Topic: Vietnam Era Research

Hi, everyone--
I'm looking for referrals to books and other sources that can give me examples of the soldier's opinions and attitudes during the Vietnam war. I'm especially interested in letters written from men in combat, not the official government story. This is research for a story about the families and girlfriends who received said letters, and returning soldiers' readjustment to civilian life.

The story idea is inspired by the experiences of men in my family. I've just started research. Any suggestions are appreciated.  JP

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2 Reply by j p lundstrom (edited by j p lundstrom 2017-09-03 14:52:48)

Re: Vietnam Era Research

Look what I found! A site with links to stories of Vietnam. Don't limit your research to 'official' reports.

There's also a timeline showing our involvement in Indochina, beginning in 1945. Who knew?
http://www.vietnamgear.com/archive/1.aspx

Here's a good one. It's called 'Inconvenient War Stories,'by and about Vietnam vets. http://www.jeffreywolin.com/stories.shtml#

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Re: Vietnam Era Research

My friend, who served in Vietnam, just wrote a memoir called "Thing I'll Never Forget." His name is Jim Dixon. If you have a kindle, (and the author produced an ebook) you could download a sample and see if it works for you. It starts with his decision to join the army, boot camp, all the way to his last day in Vietnam, and after.

Sherry

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Re: Vietnam Era Research

Hi,

Apologies for the late posting to this thread, you may have moved on. But did you ever read A Dragon Apparent by Norman Lewis the 20th century travel writer? He's a wonderful writer, and though it's not quite what you are looking for, it is the only western record now of pre-war Vietnam. Great context.

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Re: Vietnam Era Research

Hello, CV.
Not too late at all. Right now I'm trying to clear my desk of unfinished projects, so I'm just doing the reading for now. Thanks for the referral.  JP

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Re: Vietnam Era Research

Sherry V. Ostroff wrote:

My friend, who served in Vietnam, just wrote a memoir called "Thing I'll Never Forget." His name is Jim Dixon. If you have a kindle, (and the author produced an ebook) you could download a sample and see if it works for you. It starts with his decision to join the army, boot camp, all the way to his last day in Vietnam, and after.

Sherry

Thanks, Sherry. I'll check it out.  JP

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