You Activist Types
 

I recently finished reading "Secrets" by Dan Ellsberg. I've kind of a Vietnam Era nerd for some reason and have read a great deal on the subject, particularly the works of Neil Sheehan and David Halberstam who are both very credible journalists in my opinion. It was that interest that led me to Dan Ellsbergs book.

I know that many of you are anti-war. You might find "Secrets" to be both inspiring and equally chilling in light of what's happening in the world right now. Anyway, if any of you are in to that sort of stuff, I'd highly recommend the book.

It's been years, but have you ever read "Sideshow" by I think William Shawn? It's about the bombing of Cambodia late in the war. I found it illuminating.

Also, far afield of topic, try Barbara Tuchman's "The 14'th century, a Distant Mirror". It's a great read, and her thesis that while the reality of combat changes, the cultural metaphor of war remains dangerously the same. As Histories go, it's a real page turner.

" Barbara Tuchman's "The 14'th century, a Distant Mirror" "

I have a hard bound edition of this book. It is definately a gem, but more academic than I think most people here would appreciate.

>: pompous >:

If you're interested in fiction for that era, you might try (if you haven't already):

Platoon Leader
by James R. McDonough

This book is the story of one young lieutenants growth during the year he fought in Vietnam. It is the story of the hard choices that a leader will have to face in combat. The author’s main thesis is that war is a constant struggle between responsibilities of a leader and the desire to abandon your sense of humanity when faces with the gruesome reality of war. This book is a must for any professional soldier’s reading list. The lessons that can be derived are as appropriate for the professional NCO as for the professional officer.


Biography & Autobiography - Military; History - Military - Vietnam | Presidio Press | Trade Paperback | June 1996 | $13.95 | 0-89141-606-4

Author Biography

Cololonel James McDonough, USA (Ret.), graduated from West Point and served in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader in the legendary 173d Airborne Brigade. A military theorist who has helped shape the post-Cold War army’s thinking, he is also the author of The Defense of Hill 781 and The Limits of Glory. Now retired from active duty, McDonough lives with his family in Tallahassee, Florida.

P.S. Sorry about all the "cut & paste". It's just that they explained it better than my motivation towards typing would allow me to. :)

"pompous"

You know, I avoid reading your posts just so I won't be tempted to reply to them. I hate of arguing over stupid shit, but I'll make an exception this once.

Have you ever read this? Can you picture Rongi reading it? Or liquidstatik? How about Retro Kat or Black Midnight? Unseen, Matt Harty, Skulhedface, Spectre X, Professor Cool or Captain Robo? LegoLars or Les Waste? FartinMowler? Capn Crunch? Vincezeb can barely spell his fucking name or write a sentence, I doubt he could even find a copy. Cut me some fucking slack.

Sure the book is only six hundred pages, minus the bibliograghy and index, but I haven't noticed too many threads on the various Count d'Coucys or fourteenth century literature and poetry -the themes which make up the largest portion of the book. Its not pompous to state that the book would be uninteresting to most people posting here. Its just a statement of the obvious.

My post about the book predates yours. Checkmate?

ror, most of the people that you listed? they don't post in this forum all that much. so to me, a frequent visitor to the recommended reading section of this message board, i found it very pompous of you to assume that simpletons such as myself wouldn't appreciate such an academic work.

plus, you're an easy target and a liar. tadaaaaaa!!

For such a well read person, "someone" has to work on their writing tone. It might not have been meant pompously but that's the way it came off to me as well. Just sayin' :)

Kellychaos :lol @ tadaaaaaa!!

Anything written by Tim O'Brien makes for a good read on Vietnam.

Is it available in a comic format?

LOL

"if it ain't got no pictures, i ain't a'readsin it!"