Legacy of Discord: Voives of the Vietnam War - Book Report/Review Example

Book review Book summary The book, Legacy of Discord: Voices of the Vietnam War was authored by Gil Dorland. Gil Dorland graduated from the U.S. Military in 1963 and served in two Vietnam tours. However, after service he later sought to understand the war from another perspective. Currently, he resides in Hollywood, Florida and is an independent film producer as well as a screenwriter. Dorland has also written other books such as Duty Honor Company: West Point Fundamentals for Business besides Legacy of Discord: Voices of the Vietnam Era. In the novel, Legacy of Discord: Voices of the Vietnam Era, Dorland discusses the serious as well as unresolved issues relevant to the Vietnam War. Gil assembles various ‘voices’ and particularly one historian who is from the Vietnam War era. Dorland interrogates the likes of Tom Hayden, David Halberstam, Henry Kissinger, John McCain, Mike Davidson, Rodger Hilsman, Cau Le, Jim Webb, Tom Polgar, Barry McCaffrey, and William Westmoreland among others. All of them make up those: who fought the war, who ran the war, who were against it, and who covered it as journalists. Their stories convey the experiences and perspectives of what happened more than two decades ago when they were part of history. Critique Dorland provides a balanced and dispassionate book about the Vietnam War as well as the era that generated it, by talking to the individuals who played major roles on each side of the conflict. The novelist interviews 18 core players in the Vietnam War along with one historian during the period. The objective of Dorland is worthy to be recognized, especially considering his background. Since he served in the military, his credentials enabled him to access people who are often reluctant to be ‘quoted,’ especially the military personnel. The book generates divergent then-and-now standpoints of high-powered individual subject with regard to the war. His choice of interviewees, including journalists, military personnel, anti-war activists, and two Vietnamese one from each side ensures a stimulating reading of the Vietnam War participants. In the same way, the lessons learnt from Vietnam’s war have deeply affected the American soldiers who conducted the war against Iraq. Chiefly, the value of the book is in the insights and observations provided by thoughtful persons who were major participants in the war. Other people saw participating in war was a honorary achievement. The author quotes Barry McCaffery saying, “Combat was the most….worthwhile thing I had ever done in my life” (Dorland 67). Most people join the military in order to protect the nation. This is a very selfless act since some of them loose their lives during the course. James Webb distinguished himself as a combat marine and author. As written by Dorland, he quotes Webb, “In my mind, I am writer. In my heart I am a soldier” (Dorland 81). Nobody denies that all soldiers are trained to engage in war and it is their duty. The novelist posits that they loved their careers too much. Additionally, Senator John Kerry was a commander of a small boat during the combat. According to him, he had a “wonderful time in all its craziness,” (Dorland 89). Kerry claims that the war created a great connection and bond. Senator John McCain also said that the “war was very exciting in many respects” (Dorland 157). This shows that some of the participants of the war really liked the experience irrespective of the known war outcomes. However, others who fought in the Vietnamese war argue that they did not receive anything back. The author quotes Norman Schwarzkopf’s comments, “As I look back over my……I was serving a cause for which I didn’t receive anything back” (Dorland 71). Norman sees no meaning for ever participating in the war. Kerry also in 1969, he turned against the war and became the spokesman for the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Dorland also takes the reader back to what when Webb says the Vietnamese war was the “most divisive issue since the Civil War” (232). The readers are able to discern that what the Vietnam War appeared then rings true four decades later. In this regard, most of the soldiers who have participated in war have been found to have a disrupted social pattern. Most of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have demonstrated that soldier who fought in the Civil War, World War, and Gulf War, and Iraqi War have been found to suffer from PSTD. From the book it can be seen that soldiers not only suffered in the battlefield field, but also required long-term care due to the psychological and physical effects of the war. Most have been diagnosed with high stress levels after service. Marriages together family relationships are strained due to the anxiety and stress. War can eliminate a generation of men leading to women raising the children on their own. This disrupts the family patterns. Besides that, civilians, especially children can suffer from the effects of trauma as a result of the war. War results in death and destruction of property. As noted by Dorland, Tom Hayden, a war protester, says, “I am convinced that the best way to support the Americans is to stop the killing,” (211). He argues that for in a period of 15 years a lot of destruction had been done. When Hilmans says, “Bombing has little effect on non-industrialized countries (Dorland 140), it shows the extent of the damage that can be caused by a bomb. Due to the intensity of the war most people are killed and scores injured. Dorland himself was wounded in combat in the Que Son Valley in 1967. About 65 million people died during the First World War. War also affects the health of the civilians. For example, the nuclear bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima had extremely horrific immediate effect, killing hundreds of thousands and had long-term effects on more other thousands. Children born with defects as well as radiation sickness were experienced long after the bombs were dropped and buildings destroyed. Proceeding further, soldiers not only suffered psychologically but also the physical impacts of the war. For example, in the Vietnamese War, the soldiers suffered from diseases, such as, asthma and trench foot. Trench foot is a foot infection caused by wet, cold, and unhygienic conditions, were very particular to the water-filled trenches in World War I and Vietnam War. War also crashes the economy together with related financial systems. It destroys culture, land, and other tangible aspects of society. War has its positive impacts too. It promotes research and development as the armies try to come up with superior fighting techniques and weapons. As a result, education is also promoted. Also, war raises the overall living standards by driving the economy positively. War also resulted to giving of civil rights to the African-Americans. Lastly, war also increases solidarity and patriotism in the country. War also changes the manner in which we think about others. Dorland (223) argues that the Vietnamese War made people to question the American involvement in foreign nations. In this regard, journalists also play role in war. Dorland asserts that journalists, such as, Malcom Brown, Arnett, Neil Sheehan, and David Halberstam were young and inexpert to cover the Vietnam War. He posits that they were younger than the Second World War and “one must be bold enough to go out in the field and get…shot at” (Dorland 123). However, for example, these journalists had a wealth of experience with Halbertsam covering the civil rights movement in the Congo War before going to Vietnam, while Brown covered the Cuban campaign. In summary, the realities of what happened during the Vietnam War are cemented by the direct testimonies from the major participants. The author charges to the core of the matter with every interviewee and develops from that point. This makes Dorland’s style to be crisp and precise. The subject introductions are well-written and do not exceed two pages. Most of the interviewees voice their concerns about the negative impacts of the war. Conclusively, the book argues that war does more harm than good. Works Cited Dorland, Gil. Legacy of Discord: Voives of the Vietnam War. New York: Potomac Books Inc., 2002. Print. Read More