Late Thoughts on an Old War: The Legacy of Vietnam

Book Description

Philip D. Beidler, who served as an armored cavalry platoon leader in Vietnam, sees less and less of the hard-won perspective of the common soldier in what America has made of that war. Each passing year, he says, dulls our sense of immediacy about Vietnam's costs, opening wider the emptation to make it something more necessary, neatly contained, and justifiable than it should ever become. Here Beidler draws on deeply personal memories to reflect on the war's lingering aftereffects and the shallow, evasive ways we deal with them.

Beidler brings back the war he knew in chapters on its vocabulary, music, literature, and film. His catalog of soldier slang reveals how finely a tour of Vietnam could hone one's sense of absurdity. His survey of the war's pop hits looks for meaning in the soundtrack many veterans still hear in their heads. Beidler also explains how "Viet Pulp" literature about snipers, tunnel rats, and other hard-core types has pushed aside masterpieces like Duong Thu Huong's Novel without a Name. Likewise we learn why the movie The Deer Hunter doesn't "get it" about Vietnam but why Platoon and We Were Soldiers sometimes nearly do.

As Beidler takes measure of his own wartime politics and morals, he ponders the divergent careers of such figures as William Calley, the army lieutenant whose name is synonymous with the civilian massacre at My Lai, and an old friend, poet John Balaban, a conscientious objector who performed alternative duty in Vietnam as a schoolteacher and hospital worker. Beidler also looks at Vietnam alongside other conflicts—-including the war on international terrorism. He once hoped, he says, that Vietnam had fractured our sense of providential destiny and geopolitical invincibility but now realizes, with dismay, that those myths are still with us. "Americans have always wanted their apocalypses," writes Beidler, "and they have always wanted them now."

Customer Reviews:

Important Contribution to the Literature of the Vietnam War.......2004-09-18

Mr. Beidler uses his personal experiences along with his academic abilities to offer the reader a unique view of the Vietnam War. He suggests that we have created a myth about Vietnam and that we haven't learned any lessons about the limits of our abilities as a culture or government. We haven't faced up to the consequences of our actions in Vietnam.

What I really liked about this book is that Mr. Beidler didn't forget the participants. One chapter in particular, "How I flunked race in Vietnam", gave me a valuable insight into human behavior.

A Must Read, Especially Now.......2004-06-09

How quickly we forget. The "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" and Ted Sampley run John Kerry through the mill for his "betrayal" of the troops who served in Vietnam in his testimony in the Senate in 1971. Dr. Beidler reminds us that it wasn't the soldiers that were to blame for the atrocity that was the Vietnam War but the blind stupidity of the political and military leadership that led to, and kept us in, a war that we were never going to win. Read this and "They Marched Into Sunlight" to get a refresher on why things were they way they were in the late 60's and early 70's. I particularly appreciate Dr. Beildler's perspective on the totally superficial "sacrifices" of the American public in the current war. In speaking of the soldiers of this war he says, "Don't come home expecting anybody to remotely care". We are too busy on our cell phones.

Book Description

Slick, cool and unforgettable, New York City does fashion with sophistication. Confidence is not lacking in this 'city that never sleeps', so don't miss out - especially on a chance to shop. Our New York guide, the first of the series, is as up to date as ever with shopping tips. Whether you're heading to Madison Avenue or over to SoHo you'll discover something new in this shopper's bible. The quirky vintage dress, the perfect leather jacket.there's no better source for where it's at. New York, New York. Need we say more?

Customer Reviews:

Very good but too elitist.......2006-11-27

Definitely covers all the good places but only has token "vintage" and "discount" entries and entirely ignores the 34th street shopping district in the garment district where there is a ton of stuff to be found. Focuses way too much attention on Soho. To be a fashionista in NYC though, you definitely need this book. One thing it needs to have is maps-by-neighborhood with the stores marked/numbered. Otherwise its hard to spend a day shopping, working from the book. You have to make your own map. But it is the only book of its type that I've seen so its a must have.

Where to Wear New York 2006.......2006-03-14

Extremely helpful for all fashionistas. Makes a great gift for clients as well. Very well researched and a fun read.

