Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War

I saw this movie on TV the day before Thanksgiving this year and just couldn't beleive it, I think it may be the most important documentary ever made. The very first veteran interviewed talks about how it was fairly common place for POWs to be thrown from airborne aircraft and everything just spirals downward from there. The movie shows normal everyday looking americans talking about some of the most horrible things imaginable. Veterans often chuckle and laugh while recounting these things and then you see there faces going from amusement to guilt and shame in the blink of an eye. This documentary shows literally how war is hell and should be required viewing in all high schools.

Winter Soldiers: An Oral History of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War-Richard StacewiczBringing together the voices of 26 former members of VVAW, Richard Stacewicz offers an exciting account of the impact of the war on the lives of young American soldiers. Winter Soldiers traces the lives of Vietnam veterans from their childhood and education in the U.S. through their experiences in Vietnam and back to the world and the "war at home". Rather than offer his own interpretation of the history of VVAW, the author lets the individuals (men and women) speak for themselves. In each chapter we learn a little more about the characters and are drawn into their conversations. The book does a good job of presenting the history of VVAW and some of its most important battles: Dewey Canyon III, Operation RAW, the Winter Soldier Investigation. It covers the ending of the war, and the struggle within VVAW over which direction the group should take: Some wanted to concentrate on anti-imperialist issues (developed into VVAW AI), others primarily on veterans' issues (developed into VVAW Inc.) The author allows VVAWers to bluntly discuss the internal disagreements - over tactics, politics, leadership. Participants on both sides are given an opportunity to express their positions in the book. The book's style is refreshing, conveying an impression of dialogue. Each chapter focuses on an important piece of our history. Joe Urgo, founding member of VVAW, currently in VVAW AI is one of those interviewed. Good job, Joe!

Winter Soldiers traces the lives of 26 Vietnam Veterans from their childhood and education in the US through their experiences in Vietnam and back to the world and the "war at home." The eloquent voices of these men and women are the most compelling part of this history as they explainhow they moved from Goldwater republicanism tothe radical left as a result of their Vietnam education. This book shows a part of US domestic and military history in a personal and often tragic manner. Also contains one of the best concise histories of the US and French involvement in Indochina that's ever been written. A tremendous read.