The Vietnam War was the longest and most diverse war in our history. Almost
60,000 Australians served and more than 500 were killed. Back home, thousands
protested against the war and conscription, and hundreds were sent to jail.
'The Vietnam Years' is the story of both sides of that war, from the vicious
fighting of jungle patrols, told in gripping and graphic detail, to the families
ripped apart from confusion and anger as anti-war protests mounted. It captures
an era of assassinations and moon landings, moratoriums and paisley shirts, and
brings back to life that brief outburst of rock 'n' roll rebellion we call the
'60s.
With a film-maker's eye fir detail, Michael Caulfield vividly portrays the
uncompromising reality of war. He builds a human picture: the bravery shown by
so many young Australian men in the field, a powerful and moving account of the
famous Battle of Long Tan, and stories of the Vietnamese people fighting for a
country they love.
'The Vietnam Years' is about the long hard road Australia took from innocence
to bitterness, and from despair to redemption. And how we have learned to accept
that some wounds never heal.
Contents:
Introduction
A Note to the Reader
Map
1. Faith in Our Fathers
2. The Vietnamese are Descended from Dragons and Fairies
3. Historians will Recall this Day With Tears
4. What the Hell am I Doing Here?
5. Welcome to the Funny Country
6. Shoot First, Shoot Quick, Shoot Straight
7. Me Love You Long Time
8. Long Tan
9. Winning Hearts and Minds
10. It Became Necessary to Destroy the Town in Order to Save it
11. Why Don't They Just Bloody Leave Us Alone?
12. It Was Like Turning Your Back on Your Best Mate and Walking Away
13. If We Look Like Having Another War, Send the Frigging Politicians
Statistics
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index
