Memories of a Vietnam Veteran
Sharing the loneliness, uncertainties, leadership challenges, boredom, and
a small taste of the horrors of war, Powell reluctantly recalls calling artillery
fire upon the enemy and the never-to-be-forgotten sounds of bullets whizzing
by and of jet aircraft streaking overhead to save the lives of his men.
From his first night to his last days in Vietnam, routine assignments
suddenly became life threatening. Time and time again, death stalked. Yet
time and time again, the men of the Second Platoon faced death and rode
away. Death was not to be denied. One day and in seconds, 10 men of the
Second Platoon began their journey home in a flag-draped coffin.
Paperback, 174 pages, $13.95
July 2006
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What Others Say about This Book
“A Taste of War is a story that needs to be told. Powell shows us that even
a small taste of war is horrible. I pray that this book and other similar
recollections will cause world leaders to think twice before starting the
mad rush to war and the death and destruction it brings.”
Jesse M. Coker, EdD, Second Lieutenant U.S. Army
Author of My Unforgettable Memories of World War II
“I read A Taste of
War Sunday night – basically in one sitting (so I was up until 2am). It was
emotionally moving and intellectually stimulating, overall — impactful. In
addition, your clear ways of ‘painting the pictures’ without being overly
crude or gory worked – in spite of how crude and gory war is. Knowing you
personally added deeper meaning to the war and the book. Thanks for the book
and the personal note inside the cover.”
Paul Kirpes, President and CEO
TPG Companies: TPG Management Consulting
TPG Philanthropy Group
“We never talked much about his war experiences. Instead, we went on
walks together, and discussed our families, our fears, and our faith.
Whether the military honed his leadership or it came from somewhere
else, he was a community leader and well respected in the nonprofit sector.
Both Cora and I read your book right thru. She commented that your book was
well-written, easy reading. I particularly enjoyed it for the day-to-day,
patrol-to-patrol presentation of your war as a young Christian officer. This
is the type of presentation difficult to find especially of Vietnam.
"Apocalypse Now" and "The Dear Slayer" certainly don't help.”
George D. Belcher COL, MC, USAF Ret
“I knew him as a professional
and community leader — not as a Vietnam
veteran. He inspired others and then applauded their achievement.”
Chris Vernon, MAS, President, The Vernon Company
“I took A Taste of War
on our trip to Sweden and I read your every word. I thank you for the book
and I thank you for sharing your story. I hadn’t realized that you had
experienced so much, Bill, nor had I realized the “hell” of it all. I think
that no one can know, unless they ‘live it’. You are helping many to ‘know’
a little more. Thank you very much.”
Lee Zmolek, Maytag Corporation (retired) and past chair of the Board of Directors for Progress Industries and the PI Foundation