The Vietnam Experience: A Concise Encyclopedia of American Literature, Songs, and Films

(Hardback)

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The Vietnam War was one of the most painful and divisive events in American history. The conflict, which ultimately took the lives of 58,000 Americans and more than three million Vietnamese, became a subject of bitter and impassioned debate. The most dramaticand frequently the most enduringefforts to define and articulate America's ill-fated involvement in Vietnam emerged from popular culture. American journalists, novelists, playwrights, poets, songwriters, and filmmakersmany of them eyewitnesseshave created powerful, heartfelt works documenting their thoughts and beliefs about the war. By examining those works, this book provides readers with a fascinating resource that explores America's ongoing struggle to assess the war and its legacies. This encyclopedia includes 44 essays, each providing detailed information on an important film, song, or literary work about Vietnam. Each essay provides insights into the Vietnam-era experiences and views of the work's primary creative force, historical background on issues or events addressed in the work, discussion of the circumstances surrounding the creation of the work, and sources for further information. This book also includes an appendix listing of more than 275 films, songs, and literary works dealing with the war.

Reviews

"This superb encyclopedia chronicles the efforts of American authors, filmmakers, and musicians to portray the diversity of opinion about the Vietnam War. The Hillstroms are masterful in respect to aesthetic critiques and historical setting. They avoid idealogical landmines through skillful narrative balance. However, the work is far from bland. No student or historian of American popular culture should skip this terrific volume."-B. Lee Cooper University of Great Falls
American journalists, novelists, playwrights, poets, songwriters, and filmakers- many of them eyewitnesses- have created powerful, heartfelt works documenting their thoughts and beliefs about the war. By examining those works, this book provides readers with a fascinating resource that explores America's ongoing struggle to assess the war and its legacies.-Veteran's Voice
Especially helpful are the background data and assessments of impact, all situated within evolving popular and critical reception.-American Literary Scholarship
The historical background provides real reference value; in one volume a student of the war can see how each of the creative works of the era treated a wide variety of issues and events.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
The Vietnam Experience is a triumph of qualitative, artistic, cultural reflection....No studemt or historian of American popular culture should skip this terrific volume.-Popular Music and Society
The Vietnam War has had a profound effect on all facets of American cultural life. In 45 essays, the Hillstroms examine works of literature, film, and music that comment on the war. Each entry represents both a work of literature, film, or song and a significant theme bearing on America's Vietnam experience....This unique book will be a valuable addition to any library.-Choice
This is an excellent reference work and should be included in every public library of significant size and any school or academic library addressing the needs of people studying modern U.S. history and society.-ARBA
"American journalists, novelists, playwrights, poets, songwriters, and filmakers- many of them eyewitnesses- have created powerful, heartfelt works documenting their thoughts and beliefs about the war. By examining those works, this book provides readers with a fascinating resource that explores America's ongoing struggle to assess the war and its legacies."-Veteran's Voice
"Especially helpful are the background data and assessments of impact, all situated within evolving popular and critical reception."-American Literary Scholarship
"The historical background provides real reference value; in one volume a student of the war can see how each of the creative works of the era treated a wide variety of issues and events."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"The Vietnam Experience is a triumph of qualitative, artistic, cultural reflection....No studemt or historian of American popular culture should skip this terrific volume."-Popular Music and Society
"This is an excellent reference work and should be included in every public library of significant size and any school or academic library addressing the needs of people studying modern U.S. history and society."-ARBA
"The Vietnam War has had a profound effect on all facets of American cultural life. In 45 essays, the Hillstroms examine works of literature, film, and music that comment on the war. Each entry represents both a work of literature, film, or song and a significant theme bearing on America's Vietnam experience....This unique book will be a valuable addition to any library."-Choice

Author Bio

KEVIN HILLSTROM and LAURIE COLLIER HILLSTROM are partners in Northern Lights Writers Group. Their other books include International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers: Directors, Biography Today: Environmental Leaders, and Small Business Encyclopedia.