After the Storm

I was fortunate enough to have Paul Drew come to one of my college classes to discuss his book and i must say his talk was just as powerful as his book. what i really enjoyed was the way he wrote as a normal kind of guy. it was almost as if i was sitting there and he was talking to me like one might talk in a bar. i highly recommend this book

Paul Drew gives the world his diary. His Viet Nam experience is the cover story, but the change in the man is the book. Drew expresses in an intimate and engaging format the impact of war, politics and social upheaval on an everyman. "After the Storm" is a strong statement against streo-typing and against our desire to have history wrapped up in a neat little package. This is an important work in that it combines a valid perspective on the American century with an Odysseus-like inner journey. Highly recommended for the generation that came after the war.

I truly never did so much thinking after reading this book, and I'm still thinking.... As I read, I felt like my vision was getting clearer about how Vietnam made such an impact on not only the veterans' lives, but on their families and friends for the rest of all of their lives. There were many passages that I really would admit are steeped in true wisdom....a wisdom which can be gained only through experience and careful contemplation over many years.....one of my favorite passages was towards the end regarding how the author thought he could best explain what the healing process is like.....with mention of an oppressive dense rain forest bearing down on you, and then you "swallow the sun"........ spectacular....these are the kind of descriptions that jump out at the reader and stick with you for a long time.... I feel that Paul Drew is a little less of a complete stranger now......his reflections make the reader feel like a friend.

"After the Storm" was an amazingly well-written book. In fact I didn't put down until I was finished. One serious sunburn later, I feel I truly understood how a soildier felt during this time, at least Paul Drew. What I enjoyed most about the book, was the Vietnam soildier's point-of-view and feelings they had while many Americans bashed them out-right. To understand the perspective of a soildier dealing with this was simply quie unbelieveable. I am flabergasted at the availabilty of Ho's writings, speeches, and patriotism that our government could not understand, did not read or simply ignored. The patriotism there was seemingly impossible to overcome, our soildiers were statistics, "assets", how to you fight for a government that did not appreciate you?The family aspects were wonderful and I thank God I know this soldier. I am proud of all the Veterens of Vietnam and appreciate all you have done.