About this title: This "brilliant successor to the groundbreaking Achilles in Vietnam" (Richard Rhodes, author of "The Making of the Atomic Bomb") examines the problems faced by combat veterans reentering civilian society through a unique allegorical reading of Homer's "The Odyssey."
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Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Scribner
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780743211574ISBN:074321157X
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Scribner
Date Published: 2003-11-01
ISBN-13:9780743211574ISBN:074321157X
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780743211574. read more
Description: New. 0743211561 Scribner hardcover w/dstjacket, 2002, 1st edition, unused, No marks or defects...as New/as New...Bubble-wrapped and mailed in a Box w/delivery confirmation. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Scribner, Old Tappan, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780743211567ISBN:0743211561
Description: As New in As New jacket. Brand new hardcover book, First Edtiion with full number line. No marks inside or out. Some light scratches on matte black dust jacket. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Scribner
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780743211567ISBN:0743211561
Description: Acceptable. Unless specifically noted to the contrary, item may contain library markings; 100% of this purchase will support literacy programs through a nonprofit organization! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Scribner
Date Published: 2002-11-11
ISBN-13:9780743211567ISBN:0743211561
Description: Very Good. ***WITHDRAWN LIBRARY COPY** * with customary markings. No markings in text; Being sold on consignment for the library. Choose your shipping option based on the time you are able to wait for delivery. read more
Description: New. This "brilliant successor to the groundbreaking Achilles in Vietnam" (Richard Rhodes, author of "The Making of the Atomic Bomb") examines the problems faced by combat veterans reentering civilian society through a unique allegorical reading of Homer'... read more
"This book discusses how soldiers, both in ancient Greece and in Vietnam, coped with what they'd seen and done during the war once they came home. Ingrained behaviors that once kept them alive now had no place, and civilians (even family) often denied them the emotional safety needed to express their pain and trauma so that they could come to a place of healing.
The first part of the book breaks down the various adventures in Odysseus and shows how each demonstrates an experience or coping behavior of military personal who have returned from war. (A summary version of the epic poem is provided in the appendix for those who haven't read it lately.) The author then gives examples of similar problems and coping behaviors that he's seen in his work with Vietnam veterans with severe PTSD.
The second part of the book briefly discusses several methods the author has successfully used to help restore veterans with severe PTSD to healthy, useful lives.
The last part of the book shows how the current military practices (in organization and incentives) could be changed to help prevent PTSD while also making our forces more effective as fighting units. Frankly, I was appalled to discover that some effective, life-saving military organizational practices were discarded for very petty reasons. I hope things have changed in this regard since 2002.
The author has a very different worldview than I do. He believes that war and subsequent coping behavior come from how we evolved. He also seems to believe that all religions are equally able to help veterans cope with their feelings of guilt. Because of our different worldviews, I was not entirely convinced by several of his conclusions throughout the book.
Overall, this book was interesting and easy to read. The veteran's story's were often heart-rending. This book was a valuable source of information about the struggles of Vietnam veterans, some ways these struggles can be won, and some ways PTSD can be prevented in future generations of military personal. I'd recommend this book to anyone who has served in the military during a war (though there may be better books out there for those who are actually struggling with severe PTSD) or to anyone who wants a better understanding of what Vietnam veterans went through upon their return from war."
"This book was quite academic (to use a phrase from Aaron) meaning that was difficult to keep my interest. It is valuable, however, in that it discusses the plight of many war veterans who return home and find it difficult to find their place in society. It discussed many of the emotional problems they deal with and for that reason it is a good book to read."
"My father is a veteran of World War II, not Vietnam, but my friends' fathers are Vietnam vets and I encounter more than my share of such vets when I accompany my dad to the VA Hospital.
This was the first book that gave expression to my belief that, in some way I couldn't quite put my finger on, our soldiers were being shortchanged. It's not just Vietnam, it's all of them. This book helped me set an additional goal to my commitment to pacifism. While I prefer that no one fights a war, if you MUST, you shouldn't be screwed by the government you fought for.
I've found, unfortunately, that a lot of veterans (including my dad) don't feel they deserve to be treated any better than they are. That's a complete shame and it's up to all of us to help them fight for what they deserve at home as well."
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