Don't Leave Home Without It!...........2002-12-10

The most amazingly organized, concise, factual shopping guide there is. A fabulous stocking stuffer.....stuffed with tidbits, locations, telephone #'s. Absolutely guaranteed to produce a call from you credit card company. This title, along with its worldwide sisters, should not be missed. If you're going through customs, leave the European ones with friends.....they're a sure tip off that you've been in a buying mode!
One of the best Christmas present/stocking stuffers.

Average customer rating:

Starts off well...

A little disappointing

Strong Graphic Novel!

Excellent Fantasy Novel!

Entertaining Read

Sojourn v. 1: From the Ashes
Ron Marz
Manufacturer: Cross Generation Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Sojourn v. 2: The Dragon's Tale

The Thief's Tale (Sojourn, Book 4)

The Warrior's Tale (Sojourn, Book 3)

Sojourn Volume 5: A Sorcerer's Tale (Sojourn)

Crux v. 1: Atlantis Rising

ASIN: 1931484155

Book Description

Hundreds of years ago, the Five Lands joined together to end the tyranny of Mordath. Now a mysterious force has brought him back from the dead, this time with magic powers. With a troll army at his back, Mordath soon puts the Five Lands under his heel. He is the unchallenged master of the world. Only one woman has eluded his iron grip. And with that one woman rests the sole hope of ending Mordath's reign of terror. Sojourn is the story of Arwyn, a woman whose quest for vengeance began in the fires that engulfed her city. Arwyn's one aim is to slay Mordath, but to do that she must first find the weapon that can kill a man who is already dead. One of CrossGen's most popular titles, SOJOURN takes a fresh approach to classic fantasy themes using some of the best artwork in comics today.

Customer Reviews:

Starts off well..........2004-09-26

I decided to check this series out after seeing an ad in a book club magazine. While I agree the artwork was for the most part well done I did have a few problems especially when I got to books 2 & 3.
~The epic items to recall an ancient hero as the background I think is fairly well written along with the mysterious sorceress as both a goad and irritation. However the subplots tend to distract from this without really adding anything but page count. Also rather annoying is that instead of following clues or ancient stories the main characters continue to practically stumble onto the missing pieces.
~Yes, the supermodel fantasy heroine gets old. Overlook that she is/was an archer, scout, and a swordswoman yet has extremely slender, shapely arms. And of course there aren't much any ordinary looking women elsewhere. Is this set on a California beach?
~I thought the initial storyline with the trolls was good, and a nice break from the typical Middle Earth/Shannara models. Then in the later books the writers can't seem to decide how to continue them. Horses don't seem to mind being ridden by them for some reason. Oddly, trolls also find females of other species attractive and seem to be able to have relations with them.
~A dragon. Sadly, pretty rare to have fantasy without them. And of course both female, shapechanging, and guarding the one item that can harm her.
~The 'angel' people. We see them in book 1 and then later in a culture lifted almost straight from Egypt but to be honest while nice to look at angels are about as much fluff as dragons.

If you want to just lay back and read a fantasy novel in TPB format it isn't all that bad. If you're looking for more than window dressing though you might want to pass on these.

A little disappointing.......2004-04-23

I don't mean to sound picky (I seem to be one of few reviewers that didn't love this graphic novel), but after reading "Ruse" I found "Sojourn" to be rather disappointing. But before I get into the critical side of things, let's start with the plot.

Four of the provinces known collectivly as "The Five Lands" were once ruled by the evil warlord Mordath and his army of orc-lookalike trolls. He was working on taking over the fifth and final land before a rebellion leader with a magic bow by the name of Ayden destroyed him. Now a devotee has resurrected the evil Mordath, who now has control over ALL the Five Lands. Enter Arwyn(Hmm...This name sounds familiar), a female archer who's more than just a little...well endowed(more about this later). She's recently lost her husband, daughter and village to Mordath and vows to kill him. After being captured by the man she set out to kill, she attempts escape with a fellow inmate, Gareth. After a strange rescue she discovers that she is destined to go on a quest that may save the Five Lands from its current state.

So, I promised you critical bits and I'm not one to leave such promises unfulfilled. Here goes:
In the artwork department: It seems that penciller Greg Land, who's responsible, for the most part, for the look of the characters, believes it's more important to make Arwyn(and most of his other female characters for that matter) into a medieval supermodel, instead of creating a stronger-looking female character. I understand that the whole "tortured beauty" thing is cool, but do her clothes really need to look that tight? Also, Land seems to have a problem sticking with one time period. All the main characters look like something out of Middle Earth, but there are parts where the dwellings, as well as the people, look victorian, or even modern. There are a few problems with consistency in the characters' looks, too, but these are really only minor problems that pop up once or twice.

As for story: Ron Marz's narratives, as well as his dialogue, are for the most part very witty and fun to read. However, his plots seem to be a little too thin on occasion, and the reader sometimes gets the idea that he wants to skip the explanations and get straight to the action so that Land gets to draw gory battle scenes(oh! I almost forgot to mention; there's quite a bit of blood and gore in this, but kudos to both Marz and Land for it not being overdone. It's just the right amount).

In conclusion: I'll probably continue to read "Sojourn", because for all its flaws, it's a pretty engaging, not to mention quick, read. But this graphic novel is not without its problems, problems that could be easily fixed with a little more character development and less excuses to show a small bit of skin.

Strong Graphic Novel!.......2004-02-20

A strong story, excellent characterizations and drop-dead beautiful art are highlights for this strong graphic novel, first in a series. Although the story seems familiar, Marz's offbeat touches give it new life while artist Greg Land makes a name for himself as someone to follow whatever story he decides to draw. Good novel for female teens or anybody who loves a good story.

Excellent Fantasy Novel!.......2003-06-17

First and foremost, the artwork of this book is fantastic -- some of the best I've ever seen in a comic book! This is true of nearly all the CrossGen Entertainment series. You might be tempted to thnk this series in "Xena" meets "Lord of the Rings," and while it has some of those elements, it is so much more. The storytelling is top notch and doesn't let up. A great addition to any fantasy collection.

Entertaining Read.......2003-03-09

My husband bought me From The Ashes and The Dragon's Tale. I read both in two days. I can't wait for the next book. Very entertaining and adventurous. Loved them both. My husband is reading them now and likes them. We are going to pass them on to friends.

Book Description

Pet peeves been trailing mud all over your nice, bright outlook? Let Chonda Pierce help you clean up your attitude with a little deep-cleansing, sparkling-fresh humor! This comedian, singer, and preacher's daughter has a knack for finding merriment in those little things that can drive anyone crazy. Chonda's wacky stories won't just get you laughing so hard you'll forget what was bugging you. They go deeper, illustrating profound spiritual truths. As a Christian, it's easy to assume that life's little sticking points shouldn't aggravate you. It can be hard to go to God with the "petty" details of your day, because they seem exactly that -- petty. But God wants you to share all of your life with him. So when your day and your temper both seem like a wet bar of soap -- hard to get a grip on -- don't work up a lather! Pick up Chonda Pierce on Her Soapbox instead. You'll do more than get a chuckle -- you'll discover that God is deeply interested in everything about you.

Customer Reviews:

She's a Hoot!!.......2007-01-11

I own everything Chondra Pierce has ever done and love her style, her content and her philosophy on life! She's a delight to read and hear (CD tapes)- she has a style that definitely portrays the Christian attitude.
I can't recommend her enough.

Book Description

In this innovative analysis of the interconnections between nation and aesthetics in the United States during the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth, David A. Gerstner reveals the crucial role of early cinema in consolidating a masculine ideal under American capitalism. Gerstner describes how cinema came to be considered the art form of the New World and how its experimental qualities infused other artistic traditions (many associated with Europe—painting, literature, and even photography) with new life: brash, virile, American life. He argues that early filmmakers were as concerned with establishing cinema’s standing in relation to other art forms as they were with storytelling. Focusing on the formal dimensions of early-twentieth-century films, he describes how filmmakers drew on European and American theater, literature, and painting to forge a national aesthetic that equated democracy with masculinity.

