Description
Book SynopsisHas taken him thirty years to come to terms with the guilt and shame of desertion.
Trade Review“America lost some of its best men in the Vietnam war—including those who chose exile. . . . Jack Todd’s [voice] is a clear, brave, truthful rendition of the other experience this nation had, and we need it now more than ever.”—James Carroll, author of
An American Requiem and
Constantine’s Sword“This book deserves a high place in the literature of America’s war in Vietnam. Gracefully and eloquently and honestly, without falling into the traps of self-pity or misspent anger, Jack Todd has written a stunning account of his desertion from the U.S. Army in 1969. I doubt that Mr. Todd would call himself a hero—certainly most so-called ‘patriotic’ Americans would not—but having read this frank, beautiful memoir, I can think of no better term to describe a man of such incredible integrity and moral courage. In tight, powerful prose, Mr. Todd captures the terrors and doubts and humiliations that must necessarily accompany such acts of spiritual and political valor.”—Tim O’Brien, author of
The Things They Carried and
Going After Cacciato“Through his personal story, Todd conveys, in a voice that haunts and sings, the impact of an unpopular war on a generation of young Americans.”—
Publishers Weekly“A thoughtful meditation.”—
Booklist“A powerful, well-written account.”—
Library Journal“From Jack Todd we come closer to understanding the terrible costs to those who stayed back and survived.”—
Quill & QuireTable of Contents[no TOC]
