Book Review: Desertion in the Time of Viet Nam

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[5 stars]

Desertion in the Time of Viet Nam Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Jack Todd
Class/Genre: Non-Fiction Vietnam or Vietnam Vet AutoBiography
Houghton Mifflin, May 2001, $24.00, 293 pp.

This autobiography concentrates on the aftermath of fleeing the United States for Canada by the author during the Viet Nam debacle. Todd provides quite a different perspective when he deserts the Army and his country. That decision which worked out well for Todd as he is a highly regarded journalist still effects him deeply with regrets and sorrow when he chose the exile path at a critical crossroad in his life. Well written, though at times quite maudlin, DESERTION IN THE TIME OF VIET NAM brings home an era when everyone seem to know someone fleeing the draft or the war. However, the uniqueness of his personal story is what happened to him and others after they left home.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner