Late Thoughts on an Old War: The Legacy of Vietnam
"Like no other book on Vietnam, this true river of facts and heart runs  to the ocean of untouched beauty. Beidler is a master narrator and a  hero. I've met a giant pal, and am proud to be in his company. My God,  how good."—Barry Hannah, author ofYonder Stands Your Orphan"Now, when the Vietnam War is being transformed into a matrix of fantasy  and myth used to promote perpetual warfare, Philip Beidler's lucid  memories and meditations become ever more timely and relevant. This book  offers both a penetrating analysis of post-Vietnam American culture and  a powerful antidote to the most toxic elements of that culture."—H.  Bruce Franklin, author ofVietnam and Other American Fantasies"Beidler writes these compelling essays with a sense of urgency, because  he knows that the war is receding into American history as the baby  boomers who fought it are aging. His powerful language and raw,  to-the-point style reveal the anger and despair of soldiers who served  and felt betrayed by their government and fellow citizens. . . . In this  book, he presents a collection of important and forceful works."—ForeWord  Magazine"Beidler led an armored cavalry platoon in Vietnam, where he  certainly saw his share of action. In these thoughtful essays, he keeps  trying to understand that war, even though most of the country no longer  seems to care. . . . What people need to pay more attention to, Beidler  contends, are the ideas of national destiny and exceptionalism that can  lead us into disaster. . . . This interesting and well-argued book is  strongly recommended for both public and academic libraries."—Library  Journal