This was a hard book to read. The plot is inspired by the true story of an
attorney dealing with PTSD due to his Vietnam experiences.
The idiocy of the college fraternity experience, the stress
of the draft and protests and the inability to “measure up” to unrealistic
expectations fuel aspects of this plot.
Herald Lloyd is an attorney struggling with internal
demons. His experiences as a infantry
platoon Lt. in Vietnam
feed the fires of alcohol abuse and self loathing. Many Vets from Vietnam believed that to be a man
you had to bottle up your anger and frustration and soldier on. The futility of this approach is graphically
illustrated in the book.
The incongruities of the Vietnam war are clearly shown. Herald flashes back to stress points when he
encounters stress points in his current life.
His wife’s insistence that he seek help are rebuffed by his assurances
that he can handle it.
The book showed the despicable way returning Vets were treated
in that era. It seems that today’s Vets
are treated better, one can only hope that is true.
What we ask of our young men and women is almost beyond
comprehension, the least we can do is treat them with respect, help and honor
when they come home.
Good book.
Web:
http://howardlhibbard.com/
This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.
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