Endorsements

In prose that is adamantly stark and spare, Doug Bradley shares this impressive collection of stories loosely centered around the rarely told experience of those American vets who served in Vietnam in the rear. That he is able to pack so much punch, emotions and poignancy in short stories that are tightly woven and compact is a true testament to his gift as a writer and storyteller. --Lan Cao, author of Monkey Bridge The best stories often come late. These DEROS stories from Doug Bradley, a Vietnam scholar who served there more than four decades ago, are among the best I've read. Each story is clear and clean and evocative, looking at the experience from a slightly different angle. The full effect provides a fearful symmetry. --David Maraniss, author of They Marched into Sunlight The more common experience of war in all branches of the service is that of support. Bullets, beans, and bandages don't get to the grunts by magic. Doug Bradley's stories explore the Vietnam War as experienced by the majority of its veterans. These stories are not about battle, but like all great stories they are about the battle for the human soul. Bradley is a talented and experienced writer and he describes that battle with clarity, insight, humor, and great skill. --Karl Marlantes, author of Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War