants.
This book takes us through another path - one less travelled and recognized - the Army Nurse.
We are vaguely familiar - for some - of the M*A*S*H series detailing the life of the medical corps during the Korean War. But there has never been any information of the Vietnam War's medical tales (aside from "Medic! Medic!" in the other war chronicles) until Lynda's personal account in this book.
It was a difficult book to read yet difficult to put down. The constant stuggle to reconcile a nurse's conviction of saving lives against the morallity of the war in Vietnam. It also takes a look at the emotional and psychological damage of war from a non-combatant.
But what made the book even more interesting is the time after Lynda's Vietnam experience. The book tells of her life back in the USA after returning and how she managed to cope or not cope in her civilian life. Probably the most telling is her efforts to reconcile her memories by being part of the Vietnam Veterans group to return to Vietnam - meeting people who were once her enemies, working with them to identify MIAs (Missing in Action) and such.
The modern day geo-politics may differ from the Cold War era, the truth is that war hurts - physically, emotionally, psychologically - long after the last bullet has been fired. This book may be 20 years old, but the reality of the hurt and the social costs remain. Similar to Tom Cruise's portrayal of the war in "Born on the Fourth of July", war veterans live their post-war lives dangerously.
Every year, the USA spends milliions of dollars on medical benefits for veterans of all wars - Korean, Vietnam, 1991 Iraq. With ailments ranging from Agent Orange to PTSD, these are stories that the civilian population does not want to hear.
For those who have read the heroics, the blood and gore, it is time to pick up this book to see the other side.
Unfortunately, Lynda passed on in November 15, 2002. Here are links to more of her information:
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
In Memoriam
For the latest copies of this book, check out Amazon.com's website:
Home Before Morning
Happy Reading!
Endnote:
For those who are interested, there is a VCD titled "Vietnam: The Soldiers' Story: Women at War" available. This VCD is from a documentary by the History Channel in the USA.
The author - Lynda - was in the documentary and other women non-combatants of that era also spoke about their contributions.
If interested in obtaining a copy of the VCD, please contact LTA(NCC) William Aw at [anwarasw at gmail dot com]. Each VCD will cost SGD2.00.
posted by Global Citizen at 5:07 AM
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