Gerstner provides in-depth readings of several early American films, illuminating their connections to a wide range of artistic traditions and cultural developments, including dance, poetry, cubism, realism, romanticism, and urbanization. He shows how J. Stuart Blackton and Theodore Roosevelt developed The Battle Cry of Peace (1915) to disclose cinema’s nationalist possibilities during the era of the new twentieth-century urban frontier; how Paul Strand and Charles Sheeler positioned a national avant-garde through the fusion of “American Cubism” and industrialization in their film, Manhatta (1921); and how Oscar Micheaux drew on slave narratives and other African American artistic traditions as he grappled with the ideological terms of African American and white American manhood in his movie Within Our Gates (1920). Turning to Vincente Minnelli’s Cabin in the Sky (1943), Gerstner points to the emergence of an aesthetic of cultural excess that brought together white and African American cultural producers—many of them queer—and troubled the equation of national arts with masculinity.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Notes, published by Music Library Association, Inc. on December 1, 1994. The length of the article is 2322 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Nineteenth-Century Music and the German Romantic Ideology.
Author: David Montgomery
Publication: Notes (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 1994
Publisher: Music Library Association, Inc.
Volume: v51 Issue: n2 Page: p561(4)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

In the same right-to-the-point, no-nonsense style that was a hallmark of Positioning, this sequel squares off against critical marketing challenges such as how to make sure your message gets through in an era of information overload.

Download Description

Customer Reviews:

The Natural Laws of Gaining Market Share.......2006-03-03

Trout has a half a dozen bestsellers to his name. He has been a consultant for major lending corporations. Rivkin worked with Trout then branched out on his own. Together these two have put together a great book for positioning your company in today's market. Examples are take from their personal experience with companies. The first part of the book covers the latest psychology of how the mind of a prospect is influenced. It covers how the mind characterizes different types of incoming data. Part 2 goes into the repositioning of your company to correspond and take advantage of these natural laws. Trout covers the basic pitfalls in this area as well. This book is well titled (positioned)!

Five Stars

A clear message quickly absorbed.......2001-08-27

Some of those who read the original book, Positioning, found this sequel disappointingly short on new information. However, if you have not read the original, this book is worth reading, in part because it applies its own principles to communicate simply and briefly. Case studies are kept short and the central messages delivered efficiently then reinforced. Trout emphasizes the enormous amount of information and number of choices facing people and the consequent need for simplicity of message, and a clear position in the minds of consumers. Trout uniformly dislikes brand line extension, though he does not deal with counter-examples. The first section of the book, Understanding the Mind sets up the cognitive framework for the positioning approach. The second section, Dealing with Change, helps companies reposition themselves in consumers' minds. The third section, The Tricks of the Trade, goes into some specific strategies for penetrating the noise with your signal. There are deeper and newer books on the subject, but the clear message of this quickly-readable book is worth taking in.

Highly Recommended!.......2001-05-26

You can achieve better brand recognition and sales if you understand how the mind works. Jack Trout (assisted by Steve Rifkin) emphasizes that the human mind is limited, hates confusion and easily loses focus. The authors cite companies that have succeeded in their brand strategy and advertising by following these principles, and a few who failed because they didn't. The book concludes with "tricks of the trade" that you can use. In keeping with these principles, the volume is simply and clearly written, brief, well organized and focused. However, since it was published about four years ago and talks about the beginning of the information age, some of the material already may sound familiar. But if you can ignore that sense of déjà vu, the book offers an excellent summary of the relationship between how the mind works and how best to use product positioning. We [...] recommend this book to marketing mavens with inquiring minds

What's "New"?.......2001-05-22

For someone who has not read any of the authors' (especially Trout's) other books, this has some value. For that reason, I rate it higher than do many other reviewers. However, it is inferior to the original Positioning (by Ries and Trout) and adds very little (if anything) that is "new" to the concepts and comments provided in that important book. The value of the original is increased substantially when read in combination with other works such as Levitt's The Marketing Imagination and Barker's Paradigms. Because effective positioning is (literally) a moving target, those involved must be both willing and able to modify that positioning in response to rapid, sometimes major changes in the competitive marketplace. That is to say, new positioning may be necessary. The authors of this book already have an excellent title. Now all they need is a text which is worthy of it.

No new idea!.......2000-06-12

It's just a direct "copy" of the marketing classics by the same authors "Positioning". Not many new idea there.

The New Positioning: The Latest on the World's #1 Business Strategy

Average customer rating:

The New Positioning: The Latest on the World's #1 Business Strategy
Jack; Rivkin, Steve; Riukin, Steve; Ries, Al Trout
Manufacturer: Mcgraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OG36KG

Average customer rating:

The New Positioning: The Latest on the World's #1 Business Strategy
Jack Trout
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXTTMY

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