This book is a collection of over 100 experiences of men who went - or were sent - to Vietnam, to take part in the war.
As is the way of the Digger, they tend to tell the funny stories, often as 'innocents abroad' in a strange land, but others tell of the tragedy of mates killed and maimed.
The men who have written here, come from a variety of backgrounds and some were regular soldiers, while many were undertaking National Service.
The experiences come from Army, Navy, Air Force men and even an American who has come to live amongst the Australian Diggers, who he one fought alongside. The common theme that ties all the stories together, is the mateship that comes from sharing danger, the harsh living conditions and the need to depend on each other when their service was later derided.
Today, the veterans support their mates as they struggle with war-related stress, sickness from the chemicals they were sprayed on them and the public rejection of the past.
Although not all the writers were born in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, they now live in the are and share the common experience - or ordeal - that was Vietnam.
Contents:
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Forewords
Introduction
The Conscript
Veterans' Stories
Appendix 1: Abbreviations and Glossary
Index of People
